Are You Overweight?
Millions of Americans are overweight. But many don’t realize that they are. The fact of the matter is many Americans go through life never realizing that they are technically considered overweight.
Finding Out if You’re Overweight
Classification of our weight is based on the body mass index (BMI). Your BMI is your fat-to-muscle ratio based on your height and weight. You can figure out your body mass index one of to ways:
- - Using an online body mass index calculator
- - Using the following BMI formula:
Body Mass Index = (Weight in Pounds / (Height in inches) x (Height in inches) ) x 703
If you have a BMI between 18 and 25 (not including 25), you are of healthy weight. If you have a BMI between 25.0 and 39 (not including 30), you are considered overweight. Being overweight and not knowing it is very dangerous. If you think you’re weight is fine and you continue to eat a diet that is overloaded with fat and cholesterol, your overweight status could turn into obesity, which is something you definitely want to avoid.
After Discovering You’re Overweight
If after you’ve calculated your BMI you’ve discovered that you’re considered overweight, the first thing you need to do is examine your eating habits. Poor diet is a leading cause of overweight men and women across the globe. Eating recklessly without regard to the calorie count and fat content of the food you consume can quickly make you overweight. And if you do little or no physical activity, your chances of becoming overweight as you get older are even greater.
If you want to lower your weight and get out of the overweight zone, you need to adjust your diet. There are a number of ways to lose weight by adjusting your food intake. For starters, you can start counting your calories. Counting calories helps you stay on top of your calorie intake and adjust your diet accordingly. You can also visit a dietician or nutritionist for detailed advice on how to tackle your overweight condition. Dieticians and nutritionists are food specialists who can give you valuable advice and insight on how to improve your diet. They know specifically which foods to avoid and how to build a diet to meet your goals.
In addition to changing your diet, you need to exercise. Exercise helps increase the rate at which you process food. If you have tons of excess fat in your body, exercise will help burn off those pounds. If you are overweight, you need to establish a consistent workout regimen. Going once a week won’t help you lose the weight you need and get you out of the overweight zone. If you’re serious about losing weight, join a gym and consult a fitness trainer. They will help you establish a workout routine that will tackle specific areas of your body where you need the most work and help you reduce your weight.
Being overweight is a serious condition. If left untreated, your weight can continue to increase and you can grow from overweight to obese. The more weight you gain, the unhealthier you get. Keep yourself out of the overweight zone. Calculate your BMI to see if you’re overweight, and if you are, take action today.
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