The more you weigh, the more stress you put on your joints. This stress can cause more wear and tear on your joints, which could lead to osteoarthritis.

In addition to watching your weight, you need to make sure you are consuming the right types of foods to insure that you are getting the proper vitamins and minerals to help your body fight off disease. Research has found some connections between food, nutritional supplements and certain types of arthritis.

The best way to make sure you are getting the proper amount of nutrients and calories is to write down what you eat and use the Food Pyramid as a guide to what kinds of food you eat. Then make sure you don’t overeat by getting a handle on portion control.

It is easy to get overwhelmed when you are trying to lose weight or maintain your current weight. Remember, it took a long time to put the weight on. It will take some time to get it off. Don’t fall for quick weight-loss diet fads. People who have the most success in taking control of their weight, do it slowly. You should aim to lose 1-2 pounds a week.

Take a deep breath and begin your meditation. Think about your weight goals and about how you will achieve them. Will you keep a food diary? Will you start exercising? How will you make sure you are eating proper foods and proper quantities?

Don’t try to do everything a once. Start by changing what you eat. Dump the cookies for carrots, or have a salad with your sandwich at lunch instead of chips. Then start counting your calories. After you feel comfortable with your eating, add exercise to the mix.

And remember, this is not a diet. You are making a positive lifestyle change in the way you eat. Before you know it, your weight will come down and you will feel better.