- Have you ever stepped on a scale and the numbers staring back at you made you want to toss it right out the window? Perhaps that wouldn't be a bad idea, because the number of pounds you weigh doesn't tell the entire story about the shape you are in.
- The number of pounds that appear on your scale is not necessarily an indicator of your overall level of fitness. You're at a healthy weight when you continuously follow a nutritious meal plan and get exercise on most days of the week.
- As you are probably aware, muscle weighs more than fat. This is another good reason not put too much "weight" on the number that the scale tells you.
- Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number you want to familiarize yourself with as it can be a more accurate indicator of your fitness level than the number of pounds you weigh. Your BMI is generally a reliable indicator of body fatness. For example if you are 5 feet 7 inches tall and weight 140 pounds, you have a desirable BMI of 21.9 The normal range is 18.5 to 24.9. If your number surpasses 25 that's considered overweight and anything over 30 is classified as obese.
- Another number of import is your waistline size. The amount of fat gathered in your abdominal area makes you more vulnerable to a number of health problems. A healthy waistline for a woman should not exceed 35 inches. A man should aim for 40 inches or less.
