A healthy weight is important to your complete well-being. People that suffer from being obese or overweight are at a higher risk for different health issues, including heart disease and diabetes. It doesn’t take much to bring your risk back down if you start eating better and working out.
While the proper weight for any given person can depend on their sex, their body type, and even their height, your waist circumference needs to be a certain size as well. This is mainly guided by your height. You should also be aware of your BMI (body mass index).
So, how do you work toward a healthier weight and a healthier body? Well, what you are putting into your body can make a huge difference. So can the physical activity you are getting on a daily basis (including walking the dog and playing with the kids).
Follow Portions And Calorie Counts
When it comes to counting calories you may hear all sorts of advice. Some people say that calories don’t matter as long as you are eating a healthy diet in general. Some live by counting calories. It is a fact that calories determine weight loss and that 3500 calories are equal to one pound, so that should be clue one that calorie counting is important if you want to be healthy and fit. That means you want to know how many calories you’re taking in and how many you’re burning with physical activity (it helps to keep a fitness and nutrition log of some sort).
Eat Fresher
If you want the calories you do eat to count for more then you can pick fresher foods to eat, like raw fruits and vegetables. Shop the outer areas of the grocery store for your healthier options. The stuff in bags and boxes, the overly processed foods, are usually stuffed full of sodium and at a loss for much of its original nutrients.
Make Your Own Meals
There are likely times when eating out is your only option, like when you’re on the road for a work trip or vacation. However, when you aren’t forced to eat out you really should make your own food at home. You can make something healthier and be more aware of all of the ingredients that are in your food. This is good for everyone, not just people with food allergies and intolerances.
Work In Workouts
Last, but not least, if you want to maintain or get to a healthy weight you need to fit in fitness to each and every day. Nutrition and fitness work together to make your body and your mind healthy. Doing one without the other is going to leave you missing something, like a healthy diet can help with weight loss but not working out means no muscle tone.
