People everywhere are making resolutions to lose weight and focus on short-term dietary changes in the new year.
The USPS Health and Wellness Team wants to remind employees that weight management is most successful when viewed as a lifestyle behavior, not a temporary goal.
Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight is important throughout your life and prevents the development of many diseases.
Various factors — such as family history, genetics, metabolism, environment and habits — contribute to a person’s weight.
Being overweight may lead to higher risks for serious health problems, such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, stroke and cancers.
Individuals who are underweight also face health risks, such as malnutrition, decreased immune function and fertility issues.
Weight management helps to lower risk for certain diseases and gives you more energy.
It’s part of your self-care that incorporates healthier eating, regular physical activity, getting enough sleep, managing stress and balancing the calories you eat and drink with the calories your body uses for daily activity.
Try these tips to help manage your weight:
• Move more and sit less. Limit screen time and time spent sitting. Create ways to increase steps throughout the day.
• Schedule time for physical activity and stick to it.
• Track eating habits. Include more fruits and vegetables. Start with reducing food or drink intake by 500 calories a day if your goal is weight loss.
• Set goals that are specific, attainable and forgiving (not too strict).
• Plan for setbacks. Refocus and resume your goals.
It’s never too early or too late to achieve a healthy weight.
The Health and Wellness team’s information does not constitute medical advice. Individuals should seek consultation with their own health care professionals.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health and USPS January Wellness Toolkit websites have more information.
