An important part of any weight loss journey is setting goals. It is important to consider many factors, such as ideal body weight. Having a good understanding of ideal body weight can contribute to setting realistic goals and meeting them.

Ideal body weight is a range that tells you whether your weight is in proportion to your height and gender. It’s important to evaluate if your goals are in a healthy range and safe to achieve.

Measuring Health

Ideal body weight is just one measure of health and is not a one-size-fits-all idea. It’s not uncommon that a person who falls outside of the “normal” range on a Body Mass Index (BMI)  scale is in fact still healthy. For example, an athlete with high muscle and little fat may have a higher weight and fall outside the norm, but is still healthy. Relying solely on a BMI is not a comprehensive way to measure body composition or evaluate weight loss needs.

Many factors go into measuring healthy weight beyond a scale, like activity level and gender, and should be considered before embarking on any fitness journey or routine change.

Susceptible to Disease

Not only is a healthy weight crucial for maintaining physical fitness, but it keeps you at low risk for a variety of diseases. An overweight person is at a higher risk of developing serious health issues, such as:

• Diabetes (Type 2)
• High blood pressure
• Coronary heart disease
• Stroke
• Certain cancers
• Gallbladder disease
• Reproductive problems
• Musculoskeletal problems
• Gout

Maintaining an ideal body weight can help prevent some of these ailments. If you already experience some of these issues, such as high blood pressure, this doesn’t mean it’s too late to start leading a healthier life. In fact, a change in diet and exercise often helps control some of these diseases.

What Can You Do?

The keys to success in maintaining an ideal body weight are lifestyle changes and your diet and exercise plans. Weight is based on the amount of energy you take in through food and the amount of energy you use through activity. When one outweighs the other, it causes weight loss or weight gain. To create a deficit resulting in weight loss, spend less time sedentary and more time active. Eat more fruits and vegetables and reduce portion sizes. Maintaining these changes throughout your life will help you to maintain a healthy body weight. You’ll feel better and will be at lower risk for certain diseases as you lead a healthier life.

If you are interested in learning more about achieving your ideal body weight and living a healthier life, Dr. G’s  Weight Loss and Wellness can help. Our programs help people in a healthy way. Visit our website to book a free weight loss consultation today!