Navigating the weight loss journey can be especially challenging when you're also dealing with allergies. It’s possible to integrate your allergy management into your overall wellness plan, making it easier for you to stay on track with your health goals. This holistic approach ensures you don't have to sacrifice comfort for progress. Let’s take a closer look.
Allergies can subtly sabotage your weight loss efforts in ways you might not expect. Allergies not only strike at the respiratory system but also can prompt body inflammation and exacerbate calorie burning inefficiency. If you're allergic to something, that may be the cause of inflammation. The result can be an excess in water retention and minor weight gain. But simply enduring its uncomfortable symptoms just won’t do. Allergy medications can also increase your grocery bill, or directly contribute to weight gain. Acknowledging these challenges is the first step toward effectively managing them.
Eat the Right Foods for You
Start out with a professional to identify which foods you may be most allergic to, and then adjust your diet accordingly by avoiding them. And, don’t just avoid the foods you’re allergic to, eat natural anti-inflammatories like berries, nuts and leafy greens. These can help counteract the effects of allergies as well as helping you shed pounds.
Regular Indoor Exercise
Isn't it frustrating how pollen and other allergens can totally mess up your outdoor workout plans? If you're looking to avoid a runny nose while still getting your exercise, why not try some indoor activities like yoga, Pilates, or even dance? These options can keep you moving without having to step outside. Plus, whether you're working out in the fresh air or in a comfy, climate-controlled room, the benefits are the same.
Staying Hydrated
Adequate water consumption serves as a vital element both for management of allergies and in promoting weight loss. Hydration is important for flushing out toxins and allergens from the body. Hydrated cells are also a natural defense against the temptation to "snack".
The general recommendation from health experts, including those from the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, is that an adequate daily fluid intake is about 3.7 liters (or about 13 cups) for men and about 2.7 liters (or about 9 cups) for women. This total includes all fluids consumed from water, other beverages, and food. About 20% of daily fluid intake usually comes from food and the rest from drinks.
Deal with Stress In A Healthy Way
Stress can make allergies worse. It can also cause weight gain, especially around your abdominal area. Mindfulness techniques, meditation and regular periodic exercise can help reduce stress levels. This helps control both weight and allergies.
Create Conditions Favorable for Good Sleep
If you sleep poorly, it’s not only tiring but can worsen allergies and spoil your weight loss goals. Poor sleep affects hunger hormones such as ghrelin and leptin so you eat more than is good for you. Also, try to make sure that your bedroom is free from allergens. For example, fit your mattresses with fitted hypoallergenic covers.
Besides using hypoallergenic covers, here are several other strategies to improve allergies while sleeping:
Air Purifiers: Using an air purifier in your bedroom can help remove allergens such as pollen, dust mites, and pet dander from the air. Choose a purifier with a HEPA filter for best results.
Keep Pets Out of the Bedroom: If you have pets, try to keep them out of your bedroom to reduce the amount of pet dander in your sleeping area.
Wash Bedding Regularly: Wash your sheets, pillowcases, and blankets at least once a week in hot water to kill dust mites and remove allergens.
Shower Before Bed: Taking a shower before going to bed can help remove pollen and other allergens from your hair and skin, reducing the risk of them transferring to your bedding.
Maintain Low Humidity: Keep the humidity in your bedroom below 50% to inhibit the growth of mold and reduce dust mites. A dehumidifier can help achieve this in damp climates.
Allergy-Proof Your Bedding: Besides hypoallergenic covers, consider using allergy-proof pillows and duvets which are designed to resist allergens.
Keep Windows Closed: Especially during high pollen seasons, keep your bedroom windows closed to prevent pollen from entering.
Vacuum Regularly: Using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter can help reduce the amount of dust and allergens in your bedroom.
Monitor the Levels of Pollen and Allergens
Stay informed about Atlanta’s daily pollen counts and air quality indexes. These figures help you determine the perfect time of day for outdoor activities or go, and tell when it’s better to avoid allergen triggers inside your house.
Get Involved with Support Groups or Counseling
After all, coping with allergies and weight loss can be a challenge. Other people who share the same struggle can offer genuine encouragement and helpful hints; friends in nearby groups or avenues of counseling. It's good to share ideas that have worked for others in the same boat as you.
Taking the initiative to manage your allergies and pursue weight loss is a healthy lifestyle choice. Remember, this journey is one shared by many others, and with the right support system and resources in place you can achieve your goal of reaching your thinner self.
When you're ready to move down the road to a more healthy, energetic you, call us in the Atlanta area for help every step of the way. PrimeHealthMD will work to ensure that your plan is tailored to take into account all of your individual health needs. Most major insurances are accepted, and you can contact us to see if your insurance qualifies.
