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The BMI or Mass Index gives us an indication of how much fat a person has in relation to their weight and height. It helps to determine weather a person is underweight, normal, overweight or obese. Even though it does not provide us with a distinction between the fat and the non fat components of the overall body mass (muscle to fat ratio), it is still the most practical method to evaluate one’s degree of risk associated with obesity.

Your BMI is , if your BMI is less than 18.5, based on your height, you are considered to be underweight. You should speak to your doctor or health professional to help determine the possible causes, as well as for the best advice on weight gain.

Your BMI is , if your BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9, based on your height, you are considered to have a healthy weight. A healthy/ normal body weight is one that would lower your risk of nutrition-related diseases.

Your BMI is , if your BMI is between 25 and 29.9, based on your height, you are considered to be overweight. In this group, there is a growing risk to develop chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol.

Your BMI is , if your BMI is 30 or more, based on your height, you are considered to be obese. At this point, there is a moderate to high risk of developing chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes and cholesterol.

Your BMI is , if your BMI is 40 or more, based on your height, you are considered Morbidly Obese. Suffering Morbid Obesity puts you at a very high risk of developing chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiac arrest, arthritis and other life threatening illnesses.

It is very important to put life measures in place to reduce your weight and as such improve your health. The best way is usually to combine a healthy diet with regular physical exercise. You should speak to your doctor, health care professional, and dietician, to determine the best suited way for you to lose weight.

The importance of Warming-Up & Stretching NEW!

The words warming up and stretching are often used interchangeably, but, in fact, they shouldn't be since they serve two distinct purposes. According to the experts you should warm-up so as to prepare your body for stretching; the latter is higher in intensity and demands more from your muscles.

Before you begin your fitness regime, it is likely that your muscles were at rest and need an increased supply of blood to make them less injury prone. Good warm-up exercises include repetitive activities done with a light load, at a low intensity.

Examples include walking, light cycling, or stair climbing. You should not jog or use heavy weights when you are in warm-up mode, since your joints have not been prepared to absorb the shock of the body landing on the firm surface material nor have they been prepared to bear a heavy load.

With a proper warm-up you will notice that your body temperature increases, so too does the flexibility of your muscles and ligaments.

Guidelines for proper stretching
- Leave advanced stretching for the super athletes or the yoga classes.
- After stretching one major muscle or a specific group of muscles, you should
stretch the offsetting muscles.
- Stretch the front muscles of your thighs before stretching your hamstrings.
- Remember to keep your neck and backbone in a straight line
- Overstretching places too much tension on a muscle group and can lead to injury.
- Do not stretch injured or aching muscles.