Body Weight and Heart Health
Scientists have proven that there is a strong link between body weight and heart health. People who maintain a healthy body weight are less likely to develop heart problems than those who are unsuccessfully trying to lose excess pounds. Excess body fat has been shown to be closely related to high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, all of which are a major contributors to heart disease. To reduce the risk of heart disease and keep your heart healthy, you are therefore recommended to lose excess body fat and maintain a healthy weight when achieving it.
Unfortunately, losing weight is easier said than done although many people are facing even greater difficulties in keeping the lost pounds off for good. There are many weight loss programmes which promise to be the best choice, however, most of them do not provide a long term body weight maintenance plan, while many are also unhealthy. This is especially true for the so-called fast weight loss diets and diet plans which foresee strict food restrictions.
It is not impossible to lose weight dramatically within a relatively short period of time, however, it is important to be aware that just because your weighting scale shows results that does not necessarily mean that you are on the right track. It may not be fat you are losing but water or perhaps even lean tissue. In addition, all the lost pounds will come back as soon as you return to your old eating habits. Restrictive diet plans are also problematic because they are often difficult to stick to in the long term, while dramatic restriction of certain types of food can mean that you are not getting enough of particular nutrients.
Just about all weight loss and health experts agree that the surest and safest way to lose weight and maintain a healthy body weight when achieving it is to continue to eat your favourite foods by reducing the portions of that are high on calories. That way you can reduce your caloric intake without giving up the foods you like to eat which is crucial to avoid the vicious circle of weight loss and weight gain. The thing is that successful weight management requires permanent change of eating habits and if you do not enjoy your diet, you are highly likely to give it up sooner or later.
In addition to providing an eating plan that can be followed in the long term, the selected weight loss plan should also include regular exercise because overweight is always caused by a combination of unhealthy diet and inadequate physical activity. As a result, successful weight loss requires both dietary and exercise changes. And just like it is crucial to enjoy the chosen eating plan, it is crucial to choose a type of exercise you enjoy at least a little bit. A combination of regular exercise and healthy diet will help you keep those pounds off as well as reduce the risk heart health.