Why watch your weight?
Being overweight or obese is bad for your health. Here is just a few of the health problems that obesity can cause:
- hypertension (high blood pressure)
- cancer
- diabetes
- joint problems (especially your lower back, knees and ankles)
- lower back pain
- sleep problems
Medication alone can only do so much to manage these conditions but in many cases weight loss alone can reverse or cure these diseases. It is important to know that being overweight makes medical treatment and surgery more difficult. In some instances, doctors cannot operate on obese patients because it is too risky.
It is not easy to lose weight, but it can help prevent a lot of problems now and in the future. Many people experience an incredible improvement in their quality of life after losing weight.
How to lose weight effectively
To lose weight, improve your diet and increase your exercise. You can also see a dietician for more diet help. Read more about nutrition and exercise with our booklets.
Here are some tips for losing weight:
- Increased physical activity
- Reduce unnecessary sugar, like sugary cold drinks, sugar in your coffee/tea etc.
- Drink a lot of clean water
- Get support from friends and family
You can monitor your weight loss by weighing yourself and seeing how you are doing under “Goals”. Here you can also track your Body Mass Index (BMI). This indicates if your weight is appropriate for your height.
