How Do I Lose Weight?

Why Weight Matters

Carrying excess pounds affects your health in these ways.

• It's a major risk factor for heart disease. It's also linked to stroke and death from heart-related causes.
• It increases strain on your heart.
• It contributes to angina and sudden death from heart disease.
• It increases your risk for diabetes and high blood pressure, both risk factors for heart disease.
• It increases triglycerides.
• It increases LDL cholesterol, known as the bad cholesterol.
• It decreases HDL cholesterol, known as the good cholesterol.
• Carrying extra weight increases your risk for other conditions, too, including:
• certain types of cancer
• arthritis
• the painful joint disease called gout
• gallbladder disease and gallstones
• interrupted breathing during sleep, called sleep apnea

If you're overweight, you may fear that you can't shed enough pounds to make a difference in your cholesterol level or the outlook for your health. But it's very likely that you can, because when it comes to weight loss, a little bit goes a long way. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, losing even 10 pounds can improve your triglyceride levels. It can also lower your LDL cholesterol and boost your HDL cholesterol levels. When you lose weight, it helps reduce your risk for heart disease. You can also lower your blood pressure. Keep reading to learn how to tell if you're really overweight and if you are what you can do to help take off pounds.