Having even a few extra pounds on your body can cause you harm, both emotionally and physically. However, for many, maintaining a healthy weight for their height and body type seems impossible. The good news is that you can shed the extra pounds easier than you might imagine.
Why Are You Overweight?
The first step to losing weight is finding out the reason for having the extra weight. If there’s a lot of stress in your life, you may very well use food as a means to relieve it and comfort you.
When you get anxious or upset, do you reach for a sweet treat or a bag of chips? If this sounds like you, seeking another way to relieve the stress will prevent you from overeating.
For a small percentage of the population, genetics can predispose them to be a little heavier. And, others, simply have no willpower when it comes to foods they enjoy and consume them in large quantities.
Healthy Ways to Lose Weight
There are many ways to lose weight. Changing your diet to a healthy one that includes fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and whole grains is a good start.
Along with a healthy diet, exercise is just as important. Thankfully, you don’t have to sign up at a gym to get in exercise. Many forms work just as well as using the equipment.
Running, jogging and bike riding all burn a lot of calories while also transforming fat into firm muscles. You can even swim or take brisk walks. The point is to get your heart rate accelerated and work up a good sweat.
Exercising two to three times a week will burn calories, make you happier and help keep your internal organs functioning properly. In between workout days, pick up the pace and make it a regular practice.
When you go shopping park the car further away and walk quickly. You’ll be surprised at how many extra calories you can burn by doing this.
State of Mind
Being overweight can affect your state of mind and cause you to fall into depression. When people get depressed, they often abuse drugs or alcohol to feel better. This can lead to an addiction that you may not be able to recover from on your own.
Your Body’s Health
If you are more than a few pounds over the desired weight for your height and body type, you increase the risk of obtaining certain types of diseases including heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea and certain types of cancer.
You also put added stress on your joints which can lead to torn cartilage and even knee or back surgery and can even have trouble conceiving.
Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to your overall well-being. Luckily, you can reduce weight and reduce your risk of developing a disease, a weakened immune system and a mental illness.
More you may enjoy
To read all my posts with tips and experiences of various diets, exercises and lots more check out my comprehensive Weight Loss and Exercise section.
