Metabolic syndrome is the collective group of risk factors that can put you at a greater risk of developing many cardiovascular health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. If you have been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome you will certainly want to know what you can do to start taking better care of yourself.
Metabolic syndrome on its own is preventable, even though age and genetics can play a role in its likely development. These factors are beyond your control, of course. However, many of the individual risk factors of metabolic syndrome are reversible, and you can greatly help yourself by managing your lifestyle.
If you have metabolic syndrome, it is preventable and treatable. However, with sufficient commitment to making some dramatic tweaks in your lifestyle and diet, metabolic syndrome can be reversible.
Here are ways you can start to help prevent and treat metabolic syndrome:
Lose the Excess Weight and Belly Fat
Metabolic syndrome is largely due to the presence of excess body fat. Now fat on its own is not life-threatening. However, fat can be hazardous to your health, especially if it settles in the abdominal part of the body, the dreaded belly fat. This is because your vital organs are being encased in unhealthy fat.
Losing belly fat can feel considerably harder to do than simply shedding off a few pounds, but it is not impossible. Perhaps you have tried to lose your belly fat, only to lose it from your face and arms. This is natural.
Body fat is laid down first in areas that don’t affect our mobility first, such as the abdomen. It is also the last place to let the fat go. With the right diet and consistent physical activity, you can lose the excess belly fat. It just takes determination and time.
Commit to Being Physically Active
If you’re not athletically minded and hate the thought of pounding the pavement, committing to being physically active can be rather daunting and a huge sacrifice.
However, it’s time to stop being a couch potato and time to look for a physical activity you can enjoy. Swimming is one that comes to mind. It does not have the harsh impacts that some other exercise regimes do, but provides both strength and aerobic benefits. That can boost your mindset too!
If you approach exercise in a positive way, you will reap the benefits. You get out what you put in, so invest in yourself and your health.
Be Health Conscious and Mindful of Your Weight
If you are aware of ‘you,’ you become more aware of your health and also your weight loss or weight gain, and you begin to take control. If you truly have the desire to become healthier and live longer by becoming weight-conscious, good for you! It can take a lot of dedication and effort on your part, but making the decision to do so is the best first step.
Just remember not to be too hard on yourself. Learn to manage the stress that comes along with putting immense pressure on your ability to lose weight. Take it one day at a time. With dedication and commitment, you will have positive results. Being more health-conscious and mindful of your weight starts with you. When you are mindful, eating healthy and being more physically active becomes a natural and easier part of your life.
Stop Bad Habits and Create Good Habits
Stress in your life can cause health problems. Stressed people smoke too much, drink too much and eat too much of the wrong foods. Plus, if you are stressed you are less likely to exercise, so you are not boosting your happy hormones either.
Restore balance in your life by better managing your stress and bad habits and start creating better ones.
Let Your Food Be Your Medicine
Be mindful of what you are eating at all times. Eat your food as if it is your metabolic syndrome medicinal treatment. The main carrier of nutrients that your body needs and takes in daily is food. It is healthy foods that ultimately make you healthy and help you lose weight.
Avoid sugars, processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and inflammation-causing foods. Instead, nourish your body with good, nutritious foods that will help you keep the unwanted pounds off and make you stronger and healthier.
If you really want to help yourself and reverse metabolic syndrome, you’ll need to commit to doing the things suggested above. If you care about your health, it’s certainly worth it.
