Physical fitness has been an absolute mantra in modern times, and with good reason too. As science has progressed, the approach to physical fitness too has evolved. Being fit isn’t just about looking better either, because apart from having a fit body that looks good on beaches, there’s a direct correlation between fitness and life-expectancy, health, and even work-productivity among a long list of benefits.
Looking at the numbers, though, The United States doesn’t fare very well in terms of physical fitness. It has long been documented that obesity has been a countrywide epidemic for years now, and the figures back this up. Here are the highlights sourced from the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention – 78.6 million of the United States’ entire adult population is obese. That accounts for a staggering 34.9% of the population being recognized as unfit.
Exercise, of course, is the only natural cure for obesity, but exercise alone may not be enough, and the process can most certainly be accelerated by coupling exercise regimens with eating right.
High-Protein Diets are the Answer
A high-protein diet has been a proven solution to accelerate weight loss and build muscles. This study published by Nutra Science Labs test subjects of over 65 years who followed a high protein, low fat diet over an 8 week period showed a 7% weight loss in this period. This just one in a long line of such studies that unequivocally prove that a diet that’s low on fat and high on proteins greatly aids the weight loss process, especially when coupled with a regular exercise regimen or weight loss fitness program. This is because unlike a traditional low fat diet where the amount of food intake is drastically reduced, making it that much more difficult to adhere to the imposed dietary restrictions, a high protein diet means your food intake levels aren’t reduced, it’s just what you eat that’s changed. Furthermore, high protein diets have also been found to increase the rate of metabolism in the body, thus accelerating the weight loss process.
Examples of High Protein Foods
- Leafy greens such as asparagus, broccoli, green peas and spinach
- Dairy products like Greek yoghurts, cottage cheese, eggs, milk and soy milk
- Meats including steak, ground beef, pork chops, chicken breasts, and turkey
- Seafood such as tuna, salmon, halibut and sardines
These are some of the most common high-protein ingredients that are widely available in the US and can form the crux of any high-protein diet. However, it is advisable to consult a qualified dietitian, medical health professional or fitness expert before beginning any dietary course.
With more than a third of the nation’s population suffering from obesity, is it any surprise that heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and strokes are some of the major causes of deaths in the country? Put in monetary terms, the medical costs of obesity in the year 2008 was tallied at $147 billion, with an obese person incurring a medical bill of $1429 more than a physically fit one. Don’t let yourself become a victim to the pitfalls of obesity, especially when a few diet changes and a regular exercise regime is all it takes to change that.