knowing your personal healthy weight

A healthy weight is something most of us aspire to, but the directions on 'how to get there' are often not as clear as we'd like. If you're a pilgrim on the road to better health, knowing your personal healthy weight can be the first step.

It is quite natural for us to compare ourselves with others when it comes to issues of weight rather than against any objective scientific standards. This can be a problem when you look around your local shopping mall and try and decide what constitutes normal and healthy these days. Deep down we know what is good for us but we continue to nurture the fastest growing levels of obesity on the planet.

So just how do you go about determining your own healthy weight?

Well because there are so many factors that influence our bodies and our health, setting a specific ideal weight for everyone is a difficult task. It is actually more helpful to consider a healthy weight range rather than a specific weight for your given height. Enter the Body Mass Index (BMI).

The Body Mass Index is a simple formula that tells you if you fall within the range of what is considered a healthy weight for your height. The BMI is very useful because it correlates closely to your body fat percentage and all you need to know to figure it out is your weight and your height measurements. You just enter these values into the BMI equation and the resultant figure is your BMI.

To calculate your BMI, follow these steps:

STEP 1 : Your Height Figure | Measure your Height in metres and then multiply that figure by itself (eg: 1.7m x 1.7m = 2.89)

STEP 2 : Your Weight Figure | Measure your weight in kilograms (eg: 70kg)

STEP 3 : Your BMI | To calculate your BMI, divide your Weight Figure by your Height Figure example: 70 divided by 2.89 = 24.22

Then check your BMI against the standard BMI ranges as follows:

Underweight: BMI less than 18.5
Ideal Weight: BMI 18.5-25
Overweight: BMI 25-30
Obese: BMI 30-40
Very Obese: BMI greater than 40

If your BMI falls outside the Ideal Weight range, you may need to look further into your particular weight issue, whether it is to reduce your weight or possibly to put on a few pounds. People who maintain an ideal BMI range tend to enjoy the best health. However, it is important to remember that there are many other factors that come into play including our body fat percentage, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, the kind of foods we eat and the amount of physical activity we get. Establishing the benchmark of your ideal healthy weight can actually be a liberating experience as it provides a reference point for taking additional necessary steps on the road to a healthier happy you!

Bo Collins B.PE is a writer and publisher of Healthy Weight A website catering to the interests of wellness and good health with information on the low carb diet plan.