of the work I do, never the focus. Take note of your body, but please do not become obsessed; follow the Gillian McKeith healthy lifestyle and the weight will take care of itself.
The first step is to admit responsibility. Yes, we live in a sedentary, fast-food-loving world. But it’s still your choice as to how you live. Remind yourself what your kitchen and your sneakers are for. (Clue: they’re not for heating up take-out and looking fashionable.)
There are three main indicators:
1) A BMI of 25 or over
Obesity can be assessed by calculating your BMI (Body Mass Index). This is your weight in pounds multiplied by 703, divided by your height in inches squared. The ideal BMI is 18.5 to 24.9, while people with a BMI from 25 to 30 are classified as overweight. Above 30 is obese and over 40 is morbidly obese.
(Note that BMI doesn’t take into account body shape or muscle-to-fat ratio, so it’s not the best indicator on its own.)
2) A bulging waist that measures over 32 inches
Carrying fat around your middle is associated with many health problems, including heart disease and diabetes. A waist circumference greater than 32 inches or 80 cm for women and 37 inches or 94 cm for men needs action.
3) A waist-to-hip ratio of over 0.8
The waist-to-hip ratio is also a factor. To calculate it, divide your waist circumference by your hip circumference. If you’re a man, a ratio of 1 or more should set alarm bells ringing. Likewise, if you’re a woman, a ratio of more than 0.8 means you need to get with my plan.
Being overweight puts you at increased risk of developing:
Cardiovascular problems including high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, and high cholesterol.
Diabetes— being overweight makes you ten times more likely to develop type-2 diabetes. Diabetes is a major cause of kidney failure and adult-onset blindness. It can also lead to diabetic neuropathy and the need for limb amputations.
Respiratory problems— excess weight puts an added strain on the lungs so that even minor activities such as climbing the stairs or carrying shopping bags become difficult. Sleep apnea and snoring are also increased in overweight people. These both lead to fitful sleep and tiredness during the day.
Musculoskeletal problems— carrying extra weight puts a huge strain on the skeleton, joints, muscles, and nerves. Being overweight increases the risk and severity of arthritic disorders, gout, and backache.
Digestive problems— reflux or heartburn, and gas, are more common in overweight people, as the abdominal fat around the stomach increases the pressure on the digestive system, causing stomach acid to rise up into the esophagus.
Urinary incontinence— can result from the weight of the abdomen weakening the valve in the bladder. This can lead to leakage of urine, especially when laughing, sneezing, or coughing.
Venal problems— excess weight can increase the pressure on the veins, leading to varicose veins and skin ulcers.
Female hormone imbalances— being overweight increases the risk of infertility, PMS, menopausal symptoms, and problems during pregnancy.
Cancer— being overweight may increase the risk of developing cancers of the uterus, gallbladder, cervix, ovary, prostate, breast, and colon.
Gallbladder disease— the risk increases as your weight increases.
Weight-loss inhibitors
Excessive unhealthy food intake
Lack of exercise
Yeast overgrowth
Mineral and vitamin imbalances
Insulin imbalances (caused by too many sugary carbohydrates)
Food intolerances
Poor digestive function
Poor adrenal function
Poor metabolic function
Sluggish liver
Thyroid problems
Water retention
Excessive unhealthy food intake
Eating bad food can inhibit your ability to lose weight. Most junky foods contain unhealthy fat, added white sugars, additives, and/or artificial sweeteners. So what you are really getting is empty, high calories with little nutritional value. As a result, you never feel truly satisfied.
The first step is to admit responsibility. Yes, we live in a sedentary, fast-food-loving world. But it’s still your choice as to how you live. Remind yourself what your kitchen and your sneakers are for. (Clue: they’re not for heating up take-out and looking fashionable.)
There are three main indicators:
1) A BMI of 25 or over
Obesity can be assessed by calculating your BMI (Body Mass Index). This is your weight in pounds multiplied by 703, divided by your height in inches squared. The ideal BMI is 18.5 to 24.9, while people with a BMI from 25 to 30 are classified as overweight. Above 30 is obese and over 40 is morbidly obese.
(Note that BMI doesn’t take into account body shape or muscle-to-fat ratio, so it’s not the best indicator on its own.)
2) A bulging waist that measures over 32 inches
Carrying fat around your middle is associated with many health problems, including heart disease and diabetes. A waist circumference greater than 32 inches or 80 cm for women and 37 inches or 94 cm for men needs action.
3) A waist-to-hip ratio of over 0.8
The waist-to-hip ratio is also a factor. To calculate it, divide your waist circumference by your hip circumference. If you’re a man, a ratio of 1 or more should set alarm bells ringing. Likewise, if you’re a woman, a ratio of more than 0.8 means you need to get with my plan.
Being overweight puts you at increased risk of developing:
Cardiovascular problems including high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, and high cholesterol.
Diabetes— being overweight makes you ten times more likely to develop type-2 diabetes. Diabetes is a major cause of kidney failure and adult-onset blindness. It can also lead to diabetic neuropathy and the need for limb amputations.
Respiratory problems— excess weight puts an added strain on the lungs so that even minor activities such as climbing the stairs or carrying shopping bags become difficult. Sleep apnea and snoring are also increased in overweight people. These both lead to fitful sleep and tiredness during the day.
Musculoskeletal problems— carrying extra weight puts a huge strain on the skeleton, joints, muscles, and nerves. Being overweight increases the risk and severity of arthritic disorders, gout, and backache.
Digestive problems— reflux or heartburn, and gas, are more common in overweight people, as the abdominal fat around the stomach increases the pressure on the digestive system, causing stomach acid to rise up into the esophagus.
Urinary incontinence— can result from the weight of the abdomen weakening the valve in the bladder. This can lead to leakage of urine, especially when laughing, sneezing, or coughing.
Venal problems— excess weight can increase the pressure on the veins, leading to varicose veins and skin ulcers.
Female hormone imbalances— being overweight increases the risk of infertility, PMS, menopausal symptoms, and problems during pregnancy.
Cancer— being overweight may increase the risk of developing cancers of the uterus, gallbladder, cervix, ovary, prostate, breast, and colon.
Gallbladder disease— the risk increases as your weight increases.
Weight-loss inhibitors
Excessive unhealthy food intake
Lack of exercise
Yeast overgrowth
Mineral and vitamin imbalances
Insulin imbalances (caused by too many sugary carbohydrates)
Food intolerances
Poor digestive function
Poor adrenal function
Poor metabolic function
Sluggish liver
Thyroid problems
Water retention
Excessive unhealthy food intake
Eating bad food can inhibit your ability to lose weight. Most junky foods contain unhealthy fat, added white sugars, additives, and/or artificial sweeteners. So what you are really getting is empty, high calories with little nutritional value. As a result, you never feel truly satisfied.
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