Obesity is not the same thing as being overweight.  Obesity, which can have a negative affect on one's health, is chronic condition that is an accumulation of too much body fat.  A person usually becomes obese because of poor dietary and lifestyle choices.  A Body Mass Index (BMI), which exceeds 30, means that a person is obese, but a BMI that is between 25-29.9 is categorizes someone as overweight.  There is an Obesity epidemic in the United State, considering that two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese, and 1 in every 3 Americans are obese.  Obesity increases one's risk of developing a variety of conditions such as High Blood Pressure, Type 2 Diabetes, High Cholesterol, Heart Attack, Stroke, Cancer, Gallstones, or Gout, among others.  

Being overweight may not cause any symptoms, but Obesity can cause a person to experience a wide variety of symptoms. The main indication of Obesity is a BMI of 30 or higher.  Symptoms, such as the following, can be indications of Obesity.

• Feeling Out of Breath
• Feeling Parched or Constantly Thirsty
• Increased Sweating
• Back or Joint Pains
• Difficulty Sleeping
• Tiredness
• Snoring
• Inability to be Physically Active (without getting immediately tired)
• Abdominal Pain
• Excessive Bathroom Use (especially at night)

While genetics, hormones, and behaviors can influence a person's body weight, people usually become obese when the eat more calories than they can burn off, either through activities or exercise.  If calories are not burned, the body stores them as excess fat and the person gains weight as a result.  It is rare that diseases such as Cushing's Syndrome or Prader-Willi Syndrome cause Obesity.  The primary causes are overeating and physical inactivity.  Other causes are below.

• Overeating
• Physical Inactivity
• Genetics
• Poor Diet (primarily comprised of simple carbohydrates because they are rapidly absorbed in the blood stream).
• Medications (antidepressants, Diabetes medications, or oral contraceptives may lead to weight gain)
• Diseases (such as Hypothyroidism)
• Social Issues
• Frequent Eating
• Culture (pop culture can make a person feel self-conscious or depressed about his/her weight)

• Consuming fewer calories and conforming to a healthier diet can promote weight loss.  It is important to eat breakfast, however, because avoid this meal can slow the metabolism, which does not aid the path to a slimmer body.  You can make a fresh fruit and vegetable smoothie with a handful of almonds to power you until your next meal.  It's also beneficial to switch to a plant-based diet because your body can hold on to viruses or bacteria if you consume meat, dairy products, salt, sugar, processed foods, junk foods, hydrogenated fats and oils, and genetically engineered foods.  
• Sometimes people with Obesity can have digestive issues, and healthy digestion is essential for weight loss. Freshly squeezed lemon juice can help improve digestion and detoxify the body.  Additionally, lemon juice removes the toxins, which slow down metabolism.  Avoid buying bottled lemon juice because it can have added sugars or sweeteners. 
• Exercising is a great option to lose weight.  Not only does exercising promote healthy circulation, but it also can relieve tension and promote proper digestion.  The best exerices is a brisk morning walk, which lasts 30 minutes to an hour.  If walking is hard on the joints, you can swim, ride an exercise bike, or find alternative calisthenics that are comfortable for your joints.
• Sometimes combating Obesity is not as easy as dieting and exercising.  There are often toxins, which have built up over years of poor eating habits, that the body holds on to.  It can be beneficial to participate in our Full-Body Cleanse to help your body naturally get rid of toxins.  The various herbal supplements in the cleanse, along with maintaining a raw foods diet, can help the body naturally eliminate waste. 
• Consuming raw, organic apple cider vinegar can help break down fat cells, which can inhibit the accumulation of body fat.  Mix two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in 8oz. of water and consume this in the morning and before meals because apple cider vinegar can help boost metabolism. 
• Eating cabbage can be an effective way to combat Obesity.  You can eat cabbage raw or lightly sauteed in extra virgin olive oil.  Cabbage makes it so sugars and other carbohydrates cannot turn into fat.  Adding it your meals is an easy way to fight Obesity. 
• You can sip detoxifying tea throughout the day to help your body naturally break down the accumulated body fat.  When you get rid of toxins in your body, your systems can function at optimum levels.  You can make ginger tea, turmeric tea, or a blend of ground cumin seeds, croiander seeds, and fennel seeds.  

• Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
• Ginger
• Turmeric
• Aloe Vera
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Cabbage
• Mint
• Dark Leafy Greens (spinach, kale, & chard)
• Kefir
• Kombucha
• Kimchi
• Chia & Flax Seeds
• Coconut Oil
• Zucchini