Many people waste way too much time worrying about a number on the scale. Particularly for women, overly thin and emaciated models have created an unreasonable and unhealthy view of how our bodies should look; often resulting in unhealthy dieting, exercise and nutrition habits.
Instead of worrying about being “thin”, we should consider finding a truly healthy weight for our bodies.
A healthy weight is not measured by the size of the clothes that we wear. Rather it is measured by how much body fat we carry and the fact that we’re carrying a reasonable amount of lean muscle, too.
How To Access Your Body Weight
Measuring your body mass index (BMI) is a good way to assess whether or not you’re at a healthy weight.
A BMI calculator can tell you whether you’re underweight, normal weight, overweight or obese, just by entering your height and weight. This BMI calculator, from the Department of Health and Human Services is a good one to use.
Another way to assess your body weight is waist circumference. For women, a waist circumference of approximately half your height is considered healthy, particularly from a cardiovascular standpoint.
Some doctors just advise that a woman’s waist be less than 35 inches for heart health. Men’s waist measurements should be less than 40 inches for heart health.
Finally, you can simply use height and weight charts to determine a healthy weight, based on your age, gender and height.
3 Natural Methods for Reducing Your Body Weight
If your body weight is high, you should use a combination of diet and exercise to reach a healthy weight.
1) Cardiovascular Exercise
Cardio is the best way to burn body fat. Aim to workout at least 3-5 times a week, for at least 30 minutes per session. Adding high intensity intervals into your training will help you burn fat faster.
This simply means short bursts of intense activity alternated with a more moderate pace of the exercise you’re performing.
2) Gain Strength and Muscle To Increase Your Metabolism
Building muscle is important to reaching and maintaining a healthy weight. Muscle burns more calories than fat, even when resting.
So, if you have a sufficient amount of muscle, you’ll be able to eat more calories in a day without worrying about maintaining a healthy weight. Plus, when you have more muscle, you look leaner, so you’ll be more satisfied with your weight.
A Healthy Diet Is Key For Hitting Your Ideal Weight
Exercise alone won’t get you to a healthy weight. Eating right is part of the equation. Eat three meals and two snacks a day. Don’t skip breakfast, as it makes you more likely to overeat later.
Know how many calories your body needs and stay within the right calorie range, while focusing on eating lean protein and lots of fruits and vegetables as the mainstay of your diet.
If you pay attention to these three methods for dieting and exercise, you should be able to reach and maintain a healthy weight. Being at the proper weight for your body is a great way to ensure you live a long and healthy life and look great doing it.
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