Frenzied lifestyles, work related stress and fatigue
are some of the reasons that have put the need for fitness
on top of a person's to-do list. Regular workouts, diet
consciousness, caloric counts - all have become the
norm rather than an exception in today's lifestyle.
How is one to know if one is fat or
fit? What is the right weight? How can one manage one's
own weight? What are the parameters to be kept in mind
while managing one's weight? These are the questions
that need to be answered before jumping into any fitness
bandwagon or opting for any diet pill.
Weight management involves the method
of keeping one's weight to an optimum level. Being overweight
or underweight can cause health hazards. So weight needs
to be maintained by individuals as a key to good health.
Some people believe that following a hap hazardous lifestyle
and taking Diet Pills can help their cause, but that's
not true. For the proper implementation of your weight
management program one has to follow the correct lifestyle.
Weight management starts with evaluating
one's own body. There are different methods used to
find out the right weight for a certain height. A term
called BMI, or Body Mass Index, is used to find the
muscle-to-fat ratio, and is a pretty good indicator
of health. The easiest way to keep track of weight is
your waist measurement. 40 inches in men and 35 inches
in women is the maximum waist measurement, beyond which
the person's health is at risk.
Before planning your weight management,
consider the following factors that might put you in
the high-risk category:
- Family heart disease or genetic obesity"
Age: women greater than 40 years, and men greater
that 45 years
- Smoking cigarettes
- Sedentary lifestyle
- High blood pressure and high LDL
If the answer to all of these is yes,
then it is advisable to start losing weight.
Steps to be taken to manage your weight:
- Consult a doctor and share your objectives
- Set realistic goals for yourself
- Follow a balanced diet rich in nutrients and low
in calories. Fruits, vegetables, whole-wheat grains,
fish, lean meat and dairy should do the trick
- Increase physical activity by doing things that
include walking, bending, stretching or lifting
weights. To maintain a healthy weight loss, at least
45 minutes of moderate physical activity is required.
Being excessively thin can also be
a cause for concern, especially if accompanied with
fatigue and lack of energy. A doctor's advice is essential.
Obsession with weight management can
cause unhealthy behavior like excessive physical activity,
self-induced vomiting or the abuse of medications. These
will worsen the situation. Gradual and consistent weight
loss or gain is the key to a healthy life. |
