Consulting Your Doctor Before Weight Loss and Exercise

Before you start any weight loss or exercise program, it is always recommended that you speak with your doctor. This appointment should allow you to discuss your current health and any conditions that you have, as well as any problems that could occur as a result of the exercise routine and weight loss strategy that you have chosen.

Your doctor will be able to advise you as to whether or not you are adequately healthy to take part in the physical activity you are hoping to try, and can help to predict the results that you can expect throughout the following months as you change your eating habits. Furthermore, your doctor can help to inform you of your healthy goal weight, and how quickly you can expect to achieve it using healthy means.

It is all too common for people to skip this vital step when they decide to lose weight. They feel that they will be able to judge whether or not they have made the right choices for their bodies and the results that they are hoping to achieve. However, even if you feel that you are a healthy individual, it can be hazardous or even dangerous to your health if you make certain choices for your eating and activity habits. This is especially true in the long term.

Many conditions that can occur at any time can be challenging to self diagnose without the right professional medical knowledge and equipment. For example, even a small problem in the liver or kidney can be dramatically worsened by the increased blood flow that results from heavy exercise.

Of course, it never hurts to have an additional checkup from a doctor regardless of the reason. Many serious conditions, when identified early on by a doctor, can be cured or treated much more easily using much simpler and less expensive means than is the case when those illnesses are allowed to develop and worsen.

Though it is always important for you to consult a doctor before starting any dieting and exercise program for weight loss, this becomes especially important if any of the following applies to you:

• You are overweight or obese (and the weight loss is not merely a few cosmetic pounds)
• You have heart disease, high blood pressure, or have suffered a heart attack
• You have any form of lung ailment, such as asthma
• You have diabetes
• You have any condition affecting the kidneys, liver, or heart
• You experience muscle, joint, or chest pain when you are active
• You suffer from arthritis
• You have ever fainted or have recently lost your balance or felt dizzy or light headed
• You are being medicated for a chronic illness
• You are pregnant at any stage

A good doctor will help you to understand your body’s needs and will assist you in designing the best way for you to lose weight safely and effectively.