Greetings!! In the last "Diet" blog entry, I admitted that I was investigating about diets, and intending to start one. I did my research, and have summarized that information here for you, so that you, if interested, can do your own investigation.

As you read the following, you might want to take the "test" to determine your own BMI (Body Mass Index). I discovered that my BMI, at this current time, is 34. So, I have decided on my particular diet plan, and, to date, have lost 12 pounds!!!

Best of luck to you as you make your own choices, focused on your own health.

How do I know if I am overweight?

According to the FDA, Overweight refers to an excess of body weight, but not necessarily body fat. Health professionals use a measurement known as body mass index (BMI) to classify an adult's weight as healthy, overweight, or obese. The BMI Calculator provided by the National Institutes of Health can help you calculate your BMI.

BMI
Classification
18.5-24.9 = Normal
25-29.9 = Overweight
?(equal to, or greater than) 30 = Obese

Overweight is defined as a BMI of 25 to 29.9 and obesity is defined as a BMI equal to or more than 30. A normal BMI for men and women is between 18.5 and 24.9, although there are exceptions to these guidelines. For example, a person might have a higher than normal BMI if they are small in stature but very muscular, or an elderly person might have a normal BMI, but be considered frail or underweight. Its important to remember that BMI is just a number and is recommended to be used as a guide only.

There are many other factors that need to be considered when judging how much you should weigh including:
waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)
bone structure
muscle mass
physical activity level
genetics
body shape
age
gender

Whether you are overweight or would just like to lose a few extra pounds and get in better shape, you have probably heard of some of the popular diets and their different claims to help you lose weight. You may be wondering if they really work and about their health benefits. To assist you in better understanding many of the currently popular diets, below are some weight loss decision websites.

Weight Loss Plan Decision Websites

1) Which Weight Loss? Best Weight Loss Plans & Diets Compared

http://www.which-weight-loss.com/best-weight-loss.htm

2) How healthy is your diet? The screening quiz at this website will help you determine if you have a healthy diet.

http://nutrition.about.com/library/healthydietquizparts/blhealthydietquiz.htm

3) Test your Knowledge about Nutrition

http://nutrition.about.com/library/blnutritionquiz.htm

4) Weight loss: Finding a Weight Loss Program that Works for You (A pdf document published by The Partnership for Healthy Weight Management.) This site is a very valuable 12 page document that includes the following.

Questions to ask about different Weight Loss Programs.
A Body Mass Index chart (BMI)
A Personal Health Profile Evaluation checklist
A checklist for evaluating weight loss products and services.
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/online/pubs/health/wgtloss.pdf

5) Dieting Review: All the weight loss information you need.

At this site, in the left hand column, you will find Diet Types. By clicking on a type of diet, you will find a summary of that program and pros and cons about it. Next, you will find different nutrition information; click on a type and find more information.
At the top of the right hand column, you will find a series of weight loss tools. One of particular interest is a Fast Food Chart that provides calories and fat grams/item at various fast food chains.

http://www.dieting-review.com/weightwatchers.htm