Fluffy
Perhaps you’ve seen or heard the cutesy expression “Ewes not fat, ewes fluffy” accompanied by an image of a very wooly sheep, or, perhaps, you’re a fan of the comedian Fluffy. In both cases, fluffy is a euphemism for…well…extra weight. Whether you’re accepting of your current size or working to change sizes, good health is supported by maintaining a healthy weight for your height.
Effects of Extra Weight
There are countless opportunities to improve our health every single day, but losing excess weight is one of the most beneficial ways.. As most of us know, weight contributes to a number of other medical conditions:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Type 2 diabetes
- Insulin resistance
- Gallbladder problems
- Arthritis/joint pains
- Some cancers
- Cholesterol levels that are too high (LDL) or too low (HDL)
Excess weight can put a significant strain on one’s heart, too. Some excess weight can even lead to obesity, which is now categorized as a chronic disease. Even though most of us are very aware of its risks and potential complications, shedding extra pounds is a difficult, and potentially, impossible task.
More Than Counting Calories
Certainly, behavior impacts one’s ability to lose weight. Consumption of many high-sugar and carb laden foods isn’t going to lend itself to weight loss. Neither is a sedentary lifestyle. But losing weight really is more complicated than merely calories in versus calories burned. While nutrition and exercise play a role in the behavioral side of weight loss, there are also hormonal and metabolic factors that influence whether we gain or lose weight successfully.
What’s a Body to do?
When it comes to losing weight and successfully keeping it off, our bodies can seem like our foe instead of our friend. There are countless weight loss options out there – fad diets, companies that sell weight loss products, and even surgery. Fad diets usually lead to regaining weight when you go off them, there aren’t necessarily studies to confirm the efficacy of weight loss products, and surgery comes with its own set of risks and potential complications.
There is another way. Medically safe, supervised weight loss is possible. There are several weight loss medications that have proven effective in helping people lose weight once and for all. In addition, medically supervised weight loss has the benefit of having regular check-ins with a medical provider to monitor all your biomarkers like cholesterol and A1C (which checks blood sugar levels). Adjustments can be made to your weight loss regimen immediately if needed instead of waiting until your next annual physical to make sure you’re okay.
Weight Loss Medications
There are a number of weight loss medications available for you to try. They include but are not limited to:
- Semaglutide/Levocarnitine
- Liraglutide
- Metformin
- Naltrexone/Bupropion
- LipoB injections
- Topiramate
- Tirzepatide
The Online NP can work with you to supervise your weight loss and ensure that it’s both safe and effective for you.
Why The Online NP?
Stephanie Kowatch, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, founder of The Online NP, provides telemedicine services in over 40 states. Telemedicinel services give you access to care even if you don’t have it locally. Stephanie also provides the flexibility for you to receive weight loss support from your own home. She can be reached in her Reno, NV office by phone at 775-285-6411 or by email at stephanie@TheOnlineNP.com so you can get the help you need to lose those pesky pounds and keep them off.
Disclaimer: The information contained here was not written by a medical doctor and is intended for informational purposes only. This is not a substitute for medical advice.