The (non)sense of pounds and overweight

Now that spring has finally started, many people once again start battling those extra winter pounds.

There’s no shortage of solutions. Motivated individuals head to the gym and focus on healthy, protein-rich, low-sugar diets, while couch lovers opt for easier fixes such as Ozempic or surgical procedures.

It’s high time to put this marketing-driven hype into perspective.

Don’t get me wrong—getting enough exercise, sleeping well, and eating a varied, natural diet are absolutely essential for staying healthy. But… yes, there is a “but.”

A few extra kilos are certainly not a disaster—I would even argue that obsessively trying to lose those last few pounds is probably far more unhealthy than embracing them with a bit of self-compassion.

Here are a few golden rules to help you determine whether you are actually carrying unhealthy excess weight:

• Does 80% of my diet consist of unprocessed, natural foods, with a calorie ratio of roughly 30% protein, 30% carbohydrates, and 40% fats?

  
  

• Do I feel good in my body (no bloating, no hard or distended stomach, etc.)?

  
  

• Is my BMI (Body Mass Index) below 25?

  
  

If you answer “no” to any of the above questions, additional action may be needed, and external support could be helpful.

If your answer to these three questions is—more or less—a confident “yes,” then I wouldn’t worry about those few extra kilos. Every body is unique. Keep working on your health by staying active, eating well, and prioritizing sleep—but don’t overthink it.

Without even realizing it, you probably look fantastic!