You may have heard that losing weight is as easy as eating less
and exercising more. Well it is true—taking in fewer calories
than you use each day is the simplest way to lose weight. Never
mind the fad diets, weight-loss pills, and herbal remedies—it
all comes down to a balanced diet and a regular exercise
program. Using the Body Mass Index The first step is determining
your current weight status: Are you underweight, normal weight,
overweight, or obese? A good measure for this is the Body Mass
Index (BMI), a standardized method used by health professionals
to evaluate weight and body fat. BMI is calculated by dividing
weight in kilograms by height in meters squared. You can also
use pounds and inches squared, and multiply the value by 703. It
gives you an indication of whether you are at risk of health
problems that are related to being overweight or obese. If your
BMI is 25 or higher, you are at risk for a number of serious
health problems, including high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, heart disease, st