It is often said that you should seek the advice of a doctor before any weight loss or intense workout program. While many dismiss that as a mere cliché, there are some legitimate reasons why everybody should at least consult their doctor before they decide to go through a drastic weight loss regimen. In this article, we’re going to give you four of the main reasons you should seek medical advice.
Intense Physical Activity Isn’t Always a Good Choice
Everybody knows that in order to lose weight, you have to burn more calories that you consume. For many people, it consists of either cutting down on calories, ramping up physical activity or a combination of both. However, intense physical activity might not be the best idea for your actual weight or physical condition. Undertaking intense activity could put extreme pressure on your joints if you’re severely overweight. A doctor might prescribe exercises that are more suited for your body type and current level of activity. For instance, instead of jogging, a doctor might prescribe light cycling instead, which would put considerably less pressure on your joints and reduce the chances of injury.
To Give you Nutritional Advice
Nutritionists aren’t the only ones qualified to provide nutritional advice. And not all weight loss regimens are good for you. For instance, a weight loss program might provide great results as far as weight loss goes, but it might deplete you of certain essential nutrients, which might lead to excessive loss of muscle mass and bone density, or even organ damage.
He Might Give You Age Specific Advice
Another thing you have to keep an eye on is your age. As you advance with age, the type of exercise you can do becomes more limited. However, age alone is not a good predictor of what type of exercise you can perform. Depending on the level of stress you’ve put on your body over the years, you might be able to perform more or less intense exercise. Most doctors will have someone with at least an online MSHI degree from an institution such as Adelphi University with access to your record. An online MSHI program prepares students to access any crucial information on any patient in seconds and they’ll be able to assess immediately which type of exercise would be most suitable for you.
He might Advise You on a Prescription
Did you know that certain prescription medicine can significantly alter your capacity to lose weight? Others can also cause you to have an increased appetite, which can be detrimental to weight loss. For instance, birth control pills are notorious for hindering weight loss. Progesterone and Estrogen might also make weight loss more difficult. Even mood stabilizers like Zyprexa may have an effect. So make sure you consult your doctor to see if he can lower your dosage safely or provide an alternative with less detrimental side effects.
Conclusion
As you can see, seeing a doctor before starting a weight loss or exercise routine is not only recommended, it’s essential if you truly care about your health. A physician will be able to give you advice on which drugs to take and which ones to avoid, which exercises are suitable for your age group and current physical condition, as well as give you nutrition advice to help you meet your goals.