healthy you
WEIGHT LOSS
Learn more than ever before
about healthy weight loss: This
story is the first in a series that
will c ontinue throughout 2009.
SAYS
A^
u^
~
t o f f
w/ult Am ericansarf
^ th i r d s are
actively dieting.
S u r v e y *
/ eight loss is a bread-and-butter
/
topic for a lot of magazines.
\
\
Unfortunately, that leads to a
steady stream of shrill claims
such as “Drop a Dress Size This
Weekend!” and “Lose 30 Lbs. Without Dieting!” and so on.
For many years,
Better Homes and Gardens
magazine
has avoided this kind of hype, because it’s neither
realistic nor healthy. Instead, we’ve concentrated our
efforts on good nutrition and better fitness in the
knowledge that the two, properly implemented, will
lead to all sorts of good things, including weight loss.
This year, we believe the time has come to do something
a little different. Never before have so many people
struggled with their weight. And because carrying extra
pounds is a risk factor all by itself for many health problems,
it warrants a comprehensive and responsible look at what
we can do about it. So, to do that, we’re launching our
yearlong series “Lose Weight, Gain Health” to walk you
through an important range of weight-loss topics.
COMING UP NEXT MONTH
THE WAY TO EAT Eating well is simpler and
much more delicious than you may think.
The reason we’re taking a year to talk about this is
because safe, effective, sustainable weight loss is a gradual
process. The time we’re devoting to this also reflects the
significance of the topic—getting to a healthy weight is one
of the most important things you can do for your health.
WHY HEALTHY WEIGHT MATTERS
Odd and varied things happen when you start putting
on weight. Some are emotional: Relationships with
mirrors, changing rooms, and swimsuits become
complicated and begrudging.
And some are physical: Your energy plummets. It’s
harder to climb a flight of stairs, go for walks and hikes,
and play with kids and grandkids.
Droppingsome unneeded pounds matters, even if it’s
only a few. The Mayo Clinic reports that losing between
5 and 10 percent of your body weight can lower blood
pressure, enhance the way your body burns sugars,
improve your cholesterol levels, and even better your
mood. Losing this smallish amount of weight also
reduces the risk of many chronic diseases, such as
cardiovascular problems, diabetes, sleep disorders, some
types of cancer, back pain, asthma, Alzheimer’s disease,
gout, and osteoarthritis of the spine, hips, and knees.
WHAT IS HEALTHY WEIGHT LOSS?
Dropping pounds effectively requires one thing first of
all—a sense of perspective. Losing weight doesn’t have to
be a grim, miserable existence full of deprivation and
want. If it is, you won’t stick with it. Or, on the off chance
you are one of the stalwart few who can go hungry all the
time, you’ll be miserable to live with. George Dennison
Prentice, a 19th century newspaper editor, summed it up
nicely: “What some call health, if purchased by perpetual
anxiety about diet, isn’t much better than tedious disease.”
This is not about dieting. It’s about a subtle and
gradual re-examination of your relationships with both
food and physical activity that will ultimately leave you
healthier, thinner, and even happier.
*International Food Information Council Foundation
con tinned on page 114
I I O JANUARY ?009 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
P H O T O : C AM ERO N SADEG HPO UR
