Realistic Goals
Reaching attainable realities.
What's a Realistic Weight Goal?
The goal of sustained medical weight control is to reduce your risk of early death and your risk of weight related diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cancers, and heart disease. The goal of our treatment is not cosmetic (i.e. ripped abdominal muscles). The goal is to live longer, healthier lives.
Should You Normalize Your Weight According to BMI (Body Mass Index)?
BMI is a screening tool used to help identify those who MAY have risk of unhealthy weight. The abdominal circumference confirms the risk. Read more about the role of BMI and abdominal circumference here. Once the diagnosis of unhealthy weight has been confirmed, the minimum weight loss for medical benefit (reducing risk for early death and weight-related diseases) is 5 to 10 percent. Additional weight loss is usually better, and sustained weight control is best. There is no current medical data that supports "normalizing" the BMI or pursuing an "ideal" body weight results in better outcomes. Patients often have goals beyond the minimum 5 to 10 percent, and we work to meet those goals.