Answers to common weight loss questions
 

Answers to common weight loss questions

BRENDA HAWTHORNE - Health columnist

Dietitians are frequently asked questions relating to weight control,
especially for New Year's resolutions after the holidays. The first
step in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is making healthy
choices that fit your lifestyle and allow you to do what you already
enjoy. Below are a few commonly asked weight control questions.

How do I know I'm at a healthy weight?

Body mass index or BMI is a guideline for helping one to judge their
body weight. A BMI over 27 is considered overweight. The higher the BMI
is above the normal range, the greater the degree of overweight for an
individual.

People with a higher percentage of body fat tend to have a higher BMI,
except for individuals such as body builders, because muscle weighs
more than fat.

Carrying excess body fat puts you at risk for health problems such as
high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and certain
cancers. Here is how to calculate BMI.

1. Take weight (in pounds) divide by height (in inches).

2. Divide the results in Step 1 by height (in inches).

3. Multiply the result in Step 2 by 703 = Body Mass Index (BMI).

Can I lose weight by counting fat grams or calories?

You need to monitor both calories and fat on a weight control diet. A
low-fat eating plan is not necessarily low in calories. In order to
lose weight, your calorie intake must be less than calories burned.
Portion size is also important to any healthy eating plan. Large
servings of even low-fat foods can contribute to weight gain.

Is a weight plateau bad?

A plateau during a weight loss program is normal. Your body requires
fewer calories to function as you lose weight. Everyone's body levels
off at a different weight. Gradually increasing physical activity can
help you to continue to lose weight during a plateau. The bottom line
is any physical activity helps you toward a healthy lifestyle.

What is the best way to lose weight?

Slow gradual weight loss is the healthy way to lose weight. The secret
to successful weight control is not only losing weight it is
maintaining the weight loss permanently.

Weight control tips

BE REALISTIC -- make small changes over time.

BE FLEXIBLE -- balance what you eat and what you do.

BE SENSIBLE -- eat foods in moderation.
BE ACTIVE -- don't forget to move!

"reenum" wrote in message
oups.com...
Answers to common weight loss questions

BRENDA HAWTHORNE - Health columnist


Body mass index or BMI is a guideline for helping one to judge their
body weight. A BMI over 27 is considered overweight. The higher the BMI
is above the normal range, the greater the degree of overweight for an
individual.

This columnist evidently didn't do enough research. I believe a BMI great
than 25 is considered overweight.

"reenum" wrote in message
oups.com...
Answers to common weight loss questions

BRENDA HAWTHORNE - Health columnist

Dietitians are frequently asked questions relating to weight control,
especially for New Year's resolutions after the holidays. The first
step in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is making healthy
choices that fit your lifestyle and allow you to do what you already
enjoy. Below are a few commonly asked weight control questions.

How do I know I'm at a healthy weight?

Body mass index or BMI is a guideline for helping one to judge their
body weight. A BMI over 27 is considered overweight. The higher the BMI
is above the normal range, the greater the degree of overweight for an
individual.

People with a higher percentage of body fat tend to have a higher BMI,
except for individuals such as body builders, because muscle weighs
more than fat.

Carrying excess body fat puts you at risk for health problems such as
high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and certain
cancers. Here is how to calculate BMI.

1. Take weight (in pounds) divide by height (in inches).

2. Divide the results in Step 1 by height (in inches).

3. Multiply the result in Step 2 by 703 = Body Mass Index (BMI).

Can I lose weight by counting fat grams or calories?

You need to monitor both calories and fat on a weight control diet. A
low-fat eating plan is not necessarily low in calories. In order to
lose weight, your calorie intake must be less than calories burned.
Portion size is also important to any healthy eating plan. Large
servings of even low-fat foods can contribute to weight gain.

Is a weight plateau bad?

A plateau during a weight loss program is normal. Your body requires
fewer calories to function as you lose weight. Everyone's body levels
off at a different weight. Gradually increasing physical activity can
help you to continue to lose weight during a plateau. The bottom line
is any physical activity helps you toward a healthy lifestyle.

What is the best way to lose weight?

Slow gradual weight loss is the healthy way to lose weight. The secret
to successful weight control is not only losing weight it is
maintaining the weight loss permanently.

This "slow and gradual" approach appears to disagree with your earlier post
from the chiropracter who recommends women eat only 1000 calories per day in
order to achieve fast weight loss. So, which approach are you advocating?

GG


Weight control tips

BE REALISTIC -- make small changes over time.

BE FLEXIBLE -- balance what you eat and what you do.

BE SENSIBLE -- eat foods in moderation.
BE ACTIVE -- don't forget to move!

A BMI of 25 or higher is considered overweight.

Mary G.

On Sat, 29 Jan 2005 11:31:12 -0800, "GaryG"
wrote:

This "slow and gradual" approach appears to disagree with your earlier post
from the chiropracter who recommends women eat only 1000 calories per day in
order to achieve fast weight loss. So, which approach are you advocating?

Yeah, I wondered about that too. I have never eaten as little as 1000
calories per day, either in the course of losing 128 lbs. or now
maintaining a weight of 134. And I'm 56, definitely in the age group
where fewer calories are needed.

Chris
262/134/(130-140)
started dieting July 2002, maintaining since June 2004

wrote:
A BMI of 25 or higher is considered overweight.

Mary G.


BMIs are not a very accurate way to measure. If one is muscular or
athletic, they usually have a higher weight.

Martha