How Much Weight Should I Lose?
If you think you need to lose some weight, talk to your Registered Dietitian about what a healthy weight would be for you. There are generally two measures to consider when looking at your body weight and body shape: Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
(The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a guideline used to see if you have a healthy weight. It is a ratio of your weight and height and assesses your health risk associated with being under or overweight.
For adults over the age of 18, there is a range of healthy weights for your height. That's because healthy bodies come in many shapes and sizes. The BMI will not apply to pregnant and lactating women. BMI does not take into consideration your body composition. The amount of fat and muscle you have will greatly influence your body weight. Very muscular individuals, such as trained athletes, are likely to have a higher BMI because muscle weighs more than fat.
If you are over the age of 18, find your BMI by clicking here.
| Your BMI Score | What it means |
| 18.5 to 24.9 | You have a healthy weight and have a lower chance of developing health problems. |
| Under 18.5 | You may be more likely to develop certain health problems such as:
|
| 25.0 to 29.9 | You may be more likely to develop certain weight-related health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. |
| Over 30.0 30.0 - 34.9 = high 35.0 - 39.9 = very high Over 40.0 = extremely high |
You are at high risk to develop health problems related to weight such as:
|
Waist Circumference
Waist circumference is another indicator of health risk associated with excess abdominal fat (fat around your belly). It may be used by your health care professional if your BMI is in the 18.5 to 34.9 range.
For men, a waist circumference greater than 102 cm (40 in.) is associated with an increased risk of developing health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.
For women, a waist circumference greater than 88 cm (35 in.) is associated with an increased risk of developing health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.
Remember that dieting doesn't work. The best and safest way to lose weight is to make a long-term commitment to eating better, enjoying regular physical activity and feeling good about yourself!