Losing weight in a safe and healthy way

The first step to getting your weight and health back on track is understanding that there is only one way, and that is better nutrition and increased movement. Photo / Supplied

Stu Cook works for Health 2000, one of the leading natural health care companies in New Zealand. By using his company’s own products and advice he achieved this astonishing life change. Here are his top tips to lose weight quickly and safely.

My journey began in January 2015 with the realisation that, as an overweight person, my risk of heart disease, diabetes and a whole raft of other health problems were waiting for me if I didn't get my weight back on track. I set out to prove not just to myself, but to all those who would listen, that with the right attitude, good nutrition and the correct supplementation, they too can achieve a healthy weight.

The first step to getting your weight and health back on track is understanding that there is only one way, and that is better nutrition and increased movement. We hear a lot about the obesity epidemic, and it's incredible to think that overweight people are still malnourished; this was my problem. Before I could think about exercising I had to fuel my body in the right way. This included eliminating foods that had no nutritional value; refined sugar being the main one and processed foods being another. The difference, once the withdrawal symptoms passed, was incredible.

Now you may ask yourself, 'Why not start at the gym straight away?' And my response has been the same since I heard the saying, you can't outrun an unhealthy diet, and it's so true! No matter how much you push yourself at the gym, if you aren't fuelling your body correctly then you are going to have problems. For true nutrition, the incorporation of superfoods and not overeating are the first places to start.

Another aspect to consider is supplementation. I hear many people tell me that there is no need to consider supplementation if you are healthy, and I disagree. Ensuring that your body has the correct vitamins and minerals, essential fatty acids, amino acids and antioxidants are essential to maintaining good health and achieving your goals. I couldn't have achieved what I set out to do if I hadn't looked after all those elements. The more pressure we put our bodies under, the more we need to support all aspects of our health and wellbeing. Our immune system can take a real hammering when we increase our exercise, so some key supplementation such as magnesium, vitamin C and a good probiotic are going to be the basics on your journey.

Once I had the food aspect sorted, and I was supporting my body's vitamin and mineral levels, it was time to add the exercise. I chose to go to a personal trainer twice a week; the money I saved from purchasing alcohol, sweet treats and processed foods covered the majority of this cost. Seeing a personal trainer was important to help me build muscle correctly, the key to weight loss. Adding in a protein - and it doesn't have to be whey protein - also helps to support muscle growth and recovery.

Once on this journey, the next challenge was not to lose heart. There were times that I wanted to give up, or go have something completely unhealthy, but by not losing heart and knowing that you are on the path to better health you're going to find it much easier.

Support is always important, and being able to talk to the caring staff throughout Health 2000 has been invaluable. What I love about working for Health 2000 is that many of the staff live and breathe health and wellbeing; they genuinely care and can help you achieve your goals. So if you are starting out on your own journey, or have been on one for a while and find it's not working, then pop in and talk to one of the friendly team at Health 2000 for advice, or visit www.health2000.co.nz

Stu Cook is the marketing manager for Health 2000. If you want to know more about his journey and how he has achieved what he has, follow him on Facebook.

Like what you see? For weekly Element news sign up to our newsletter. We're also on Facebook and Twitter.