Weight Loss and Your Body Mass Index(BMI)

You can easily calculate your BMI to check whether, according to your body mass, you are normal, overweight or obese. You are normal if your BMI is less than 26. You are overweight if your BMI is between 26 and 30. You are obese if your BMI is over 30.
Calculate your BMI as follows:
BMI = Body mass in kg divided by (length in metres squared). Therefore
a person with a body mass of 100 kg, and who is 1,8 m tall, has a BMI
of 100 divided by (1,8) squared = 30,864. This person borders on obesity.
For this person to have a BMI of 25, his/her body mass should be 25 x
(1,8) squared = 81 kg. The difference between 100 kg and 81 kg is 19 kg.
It would be difficult for this person to shed 19 kg just like that in
one go. It is recommended that such a person sheds 10 % of his/her present
body mass, which is 10 kg, initially. Thereafter, the final target is
the remaining 9 kg (19 kg - 10 kg lost already).
The following steps are recommended for less painful weight loss:
Calculate your BMI as shown above. (Ask your doctor or anybody else to assist you with the calculation, if needed.)
If you are overweight or obese, calculate what your mass for a BMI of 25 is supposed to be.
Calculate the difference between your current body mass and the body mass calculated in step no. 2. This indicates how many kilograms you have to shed.

As motivation, set for yourself an initial target of present body mass minus 10 %. If for example your body mass is 100 kg, you need to shed 10 kg, for a start. This will motivate you to get started and lose a chunk, which will be less daunting.

Change your diet and lifestyle. Always consult your GP before altering your diet and/or exercise problem.

About the Author:
Tommy Heugh is a Wellness Coach and a Fitness Instructor.
Visit his website at Health Fitness and Wellbeing.com