Do you need to loose weight? There are a number of online resources and local clinics that you can access without having to see your Doctor for a referral.
Weighing too much or too little can have a number of consequences on your overall health.
Why a healthy weight range is important
By being above or below your healthy weight range you’re increasing your chances of suffering from a number of serious health problems.
Health problems associated with being overweight include:
- type 2 diabetes
- stroke
- heart disease
- some cancers
- issues with fertility in women
- high blood pressure
- osteoarthritis
- fatty liver disease
- kidney disease
Health problems associated with being underweight include:
- weakened immune system
- osteoporosis
- anaemia
- issues with fertility in women
- palpitations
How to lose weight safely
Losing weight safely and at a realistic pace is the best way to reach your healthy weight and to maintain that weight in the long term.
To make sure you lose weight safely, always speak to your GP before starting a new diet or fitness regime.
Dieting safely
You can achieve safe and realistic weight loss by cutting your calorie intake by between 300 to 500 calories per day. On average, this should see you lose 1 to 2 pounds per week. While this might not seem like much, it would equal between 26 and 52 pounds in only 6 months.
Setting small and realistic goals will help you lose weight safely and will make you more likely to maintain any weight loss in the long term.
Eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, starchy carbohydrates and whole grains will keep you fuller for longer and less likely to snack. Picking these foods is a much better way to approach healthy eating and weight loss.
More about eating a healthy balanced diet