Upon hearing the words “weight loss,” you can place yourself front and center into a polarizing debate.

Among all of the fads — the crash diets, the structured plans — may come crippling stress, worry and the lingering question: how can I lose the weight?

First and foremost, it’s important you consult with your doctor to find out what’s best for you. Everyone’s journey with weight loss looks different, and the most critical step you can take is understanding how to shed off your body weight in safe and healthy manner.

That’s why we recommend looking into Found, the customizable weight loss platform that’ll help you achieve. your goals on your own terms.

“Found is a digital health company that functions as a virtual weight management clinical with all the components of care required to help people lose weight and improve their health,” Rekha Kumar, MD, head of medical affairs at Found, practicing endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist focusing on women’s health, told the New York Post. “Found provides medical providers (physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners), health coaches, and a behavior modification program all delivered through technology.”

To begin your weight loss journey safely, it is important to take several key steps.

“First, set realistic and achievable goals that promote gradual and sustainable weight loss,” Wan Na Chun, MPH, RD, registered dietitian and personal trainer, tells The Post. “Focus on nutrition by emphasizing whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and healthy fats, while limiting processed foods and sugary snacks. Practice portion control and be mindful of your eating habits. Incorporate regular physical activity that you enjoy, including cardiovascular exercises, strength training and flexibility exercises.”

Additionally, you’ll want to stay hydrated, get enough quality sleep and consider seeking support from a weight loss group or professionals. “When beginning your weight loss journey, it’s important to prioritize sustainable lifestyle changes over fad diets or quick fixes,” Dr. Chun adds. “To lose weight or maintain weight loss, you’ll need up to 300 minutes of moderate physical activity a week, according to the Mayo Clinic.”

Now that we’ve covered the basics to aim for, customized weight loss platform Found can help you stay on track with your weight loss goals. Through this readily used platform, you’ll receive safe and effective medication (if it’s right for you) a personal health coach and access to a private community of others who are experiencing the same ambitions as yourself.

More, Found is filled with plenty of benefits and a wonderful user-experience.

“One of the major benefits of Found over going to an in-person weight loss clinic is the ease and speed with which a person can be seen for an initial consult, as well as for intermittent follow up or side effects consults.,” Dr. Kumar tells The Post. “Another benefit is the access to through behavior change support via emphasis on nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress, and habit formation.”

Typically, all of these components of care are not delivered together at in-person clinics. Rather, patients are often referred to several providers that fragments their care. “At Found, all of this is delivered through one app,” she adds.

Even better, Found is a tangible solution to those who are seeking a customized, streamlined approach to losing weight safely.

“Found prescribes the widest toolkit of medications and individualized treatment plans based on the underlying cause of each person’s weight gain,” Kumar highlights. “Found acknowledges the various hormonal pathways in the body that drive weight gain. At Found, our clinicians understand that not every person gains weight for the same reason. By diagnosing root causes, we can choose the right combination of medication and behavioral therapy.”

To effectively manage weight, it is crucial to tailor diets to individual preferences and medical history.

“Based on a comprehensive meta-analysis of various diet programs, it was found that the primary driver of weight loss is calorie restriction, followed by the composition of macronutrients,” Chun points out. “For the purpose of weight loss, a moderately balanced diet with carbohydrates comprising 30% to 40% of total calories, fats making up 20% to 30% of total calories, and protein accounting for 25% to 35% of total calories has proven to be effective.”

Low-fat and low-carbohydrate diets are effective for initial weight loss — according to a 2021 study — but can be hard to sustain. “Additionally, meal timing plays a significant role in weight management, and incorporating higher-calorie breakfasts while fasting overnight may help prevent obesity,” Chun explains.

Because Found has taken the physician’s office out of the equation, here’s how you can get all-encompassing medical guidance from the comfort of your own home:

To add to Found’s impressive platform, its team of board-certified medical experts are specially trained in obesity. Alarmingly, 99% of U.S. doctors are not trained in managing obesity and overweight individuals, per a Found study, so we appreciate their keen eye to finding the right professionals to help you on your journey.

Because Found is a customized weight loss platform, its membership prices depend on the path you qualify for and the membership commitment length you select. Click here to take your pre-purchase quiz.

Losing weight during pregnancy can be harmful to both the mother and the developing fetus.

“Research shows that losing weight on purpose can increase the risk of complications for the baby, and restricting calories and nutrients can be harmful to the developing child,” Wan points out. “In fact, according to the CDC, in the second trimester, women need an additional 200 to 400 calories per day, and in the third trimester, women need an additional 450 calories per day.”

Weight loss can have significant benefits for people with diabetes.

“Losing weight can help manage or prevent some of the health problems that can come with diabetes, such as heart disease and stroke,” Wan explains. “It can also lower glucose levels in the blood, which may decrease the effects of diabetes and make the condition more manageable. In some cases, weight loss is enough to restore blood sugar to a normal level, which eliminates diabetes.”

Even if it doesn’t completely cure the disease, losing weight may make it possible for people with diabetes to take less medication. Getting to a lower weight reduces many of these problems.

“When you weigh less, your pancreas is better able to keep up with your body’s need for insulin,” Wan adds. “Losing five to 10 percent of your body weight may help you better manage your type 2 diabetes and keep blood sugar levels under control,” she notes. “Research shows that losing five percent of your extra weight will make you less likely to get heart disease by improving blood pressure, blood sugar and HDL cholesterol (the good kind).”

Losing weight can be challenging, but it is important for people with diabetes to maintain a healthy weight to manage their condition.

Weight loss is not advisable for individuals with eating disorders or a history of disordered eating due to potential detrimental effects on their well-being.

“This is because people with eating disorders often struggle with an unhealthy relationship with food and body image, engaging in extreme measures that can lead to malnutrition and organ damage,” Wan says. “Weight loss can reinforce these harmful behaviors, hinder recovery, and trigger or worsen mental health issues like anxiety and depression.”

What’s more, distorted body perception further complicates matters, making it challenging to recognize dangerous weight loss. Weight loss can also trigger relapse and impede long-term recovery efforts.

“Specialized treatment is essential, and weight gain may be necessary for health restoration,” Wan adds. “Instead of focusing on weight loss, individuals should prioritize developing a healthy relationship with food, body, and seek professional help to address the root causes of their condition.”

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