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What Does It Really Mean to Be Overweight?

Obesity is an ever increasing problem in the US now-a-days. Studies show that over 66 percent of Americans can be categorized as either fat or obese, and the medical community is even going so far as to call it an epidemic. However, with today’s aesthetic standards as portrayed by the media and the fashion community, it can be very tough to decipher what is actually a healthy weight. No doctor would recommend trying to be stick-thin, but we all know that obesity is dangerous to the health. So, where is that healthy midline? What, exactly, does it mean to the general public to be “overweight?” Here are the plain facts:

Overweight
Overweight (Photo credit: just.Luc)

The definition. Being overweight means weighing more than what is healthy. This amount varies from person to person, as it depends on factors that are unique to each person’s build. Therefore, what is overweight for you might not be overweight for someone else.

Overweight compared to being obese. It is important that you understand that overweight does not necessarily mean obese. Healthy (or unhealthy) body weight is graded on a scale, including the categories of “normal weight,” “overweight,” “obese,” and “morbidly obese.” Each level has its own set of qualifying factors and, of course, morbidly obese is the most dangerous. Being overweight means being one step above normal weight, one step below obese, and two steps below morbidly obese.

What factors are used to determine overweight? Your body mass index (BMI) is used to determine where you are categorized on the health/morbidly-obese scale. Your BMI is a measure of your body’s composition, accounting for how much you weigh in relation to your height. There are various different methods to calculate BMI. The simplest is to use an online BMI calculator, but for the most exact figure, it is a good idea to see a doctor or nutritionist. If your BMI falls between 25 and 30, you are generally considered overweight. However, it is important to keep in mind that BMI has no way of accounting for your muscle to fat ratio. This ratio can make a major difference in your overall health, and therefore can change your status as overweight. For example, if you are a serious athlete with a lot of muscle, you may weigh more than someone else your height who is at a “normal” weight, but that doesn’t mean you are overweight.

Overweight is a term that is used loosely, which makes it confusing when determining whether or not you fit into that category. Your best bet is to consult with your doctor to figure out if you are overweight, and if you could benefit from lowering your BMI.

About the Author: Tommye Lounder is a health and wellness specialist who specializes in educating people about their bodies. He enjoys researching common medical conditions, including candida expert opinions, heart health, addictions, and the body’s metabolism.

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8 Easiest Ways To Lose Weight

Do you love the character Garfield? Who doesn’t; the over-sized tabby is amongst the most popular comic characters of all times. Garfield’s obsessive craving for juicy lasagna may earn him brownie points (pun intended!), but in real life, it would ensure a trip to the dieticians’ clinic. His nonchalant attitude makes no difference to his weight troubles whatsoever, but would not have taken him far in the real world.

It goes without saying – in reality it is a tad difficult to feel great about being overweight. Weight loss or control is a commitment which you need to keep for a lifetime. You should have what it takes; to face the truth and introduce few lifestyle changes.

Actually, it is easier to take one baby step at a time, than pushing full steam into a weight loss program as per various researches conducted over the years.

Walking for Weight Loss

Image Credit: o5com

A simple formula of burning more calories than your total intake works wonders than any fad diet. As per experts if your goal is to reduce 2 pounds a week, try to burn as many as 7000 calories. Why? Because 1 pound is the same as 3500 calories!

But how will you manage to achieve this goal? Follow a few easy (& obvious) guidelines to achieve your perfect weight (calculate your BMI first which is: BMI – [Weight in Pounds / (Height in inches x Height in inches)] x 703)

Simple Methods For Weight Loss

  1. Set Simple Achievable Goals – Lose weight gradually as research indicates that people who lose their weight in achievable parts (e.g. a pound per week) have a better chance of maintaining their optimal weight.
  2. Eat Small Portions – It is easy to stuff yourself with anything and everything resulting in weight gain. Stick to 5-6 small portion sized meals/snacks in a day so that your metabolism rate is maintained.
  3. Do Not Miss Breakfast – Breakfast is the most important meal of the day as it helps to provide necessary energy to launch your day. Eat foods that are high in fiber such as cereals to make you feel full for longer duration. Add some low fat milk or yoghurt and you are ready to go.
  4. Eat Foods From All Groups – Experts believe that it is better to add than to cut down. Hence increase your intake of high fiber foods such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables. This will automatically cut down the need for high calorie and high glycemic index foods. And since weight loss does not mean becoming unhealthy keep the nutritive value intact by eating food that offer benefits of proteins, carbohydrates with low glycemic index, vitamins, minerals, essential fats and amino acids.
  5. Drink Water Aplenty – Water carries nutrition in the body and removes toxins. By replacing sugar and calorie laden juices and carbonated drinks with water, you will notice a drastic fall in your weight. For instance you can cut down as many as 150 calories by drinking one less can of soda per day.
  6. Sufficient Snooze Time – Research indicates that people indulge in binge eating if they sleep less. So to aim for lesser calories increase your snooze time which ideally should be 7-8 hours for adults.
  7. Build Muscles With ExerciseExercising not only improves your metabolism but it also helps build muscle mass which again contributes to burning of comparatively more calories (as much as 35 – 50 calories for 1 pound of muscle). Opt for exercises which can be switched between high intensity and low intensity to avail optimal burnout. If you cannot exercise, take a walk down the block or climb stairs.
  8. Track Changes – Keep tabs on how much you lose so that you are motivated to continue with your program. Seek support from family and friends to keep your motivation levels soaring.

And once you have lost weight, wear outfits that garner compliments. This will serve as an impetus to maintain your optimal body weight!

The author has been writing articles on health issues such as yoga, growth hormones, essential oils, hair care and acne solution.

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Endobarriers – for weight loss and diabetic control?

Gastric bands have been widely reported on in the press. Some of the results seem amazing. However any form or surgery carries risks and if there was a non invasive way to provide the same result as well as offering the potential to control or indeed to cure Type 2 Diabetes then surely this would be a good idea? Well a  new treatment, using an Endobarrier, is being trialled and some professionals are getting very excited about the prospects. Let’s see what it involves.

Obesity and class 2 diabetes are closely linked. No one knows for sure which causes which or indeed what the full links between the two are. What we do know for sure is that both are a serious and growing threat to our health.Professionals will measure how overweight you are by calculating your body mass index or BMI. If your BMI is over 30 then you are clinically obese.It has been suggested that there are as many as 525 million obese adults worldwide. The figures for diabetes are also quite overwhelming with over 250 million people living with the disease.

The endobarrier offers a non surgical solution to both these health problems. It is basically a plastic tube which is anchored to the duodenal intestine, immediately below your stomach, and it will regulate what food substances re absorbed into your body.It will stop fats, sugars and salts whilst allowing essential vitamins and nutrients to be absorbed. By preventing food from coming into contact with the bowel it can also stop certain hormones  and nerve signals from being released by the intestine.This then reduces the resistance to insulin which lowers the threat of diabetes.

The endobarrier is inserted through the mouth whislt the patient is under general anaesthetic. It should take about 20 minutes and there is no invasive surgery. It will sit inside the patient for 12 months  at the end of which it is quickly removed under a mild local anaesthetic.
It is important to realise that during and after the 12 months there is a suggested diet which as well as eating more healthily also encourages smaller portions and lots of fruit and vegetables. Exercise is also encouraged.

Who is suited for the procedure?


Anyone who Has type 2 diabetesIs and is between 18 and 60.Obese patients ( BMI over 30 and below 50)are also suited to the procedure.Your blood glucose levels are important and anyone showing over 7.5% but under 10.5% for their HbA1c should qualify. Another indicator of suitability would be a patient taking either oral glycemics or less than 150 units per day.

What might stop the endobarrier being fitted?


Anyone who
Has stomach ulcers (peptic ulcers)Has bleeding disorders (eg people with haemophilia or on anti-arthritis drugs)Has had major digestive surgery in the past

Are there any side effects?
Minor but you do get slight bloating and occassionally abdominal pains.

Let us all hope that this new procedure really does offer a good way forward for the treatment and control of these two major health problems.

 

 

Citations:
  • Review facts

 

Article written by Mike Holly. Mike lives and works in the North of England and has been researching cottages throughout Northumberland.

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Ideal Weight for Your Height

We are living in an era where lots of people have problems with their weight. Cases of obesity and overweight people are on the increase. More than ever, people are trying to cut down on their weight in order to match those idolized slim figures that have become an all too common feature in the billboards and TV’s. The topic of the best weight range has generated a lot of interest from across the board. More and more people are in pursuit of that model mass or ideal weight for height that has been extremely elusive throughout the years. This topic has all people of all walks of life throwing in their hats to the ring. Overweight people are seeking to reduce their weight to manageable levels while the underweight want to put on some pounds in order to achieve the model mass. There are also the bodybuilders and people who are of an average weight who are also struggling to maintain their weight.

It is important to understand how to calculate one’s model weight. The primary factor here is the height of the person. People tend to have different body types which handle different weight ranges differently. However, all individuals who have a certain height should have weights which are within a certain range. A case in point is women who have a height of 5’3 should have weights ranging from 107lbs to 141lbs. anything below this is considered as being underweight while anything above is being overweight.

Age also plays a big factor when it comes to calculating the ideal weight for a person. This can be explained by the fact that as a person ages, his/her weight tends to fluctuate despite his/her height. This means that a 22 year old 6foot man’s ideal weight does not necessary have to equal to that of a 60 year old man who is also 6foot tall.

You might therefore wonder how exactly the weight of a person is calculated if you have to factor in age and height. We use a formula referred to as the Body Mass Index (BMI). This formula is used to come up with an individual’s model weight array. You are required to divide that persons weight by his or her height’s square. The ideal BMI values lie from 18.5 to 25. It is also important to consider achieving a dead weight loss. This is where you increase your physical activity in order to get rid of that unsightly flab which constitutes the dead weight.

  • Body Mass Index – Don’t pay any attention to it (thevreelandclinic.wordpress.com)
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