Weight Loss

There is no set ideal weight for everyone. A healthy weight for you will depend on your background, height, and level of activity. However, one medical way to calculate what weight you should be is by measuring your body mass index (BMI).

What is BMI?

BMI is a measurement used to work out if you're a healthy weight for your height. You calculate it by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared (weight (kg) / (height (m))²). A high BMI can indicate high body fatness.

You can use our BMI calculator below to measure your BMI:

What does my BMI mean?

Your BMI will tell you whether your weight is within a healthy range or not.

• If your BMI is <18.5, you are considered underweight.
• If your BMI is between 18.5 to <25, you are within the healthy weight range.
• If your BMI is between 25.0 to <30, it falls within the overweight range.
• If your BMI is 30.0 or higher, it falls within the obesity range.

Please note that BMI measurements cannot tell the difference between muscle and fat. If you have a lot of muscle, you may be classed as overweight or obese despite having low body fat. In this case, you may need to use other tools.

Becoming overweight or obese happens over time when you consume more calories than you burn. When this happens, your body stores the extra calories as fat, which causes weight gain.

However, it is also determined by the types and amount of food and drinks you eat each day, your level of physical activity, and how much good-quality sleep you get each night.

Lack of physical activity

A high BMI has been associated with not doing enough exercise together with high amounts of screen time.

Unhealthy eating behaviors

Did you know that 40% of all US households do not live within 1 mile of healthy food retailers? Unhealthy eating behaviors can increase your risk of becoming overweight or obese. This means eating foods high in added sugar, sodium, saturated fats and drinking too many sugary or alcoholic beverages.

Lack of good-quality sleep

Research has shown that there is a link between poor sleep and obesity. If you regularly get less than 7 hours of sleep per night it can affect the hormones that control hunger urges. This can make us more likely to overeat or not recognize when we are full.

Many other factors can also contribute to weight gain, these include:

• Genetics
• Older age
• High levels of stress
• Medical conditions (polycystic ovary syndrome, Cushing's syndrome, hypothyroidism)
• Menopause

Medicines

Some medicines that are associated with weight gain include:

• Antidepressants
• Antipsychotics
• Epilepsy medications
• Beta-blockers
• Birth control
• Corticosteroids
• Insulin (used to treat type 2 diabetes)

However, it may still be possible to lose weight or prevent weight gain if any of the above apply to you.

Being overweight or obese may increase your risk for many physical and mental health problems. For example, it can lead to:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Heart disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Some cancers
• Breathing difficulties (e.g. sleep apnea)
• Asthma
• Osteoarthritis
• Gallbladder disease
• Health problems during pregnancy
• Problems with fertility and sexual function
• Mental health problems

Reaching and staying at a healthy weight can help prevent these problems, stop them from getting worse, or even make them go away.

Losing weight will significantly reduce your risk of serious health complications. Not only does it improve your physical health, but it also has many other health benefits that will improve your quality of life.

Losing weight results in improvements in your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar levels. These reduce your risk of heart disease.

Weight loss also reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.

As well as its benefits on your physical health, weight loss may improve your mental health. Achieving your weight loss goals can boost self-esteem and confidence.

Many diet plans, weight-loss programs or natural supplements promise quick and easy weight loss. However, successful weight loss means following a healthy, calorie-controlled diet combined with increased physical activity.

It’s also important to remember that for long-term weight loss, you must make permanent changes to your lifestyle, routine and health habits. Start by making small, sustainable changes to your routine - like chewing slowly when you eat.

Calories are the units of energy you get from foods and drinks. When you burn more calories than you consume, you achieve a calorie deficit, which is necessary for weight loss.

The total number of calories a person needs each day varies depending on several factors. These include age, gender, height, weight, level of physical activity, and if they are pregnant or breastfeeding.

As well as eating in a calorie deficit, you must eat the right foods. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, you should follow a healthy eating plan consisting of:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains
• Fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products
• A variety of protein-rich foods such as seafood, lean meats and poultry, eggs, legumes (beans and peas), soy products, nuts, and seeds

While you should not overly restrict yourself, you should eat certain foods in moderation. Sweets and junk food are high in sugar and saturated fats. This means they are higher in calories and can lead to weight gain.

You can still enjoy your favorite foods in moderation. Eat them occasionally, in smaller portions, or make a healthier version with better ingredients.

What are the best diets to lose weight?

There are many popular diet plans which promote weight loss.

Some include:

• Keto diet - A high-fat and low-carb diet designed to make the body burn fat for energy rather than sugars.
• Intermittent fasting - This involves restricting your eating to specific hours of the day with the rest of the time spent fasting.
• DASH diet - This diet mainly consists of low cholesterol and saturated fats, lots of calcium, fiber and potassium, and little to no red meat and sugar.
• Mediterranean diet - This diet consists of minimally processed foods, and uses olive oil as the main cooking fat. Red meat and foods with added sugars are eaten sparingly. Benefits of this diet include a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer.

These diets can have benefits but may not be appropriate for everyone. Some diets can lead to unhealthy eating habits or side effects if not followed correctly. Others can make you feel too restricted, leading to a negative relationship with food. Always consult a healthcare or registered dietitian or nutritionist before starting any diet.

Physical activity is important if you are trying to lose weight. The more physical activity you do, the more calories your body uses for energy.

The only way to maintain weight loss is to do physical activity regularly. According to The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, adults need 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week or 75 minutes of intense exercise every week. Here are some examples of activities you can do:

The most commonly prescribed weight loss medications come in two forms, injections and pills.

Weight loss injections

These are medical treatments to help you lose weight. Examples of weight loss injections include Saxenda and Wegovy, both of these can be purchased here at SpeedyHealth.

These injections typically mimic the action of naturally occurring hormones in the body. They reduce your appetite, promote a sense of fullness and slow down stomach emptying to help you feel fuller for longer. These actions will help you consume less calories and contribute to weight loss.

Weight loss pills

Weight loss pills, also known as diet pills, are prescription drugs you take to help individuals lose weight. Popular pills include Xenical, Alli and Qsymia.

These pills work through different ways such as reducing your appetite or blocking the absorption of fat in the foods you eat.

As well as prescription injections and pills, you may also come across other alternatives online. Many websites sell diet supplements such as teas, drinks, gummies, or powders. These supplements claim to aid in weight loss by using natural ingredients.

Unfortunately, most of the time this is false advertising. The products can often be harmful to some people. This is why you should be cautious if you come across any product that claims it will help you lose weight fast.

Never buy or use herbal supplements online without consulting a doctor or pharmacist.

Does apple cider vinegar help you lose weight?

Apple cider vinegar is made from apples that have been crushed, distilled, and then fermented. It is available in the form of liquid, gummies or capsules. While there are claims that this popular drink helps you lose weight, there is a lack of evidence to support these claims.

Does drinking green tea help you lose weight?

Green tea is widely consumed around the world and is popular due to its potential health benefits and taste. Although many people believe this drink aids in weight loss, studies suggest the weight loss was not statistically significant.

You can buy effective weight loss treatments online at Speedy Health, provided you are eligible for treatment.

All you have to do is complete a confidential and quick online consultation so our doctors can ensure it's safe for you to take. Your safety is very important to us. To ensure this, you must provide information about your medical history and the medications you use.

Once approved, your treatment will be delivered to your doorstep.