Almost 70 percent of all Americans are either trying to lose or they are trying to control their weight. Today, it is estimated that 65 percent of adult Americans are overweight and 30 percent are have gone beyond overweight to being obese. Obesity is a condition characterized by too much body fat.

So just what are some of the health benefits of attaining (or re-attaining) a proper body weight? According to the National Institutes of Health, people who are obese (more than 20 percent above their ideal weight) are more likely to have hypertension, high blood cholesterol levels, diabetes and even some kinds of cancer. Achieving a healthy weight profile can reduce health many of these serious health risks while also making you feel better, as you enjoy more energy and greater self-confidence.

Though not enough people do so when they begin dieting, it is very important to understand your weight loss needs though a consultation with your physician to properly determine if you need to lose weight and if so, just how much your ideal weight should be. In other words, is a complete change in eating habits necessary, or do you just need to cut back a little and watch the extra helpings? If you are already close to your goal, you may not need to start a full-scale weight-reduction program. But, if you are more than 20 percent above your healthy weight, or if you've had a weight problem for many years, it is then vital that you consult with a health professional before starting any type of serious weight-loss program.

One of the first steps to successful weight-loss is for you to properly evaluate how you feel, both physically and emotionally prior to establishing realistic goals for yourself. A good plan will allow you to set several short-term goals, and then reward yourself (with non-food rewards) each time you make progress. Always keep in mind that even small weight losses have been shown to produce beneficial health results. If you discover that you have reached a plateau that you can’t get beyond, then it may require you to re-evaluate your ultimate weight goal.

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