Although this is a book designed to help you improve your habits, many of you are also curious about what constitutes a healthy body weight. First and foremost, it’s important to remember that weight is simply a number. As you learned, “The Stages of Change—What to Expect,” focusing on body weight as a goal can be counterproductive for a number of reasons, but because we live in a weightobsessed age, this topic merits further discussion.
For many individuals, a modest loss of even 5% of current body weight can improve health parameters such as blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood cholesterol levels. Unfortunately, most people who embark on weight loss programs begin with completely unrealistic goals—they report an inability to be satisfied with modest, but beneficial weight loss. This kind of all-or-nothing mentality is a recipe for frustration, body dissatisfaction, and preoccupation with body weight and appearance.
For these reasons, I will not use typical methods employed by many organizations and professionals to determine your “ideal” body weight (there’s nothing inherently wrong with the charts and tables; it’s simply more productive to focus your energy elsewhere). If you prefer, go back to the section on your personal weight history and use this information as a starting point to determine a healthy weight range. Choose a range that you were able to maintain as an adult without dieting or excessive exercise but that reflects adequate nutrition, regular activity, and attention to overall health.
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