What is a Healthy Weight?

After more than 15 years as a nutritionist and personal trainer, rarely is there a client who is happy with their current weight.  We spend a great deal of time fixating our weight, mostly striving to lose it and for some, trying to gain.   This can become an unhealthy obsession that causes much emotional anguish and health problems that may require mental health counseling.  Let's take a moment to step out of our concept of weight as a measurement on its own and reassess what a healthy weight is for each of us.  We are all unique in our genetics, bone structure, and shape.  However, family, peers, social media and other media can skew our body image.  Let's discuss a combination of measurements of health as a basis for what is a healthy weight.

• Body Mass Index - BMI is one of the most controversial measurements of healthy weight.  It is only based upon a person's weight and height.  Consequentially, the BMI calculation categorizes into underweight, healthy, overweight, class I obesity, class II obesity and so on.  The BMI measurement is not an appropriate measurement for all people.  There is no ideal body weight for all people.  Especially those who have large frame sizes or who are muscular can lead to a higher BMI measurement and categorized as unhealthy, and yet be at a healthy weight.  BMI has a place as a single factor in a multi-factorial measurement of health.


• Body Composition - This measures weight, percentage body fat and lean mass.  Measurement of percentage body fat and lean or fat-free mass (organs, muscle, bones and other tissues that make up the body) can be done in many ways, including skin-fold, hydrostatic and bioimpedance.  Body composition is one of the best measurements of healthy weight by using percentage body fat as a predictor of disease risk.


• Chronic Disease Risk - Risk factors can be measured through blood tests and percentage body fat.  High body fat levels, lipid and/or blood glucose levels can be determinates of an increased risk of chronic disease.  Additionally, waist circumference can be a measurement of chronic disease risk.  In many cases - weight loss, a healthy diet, along with exercise may be a way to reduce these levels of disease risk. 


• Performance - Find a more balanced measurement for your weight or with body satisfaction by considering how your body performs for you.  Are you able to do all the things you want to do without being hindered by weight?  Can you play with your children or grandchildren?  Can you do sports or activities that make you happy?  These are a few questions to ask yourself about personal satisfaction and feeling comfortable with your weight.  If you fixate on meeting a certain body type or fitting into a piece of clothing that has been difficult to achieve, it's time to rethink your ideal body weight.  Appreciating your body type and developing a healthy relationship to food and exercise is important to maintaining both physical and emotional health.  Seek mental health support if you're unable to moderate these thoughts, or have a difficult or unhealthy relationship with food and/or exercise.



Happy Valentine's Day!  Love yourself and what your body does for you.

Here are few reasons to see a nutritionist/personal trainer/health coach: relieve tension & stress in the body, properly train or progress in an activity, improve your microbiome, assess nutrient intake, disease prevention through evidence-based diet, and exercise, maximize exercise performance, improve sleep quality, enhance mental clarity, optimize digestion and nutrient absorption, establish long-term healthy habits, meal planning for a whole foods diet and eat in a way to sustain the planet.  Please consider Sheri for nutrition counseling and/or fitness appointments to help you develop a healthier lifestyle for you and the planet. 

Free introductory 15-minute appointments are also available.