Nestlé Caribbean Region. Take a High Five for Life.

Check Health, take a hi five for life

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 Benefits of Positive Thinking NEW!

In the popular children’s book, “The Little Engine that Could” a small red train sings the chant, “I think I can, I think I can,” in order to make it up a hill, something that would have been impossible were it not for the trains own positive thinking and belief in itself.

The book’s message – if you set your mind to something, you can do it, still rings true today for all generations.

Positive thinkers often approach new or difficult situations with confidence. They deal with them differently to negative thinkers. Their mode of thinking is life affirming and they focus on solutions rather than obstacles.

For instance, take a look at the role of positive thinking in losing weight. Experts say that positive thoughts can motivate healthy behaviours such as eating right and being active. It’s simple really. If you know you want to avoid holiday weight gain you’ll feel great when you are able to bypass the tempting desserts, and fit comfortably in your clothes after the holidays!

But the reverse is also true. Your thoughts can be defeating. I’m already overweight, so it doesn’t matter if I eat a breakfast cereal full of sugar instead of a healthy one, like FITNESS and FRUIT.”

Negative thoughts, often called negative self-talk will sabotage your good intentions.

Here are a few suggestions to foster positive thinking in your life:

1.Like the little engine, believe that you can achieve your goal and visualize how it looks. Say, “I WILL” + “IF”. For example, say “I WILL lose twelve pounds in three months IF I eat less rice and more vegetables.”

2. Don’t get trapped into the false belief that events or other people cause you to feel the way you do. You are responsible for your own actions just as you are responsible for the solutions.

3. Try some positive self-talk and avoid negative talk. When you wake up to a new day, remind yourself of what you are thankful for, how you deserve happiness and how you can make positive changes all around you.