If you’re like most people, you probably have a few pounds you would like to shed as winter ends and warm weather is on the horizon. But healthy weight loss isn’t about quick fixes or crash diets. It’s about adopting sustainable habits to help you manage your weight, maintain energy, prevent nutrient deficiencies, and support your mental health.
How Much Should I Weight?
The first step is understanding the proper weight range for your gender, height, body type, and age. The first tool in assessing your weight is the Body Mass Index or BMI, which calculates your weight based on your height.
Set Realistic Goals.
Now that you have an idea of what your healthy weight should be, create an action plan with realistic goals. For example, knowing you need to lose 50 pounds is a great place to start, but understanding what that looks like on a weekly basis will be crucial to your success. The Center for Disease Control recommends losing weight at a steady pace or about 1-2 pounds a week.
Prioritize Nutrition.
While there are many diets to follow, the priority should be nutrition. The types of nutrition needed for a proper diet include proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and water. Proper amounts of each depend on your body type, goals and current health. You should consult your healthcare provider and a nutritionist to establish a diet based on your body’s needs.
Stay Active.
Exercise is key not only to losing but maintaining a healthy weight. It’s no secret that you must burn more calories than you consume to begin losing weight. However, if you are currently sedentary, it’s good to start off slow, perform light activities and limit the time spent exercising. As you begin to increase activities consult a physician and an exercise coach.
Stay Hydrated.
Drinking water supports metabolism and helps control hunger. Drink a glass of water before meals and keep a bottle handy throughout the day. Also limit the consumption of sugary drinks, caffeine and alcohol.
Monitor Your Progress.As with any goal, tracking your progress is important to your success. Keeping a food diary and writing about your mindset during the process is helpful. This can be done in a written journal or digitally in an app.
Final Thoughts
Remember, healthy weight loss is a journey, not a sprint. By focusing on sustainable habits, you can achieve and maintain your goals while feeling your best. Start small, stay consistent, and remember that progress—not perfection—is the key to long-term healthy weight.
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