How do I know I need to lose weight? Do I really need to lose weight?

The question some have is how to know if they need to lose weight? There are different answers to this question depending on who is asked the question. If talking to celebrities or Hollywood the answer would be yes for most people. In the celebrity world a person needs to be ultra slim for women or toned for men. The camera generally adds ten pounds to an individual so they are often underweight to appear slimmer on camera.

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In the real world, there are two methods used to determine if weight loss is needed. The first is Body Mass Index. This method uses calculations to determine the amount of body fat based on height, weight, and sex. It is widely used by body builders and some doctors to verify the amount of body weight a person should be without actually measuring the fat of the body.

The calculations are as follows:

Weight in pounds divided by Height multiple by Height in inches then get the total multiplied by 703. An example of this formula is:

The BMI for a person weighing of 150 pounds that is 5â€™9â€ would be:
Weight = 150 divided by Height = 4761 (69 inches times 69 inches)
Subtotal = .031
Multiplied by 703
BMI = 22.14

In the BMI chart, the following are the weight categories:

Up to 18.5 is underweight
18.5 to 24.9 is normal weight
25 to 29.9 is overweight
30 or over is obese

Although people fall into the normal weight or overweight categories, they can still be physically fit or toned since muscle weighs three times the weight of fat! This can be discouraging for anyone that is muscular to fall into the overweight or obese categories when in fact they are physically fit.

Another issue with weight is to take into consideration the appearance of the body. Forget about the Hollywood appearance that is not realistic by any means. Think about how your body appears in the under clothing and in the typically worn fitting clothing. Realize that over the years the body will change with skin tone making the body appear saggy. Consider this when doing the follow measure of body appearance.

In the underclothing, stand in front of a mirror. Be honest with what you see in the reflection. Do you have bulges, lumps, or protruding flesh? If you do then you may need to tone up the muscles to form a fitter body appearance. If you have a large amount of flesh hanging over or covering the clothing, you need to lose weight and tone up.

In the typically worn clothing, stand in front of a mirror. Analyze the appearance. Take into consideration if the clothing is tight or loose fitting. If it is tight then you will see the bulges and extra skin beneath the tight clothing.

If the clothing is loose fitting, ask yourself if you are trying to hide or conceal the extra weight. The answer to this question will be the answer to your original question about needing to lose weight.

The true answer to the question is if you are comfortable with your body’s appearance. Don’t base your answer on the comparison to other people. Base your answer on your own personal feelings.

It is important to realize that being overweight puts strain on the heart and body organs. It also leads to diabetes and heart disease. Think about your health when you think about your weight. If you feel you may need to lose weight, then do it moderately and with exercise and a healthy diet. Take your time to lose weight so you won’t gain it right back. Avoid fad diets and unhealthy methods that will have negative effects on your health. Take up exercising to tone up the body with simple processes such as walking or swimming three times a week. Take it slow to tone up the body or lose weight. Most of all learn to love your body.