BY LAURA WOODWARD, BSN, RN, LNC 

When it comes to dropping a pound or two, your weight is more than just a number. Weight is just one aspect of your overall health and well-being, there are many factors including complete body composition, nutrition, overall physical fitness, and mentality that also play a key role in your health and weight loss journey.

Those pounds that you are seeing on your scale mean much more than the amount of excess weight that you may want to lose. So what does on the scale mean? If you have a basic scale that only tells you your body weight in pounds, that’s precisely what it means. It means that every tissue, including fat, bone, muscle, and all of the fluids within your body weigh that much. With the right scale, you can actually see individual factors broken down. A body composition scale uses bioelectric impedance analysis to determine how much of your total weight is fat-free mass and how much is body fat. Once you truly know how to read a scale and the measurements, you can effectively begin your weight loss journey and your journey to overall better health.

You may think that you can just start that new fad diet, pill, or medication and it will fix everything, but think again. Once you decide to stop the diet or medication, it’s like a rebound effect. Let’s put it this way: the faster you lose the weight, the faster you’ll gain that weight right back. Fad diets or medications are those that promise quick weight loss results through extreme restrictions on certain foods or food groups. These quick fix methods often lack balance and sustainability, and can lead to nutrient deficiencies and other health problems.

Healthy weight loss, on the other hand, involves making gradual and sustainable changes to your diet and lifestyle. This may include reducing calorie intake, increasing physical activity, and choosing nutrient-dense foods. Nutrients are ESSENTIAL for our bodies to function properly. Protein, fiber, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates are essential nutrients for weight loss. Protein helps to build and repair muscle, which in turn can boost your metabolism and help you burn more calories. Fiber helps to keep you feeling full and satisfied, while also promoting healthy digestion. Healthy fats, such as those found in nuts, seeds and avocados, can help to reduce inflammation and support heart health. Complex carbohydrates, such as those found in whole grains and vegetables, provide sustained energy and important vitamins and minerals.

Specific nutrients to focus on that are in favor of weight loss are:

• Vitamin B12: Boosts cellular energy and regulates hormones

• M.I.C (Methionine, Inositol, Choline) aka Lipotropics: These work to metabolize fats, lower cholesterol, regulate blood sugar, and prevent fat buildup.

• L-Carnitine: Transports lipids specifically for production of energy

• NAD+: Regulates energy metabolism, DNA damage repair, and stress response

Additionally, IV nutrition therapy can also support weight loss goals. IV nutrition therapy involves delivering essential nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system for maximum absorption. This can help to boost energy levels, support immune function, and promote healthy metabolism. IV nutrition therapy can also be customized to meet individual needs, with options such as a fat-burning blend or a detoxifying blend. By focusing on nutrient enrichment, you can fuel your body for optimal health and weight loss.

Lastly, Intuitive eating is another approach to weight loss that focuses on listening to your body’s hunger and fullness cues, rather than following strict rules or restrictions. Intuitive eating involves tuning into your body’s natural signals and eating when you are hungry, stopping when you are full, and choosing foods that make you feel good. It’s a sustainable and empowering approach to weight loss that can help you achieve your health goals while also promoting body positivity and self-love.

If you’re looking to achieve your weight loss goals, it’s important to approach the process with a holistic and balanced mindset. By focusing on overall health and wellness, rather than just the number on the scale, you can create sustainable habits that will serve you well for years to come. Here at iV Nutrition Wash Park we will be holding a number of weight loss challenges throughout the year and we have partnered with Katie Mitchell of “Day 2 Coaching” and Text a Health Coach to assist our community in achieving its goals and the overall sense of health & wellbeing.