
What is an ideal body weight?
Healthy bodies come in different sizes, shapes and weights. The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a tool used to measure ones body mass in order to determine what category of health a body is in. A healthy body would measure between 18,5 and 24,9 using the B.M.I. A measurement between 25-27 requires special attention being taken concerning the persons weight. Having a BMI higher than 25, can be associated with several health risks. Please, talk to your doctor about your BMI.
If your abdomen has fatty tissues yet your B.M.I. is in the ‘Healthy’ category, then it is simply a matter of losing the excess fatty tissues.
If your B.M.I. is over 25, then, realistic goals with your doctors input should be set in order to lose weight and lower your B.M.I.
If you have previously attempted a weight loss diet yet failed to get the results you anticipated, this is not uncommon. Like many other women, you have probably tried several different diets to no avail. Odds are that even if you lost some weight, you gained it right back. Most diets do not work for several reasons. The main reason being, they do not emphasize the need of a permanent change in ones eating habits and exercise regime. Diets do not take into account any pre existing factors concerning the reasons behind ones initial weight gain.
To control your weight, you absolutely must make changes in your eating habits as well as exercise. These difficult changes should be taken one step at a time.
| Classification | BMI Category (kg/m²) | Risk of developing health problems | |
| Underweight | < 18,5 | Increased | |
| Normal Weight | 18,5 - 24,9 | Least | |
| Overweight | 25 - 29,9 | Increased | |
| Obese class I | 30 - 34,9 | High | |
| Obese class II | 35 - 39,9 | Very high | |
| Obese class III | >= 40 | Extremely high | |
| Note: For persons 65 years and older the 'normal' range may begin slightly above BMI 18.5 and extend into the 'overweight' range. | |||
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