How to keep a healthy body weight: Your perfect weight depends upon a number of factors, such as height, age, intercourse, and underlying health conditions, amongst others. Some tips could show you how to obtain your weight goals in a sustainable, secure, and healthy way.
It’s not unusual to step on the size and wonder if you’re at a healthy weight.
Your body weight could have an effect on your health in some ways. For instance, having underweight or overweight could increase your riskTrusted Source of sickness and lower your mental health and general high quality of life.
However, it’s essential to perceive that your general health cannot be measuredTrusted Source by body weight alone.
Keep studying to be taught extra about what maintaining a healthy body weight means and tips for secure weight loss and weight acquire.
Table of Contents
What’s the perfect weight for you?
Weight fluctuates with body size, so there’s no “ideal” body weight for all people.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesTrusted Source, a number of factors could affect your body weight. These could include:
Your waist circumference, body fat percentage, and body fat distribution could also assist decide your healthiest weight range.
Body weight is only one piece of a large puzzle
Your best body weight range is one which promotes optimum physical and mental health. At a healthy body weight, you should really feel strong, energized, and assured.
It’s essential to do not forget that what it’s possible you’ll assume is a “perfect” or “goal” weight won’t be reasonable or healthy to your body sort.
If you’re not sure what a healthy weight seems to be like for you, converse with a healthcare skilled or registered dietitian. They may give you a reasonable weight range primarily based on factors such as your age, height, body sort, and health goals.
Remember, your body weight is only one health indicator. Some different health indicators also include:
How is body weight measured?
Body mass index (BMI) is essentially the most common tool used to assess body weight. It makes use of your height and weight to offer you a number worth that’s labeled into the following categoriesTrusted Source:
BMI range | Classification |
less than 16.5 | severely underweight |
16.5–18.4 | underweight |
18.5–24.9 | normal weight |
25–29.9 | overweight |
30–34.9 | obese class I |
35–39.9 | obese class II |
40 or higher | obese class III |
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source notes that BMI numbers could assist estimate whether or not you will have high or low body fat. It could also assist predict chronic disease and mortality risk related to each underweightTrusted Source and overweightTrusted Source standing.
However, BMI numbers shouldn’t be the one diagnostic tool used to decide your health or body fat levels. BMI doesn’t account for a lot of different factors that would affect your healthy body weight, such as:
- intercourse
- body frame
- age
- ethnicity
- bone mass
- muscle mass
- fat mass
- fat distribution
BMI should be mixed with blood tests and measures of waist-to-hip ratio and body fat percentage to precisely assess your optimum body weight.
This is as a result of a person with a high amount of muscle mass could also be misclassified as overweight or overweight regardless of having healthy body fat levels. Similarly, a person with a large amount of body fat round their waist could also be at a high riskTrusted Source of chronic diseases but still be categorized as having a healthy BMI as a result of of their complete body weight and height.
How much should I weigh?
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Insitute (NHLBI)Trusted Source gives body weight amounts in pounds (lbs) related to height (inches) and BMI. To calculate your BMI you should use the NHLBITrusted Source‘s calculator.
The following desk could present a clearer picture of the place your weight falls in the BMI classification. However, it’s essential to note that the desk doesn’t include BMI below 19, which can point out underweight.
BMI range | 18.5–24.9 | 25–29.9 | 30–34.9 | 35–39.9 | 40 or higher |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Height (inches) | |||||
58 | 91–115 lbs | 119–138 lbs | 143–162 lbs | 167–186 lbs | ≥ 191 lbs |
59 | 94–119 lbs | 124–143 lbs | 148–168 lbs | 173–193 lbs | ≥ 198 lbs |
60 | 97–123 lbs | 128–148 lbs | 153–174 lbs | 179–199 lbs | ≥ 204 lbs |
61 | 100–127 lbs | 132–153 lbs | 158–180 lbs | 185–206 lbs | ≥ 211 lbs |
62 | 104–131 lbs | 136–158 lbs | 164–186 lbs | 191–213 lbs | ≥ 218 lbs |
63 | 107–135 lbs | 141–163 lbs | 169–191 lbs | 197–220 lbs | ≥ 225 lbs |
64 | 110–140 lbs | 145–169 lbs | 174–197 lbs | 204–227 lbs | ≥ 232 lbs |
65 | 114–144 lbs | 150–174 lbs | 180–204 lbs | 210–234 lbs | ≥ 240 lbs |
66 | 118–148 lbs | 155–179 lbs | 186–210 lbs | 216–241 lbs | ≥ 247 lbs |
67 | 121–153 lbs | 159–185 lbs | 191–217 lbs | 223–249 lbs | ≥ 255 lbs |
68 | 125–158 lbs | 164–190 lbs | 197–223 lbs | 230–256 lbs | ≥ 262 lbs |
69 | 128–162 lbs | 169–196 lbs | 203–230 lbs | 236–263 lbs | ≥ 270 lbs |
70 | 132–167 lbs | 174–202 lbs | 209–236 lbs | 243–271 lbs | ≥ 278 lbs |
71 | 136–172 lbs | 179–208 lbs | 215–243 lbs | 250–279 lbs | ≥ 286 lbs |
72 | 140–177 lbs | 184–213 lbs | 221–250 lbs | 258–287 lbs | ≥ 294 lbs |
73 | 144–182 lbs | 189–219 lbs | 227–257 lbs | 265–195 lbs | ≥ 302 lbs |
74 | 148–186 lbs | 194–225 lbs | 233–264 lbs | 272–303 lbs | ≥ 311 lbs |
75 | 152–192 lbs | 200–232 lbs | 240–272 lbs | 279–311 lbs | ≥ 319 lbs |
76 | 156–197 lbs | 205–238 lbs | 246–279 lbs | 287–320 lbs | ≥ 328 lbs |
Tips on how to handle your body weight
Here are some tips to show you how to reach your body weight goals in healthy, secure, and sustainable methods.
Tips for healthy weight loss
Weight loss is complicated. What’s best for you will not be best for another person. That said, these tips might help most people safely lose weight:
- goal for 150–300 minutesTrusted Source of physical activity every week
- respect your body composition and set realistic weight loss goals
- eat nutrient-dense, whole foods
- keep away from ultra-processed, processed, and fried foods
- create a calorie deficit of 300–500 calories
- select high protein foods
- keep away from weight loss cleanses
- keep away from extreme calorie restriction
- keep away from unnecessary supplements
If you don’t know the place to begin, converse with a registered dietitian. They might help you create a healthy, sustainable weight loss nutrition plan primarily based in your wants. A certified personal trainer might help you reach your health goals.
Healthy methods to gain weight
Here are some healthy and safe methods to show you how to acquire muscle mass and body weight.
- select high calorie, high protein foods
- avoid dirty bulking
- think about taking a weight gainer or protein supplement
- add extra frequent high protein snacks to your diet
- exercise to increase your muscle mass and power
Talk with a healthcare skilled in case you’re losing weight, can’t appear to acquire weight, or struggling to maintain your body weight even once you’re eating sufficient calories. They might help make certain your weight loss isn’t the result of an underlying medical condition.
Help with eating disorders
It’s essential to observe that tips on weight management will not be appropriate for people living with an eating dysfunction, such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder.
If you will have an eating disorder, it’s essential to get the precise help from a healthcare teamTrusted Source consisting of a specialist doctor, therapist, and registered dietitian.
If you’re in getting assist to your eating disorder, contact the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders helpline by calling 1 (888) 375-7767.
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When your weight is in a healthy range:
- Your body extra effectively circulates blood.
- Your fluid levels are extra simply managed.
- You are much less prone to develop diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, gallstones, osteoarthritis, breathing issues and sleep apnea.
- You could really feel better about your self and have extra energy to make different positive health changes.
Losing weight isn’t easy, but there’s little question it’s price it. It sounds easy enough: To lose weight, it’s essential to burn extra calories than you eat. And to remain at a healthy weight, it’s essential to balance healthy eating and physical activity. Most fad diets and fast weight loss schemes don’t work, as a result of they don’t provide help to learn to maintain a healthy weight over the long haul.
There’s no “secret” to success, but there are a couple of fundamental steps to losing weight you can take.
Keeping the weight off
OK, you’ve lost some weight. Now you’ll be able to calm down, proper? Not so quick! Maintaining weight loss can take simply as much effort as losing it. Here are some tips:
- Know your triggers, roadblocks and favourite excuses. We all have them!
- Don’t child your self. This is a long-term effort. The first year or two after important weight loss stands out as the hardest. If you’ll be able to stick it out, you’re extra prone to make it in the long run.
- Learn from others who’ve succeeded and comply with their instance.
- Make positive you might have a social assist community of friends, household and health professionals who will assist your new healthy habits.
- Find healthy methods to motivate your self to keep it up.
- At the tip of the day, it’s as much as you. Hold your self accountable for the choices you make.
- And bear in mind, you’ll be able to’t do it by weight-reduction plan alone. For people trying to keep weight off, exercise is much more important. The American Heart Association recommends 150 to 300 minutes of physical activity per week to keep these extra pounds from creeping again.
Lapsing and relapsing
A lapse is a small mistake or slip into old habits. This can happen when you might have a nasty day and overeat or skip your workout. A relapse is whenever you return to old habits for a number of days or perhaps weeks.
Remember that having a lapse or relapse will not be failing. You can get again on monitor. Try to search out new, more healthy methods to deal with life’s stresses in addition to overeating or changing into one together with your sofa. Take a stroll, discuss with a pal or do something to assist another person. Just don’t quit!
5 Ways to Reach a Healthy Weight
- Skip the sugary drinks. Sugary drinks, such as soda, juice, sweet tea, and sports activities drinks, add extra calories with little or no nutritional worth. People who regularly drink sugary beverages usually tend to be overweight. Choose water or low-fat milk most of the time.
- Exercise. Regular physical activity burns calories and builds muscle — each of which provide help to look and really feel good and may help keep weight off. Walking the household dog, cycling to highschool, and doing different issues that increase your day by day level of activity could make a difference. If you wish to burn extra calories, increase the depth of your workout and add some power exercises to construct muscle.
- Reduce display time. People who spend a lot of time in entrance of screens usually tend to be overweight. Set cheap limits on the amount of time you spend watching TV, enjoying video video games, and using computer systems, telephones, and tablets not related to highschool work. Turn off all screens at the least an hour before bedtime so you will get enough sleep.
- Watch portion sizes. Big parts pile on extra calories that may cause weight gain. Choose smaller parts, especially when eating high-calorie snacks. When eating away from home, try sharing an entree or save half your meal to take home.
- Eat 5 servings of fruits and veggies a day. Fruits and veggies are about more than simply vitamins and minerals. They’re also filled with fiber, which implies they fill you up. And whenever you replenish on fruits and veggies, you are much less prone to overeat.
Here are some tips that will help you maintain a healthy weight:
Watch your portion sizes
Eating smaller parts may help you to keep away from eating too much food and allow you to include extra of the foods you’re keen on into your day by day life. The American Heart Association reminds people that portion sizes are completely different than serving sizes, and you’ll be able to be taught extra concerning the variations between the 2 here.
Eat good foods
Foods high in sugar and calories result in weight gain if you’re not cautious. Choose foods which might be high in nutrition and taste, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. You don’t should sacrifice your favourite foods in order to take care of your body both–it’s okay to have a pair of cheat meals or cheat days every as soon as in a while.
Drink extra water
Drinking water, together with eating good foods and exercising day by day, may help you to maintain a healthy weight. According to the Obesity Society, drinking water every day can also shrink your waistline and change your body fat percentage over time.
Track what you eat
Many people are unaware of exactly what number of calories they consume, which is why it’s important to trace and monitor the entire calories you eat and drink every day. If you wish to lose weight, you will need to burn extra calories than you eat or drink. Visit the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020 chart to see what number of calories it’s essential to eat to maintain or lose weight.
Exercise day by day
Your body weight is affected by the amount of energy you’re taking in and the amount you utilize. If you wish to maintain your present body weight, you’ll need to make use of as much energy as you consume; to lose weight, it’s essential to use extra energy than you consume. Find a good exercise program that includes each cardio and power training. The benefits of day by day exercise are more than simply keeping your body weight in verify; exercise also builds muscle, strengthens your heart and helps your body to operate at its best.
Get extra sleep
Getting a good amount of sleep every night time helps to reset your body, getting ready it for the next day. According to the National Institutes of Health, those that don’t get enough sleep typically are likely to eat extra food than they want as a way to remain awake. Make time every day to get enough sleep. Doing so will provide help to operate better all through the day, and keep you from eating extra. If you might have hassle sleeping, discover methods to calm down your body like yoga, studying or stretching.
Make a aim and persist with it
To accomplish any aim, it’s essential to know the place you presently are. Find out your Body Mass Index (BMI) and give you a plan to remain in the healthy class. If you want some assist, you’ll be able to go to your loved ones doctor or one other healthcare supplier for recommendation. It is better to start out with small, short-term goals that you understand it is possible for you to to perform. Doing so will provide help to to remain on monitor towards your long-term goals.
What Causes Weight Gain?
- Diet. The amount and high quality of food in your diet has a strong impact on weight.
- Genes. Some people are genetically predisposed to gain weight extra simply than others or to retailer fat across the midsection. Genes would not have to turn into future, however, and studies counsel that eating a healthy diet, staying active, and avoiding unhealthy habits like drinking soda can prevent the genetic predisposition to risk for weight problems. [16] Read extra about genetic risk for obesity on the Obesity Prevention Source.
- Physical inactivity. Exercise has a number of health benefits, including reducing the possibilities of developing heart disease, some types of most cancers, and different chronic diseases. [17] Physical activity is a key component of weight control and health.
- Stress. Chronic stress can result in unhealthy eating habits, such as elevated cortisol levels inflicting cravings for “comfort” foods of extremely processed snacks or sweets, having lower motivation to arrange balanced meals and even forgetting to eat, and disrupting sleep that may result in greater intakes of caffeine or high-calorie sugary snacks to boost energy.
- Inadequate sleep. Research means that there’s a link between how much people sleep and how much they weigh. In normal, children and adults who get too little sleep are likely to weigh more than those that get enough sleep. [18,19]
Takeaway (How to keep a healthy body weight)
Maintaining a healthy body weight is important for disease prevention, high quality of life, mental health, and extra.
However, it’s essential to do not forget that everybody has a totally different healthy body weight. This could rely on a number of factors, such as your height, intercourse, muscle mass, age, and ethnicity.
Whether you’d like to lose, acquire, or maintain weight, it’s essential to accomplish that in a sustainable way that helps your general health.
Pros:
- Feel-Good Factor: Keeping a healthy body weight is like wearing your favorite comfy socks—makes you feel good all day long! You’ll strut around feeling light as a feather.
- Energy Boost: Shedding those extra pounds means your body doesn’t have to lug around the equivalent of a backpack full of rocks. More energy for fun stuff!
- Healthier You: It’s like giving your body a VIP pass to the wellness club—lower risk of health issues, and you get to skip the long line at the doctor’s office.
- Shopping Spree: Say hello to a whole new wardrobe! A healthier weight means more shopping trips, because, let’s be real, who doesn’t love new clothes?
- Confidence Galore: Imagine strutting around like a superhero, cape fluttering in the wind—that’s the confidence boost a healthy weight gives you!
Cons:
- Temptation Trouble: Resisting those delicious, calorie-packed foods is like trying to stop a train with a feather—tough and often futile.
- Time Crunch: Balancing workouts and meal prepping can feel like juggling flaming torches—stressful and sometimes, you might get a little burned.
- Social Situations: Saying no to that extra slice of pizza at a party is like trying to escape a group hug—you don’t want to, but sometimes you have to!
- Plateau Blues: Progress slows down sometimes, hitting a plateau feels like climbing a mountain and finding a big, annoying roadblock right at the top.
- Mind Games: Your brain might play tricks on you, making you think you’re still hungry when you’re not. It’s like having a prankster in your head!
What is the best way to maintain a healthy body weight?
Maintaining a healthy body weight is like walking a tightrope—tricky but doable! Balance is your best pal; mix healthy eating and exercise like peanut butter and jelly—yummy combo! Portion control is your superhero move—serving sizes are sneaky! Stay hydrated like a desert cactus after rain—it keeps cravings in check. Sleep is your beauty nap and secret weapon against those midnight snacks. Spice things up with variety; monotony is the nemesis! And don’t forget, treats are allowed—just keep them as rare as finding a unicorn! It’s a journey, not a sprint; enjoy the ride with a few detours!
How do you keep yourself at a healthy weight?
Staying at a healthy weight is like having a pet rock—takes some care but not rocket science! Move around like a happy squirrel, whether it’s dancing or just taking a stroll. Eat your greens; they’re like your body’s cheerleaders, rooting for you. Watch out for sneaky snacks—portion control is your bouncer. Get cozy with water; it’s the H2O party in your body. Sleep is like a treasure chest; guard it fiercely—it helps keep those hunger monsters at bay. Oh, and embrace the occasional treat! It’s like a surprise party for your taste buds—just keep it as rare as a shooting star!
What can I do to maintain my weight?
Maintaining weight is like keeping a plant alive—needs TLC! Move that bod; think of it as giving your body a happy dance—anything from yoga to chasing butterflies! Mind the munchies; portion sizes can be tricksters, so keep an eye on them. Make pals with veggies; they’re like the superheroes of your plate, fighting off the junk food villains. Mindful munching—chew slowly, savor every bite, and make your food feel appreciated! And don’t forget the snooze button; sleep’s your recharge time, keeping hunger gremlins from waking you up at midnight. Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint—enjoy the ride with a snack or two along the way!