Could this be the reason why you’re struggling to lose weight?

The condition that affects one's ability to lose weight

It is estimated that five million South Africans are pre-diabetic, a condition characterised by insulin resistance, glucose intolerance and abnormal blood sugar control. Not only is this pre-diabetic state a health risk in terms of developing type 2 diabetes, but it can also affect one’s ability to lose weight.

5 Ways to tip the scales

Weigh-Less founder and chairperson, Mary Holroyd, has five tips to help you work around the condition, avoid ill health and tip the scales in your favour:

1. Stay away from ‘non-essential’ foods, which are foods with a higher GI, and therefore associated with rapid spikes in blood sugar, which may be dangerous to insulin resistant people or those at risk of developing it.

2. Look for a sustainable weight-loss formula that will cater for your individual journey to goal weight.

3. Work with a dietitian or try a weight loss plan which takes your blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure levels into account.

4. Manage your consumption of carbohydrates the healthy way in order to balance your blood sugar levels, and improve your body’s response to insulin.

5. Know and monitor your numbers – use a diary or a health tracker app to assist you in monitoring your key health indicators (like your cholesterol levels) and their associated risk of developing lifestyle diseases.

Weigh-Less’s new ‘Best For You Plan’, endorsed by a registered dietitian Heidi Lobel, is designed to prevent the development of lifestyle diseases, such as type 2 diabetes.

It has been developed to help dieters balance blood sugar levels and improve the body's response to insulin. While it is not intended to be the champion of quick weight loss, it is a specialised plan that caters specifically for people who are insulin resistant, or at risk of developing insulin resistance, and it therefore helps to lessen the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

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