Do you know your Body Mass Index?  Are you skinny, overweight or obese? We know already that obesity leads to high blood pressure, heart attacks and stroke, type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer, etc. But what is the difference between overweight and obese? How do you know that you have already crossed that dangerous line from being overweight to becoming obese?

“Whether you want to be thick or thin is a matter of taste” –Daniel Worona

Studies (published in the medical journal The Lancet ) show that it is important not only to know your weight but also your body fat, because Body Mass Index is crucial. Obesity can shorten your life by about three- four years (death because of high blood pressure leading to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney and liver problems), but if you are very obese, it might be shorten by eight – ten years according to new study.

I teach them not to be obsessed with their weight loss or gain but be healthy weight smart.

The first sign of your gaining a couple of pounds is always your tight clothes. But it is always easier to maintain the weight you want if you know about your extra pounds as soon as you gain them. I don’t believe in a sudden extra 20 pounds gain. How can it be possible to gain 10 – 20 pounds without knowing it? Of course, it takes time, and if you are not alert, if you don’t weight yourself, don’t watch what you eat (I don’t like the word “diet”), you might get in trouble. Sometimes it can be too late, and it means you cross the line from being healthy to being at risk.  What’s the take away – weight your self regularly to make sure that you have not fallen off the “wagon” – but don’t obsess about it.

How to Find Your Perfect Weight and Live Longer

Body Mass Index is a ratio of weight to height to estimate body fat and obesity. It is better than only using your scale, even it is not very accurate for those who have a lot of muscles.

Click here to calculate your Body Mass Index, Body Fat and Activity / Calories Used

Taking your age into consideration:

Under 35:

recommended:  18 -24; overweight:  25 + ;  obese:  30+

35 and over:

recommended:  19 -26;  overweight:  27 + ;  obese:  30+

No matter what, let us be BMI smart

And don’t be too skinny either: several reports say that underweight women have a lower life expectancy than people who have an average or healthy weight.

Breathe, smile and be happy.

Irina Wardas, HHC

Women’s Holistic Health, Nutrition Coach and Counselor