Today, a lot of significance is given to how much a person weighs. We go on a diet to improve our appearance according to what people think we should look like. Improved health and energy are other reasons we want to lose weight.
If your heart health is a matter of concern to you, you should certainly keep an eye on the scale. Nevertheless, your weight isn’t just about pounds. The ratio of your hips to waist is actually more significant than what the scale reads.
The American Heart Association warns us that a man with a larger than 40 inch waistline and women with a waist line larger than 35 inches are taking their chances on developing heart disease. If your waist to hip ratio is high, you’re at greater risk for heart disease than an overweight person with smaller proportions.
There is fat that gathers in your body that is called visceral fat. This is what causes the higher probability of developing heart problems. This fat is underneath your muscle and congregating around your internal organs. This type of fat is more stressful to the heart than any other kind.
It can cause high blood pressure, high levels of blood sugar, and high cholesterol. All of these risk factors added together greatly increase the risk of heart disease for an individual.
On the plus side, the loss of even a little weight from the midsection lessens the heart disease probability by a significant amount. One of the proven ways to specifically work on the waist area is yoga.
It’s not at all necessary to spend your life at the gym, either. A session of exercise lasting anywhere from twenty to forty minutes each day will leave you healthier and slimmer in no time.
You can also decrease your waistline by eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. It’s best to cut out foods that are high in saturated or trans fat or high in sugar.
Improving your diet will not only help to trim your waistline, but it will also help to lower your cholesterol, blood glucose, and even your blood pressure. All that adds up to heart health.
By getting rid of that extra weight around your waist, you might be able to fit into that new outfit. But more importantly, it will help you to stay healthy and have a more enjoyable life.