You’ve made the decision to lose a lot of weight, and you’re ready to jump into action. But before you do, it’s important to understand what a lot of weight actually means. Is it a lot of pounds you want to lose? Or maybe it’s the dress code you want to achieve? Or maybe you just feel better when you’re at a healthy weight, and you want to know how to get there as quickly as possible?
Whatever the case may be, your initial instinct might be to panic. After all, a lot of weight can vary from a few pounds to a couple of hundred. And while it’s great to set goals and be motivated to lose some weight, it’s not always great when those numbers keep rolling around in your head. You might feel a bit intimidated, especially if you’re not used to hearing that kind of number. After all, if you’re not exactly sure what a lot of weight means, then how are you supposed to know if you’re meeting it?
To help you get a sense of what a lot of weight means, we spoke with Kelly McGonigal, MPH, RD, CSSD, who is a nutritionist and lifestyle dietitian at the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health. McGonigal has 20 years of experience working with individuals and families to help them achieve healthy weight loss. Here, she breaks down the various factors that may affect your weight-loss journey and how to prepare for it.
Understanding Your Body Type
First and foremost, it’s important to understand your body type in order to determine how much weight you can realistically lose. If you have a fairly small frame, you may be able to lose a few pounds, but you’re more likely to hit plateau at best. On the other hand, if you have a medium frame, you may be able to lose a bit more weight, but you’re also more likely to hit a plateau. Finally, if you have a large frame, you may be able to lose a large amount of weight, but you’re more likely to experience problems with hunger and satiety, which could derail your weight-loss efforts. Knowing your body type will help you determine how committed you should be to the process. Are you prepared to make the necessary changes to reach your goal weight? Or would you be better off finding ways to satisfy your cravings and stay motivated?
How To Calculate How Much Weight You Should Be Losing
Once you know your body type, you can determine how much weight you should be losing. To figure this out, you need to do a bit of math. Start by taking your body mass index (BMI), which is a number that indicates your relative weight. Simply put, it’s the weight you want to lose (in kg) divided by the square of your height (in m) and multiplied by 7.5 (if you’re a woman) or 9 (if you’re a man). For example, a BMI of 25 would mean you should be aiming for a weight loss of 5kg. But remember, this isn’t an exact science, and you should always use your own judgment when it comes to your health. Just because the BMI for a healthy weight range is 25 doesn’t mean you have to exactly match that number. Your height may vary, as does your frame. What’s important is that you’re aware of the range for your height, and you’re not doing anything that might jeopardize your health.
What To Expect On Your Journey To A Healthy Weight
On your journey to a healthy weight, you’re going to hit a few bumps. That’s just the nature of this process. It takes time, and it requires consistency. But that’s exactly what you’re committing to, so it’s important to be patient and determined.
The first few weeks of your journey will be the hardest. This is when you’re most likely to hit the wall, determine that this is something you cannot do alone, and give up. Don’t. If you stick with it, you’ll see improvements in your energy levels and mental focus, as well as the pounds will begin to come off. Soon, you’ll be looking at a weight that’s lower than you’ve ever looked at before, and you’ll feel great. This is when you know you’ve made the right decision, and it’s time to celebrate. However, don’t get too relaxed; continue to monitor your diet and exercise, as this is how you keep the weight off once you’ve lost it. This is a lifestyle change, and you need to make sure it’s something you can maintain for the rest of your life. This is why it’s so important to find ways to stay motivated even when you don’t feel like it. If you want to lose weight, there are ways to do it, and you’ll feel better for it once you’ve reached your goal weight. But you have to be prepared for the ups and downs that come along with achieving something you’ve always wanted.