Taking Control of Your Health During National Healthy Weight Week

The third week in January is National Healthy Weight Week, a time to focus on taking control of your health and making sure that you are at a healthy weight. As someone living with a chronic illness, this can be especially important. Being overweight or obese can not only make it more difficult to cope with your existing medical condition but also puts you at greater risk for other health problems. So, let’s look at why being at a healthy weight is so important and how to get there safely.

The Benefits of Maintaining a Healthy Weight

Maintaining a healthy weight has numerous benefits for those living with chronic illness. It can help reduce inflammation in the body which is often linked to poor health outcomes. Additionally, having more energy can help you manage activities of daily life and stay active which can boost your overall mood and well-being. And lastly, being at a healthy weight can reduce the strain put on your body from existing conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and more.

Getting There Safely

It’s important to remember that getting to a healthier weight should not be done in an unsafe way. Crash diets or extreme exercise plans will only cause further harm over time. Instead, focus on making small positive changes each day that add up over time like going for regular walks or choosing healthier food options when grocery shopping. This approach gives you more control over your health journey while still allowing you to reach your goals safely and effectively. You could also consider talking to your doctor about any recommended lifestyle changes they may have based on your current medical condition or medications you may be taking.

National Healthy Weight Week offers us an opportunity each year to pause and reflect upon our progress as we strive towards better health and wellbeing every single day. Each person has their own unique definition of what “health” looks like for them; take this week as an opportunity to assess where you are at right now and start planning out how you can get closer towards achieving your goals! Get creative in finding ways that bring joy into your daily routine while still helping reach those healthier lifestyle habits – because true health involves both physical AND emotional wellbeing! Here’s to wishing everyone a wonderful National Healthy Weight Week!

For more tips on healthy weight, nutrition, and physical activity: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/index.html