Do You Really Need to Diet? - Judge by Your BMI!

According to a recent survey by 'The Laughing Cow', as a nation we're adopting a more balanced approach to weight loss.

However we still confess to spending 6 months of the year trying to diet. We don't seem to stick to any diet for more than 5 1/2 weeks on average. 

But do you really need to go on a diet?  

Your healthy weight range is based on a measurement known as the body mass index (BMI).

What IS BMI? 

The healthy weight range is based on a measurement known as the body mass index (BMI). This can be determined if you know your weight and your height.

A healthy weight is a BMI between 20 and 25.

Frame sizes vary and it's difficult for any simple measurement to establish a person's frame. It's more accurate to recommend a weight range, rather than a specific weight for a given height.
 

How to calculate your BMI 

Click here to access the NHS BMI calculator  Put in your height and weight and let the BMI calculator do the rest!

Or you can give your grey cells a workout and calculate your BMI Yourself 
 
Step 1
Work out your height in metres

Step 2
Multiply your height in meters by itself (your height squared).

Step 3
work out your weight in kilograms

Step 4
Divide your weight by your height squared (i.e. the answer to Step 2).

Example  
Your height 160m (5ft 3in)
Your height squared (1.6mx1.6m = 2.56m)
Your weight 65kg (10st).

The calculation would then be:
65 divided by 2.56 = 25.39.

YOUR BMI (BODY MASS INDEX) IS 25.39

This is just overweight and you would benefit by adopting a healthy eating plan to get within the ideal BMI range of 20 -25.

Useful Sites and Books

 'The GI Diet:  The Easy, Healthy Way to Permanent Weight Loss' by Rick Gallop.  Click here for details

'The Food Doctor Ultimate Diet:  Changing the Way You Eat for Good' by Ian Marber.  Click here for details

The BBC website has extensive information on diet.  Click here to visit

The Food Standards Agency website offers comprehensive info on all aspects of a healthy diet.  Click here to visit

When do YOU 'know' you need to diet?  Why not share your thoughts with us?  Click here to visit our forums or why not post a quick comment below....