What is Your BMI Index? Are You an Apple or Pear Shape?

BMI index

There are several methods used to determine whether a person is overweight or obese. The most commonly used method is the body mass index (BMI) which compares your height and weight to a standard. To calculate your BMI, take your weight and divide by your height.

BMI between 18.9 and 24.9 is considered normal, BMi between 25 and 29.9 is classified as overweight and BMI greater than 30 indicates obesity. Have a look at the chart below and calculate your BMI index.

Don't worry if your BMI is not in a healthy range, this number will greatly improve as you adopt the heart healthly diet plan. heart healthy diet plan . As we discussed, we need to know where we are in order to get to where we want to be!

Studies have shown that the greater the BMI number, the greater the risk for developing health problems such as heart disease and diabetes. However, it is also very important to look at where your fat is distributed.

Pear vs Apple: Wheres your fat?

An "apple shaped" body (potbelly or excess belly fat) is associated with more health risks in comparison to a "pear" shaped body (larger hips and thighs). These risks include: type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and blood pressure, coronary heart disease, stroke and early death.

Measuring your waist is the quickest and easiest way to determine if your shape is putting you at risk. In order to measure accurately, men need to measure their waist at their navel and women midway between the bottom of the ribs and the top of the hip bones.

Men with a waist circumference greater than 40" (102 cm)and women greater than 35" (89 cm) have an excess of belly fat and have a substantially increased risk of developing these diseases. Your BMI index score is also likely to be high.

Watch the video for more information on apple fat vs pear fat:

Bad belly fat hormones

The two prime causes of belly fat seem to be stress which causes the body to release the fat storage hormone CORTISOL and eating too many refined foods high on the glycemic index which causes the body to release too much of the fat storage hormone INSULIN.

if your body is releasing excess cortisol, it is important to take a B complex vitamin and reduce the amount of stress in your life.

Rememember that stress is created 'when things don't go the way you want them too'- often changing your response to stress,such as, lowering your expectations and being more flexible to situations can have a beneficial impact on your health.

There are many books and resources that can help you cope with stress in a healthier way.

Personally, I take a stress supplement and review the situation and tell my self 'this too will pass'. A wise soul once told me..' depression is living in the past, anxiety is living in the future and contentment is living in the present'.

Constant stress in your life will not only make you gain belly fat but can cause high blood pressure, rapid aging, depression and numerous other health complaints. If you find that you have an inability to relax- you may have a calcium or magnesium deficiency symptoms. Adding these minerals to your diet, along with a B complex and actively finding ways to reduce the stress in your life- will help you decrease your cortisol output and help you lose weight.

The fat storage hormone insulin is excreted from your pancreas when you eat food. Insulins main function is to carry the glucose from your food to your cells for energy.

However, when you eat refined carbohydrates , such, as bagels, muffins, cakes, donuts,chips, candy, french fries white bread, potatoes or rice, your body excretes excess insulin.

Excess insulin excretion happens because there is little protein, fiber or healthy fat to slow down the conversion of these refined carbohydrates or 'simple carbs' into glucose. Low carb diets are successful because they eliminate these simple carbs that play havoc with your health.

Eliminate the refined carbohydrates and other 'crappola' from your daily diet and watch your belly fat disappear. Check out healthy food substitutions for ideas on getting better foods into your diet and lowering your BMI index score.

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