When it comes to weight loss, there is no shortage in fad diets or quick weight lost schemes. We all want to feel good about the way we look, but short cut diets limit your nutritional intake and fail in the long run. Being healthy is not just about losing excess pounds, but balancing the number of calories you consume with the number of calories your body uses, eating a healthy diet, and sustaining a regular exercise program. Maintaining a healthy weight comes from lifestyle changes that require discipline and patience.
The first step to a healthy lifestyle is taking control. You need to assess your weight and determine whether or not your current weight is healthy One way is by calculating your Body Mass Index (BMI). Your BMI is calculated by finding your weight and height in a BMI Index Chart. The chart has four labels for ranges of weight, “underweight”, “normal”, “overweight”, and “obese”. At an individual level, BMI can be used as a screening tool but is not diagnostic of the body fatness or health of an individual. A trained healthcare provider should perform appropriate health assessments in order to evaluate an individual’s health status and risks.
Once you determine your BMI, you will then know if you need to lose or gain weight and what that a healthy weight looks like for you. Healthy weight loss is accomplished through gradual and steady weight loss, roughly one or two pounds per week. Maintaining a healthy weight consists of not consuming more calories than you use, eating a healthy diet, and starting a sensible exercise program.
Preventing weight gain requires planning ahead and is a proactive way to maintain a current healthy weight or prevent further weight gain. Organizing weekly meals that enforce healthy eating habits and incorporating physical activity throughout your week, will help you avoid weight gain. By avoiding weight gain, you can avoid higher risks of many chronic diseases. Some high risk diseases include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, and some forms of cancer.
You may know a loved one who is struggling with weight gain or you yourself are having issues. Take control and get your BMI evaluated and/or biometric screening performed by your local Piedmont Urgent Care Physician or primary care doctor. Once you have a baseline assessment of your current health, you can begin to build and implement a healthy lifestyle that’s best for you.
