Weight Loss and You – What You Need to Know

Some people find that they can effectively lose weight on their own while others find it best to seek out a weight loss program to help them lose fat.

To lose weight and keep the fat from showing up again you need to adhere to a sensible, well balanced and healthy diet on a daily basis. You also need to find ways to add more physical activity into your busy schedule.

Factors that Influence Weight

No one’s weight will remain the same throughout their life. There are a variety of factors that influence weight gain and loss. For example, what a person weighs has to do with their genes as well as their physiology, not to mention their age and the condition of their health. How much food a person consumes on a regular basis makes a difference as does the type of foods that they eat.

If you tend to be an emotional eater who uses food to cope with loneliness, depression, boredom, sadness or stress in general, then this will have an impact on your weight. Are you a couch potato or do you make exercise a priority in your life?

A quiet person may weigh more than a person who takes walks, gardens or does any form of physical activity on a frequent basis.

The Weight and Health Connection

Weighing more than you should do a lot more than just affect how you look or lower your self-esteem. It can decrease the amount of energy you have, and it can pose a terrible threat to your health and well-being. An overabundance of fat on the body can make a person more susceptible to developing any number of medical problems including high blood pressure, heart attacks, coronary artery disease and Type 2 diabetes.

Using the Body Mass Index (BMI)

To determine if you need to lose weight, the first course of action you should take is to figure out what your body mass index (BMI) is. The BMI will let you know the percentage of fat you have on your body and if it is too much. The body mass index is suitable for adults aged 19 to 70 years old. The BMI is not meant to be used for pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding. It is also not suitable for individuals who have chronic diseases, pro athletes or bodybuilders.

If your BMI is low, then this is better for your health. The higher it is, the more fat you have on your body and the more critical it is that you lose weight. A man whose waist measures more than 40 inches has a BMI that is high and needs to lose fat. For a woman, the number that puts her at risk when it comes to her waist measurement is 35 inches and over.

Anyone can determine their body mass index for themselves. Your doctor should have a BMI chart in his or her office. You need to take a tape measure and figure out your waist measurement. Once you know this number, you can then take a look at the chart to find out what your number is. The number will make you privy to the extent to which your health is at risk because of your weight.

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