BMI and Calorie Requirements for Weight Loss

Body Mass Index (BMI) can be a helpful measure in determining whether you are overweight, but your BMI and calorie requirements can get confusing. Here’s what you need to know if you’re trying to lose weight.

Body Mass Index is a calculation used to determine weight categories. It’s calculated by taking weight in kilograms, and dividing by the square of height in centimeters. Want to know what your BMI is? Use this handy online BMI calculator.

The BMI chart rates a Body Mass Index of 25 or more as overweight. If you are overweight, weight loss management can improve your sense of well being.

BMI and Calorie Requirements for Losing Weight

BMI and calorie requirements for weight loss can get a little too mathematical for the average person. Luckily, there are some simple ways of calculating how you can lower your rating on the BMI chart from “overweight” to “healthy”. Here’s what you need to know:

• A pound of fat is about 3,500 calories.
• To lose a pound of fat in a week, eat 500 fewer calories each day of the week (3,500 fewer calories in total).
• Or, you can burn off 3,500 calories in a week (500 a day) through exercise.

The best way to reach and maintain your weight loss goals, however, is to combine calorie cutting with exercise. For example, if you eat 250 less calories and burn 250 calories through exercise each day then you will have 3,500 less calories stored for the week. The end result is one pound lost.

Excited? Who knew it was such simple math? Just be careful to not go too far. Experts recommend that you only lose up to 2 pounds each week to stay healthy and keep your weight off.

Holistic Change is Lasting Change

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, weight loss success is about “making a plan to develop healthier eating and physical activity habits.” As part of your weight loss plan, include exercise and consider things like low fat alternatives, eating reasonable portions and getting the right nutrients through foods and supplements.

Understanding your BMI and calorie requirements for weight loss may seem complicated at first, but now that you are armed with helpful information, you can be on your way to reaching your weight loss goal.

To use our free BMI calculator or for more information on weight loss and how to lower your Body Mass Index, please click here.