It’s virtually impossible to go anywhere in this day and age without seeing adverts, articles or TV shows talking about weight loss. With 2020 fast approaching, many people will be making resolutions, with losing weight among the most popular choices. There’s no doubt that dropping pounds is a subject of great interest, but is it really important to lose weight, and what are the best ways to get in shape and improve your health at the same time?

Is weight loss really important?

There’s a huge amount of discussion about weight loss, and many people think about their weight and how they look a lot of the time. Surveys suggest that around half of American adults are trying to lose weight, but is this really necessary and does dropping clothes sizes have benefits?

The first thing to consider when answering this question is your current weight. If you’re a normal weight or you’re underweight, losing more weight could actually do more harm than good. If you’re overweight or obese, getting into the healthy range will be beneficial. You can figure out whether you need to think about weight loss by calculating your BMI, or body mass index. The BMI calculation uses your body weight and height to produce a figure, which will tell you in which range you sit. A normal BMI is between 18.5 and 25.0.

It’s important to note that there are factors that can influence BMI that may affect the credibility of the result. If you’re very muscly, for example, your BMI reading may be in the overweight or even the obese range, even though you are perfectly healthy. For the majority of people, the BMI works well, but there are a few exceptions.

The second issue to explore when thinking about whether or not weight loss is important is your individual health status. In some cases, medical professionals will recommend losing weight as a means of reducing the severity of symptoms or preventing health issues. This is often the case when people are overweight. Adopting a healthy lifestyle and reducing calorie intake could reverse type 2 diabetes or dramatically lower the risk of complications, for example. You might also be advised to try and lose weight if you are at risk of certain types of cancer or heart disease. If your health plays a role in trying to drop pounds and get in shape, it’s crucial to follow a tailored diet and exercise plan.

The final element to take into consideration is confidence. For many of us, our confidence levels fluctuate in line with how we feel about the way we look, and often, weight is a contributing factor. If you’ve put on a bit of weight, or you’ve lost a few pounds, you might find that your confidence increases or decreases. Even if you’re a healthy weight, you may know that your confidence will soar and you’ll feel better if you’re a couple of pounds lighter. This is a personal choice, and there’s nothing wrong with trying to get to a weight that makes you feel good, even if people are telling you that you already look great, provided that you’re healthy and happy.

The benefits of losing weight

If you are overweight or obese, slimming down can have benefits for your health and wellbeing. Doctors and trainers don’t just encourage people to try and hit a target for the sake of it. There are risks linked to being too heavy and carrying excess fat, and losing pounds can help to boost health and prevent problems. The most significant health conditions linked to obesity include an elevated risk of heart disease, strokes, some types of cancer and type 2 diabetes. Carrying too much fat around the middle is particularly dangerous, and it’s wise to be wary of visceral fat, which is located close to several major organs. Being overweight can also impact fertility and there is a positive correlation between obesity and depression.

Being overweight can put you at risk of several severe health problems. If you are trying to reach a healthy, stable weight, dropping pounds should make an incredibly positive difference to your health. Your risk of developing conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease will fall, and, hopefully, you should also feel more confident.

The best ways to lose weight in 2020

If you took a second to search for the best ways to lose weight online now, you’d be greeted with hundreds of pages of results. The trouble with information about weight loss is that it can sometimes be confusing and muddled. One article will tell you something, and a minute later, you’ll find another one that contradicts it.

The truth about effective, long-term weight loss is that it requires lifestyle changes. You could drop a lot of weight by cutting your calorie intake to 500 per day for a month or following a liquid diet for a period of time, but it’s best to focus on sustainable results and to think of dieting as a means of improving your health, rather than getting rid of every food you enjoy. Following a healthy eating plan will enable you to enjoy a balanced, fulfilling diet that nourishes your body and provides all the nutrients it needs.

Portion control is critical, as many people eat far more than they actually need without even realizing. It’s also important to keep an eye on calorie intake to make sure you’re eating the right foods. Eating well doesn’t mean that you should feel hungry all the time. You can actually eat a lot of food if you make the right choices.

In addition to embracing healthy eating, it’s hugely beneficial to get used to exercising on a regular basis. Working out burns calories and it offers an array of benefits for your mental and physical health. Don’t worry if you’re not a gym bunny. You can try all kinds of activities, from dancing, spinning and yoga to cycling, swimming, golf and trampolining. Just work up a sweat a few times a week and you should notice a difference in both your body and your mind.

We hear about weight loss all the time, and many of us spend a great deal of time thinking about how much we weigh and what we look like. The truth is that losing weight is important if you’re overweight or obese, your health is at risk or you’re unhappy with your body weight. Dropping sizes can be beneficial for physical and mental health, and weight loss doesn’t have to be difficult. If you can adjust to a healthy eating plan and exercise frequently, you’ll soon get used to your new and improved lifestyle.