Is your weight the right size for your height? Knowing your Body Mass Index (BMI) is a great way to tell if your current weight is healthy for your height and will not cause health issues later on. You can use our BMI calculator to find out your BMI, but for now, here is how you can improve it.
Understand the ‘why’ to improve
It’s important to take a step back and understand what your BMI is and why it is measured. As mentioned earlier, your BMI is used to measure your weight and height.
It’s not just a measure of your height and weight, but it is also crucial as an indication of your health and whether you will be more susceptible to diseases such as diabetes, high cholesterol, several types of cancer, liver disease and hypertension.
Of course, the calculation has now been updated to include your waist circumference to get a more accurate measurement since it has been scientifically proven that people with larger waists tend to become diabetic.
How to know if you have a healthy BMI or not?
Our BMI Calculator is able to give you your results in less than 5 seconds. However, if you are wondering what is healthy and what is not, here is how BMI is categorised:
Underweight is a BMI of less than 18.5
Normal weight is a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9
Overweight is a BMI of 25 to 29.9
Obesity is a BMI of 30 or greater
Your BMI results could also be influenced by your muscle mass or bone density, which is why it is always important to consult with a doctor and dietician to determine the correct diet that is suitable for your body.
How to improve your BMI
The first thing that may come to mind when altering our weight, is exercise. However, food plays an equally important part of improving your BMI. Speaking to your doctor and dietician is crucial to find food groups that will help you lose weight in a healthy manner and will not compromise your health.
Remember to start slowly and gradually cut back on the foods you used to eat to avoid sending your body into shock. It is also a practical way to stick to your new diet without feeling overwhelmed.
Staying active for 15 – 30 minutes a day is a great way to ensure that you stay healthy. If you can increase the time, that’s great.
But remember to listen to your body. Should you feel any uncomfortableness or pain during your exercise session or hear unusual sounds coming from your body such as popping then it is time to stop. Keep a progress chart. Setting a goal is a good way to track any changes that are bringing you closer too or away from your goal.
It also motivates you to keep going even when the going gets tough. Above all, always remember that it is better to take baby steps than to do nothing at all. The magic will not happen overnight but through continued efforts and discipline.
