Weight loss or weight health: what's the difference?

For many people, the scales take centre stage: losing kilos is the goal, health is the consequence. At Jims, we believe that true health goes far beyond the number of kilos on the scales. That's why we've introduced the concept of weight health.

Weight loss in itself does not tell the whole story about your health. You can lose kilos by following a strict diet or taking medication, but that doesn't mean you'll become stronger, fitter or more energetic. In fact, losing weight too quickly can lead to a loss of muscle mass and affect mobility, strength and metabolism.

Kilos are just a number. Health is how you feel and how your body works.

When people lose weight rapidly, for example by following drastic diets or taking certain medications, they often lose not only fat but also muscle mass. This has a number of negative consequences:

• Decreased resting metabolism → fewer calories burned at rest
• Reduced strength and stability → increased risk of injury
• Less energy and stamina in everyday life.

As a result, the long-term effect of weight loss can even be counterproductive.

Drugs such as Ozempic or other GLP-1s can contribute to weight loss. But here again, muscle loss is a risk.

Muscle training is the key to countering this phenomenon:

• It preserves and develops muscle mass
• Improves energy, mobility and everyday strength
• Ensures a lasting effect on health, even when taking medication.

At Jims, we help people by giving them personalised advice based on scientific data. That's how we make weight loss safe, effective and sustainable.

Weight health means developing a healthy, strong body, whatever your weight. The focus is on

• Strength: functional muscles that support your daily activities
• Mobility: moving with ease and freedom
• Cardio: a strong heart and lung for optimum fitness and a healthy body composition.
• Energy: feeling fitter and more resilient
• Safety: injury prevention and metabolic stability

What counts is not the number of kilos on the scales, but how your body works and how you feel in your daily life.

At Jims, we see the gym as much more than just a place to work out. It's an environment for prevention, rehabilitation and care. Working with experts such as BASO, we provide scientifically-based advice to help people get moving in a sustainable way.

Weight health is not an option. It's a foundation.

Want to know how weight training can improve your weight health?
Visit a Jim's club near you and discover our advice.

At Jims, we go beyond traditional fitness. That's why we've launched Move for Health, a unique programme in collaboration with hospitals.

Patients with a history of heart disease, obesity or oncology are given the opportunity to continue their recovery by training in small groups under the guidance of our professional coaches. For these three target groups, we have built up a solid and well-founded base in terms of coach training, programming and support.

We also welcome people with other medical histories or specific health problems, for example following a neurological, pneumological or rehabilitation trajectory, in cases of sarcopenia or back problems. They can enter a safe and adapted training environment, always in consultation with their doctor.

The programme helps participants to establish healthy habits and sustain the efforts they made in hospital in a familiar fitness environment.

Weight training, cardio, tailored advice and scientific methods make weight health at Jims a concrete, safe and achievable goal.