Why we don’t use BMI alone to set weight goals:

• BMI does not consider the percentage of lean body mass. You could have considerable muscle mass but also a lot of subcutaneous fat (fat that is just under the skin), making your BMI in the overweight or obese category when in fact this “label” may not be accurate. 
• Also, BMI does not consider the distribution of body fat and if it is stored viscerally (fat around your abdominal organs) or subcutaneously (fat just under the skin). We know that a person with visceral fat is at a much greater risk for disease, even if their BMI falls in the normal range. 
• BMI also doesn’t consider an individual’s frame size or bone mass. Someone may have a larger frame, but a healthy amount of muscle and fat mass, yet their BMI might still register as overweight/obese. 

What is a healthy weight for you?

Instead of relying on BMI only, a healthy body weight needs to be individually assessed and we help our clients to determine their ideal weight. These are the key aspects we will review:

1. Where do you feel your best? Was there a point in time you felt happy in your own skin? Or, as we go along our journey, is there a point that you feel best?
2. Is your weight loss goal health-related? If so, many chronic diseases can be prevented by a 5-10% decrease in body weight. In other cases, greater weight loss may be needed. 
3. What is your lean mass and body fat mass? We like to use a healthy body fat percent range versus strictly your BMI as we know that some people have a higher lean mass than others. In terms of both health and appearance, having a higher lean mass is beneficial.
4. What is maintainable with your lifestyle? We try to find ways of making sustainable and effective lifestyle changes that will get you to your goal weight, but keep in mind that your overall life satisfaction is also important. We help our clients avoid yo-yo dieting and achieve a sustainable weight.