Healthcare costs are through the roof, and many people have high deductibles or percentage co-pays that push those costs to them. One of the best ways to reduce your chances of having chronic, costly health problems is to get your weight in the normal range.
About 74% of adults in the United States are overweight, and of that, 43% are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Obesity—defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher—is directly correlated with developing serious health issues, such as heart and vascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, digestive disorders, and joint and back pain.
You can do a lot to reduce—and, in some cases, eliminate—your own chronic health problems. The key is a reasonable and sustainable approach. For example, since weight is a primary factor in many health problems, you may choose to address that first. That could consist of adding a 30-minute walk every day to whatever you usually do and replacing your normal snack with veggies or fresh fruit. As a general rule, you’ll lose one pound for every 3,500 calories you burn and don’t replace. For a normal person who substitutes two servings of chips or candy with vegetables and adds one 30-minute period of exercise a day, this could equal a pound a week. That’s 52 pounds in one year!
That slight change to diet and exercise will also help your blood cholesterol, blood sugar, and vascular health.
For those who are not overweight but have hypertension, high cholesterol, or diabetes, following your prescribed medication and dietary protocols is critical. Doing so will reduce the deleterious effects these conditions have on your blood vessels and organs—and keep you out of the hospital or assisted living care.
