High School Algebra Finally Pays Off: The Body Fat Equation

When approaching your goals for a better you, every game plan needs to start with determining where you are, and where you want to end up. We're going to talk about some ways to assess where you are -- right now -- so that you can make sure that the goals you have set (or will set) are reasonable. And yes, this will be on the test!

Whenever going into battle, a commander will send out reconnaissance experts to collect information on the size and strength of the enemy. We will continue to use a "battle" theme in this article, because your fight to lose weight and lose fat is nothing short of that.

Just as the commander needs to have a good assessment of what he or she is facing, we need to have an accurate assessment of our current situation so that we can set proper and appropriate goals. An inappropriate goal can insure failure, or worse, cause us physical harm.

If your goal is to look like a swimsuit model in time for your Hawaiian vacation a month and a half from now, you'd better not need to lose more than a few pounds. If your goal is to lose ten pounds per week for the next six weeks, you're simply not being practical.

With that said, what is 'reasonable'? You probably know how much you weigh, but do you know what percentage of your overall weight is fat?

The best way to know is to see a doctor or go to a gym that can calculate your body fat percentage. Normal body fat levels for women are between 22 - 25% and between 15 - 18% for men. Lean people will be slightly less, and athletes even lower. In lieu of that, there is a simple calculation that serves as a good guide, but is no where near as accurate.

This method is called the BMI or Body Mass Index and was created by the National Institutes of Health in 1998. The BMI uses your height and your weight to generate a factor that suggests whether you are underweight, normal, overweight or obese.

The BMI is generalized, so it cannot take frame size into account. If you have a large frame, your BMI will seem worse than it is, if you have a small frame, your BMI will seem better than it is. Use it as a guide and then add a portion of common sense.

In order to calculate your BMI, use the following equation:

BW = Body Weight in Pounds
HI = Height in Inches

(BW / (HI * HI) ) * 703

You will need a calculator to solve this equation.

If you failed algebra, here is the equation in English:

Divide your body weight in pounds (BW) by the square* of your height in inches (HI) and multiply that result by 703.

Once you've calculated your BMI, use the following guidelines to find out how you measure up:

BMI < 18.5 You Are Underweight (you need to find a new article to read!)
BMI > 18.5 AND < 24.9 You are in the "Recommended Weight" zone!
BMI > 24.9 AND < 30 You are in the "Overweight" zone!
BMI > 30 You are in the "Obese" zone.

Again, this gives you a rough guide, but it also gives you (possibly) a more realistic view of your current situation.

This more realistic idea will help you to set more realistic and achievable goals, which lead to a greater degree of success!

( * - The "SQUARE" of a number means the number times itself. The "square" of 4 is 16.)

Michael Callen is the author of the Weekly Weightloss Tips Newsletter (ccwebgroup.com/tips) and the Chief Technology Officer for WellnessPartners.com, an online retailer of dozens of health and wellness products such as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), r+ alpha lipoic acid (R+ ALA), and Green Tea Extract.

---

The Solution to Healthy Weight Loss

The overweight and obesity epidemic is a worldwide problem. There... Read More

Panic After WLS: Im Succeeding at Weight Loss: Now What?

The fear of success arises in patients when they realize... Read More

The Culprit of Obesity in Children - Inactivity

It was bad enough hearing almost daily that obesity in... Read More

The Rumbly-Grumbly Tummy After Gastric Bypass

If you've been enjoying life after gastric bypass surgery you... Read More

Combating Obesity

So you ask, "How do I determine if I am... Read More

Fast Weight Loss Secret Revealed ? Move it or Lose it!

Some of you will not like what I have to... Read More

Hoodia- Modern Zeal of Ancient San

The long marginalized San tribe of South Africa has suddenly... Read More

Anger: The Unexpected Emotion After Gastric Bypass Surgery

The words I read made me furious. There it was,... Read More

Fat Loss Exercise Strategies

How many calories you consume has a big impact on... Read More

Simple Plans for Social Eating and Travel

It's one thing to stick with your diet regimen when... Read More

Learn the Secrets the Weight Loss Industry Doesnt Want You To Know About Weight Loss Diets

All weight loss diets make you FatThat's right, because on... Read More

Food: The Proof Is In The Portion

We are a large people. 65% of us are overweight,... Read More

Weight Loss vs. Fat Loss

In order to lose weight, your body must burn more... Read More

Calculate Your BMI - Do You Need to Lose Weight?

There are a few different ways to determine if you... Read More

Rating the Fad Diets

THE 200 POINT SYSTEMWith so many different diets available, how... Read More

Weight Loss: Why Do We Gain Weight?

There are many factors that cause us to increase body... Read More

4 Tips for Fast Fat Loss Part IV

Fat Loss Tip #4) Eat More ProteinYes, it's important to... Read More

Survival Guide For Holiday Parties

If you have been watching your weight all year, you... Read More

Can Quick Weight Loss Really Work?

Quick weight loss is promised by diets all the time.... Read More

Eating Tips

Make sure that no more than a quarter of your... Read More

Compulsive Eating and Binge Eating Disaster Plan

Congratulations on waking up each morning and greeting the day... Read More

The Dangers of Liposuction

One Reality TV show, The Swan, thrives on makeovers. Often... Read More

Weight Loss Success ? When there are NO More Options Left!

One of the worst things you can hear in life... Read More

Winter Weight Loss Magic

If winter hibernation tends to pack on the pounds, take... Read More

Dieters Need More Calcium

Women on diets need more calcium than normal to avoid... Read More

Are You Controlled by the Urge to Splurge

I gotta confess: I'm completely addicted to crisps. Any kind... Read More

Schoolchildren on South Beach diet

As a part of a children's diet and health study,... Read More

Dieting? More is Not Better

Exercising too hardThis is probably the most common mistake. As... Read More

Take Control of Your Metabolism:Quick Tips for Increased Muscle Tone, Faster Fat Burning, and Energy

So many people are talking about how slow their metabolism... Read More

Forget All About That Calorie Counting Crap And Learn How To Lose Some Weight!

That's a pretty "in your face" statement, but really it's... Read More

Breaking Research: Whats a Dieter To Do?

Every day, it seems, a new study pertaining to weight... Read More

When is a Diet not a Diet? When Its a Lifestyle!

Dieting and weight loss is almost certainly the most lucrative... Read More

Why Most Diets Dont Work

Ever thought of, known someone, or gone on a diet?... Read More