Dear Timi,
Although I’m probably thirty to forty pounds over my ideal weight, I’m healthy and feel fine about being a little chunky. I eat well and exercise regularly. Should I still be concerned about being overweight?

Dear Reader,
Yes, you should, and here’s why: Being thirty or more pounds overweight puts you clearly at risk for heart disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes and also cancer. You may not suffer from any weight-related effects on your health right now, but the risks will increase over time. You say that you generally adhere to a health-conscious lifestyle. So, my guess is that your portion sizes are probably too generous, and you may want to start cutting back your servings and see what happens.

Whatever the reasons for your weight gain may be, you should try your utmost to turn things around right now, before more serious damage is being done. Extra weight puts stress on your body, especially your joints, and also your organs. If you reach the point down the road where you have to take medication against hypertension or diabetes, you have to expect an array of other related health problems – including the inevitable side-effects from the medication – all of which could be avoided, if you took decisive action.

Since you are otherwise in good health, you have the luxury of time and can afford to take small, incremental steps toward lasting weight loss. I recommend that you consult with a nutritionist or dietitian, and perhaps a fitness trainer as well, to work on a comprehensive weight loss plan that gets you slowly but surely back on the right path.

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