Copyright 2024
Medical Security Card Company, LLC
All Rights Reserved
WellRx will never sell your personal information. Period. By signing up I agree to WellRx's terms of use and privacy policy.
By Jacquelyn Buffo, MS, LPC, CAADC
April 21, 2023
It is common to overhear someone talking about wanting to lose weight. Weight loss has been a major focus in America for many years. As a society, we are constantly bombarded with the latest weight loss trends, pills, powders, and diets, all claiming to help us lose weight and keep it off. Several interventions can help you lose weight, and the interventions that are effective for you are based on individual factors such as hereditary characteristics, lifestyle habits, and body chemistry.
You probably know someone who is trying to lose weight and get in shape. Perhaps it’s a co-worker, a best friend, or even a family member. In 2016, almost half of the adults in the United States (49.1%) tried to lose weight. It is probably not surprising to you to learn that usually, more women are trying to lose weight than men. This is supported by the fact that 56.4% of women and 41.7% of men reported an attempt to lose weight in 2016.
From 2013-2016, studies show that:
There is no denying the benefits of weight loss on your physical, mental, and emotional wellness. While it is challenging to lose weight, even a small amount of weight loss can lead to big outcomes. Losing 5%-10% of your body weight can lead to significant health benefits such as improvement in blood sugar levels, lowered cholesterol, and a decrease in blood pressure.
When you are at a healthy weight:
Many strategies and interventions can help you lose weight. One common and highly recommended strategy is exercise. Along with the physical benefits listed above, physical activity can also help improve your mental health by reducing anxiety and depression symptoms and increasing your self-esteem.
Losing weight is challenging, and it takes time. We live in a society that reinforces instant gratification. We can purchase our groceries with the click of a button and receive them within the hour, we can log in to work right after we crawl out of bed, and we can be entertained on social media the second we pick up our phones. Delayed gratification and having to wait for things to happen feel uncomfortable. However, healthily losing weight takes time, and it is a process. Studies have consistently demonstrated that people who lose weight gradually over time (1-2 pounds per week) are more likely to maintain their weight loss over an extended period versus those who lose weight rapidly.
To lose weight, you must experience a caloric deficit. That is, you must burn more calories than you consume. Therefore, physical activity is one surefire way to help you lose weight. When you engage in physical activity, you use energy to burn off calories. Physical exercise has a plethora of benefits, including:
Additionally, regular physical exercise is essential for maintaining weight loss after you have achieved your weight loss goals. How much exercise you need is dependent on factors unique to you, including your age and lifestyle. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about your level of physical activity and what would be appropriate for you.
Watching what you eat and making a point to eat more fruits, vegetables, and lean protein is important in achieving weight loss.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a healthy diet that supports weight loss and maintenance is comprised of:
Lifestyle factors such as stress levels and medications can influence your weight. Certain medications, such as antidepressants, can contribute to weight loss or weight gain. Furthermore, certain medications can aid in your weight loss efforts by speeding up your metabolism and/or decreasing your appetite. One such medication is called phentermine.
Phentermine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that is used to treat obesity in both children and adults. Phentermine is taken orally via a capsule. It helps reduce your appetite, helps keep you feeling fuller longer, and it is in a classification of drugs known as anorectics. It is intended for children 12 years of age and older who have a body mass index (BMI) of 95% or higher based on their age and gender. It is also intended for adults who are diagnosed as obese and who are experiencing medical complications as a result of their weight.
Phentermine isn’t a magic pill. To achieve optimum benefits, phentermine must be taken along with physical exercise and a healthy diet. Phentermine is only available through a prescription from a medical professional. Your doctor will determine if phentermine is appropriate for you and, if so, what dosage to start you in. As with most medications, phentermine has possible side effects.
Potential side effects of phentermine include:
Serious side effects can occur, including:
If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor immediately.
If you are trying to lose weight and you think phentermine may be right for you, talk to your doctor. Together you and your doctor will determine if phentermine is appropriate for you and your medical needs. It is important to reiterate that phentermine is just one intervention for losing weight, and it needs to be combined with the interventions mentioned above to achieve optimum results. If you are taking phentermine or any other prescription medications, ScriptSave WellRx can help save you money on the cost of your prescriptions. Most people who use the free discount savings card will save 65% on their medications. However, some people save up to 80%. The prescription savings card can be used at a pharmacy near you.
Jacquelyn B. began writing at the age of 10 when she won a county-wide essay contest explaining why her mother is worth her weight in gold. Since that time, she has written for several newspapers and a health and wellness blog. Her education and experience is in mental health and addiction. She is a licensed counselor and currently provides therapeutic services on an outpatient basis. Her counseling and substance abuse experience includes inpatient residential, in-home, and early recovery counseling. She is a certified addiction specialist and is working on obtaining her certification in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. She also specializes in working with pregnant and post-partum women and has received advanced training on women's health.
Resources:
For your convenience, use the ScriptSave® WellRx mobile app. Now savings are well in hand, right at the pharmacy counter. Save on your family's prescription medicines.
Learn MoreYour choice. Get a ScriptSave WellRx Savings Card. Or Download the free mobile app from the App Store or Google Play Store
Get A CardScriptSave WellRx Grocery Guidance leverages leading-edge nutritional data science to help you know which food products on your grocery store shelf are truly good for YOU.
Healthy Foods For YouTags:
October 23, 2024
May 07, 2024
April 12, 2024
You need to log into the site to use this feature
This feature requires registration. Sign up or log in to your free WellRx account to gain access to this and other tools to help make managing your medications and wellness easier.
Benefits Include:
This feature requires registration. Sign up or log in to your free WellRx account to gain access to this and other tools to help make managing your medications and wellness easier.
Benefits Include:
You will be redirected to your program in 5 seconds.
Our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy have recently been updated.
By declining you will be logged out of your account