Body Mass Indexing
What is Body Mass Index (BMI) and how does your BMI rank?
This chart will help you classify your body mass index (BMI). BMI is a way to determine how your body weight compares with your height. BMI is actually establish by dividing your weight (in kilograms) by your height (in meters squared). So, the units reported for BMI is kilograms/meters squared.
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How does body mass indexing help you? Well it tells you whether your current weight is healthy and if it is not, it may help you to set realistic weight goals. Your height is probably not changing. So, if you find your height on the left side of the chart (see below) and then follow the weight readings towards the right on that same row until you see your current weight you can find your BMI by looking at the very top of the column your current weight is in. BMI's are listed on the very top row of the chart. So, for example, if you are five foot, eight inches tall and 197 pounds you have a BMI of 30 which classifies as Obese. The "word" classifications are listed on the very top of the chart and they color coded. The Green or NORMAL class is optimal but lets talk about other worthy goals!
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When setting goals for weight loss you should gradually attempt to decrease your BMI and move into lower classification until you reach NORMAL. So, NORMAL just might not be your first goal. The first goal might be the next lowest BMI and the next might be moving to the next lower class. An important thing to realize is your BMI can also be too LOW. BMI's below 19 are not considered healthy.
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Ask your Wellness team to help you set realistic but worthwhile goals!