Understanding Overweight and Obesity

What should you set your eyes on?

It seems that television and fitness magazines would have you thinking that becoming as lean as a fitness model is the only goal of anyone who works out. But obviously that isn’t true. What should YOU set your eyes on? Well, I have always believed that if you focus on fitness, the rest will follow. The “rest” being; a lean body, strength, energy etc.
If you have ever wondered how to view the division between fit and fat, you are certainly not alone.

Ideally, every person will weigh the proper weight that allows him or her to function well throughout their normal day. Since being underweight or overweight can do significant damage to the body's organs, bones, and joints, obtaining and maintaining a healthy weight is paramount to overall good health.

Unfortunately, very few people in the developed world are underweight…. In fact, the issue most people face with regard to their weight is being overweight or even obese. In some parts of the world - the United States of America primarily - the number of people who weigh more than they should has grown to such numbers that a national epidemic has been declared.

In case you aren’t familiar with the way the Body Mass Index works, here is a quick synopsis: When an individual's body mass index (BMI is a measure of body fat based on a comparison of your height and weight) is 25 or higher, the individual is deemed overweight. A BMI of 30 or higher indicates obesity. Falling into either category greatly increases an individual's risk for diabetes, heart disease, cancers, and countless other diseases.

Bear in mind that this is only a “rule of thumb” type of measurement and is intended to evaluate a generalization of the population. Extremely fit people may be quite lean, but because of their muscle weight, they will incorrectly be categorized as obese. Likewise, some underweight individuals may be considered “normal,” but their lack of muscle in proportion to their fat weight would actually indicate obesity. Yes – you CAN be normal weight and “fat!”

It’s best to hire the help of a professional to best determine you standing: fit or fat.

Until next time; Choose to Live Your Life – Well!

John Aaron Villarreal
johnaaron-massage.com
facebook / twitter

The content and information on this site is not intended to diagnose,
cure, treat or prevent disease. Please consult your physician
prior to starting any exercise or diet program.

Comments

When Should I Get a Massage and How Often?

This is a question I get often… Let’s face it, if it were up to massage therapists we’d say that you should get a massage every day, but in reality – very few people ever have the means or time to make this scenario play out in their lives. So technically speaking, your frequency should depend on how much you like massage, how often you experience chronic pain, and your budget. If you’re able to afford it, getting a monthly or weekly massage works best at helping prevent injuries by catching tight areas before they become problematic. With my more athletic clients (runners, weightlifters, gymnasts), I usually recommend timing their massage to coincide with the times they are training their hardest. For example, runners can develop tight hamstrings and hips, gymnasts and weight-lifters can get tight shoulders. These tight muscle groups can elicit injuries over time if they aren't treated by massage. If you are physically active, I recommend getting a massage within 24 hours ...

Coffee Has Health Benefits

Anyone who knows me knows I love my Joe…. err, “cup of joe” that is. In fact, I’m enjoying a cup as I write this post. However, as a wellness professional that little admission of guilt has gotten me a few sneers and looks of condescension. Caffeine is BAD for you, they say! Well, perhaps abusing caffeine may be “bad” for you, but ‘caffeine’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘coffee.’ Despite this fact, coffee has gotten a bad rep over the years after a few health experts linked it (or rather, linked caffeine abuse) to several diseases. But is coffee actually that bad? Probably not; new research shows that drinking coffee in moderation provides numerous health benefits. Antidepressant It might seem a little odd to find that coffee could help with depression, but new research has shown that it does just that. Now, don’t go throwing out your prescriptions or quit counseling just yet though, coffee is not a cure for depression. Rather, the caffeine in coffee helps regulate your mood trans...

What To Do When You’re Chronically Stressed

Of all the modern-day ailments that seem to affect us, none is more pervasive than stress. Everywhere you turn, there are factors lurking to redirect you from your peaceful pursuit of happiness and lock you in the clutches of “stress.” What exactly is stress—and what more insidious effects does it cause? The dictionary defines stress as “great pressure or force; strain.” In today’s world, we think of stress as the result of too much pressure laid upon us by life, causing mental worry or anguish. This, in turn, manifests itself in tight neck and shoulders, headaches, nervous stomach, etc. But these physical and mental conditions are really only the beginning. Studies show that stressful situations can develop into more threatening health conditions. For instance: A sudden or unexpected stressor can activate your adrenal glands, which sends adrenaline and other hormones into your bloodstream. This brings about an increase in your breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and blood f...

John Aaron Wellness

Search This Blog