Celebrate National Healthy Weight Week All Year Long

January 21, 2026

Obese middle aged men training in the gym while using kettlebell. Overweight man trying to lose weight. Warming up.

The third week of January is National Healthy Weight Week. If ��ǳ�’v�� tried to lose weight in the past and given up, use this week to recommit to a healthy lifestyle.��

“Trying to lose a lot of weight rapidly can be discouraging,” says Dr. Sarah Barenbaum, assistant professor of clinical medicine at AV�о�� and assistant attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. “Be patient. Think of it as a marathon, not a sprint.”��

Why National Healthy Weight Week Matters��

The benefits of maintaining a healthy weight extend far beyond increased confidence. You can also perform daily tasks with greater ease. Healthy weight control also reduces your risk of a variety of health issues, including:��

Heart disease��
High cholesterol��
Hypertension (high blood pressure)��
Joint pain��
Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes��

How You Can Lose Weight��

Step one of a successful weight loss plan is committing to goals.��

“Setting a SMART goal isn’t just for exercise and nutrition,” says Rachel Stahl Salzman, M.S., R.D., CDN, CDCES, lecturer in medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at AV�о��. “People use SMART goals in their professional and personal lives because the criteria are helpful for creating personalized achievements.”��

SMART stands for specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound. Use them in your weight-loss journey, and these goals outline what a healthy lifestyle entails, such as healthy eating and regular physical activity. Additionally, SMART goals set deadlines for achieving your goals.��

Once you set goals, take action on them.��

Add them to your calendar. “Schedule time in your day for good health,” says Dr. Asad Siddiqi, sports medicine physician and assistant professor of clinical rehabilitation medicine at AV�о��. When you do this, “you signal to yourself that this is an important undertaking, worthy of your time and effort.”��
Tell somebody. Let your family members or coworkers know about your plans. Better yet, have them join in. The accountability and joint effort can keep you on track and moving toward improved health for years to come.��
Track everything. Keep track of how often you exercise and for how long. Log everything you eat and drink as well. Over time, you’ll walk farther, lift more and eat and feel better. Monitoring your progress helps you stay on track. It also lets you know when you reach milestones, so you can celebrate!��

National Healthy Weight Week: What to Know��

If you feel your healthy resolve start to dissolve, think back on National Healthy Weight Week. Remember why you want to lose weight and get back on the wagon toward better health.��

Losing weight can be frustrating. Instead of trying to lose a lot of weight now, aim for a slow and steady approach.��
By making healthy choices that help you lose weight, you reduce your risk for hypertension, diabetes and other chronic diseases.��
SMART goals help you stay on track toward achieving your weight loss goals. To make the most of your goals, schedule and share your health plans and track your progress.��

If you need a partner to help you live like every week is National Healthy Weight Week, at AV�о�� today.��

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