[karthik]

Decade of Sushmitas and Ashwarys has left an impression on our concept on beauty. The image of beauty and the general awareness about health has led us to the mushrooming of health and fitness centers. In this fast space of life we wanted an instant solution to our problems including our weight related problems. This has thrown out lot of quacks giving half-baked informations and advises about how to lose weight on this and that part of the body. This with the drug manufactures' advertisement has led us think that an instant weight reduction can be achieved. Most of the time what we fail to understand about this is the instant weight loss is from the fluid weight and the harmful effects of starving.

A combination of over eating and a lack of exercise normally cause obesity. Obesity can have devastating consequences for health and happiness and an emotional level can lead to a lack of self-esteem and depression. If you eat more calories than you burn off during normal daily activity the surplus calories are stored as fat. There are few medical conditions were you gain weight excessively like hormonal problems. Due to the hormonal imbalance near menstruation, female tempts to gain weight temporarily.

Physical symptoms of obesity include shortness of breath, aching legs and swollen ankles. Over weight people have an above average chance of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, gallbladder problems and gout. They are likely to suffer more severe symptoms of disorders such as angina and arthritis, which will persist and worsen with age unless steps are taken to lose weight. Obesity has also been linked to arthrosclerosis heart disorders and certain types of cancer. The excess weight may damage joints causing osteoarthritis particularly of the knees and hips.

There is no magic cure for obesity. But you can achieve a lower healthier weight by increasing your level of physical activity and reducing your calories intake. This can be achieved by combining a low fat diet with some form of regular physical activity. Energy is measured in kilocalories and the aims of a slimming diet are to bring about weight loss by reducing your calorie intake from foods and drinks and increasing your calorie out put with exercise, so that the body uses up more energy than it receive. For example you have to burn 7000 kcal to lose 1 kg of weight.