Your body has been with you through the good times and the bad, through sickness and health, until death do you part. Show your body some love by putting it a priority this month. One step you can take is setting a goal to reach and maintain a healthy weight.
If you maintain your weight, you are "in balance." You are eating close to the same number of calories that your body is using and your weight remains stable.
If you are gaining weight, you are eating more calories than your body is using. These extra calories will be stored as fat, and you will gain weight. If you are losing weight, you are eating fewer calories than you are using. Your body is using its fat storage cells for energy, so your weight is decreasing.
A simple way to know if you are at a healthy weight is to know your body mass index (BMI). BMI = mass (lbs)/height (in) * 703.
- Underweight = BMI less than 18.5
- Normal weight = BMI of 18.5-25
- Overweight = BMI of 25-30
- Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater
Being a healthy, normal weight is good for you and will help you prevent and control many diseases and conditions. At PTIS, we see many injuries that could have been avoided or relieved of pain with a lower BMI.
The basic advice is to eat wisely and be as physically active as possible. For health benefits, adults should do at least 2 1/2 hours a week of moderate-intensity or 1 1/4 hours a week of vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity or an equal combination of both.
If you need to lose weight, losing even a little will help. Losing as little as 5-10% of your current body weight can lower your risks for many injuries and diseases. A reasonable and safe weight loss is 1-2 lbs per week. It might take 6 months to reach your ultimate goal, but making gradual lifestyle changes can help you maintain a healthier weight for life.
If you are normal weight, congratulations! Keep up the "love of your body" and maintain your lifestyle.
A Physical Therapist can help you find the right level of physical activity for your current weight and help you reach your healthy weight. Make an appointment today.
303-757-1554