You no doubt have heard allot about this number. Your doctor, trainer or dietitian may have given you a weight value based on the accepted norms for your sex, age and height. Although this number is generic, it does cover at least 95% of most cases. What about that other 5%? Well this 5% can be +-10 pounds from the Ideal Weight given. It all depends on each individuals situation but does not lessen the importance of this value. What is truly important about the Ideal Weight is not that you need to maintain that exact weight but you use it to guide you towards your target to stabilize your weight at a level near your Ideal Weight that makes you feel comfortable and healthy. How do you know when the weight you have obtained is within the "healthy" zone for your Ideal Weight? Well that is determined by the next of the magic numbers, the BMI.
The Body Mass Index (BMI) can be used by your doctor and/or dietitian to figure out your general weight health based on your sex, height and weight and is associated with the measurement of body fat. Once that BMI has been calculated, the value is compared against the following ranges to determine your weight health.less than 19 --> Underweight 19 to 25 --> Normal 26 to 29 --> Overweight 30 to 34 --> Obese (Class I) 35 to 39 --> Obese (Class II) 40 or more --> Obese (Class III)
There are a couple of limitations with the BMI. One, it does not show the difference between body fat and muscle. Someone with a lot of muscle (body builder) may have a BMI in the unhealthy range, but still be healthy with little risk of developing health issues. Two, it may not accurately reflect the weight health of someone that is very short (under 5 feet) and in older people (80+). For the rest of us the BMI is a reliable indicator as to our physical weight health.
What should you do if your BMI is too high?
If your BMI is from 26 to 29 - start a weight loss program and increase your physical activity level.
If your BMI is from 30 to 34 - take your weight seriously as you are at a RISK of health issue, start a good weight loss program NOW and become more active.
If your BMI is from 35 to 39 - you are at a HIGH RISK of health issues. You need to address your diet with a weight loss program and include your doctor at each stage of your progress.
If your BMI is 40 or more - your health is at EXTREME RISK (DEATH!). Contact your doctor NOW and work to get your weight under control.
The last of the magic numbers is your Calorie Maintenance Level (CML) and it is the key number in a weight loss program. The CML is based on many factors and is specific to each person's height, weight and activity level. Since the effectiveness of your weight loss program depends on this number, it is important that it be as accurate as possible. What is the CML? It is the total number of calories you need to consume each day to maintain your CURRENT weight. Lets say your CML is 2608 calories for your current weight. To start losing weight, change your daily calorie intake to a value less than your current CML (target around 500 calories less). The decrease will trigger your body to find the missing calories from body fat to try to maintain your current weight at that activity level. You should start seeing weight loss the first week, if not decrease your calorie intake a bit more and/or increase your activity level. The additional increase in demand for calories will start eating away at your fat deposits.
To make use of these magic weight loss numbers, you need to find a weight loss program that understands their importance and incorporates them in the program. A good weight loss program is required to make these magic weight loss numbers useful. You can lose weight with just the knowledge you have picked up here today but without a good weight loss program that helps train you for sustainable weight loss, you might not reach your comfortable and healthy weight.
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