Your BMI and Other Important Numbers

Exercise is crucial, fitness is the key, and pounds matter. Exercise can reduce mortality risk regardless of weight. Aerobic exercise and resistance training reduces the fat you see and the very dangerous visceral fat you can not see. Visceral fat infiltrates and coats your organs releasing inflammatory fatty acids.

Studies have shown that working out routinely prevents visceral fat from forming in the first place. Between a person who is considered a plus size who works out and a thin couch potato the plus size person is better off.

There have been efforts to look beyond the BMI formula. BMI does serve a purpose however there are other numbers to consider as well.

Your blood pressure calculates how much your heart works to pump blood through your body. Your blood pressure has two parts; systolic, which measures out going flow, and daistolic, which measures the incoming flow. The heavier you are, the harder your heart has to work. Your blood pressure is measured with the use of the arm cuff. A healthy range would be 90/60 to 120/80 (systolic/diastolic).

Your cholesterol is made up of low density lipoprotein also known as LDL, the bad cholesterol that can cause arterial blockage. And high density lipoprotein also known as HDL, the good cholesterol that helps remove LDL. Your triglycerides, the chemical fats associated with cardiac risk may also be measured. Your cholesterol is measured through a blood sample at your doctor’s office or lab. A healthy range is said to be your LDL below 100, your HDL above 50, and your triglycerides below 150.

Your fasting blood glucose measures the amount of sugar in your bloodstream. If you have a high range it means your body is likely unable to metabolize all the sugar in the foods you are eating. If your range is high then there is a risk of high blood sugar and diabetes. Your glucose can be checked at the same time your cholesterol is being checked. A healthy range is said to be about 70 to 100.

Your resting heart rate measures how many times your heart beats per minute when you are resting. A heart that is consistently overworked can become enlarged and is at risk for a heart attack. You can measure your own resting heart rate. In the morning take your pulse for 60 seconds by placing a finger or two on your carotid artery, located just below your right ear. Check your pulse a few days in a row. A healthy range is 60 to 100 beats per minute. If your pulse is high consult your doctor.

Now you know what other numbers in addition to your BMI matter to your health and well being. It is up to you to check these numbers and attempt to reach the appropriate recommended range for each category.

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