We love a good health number. Ten thousand steps. Eight glasses of water. Eight hours of sleep (if only!). These little benchmarks make us feel like we’re winning at wellness, even on the days when dinner is pimped up two-minute noodles and the kids are nose to their screens.
But is more actually better? Well that depends on your own personal health journey. Where you’re starting from and where you need or want to get to. Whether it’s weight loss or general fitness, the reality is that there’s no number that is a ‘one size fits all’. Instead research increasingly suggests there may be a range of factors and numbers that can help us to be the healthiest version of ourselves.
Is 10-15 per cent weight loss the sweet spot?
Look, losing even a few kilos can make you feel lighter and brighter. But recent studies show that losing about 10–15 per cent of your body weight can significantly lower your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, some cancers, and chronic kidney disease.
But here’s the bit that really got our attention: that same amount of weight loss is also linked to better mental wellbeing including improved mood, higher self-esteem, and just generally feeling more like yourself again.
Here’s what that kind of weight loss can do:
- Improve how your body handles blood sugar
- Lower your blood pressure and cholesterol
- Take pressure off your joints (hello, knees!)
- Help you sleep better
- Boost your mood and energy
The best part? It’s not about looking a certain way. It’s about giving your body – and your mind – the reset they deserve.
Not just about the number on the scales
Weight is only part of the story. Your overall health picture includes things like:
- Movement: 10,000 steps a day can boost your heart health and energy levels (school pick-up laps count!).
- Sleep: Getting seven to nine hours helps your metabolism do its thing.
- Blood sugar balance: Keeping this steady means fewer energy crashes and less hangry snacking.
- BMI: Staying in a healthy range can help prevent complications down the track.
Small, sustainable tweaks to what you eat, how you move, and your daily habits can absolutely help. But let’s be honest – for many of us, lifestyle changes alone just don’t cut it. And that’s okay. In Australia, more than two-thirds of adults are living with overweight or obesity. This is a common, chronic health condition, not a reflection of your willpower or how ‘good’ you’ve been.
What if you’ve already tried everything?
If you’ve done the diets, downloaded the apps, bought the activewear (and actually worn it), and you’re still struggling, it might be time to have a different conversation.
Talking to a doctor can help you understand options that go beyond “eat less, move more”. A doctor isn’t there to judge you. They’re there to help you find solutions that work for your health, your body, and your life right now.
Because when it comes to your health, it’s not about being perfect. It’s about progress. And finding the numbers – whatever they are – that work for you.
Learn more at novocare.com.au
Sponsored by Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd. Level 10, 118 Mount Street, North Sydney NSW 2060. ABN 40 002 879 996. Novo Nordisk Medical Information (Australia) 1800 668 626. www.novonordisk.com.au. AU25OB00267 December 2025
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