Staying Weight

Staying Weight

Sure, you want to achieve a healthful weight to look good. But, keeping extra pounds at bay throughout your life positively impacts your health, too. Weight gain increases risk for several serious conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, gallstones, osteoarthritis, and some cancers. Because of these risks, a good philosophy is "don't gain maintain," says obesity expert Dr. St. Jeor.

If you are already overweight, there's good news. Losing just 5 to 10 percent of your body weight or about 12 pounds for someone who weighs 165 pounds can help reduce your risk or improve your condition for health problems such as high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes.