Do I Need to Lose Weight?
It is time to confess. Have you – like many other people who care about being fit and healthy – been asking yourself “Do I need to lose weight?” Have you been checking various BMI Calculators in hopes of finding an answer to this question?
In Am I fat? post, we have described a number of tests which could help you determine if you carry an excess amount of body fat. Body Mass Index (BMI) is another method which is commonly used to determine if you need to lose weight, but consider this.
In the realm of professional football, a typical linebacker stands about 6′2″ and weights about 230 pounds. That means the athlete is overweight, at least according to some BMI calculators.
But such football players are mostly muscle and little fat. The point here is simple: While BMI gives you an idea of the ideal weight for your height, it is not the last word.
First, BMI does not spell out which end of the weight range is right for you, and second, it does not distinguish between excess weight due to fat and that due to muscle.
Remember: A problem usually exists only when excess weight is due to body fat. [source: eatright.org]
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