Signs You’re Not At a Healthy Weight

If you’re worried that you’re not at a healthy weight, you’ve got good reasons. Recent research has revealed that nearly 75% of American adults weigh more than is good for their health, with more than two-fifths of these adults struggling with obesity. 

With so many people weighing in above normal, it can be challenging to know what is considered a healthy weight. However, it’s crucial that you know what a healthy weight is, because being overweight or obese increases your chances of developing many serious health conditions, such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and many cancers.

At Integrative Primary Care in Katy, Texas, our board-certified providers are committed to making sure you get the information you need for optimal health. We’ve put together this informative guide with several key signs that you might not be at a healthy weight.

Of course, it’s always best to talk with a medical health professional if you have questions about your weight and overall health. Our team offers personalized weight-loss help for patients who are struggling to shed their excess pounds.

In the meantime, keep reading to learn some telltale signs that you could need to lose weight.  

1. Your BMI is high

Although body mass index (BMI) isn’t a perfect tool, it serves as a good starting point to understand whether you’re overweight. Your BMI is a number that reveals your size based on height and weight. 

To learn your BMI, simply weigh yourself, then enter your height and weight into an online BMI calculator. If your BMI is 25 or higher, it’s likely you’re overweight. 

Keep in mind that BMI doesn’t take into account key factors, such as bone structure or muscle mass, so the BMI produced for you might not accurately reflect your true condition. Because of this, it’s always a good idea to talk over your BMI with a trained medical provider  

2. You have a large waist

Another sign that you’re not at a healthy weight is if you carry most of your fat around your stomach, rather than on your hips. The larger your waist, the greater your risk of being overweight or obese.

If your waist measures 35 inches or more and you’re a woman, or 40 inches or more and you’re a man, this is a sign of not only being overweight but also having dangerous levels of fat surrounding your vital organs. 

You can measure your waist circumference using a simple measuring tape. Place the tape at the top of your hip and pull it around your body, keeping it at the same level as your belly button. Be sure not to suck in or pull the tape too tight. 

3. You snore

If you snore, it’s time to check your weight. This is because being overweight is highly correlated with a condition called sleep apnea, which causes snoring in addition to irregular breathing. 

Sleep apnea is a dangerous sleep disorder, which significantly increases your risk for other health conditions, including stroke and heart attack. The good news is that losing weight often leads to improvements in sleep apnea.  

4. You’re tired all the time

If you feel tired after completing simple, everyday tasks, such as walking around the grocery store, cleaning a room in your home, or getting dressed, it could be a sign that you need to lose weight. Being overweight adds pressure to your vital organs, including your lungs and heart. This can make you tire more easily.  

What’s more? People who are overweight or obese have a greater risk of developing conditions linked to fatigue, such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, asthma, chronic inflammation, and more. Be sure to talk with your Integrative Primary Care provider if you have this symptom. 

5. Your joints hurt

Being overweight or obese increases the odds that you’ll develop joint problems, such as osteoarthritis. This is because excess weight puts extra pressure on all your joints, and the more overweight you are, the more this pressure increases and can cause damage.

If you’ve been noticing achy knees, ankles, or hips, chronic back pain, or other painful joints, it’s time to talk with your provider about your weight. The sooner you take steps to get your weight under control, the sooner you can slow or stop a degenerative condition from developing. 

Professional help losing weight

If you’re concerned about your weight, the team at Integrative Primary Care can help. Our providers evaluate your medical history, current weight, goal weight, and diet and fitness history to create a customized weight-loss plan for your unique needs.

Some of our favorite weight-loss tools include:

• Nutritional counseling
• Fitness/physical activity recommendations
• Prescription weight-loss medications 
• Lipo C injections
• Vitamin B12 injections
• HcG diet counseling

Are you ready to shed those extra pounds and reclaim your health? To get the help you need, call 832-500-7585 or book an appointment online with Integrative Primary Care today.