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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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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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Why Running On A Treadmill Can Be Beneficial To Your Health

If you are out of shape and overweight, do not always think that you have to starve yourself to drop those extra pounds. The equation to remember is you need to burn at least as many calories per day as you consume. So you can reduce the number of calories you eat, or you can make sure you burn off all those calories you ate during the day. It is highly recommended to reach a good balance between exercise and healthy diet.

A great way to exercise is running on a treadmill. If you are a little sensitive about your weight, you might not want to go running outside, thinking that people will tease or make fun of you. Actually this doesn’t happen very often, and all you need to do is ignore it. Nevertheless, a running machine at home is an ideal solution. A separate benefit to running in the great outdoors is that you can run all year round, and you do not need to get psyched up for it. Just get on for five minutes at a fast walking pace to warm up; get off and gently stretch your warmed muscles; another five minutes at a brisk walking pace to get your pulse up to “exercise mode” and then speed up and do a 20 minute jog. Follow this by a brisk walk for five minutes and then stretch out again at the end.

A simple routine like this five days a week, with a couple of rest days will enhance your fitness and over time, if combined with some sensible reductions in calorie intake, will make you feel much better and healthier.

A second distinct advantage of running on a treadmill rather than down at the local park, is that most running machines have dampers under the deck, which are great for helping to absorb shock when you run. This will help to protect your joints against the pounding they would otherwise take running on a hard paved area. And this is even more important if you are overweight and have led a pretty sedentary lifestyle for the last few months or years, as it has been shown that bone density increases in the leg bones of people who run. Each stride produces an effective weight of 3-5 times your own body weight, and this is beneficial. If you are both overweight and your bones are less strong, then running without some extra shock absorption can lead to problems. So a treadmill is a great way of avoiding injuries at the beginning of a weight loss program.