Sunday, December 6, 2009

Steps to a Healthier Weight


Why is it important to reach a healthier weight?

Reaching and maintaining a healthier weight is important for your overall health and well being. If you are significantly overweight, you have a greater risk of developing many diseases including high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, stroke, and some forms of cancer. For obese adults, even losing a few pounds or preventing further weight gain has health benefits.

Reaching a healthier weight is a balancing act. The secret is learning how to balance your “energy in” and “energy out” over the long run.

“Energy in” is the calories from the foods and beverages you have each day. “Energy out” is the calories you burn for basic body functions and physical activity.

Look at this chart to find where your energy balance is:


Maintaining weight - Your weight will stay the same when the calories you eat and drink equal the calories you burn.


Losing
weight- You will lose weight when the calories you eat and drink are less than the calories you burn.


Gaining
weight-You will gain weight when the calories you eat and drink are greater than the calories you burn.

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Why is it important to reach a healthier weight?

Reaching and maintaining a healthier weight is important for your overall health and well being. If you are significantly overweight, you have a greater risk of developing many diseases including high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, stroke, and some forms of cancer. For obese adults, even losing a few pounds or preventing further weight gain has health benefits.

How can I move toward a healthier weight?


Reaching a healthier weight is a balancing act. The secret is learning how to balance your “energy in” and “energy out” over the long run.

“Energy in” is the calories from the foods and beverages you have each day. “Energy out” is the calories you burn for basic body functions and physical activity.

Look at this chart to find where your energy balance is:

Maintaining weight Your weight will stay the same when the calories you eat and drink equal the calories you burn.
Losing
weight You will lose weight when the calories you eat and drink are less than the calories you burn.
Gaining
weight You will gain weight when the calories you eat and drink are greater than the calories you burn.

Which box did you choose? Where would you like to be? Many people want to lose weight. To do this the strategy is simple – the challenge is putting it into practice every day. If you are overweight or obese, here are some basic steps to help you gradually move toward a healthier weight:

1) Learn what to eat from each food group.
2) Focus on how much you eat. Watch your portion sizes!
3) Choose “nutrient-dense” forms of foods. These foods are packed with nutrients, but low in “extras” that just add calories.
4) Get moving! Physical activity can help you reach and keep a healthier weight.
5) Follow your progress by tracking your food intake and physical activity. Check your weight weekly



Tip
Your food and physical activity choices each day affect your health — how you feel today, tomorrow, and in the future.

These tips and ideas are a starting point. You will find a wealth of suggestions here that can help you get started toward a healthy diet. Choose a change that you can make today, and move toward a healthier you.

Tips to help you:
• Make half your grains whole
• Vary your veggies
• Focus on fruit
• Get your calcium rich foods
• Go lean with protein
• Find your balance between food and physical activity
• Keep food safe to eat

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