Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight lowers your HDL ("good") cholesterol and increases your LDL ("bad") cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It also puts you at risk for variety of life-threatening health problems. Researchers now say that it's not only how much you weigh but where you carry your body weight that affects your risk for heart disease. Fat that accumulates around your waist and abdomen is the most dangerous to your health.22 The good news is that every pound (and inch!) you lose helps reduce those risk factors and brings you one step closer to a healthier lifestyle.
Keep weight off for the long-term
A slow and sensible approach is the best way to lose weight and keep it off – your goal should be to lose between 1 and 2 pounds a week. Remember, there are no "quick fixes" when it comes to losing weight permanently. Fad diets only promote unhealthy eating habits and may cause you to gain weight even faster by slowing down your metabolism.
Are you overweight?
One of the best ways to find out if you're overweight is to measure your waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Your WHR is the circumference of your waist divided by the circumference of your hips.
Start by using a tape measure to measure your natural waist where it is the smallest, usually at or just above your belly button. Measure your hips at the widest part of your buttocks.
You are considered to be overweight and at greater risk of heart disease and stroke if:
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You're a woman and have a WHR of 0.8 or a waist circumference of 88 cm (35 inches) or more
- You're a man and have a WHR of 1.0 or a waist circumference of 102 cm (40 inches) or more
You can also determine your target weight by calculating your Body Mass Index (BMI). Your goal should be a BMI of less than 25.