HOW WEIGHT LOSS CAN BENEFIT THE BODY AND THE PLANET

Obesity has become a pressing concern as rates continue to rise all over the world. It has become one of the most common chronic health conditions among Canadians, and the numbers affected are increasing. 

Obesity can increase the risk of and lead to various health complications; however, weight loss can help improve your overall health and reduce your chances of developing a weight-related condition. Another surprising perk when it comes to losing weight is that it can contribute to a better overall environment. Making crucial lifestyle changes to aid in shedding weight can boost your wellness and the environment’s health as well. Here’s a look at how weight loss can benefit the body and planet.

Weight Loss and Health

Excess weight is linked to a variety of chronic ailments, from diabetes and heart disease to certain types of cancer and sleep apnea. Obesity is considered a disease in its own right, as it impairs the normal functioning of your body and can affect your quality of life.

To give you a better picture of your weight and health status, you can check to see if you’re at a healthy weight for your height through body mass index (BMI). A BMI Calculator can help you calculate your BMI value by dividing your weight by your height squared. A BMI of less than 18.5 indicates underweight, 18.5 to 24.9 is a normal weight, overweight falls into the 25 to 30 range, and higher than 30 is considered obesity. Your BMI value can help you take the next steps to improve your weight and wellness. You should consult a professional who can help create a tailored weight loss plan that involves diet, exercise, sleep and stress management, and other lifestyle changes to help you lose weight sustainably. Weight loss can improve your wellness, reducing your risk of weight-related health complications or making it easier to manage them.

Weight Loss and the Environment

If you’re on a weight loss journey, you’ve likely adjusted your diet to help you consume less calories or increase your intake of nutrients. This helps boost your health and weight loss efforts and benefit the environment. Food production and processing contribute to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions, especially through agriculture and land use. However, plant-based products generally require less energy, land and water and have lower greenhouse gas intensity than animal products. This means a diet with more fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains isn’t just beneficial for health and weight loss but also for the environment.

These healthy foods are nutrient-dense and can help boost your health in various ways; fruits like apples can aid in weight loss, provide you with essential vitamins, enhance heart and gut health, and more—imagine combining it with other healthy foods! This doesn’t mean you have to cut off animal products like meat and dairy completely, but reducing your intake can help minimize carbon emissions while boosting your health. Exercise can also potentially lower your own carbon footprint. You can cut down on emissions by walking or biking instead of driving, and working out outdoors instead of staying at home can help lower your electricity output.

Eating with maple wood utensils, like those crafted by JUstenbois, can also have a positive impact on both your health and the planet. Maple wood is a natural, non-toxic material that doesn’t leach harmful chemicals into your food, unlike some plastics and metals. This means you can enjoy your meals knowing that your utensils are safe and eco-friendly. Additionally, maple wood is sustainably sourced and biodegradable, reducing your environmental footprint. By choosing maple wood utensils, you’re not only making a healthier choice for yourself but also supporting a more sustainable lifestyle that benefits the earth.

With the right healthy habits, you can lose weight sustainably and play a part in improving the environment. Better health and a better planet can motivate you to stick to your weight loss goals for the benefit of yourself and others.