Overweight

Your Weight and Your Risk Being overweight heightens your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. It further leads to other problems, too, like elevated blood pressure, bad cholesterol, and raised blood glucose (sugar). Losing weight can help you prevent and manage these problems. And you don't have to lose a lot of weight. Even losing 10-15 pounds can make a big difference. Getting Started Weight loss can be hard because it means making changes in the way you eat and in your physical activity. Losing weight also takes time — and that can be frustrating. The good news is that you can lose weight and keep it off, even if you've never done it before. Here's what works for people who have lost weight and kept it off: They cut back on calories and fat. They're physically active most days of the week. They eat breakfast every day. They keep a record of their weight, what they eat and drink, and what they do for physical activity. It's much easier to lose weight when you change the way you eat and also increase your activity.