If at your initial consultation your personal trainer tells you you’re obese, they’re not trying to make you feel bad. They’re using a specific medical term, ‘obesity’, to talk with you about your weight. Simply put, the word “obesity” means too much body fat. It’s usually based on your body mass index (BMI).
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measurement of a person’s weight with respect to his or her height. It is more of an indicator than a direct measurement of a person’s total body fat. BMI, more often than not, correlates with total body fat. This means that as the BMI score increases, so does a person’s total body fat.
The World Health Organisation (WHO), defines an adult who has a BMI between 25 and 29.9 as overweight – an adult who has a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese – a BMI below 18.5 is considered underweight, and between 18.5 to 24.9 a healthy weight .
How does being obese affect my health?
Obesity can help explain some conditions you may have, such as:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease and stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Joint problems caused by extra weight
- Trouble breathing, including sleep apnea (you briefly stop breathing while you’re asleep)
- Gallstones
Modest changes go a long way!
The great news is that you can take simple steps to lose extra weight. Losing even a little weight can make a big difference to your health, how you feel and your personal well-being. You really don’t have to lose a lot of weight to start seeing and feeling the health benefits.
Begin with a weight loss goal of 500 grams to 1000 grams a week. Overweight adults or obese adults should try to lose 5% to 10% of their current weight over 6 months, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of America.
If you’re ready to get started with a weight loss program, ask your personal trainer to help you set personal goals and refer you to other professionals who can give you medical advice if necessary and help you reach your goals safely. For example, a Registered Dietitian can help you with meal planning and a Chiropractor can address your muscloskeletal issues affecting your training performance and general quality of life.
You’ll want to go for steady progress over time, and to make lifestyle changes that work for you for the long run. That way you can start losing weight and feel better.
Tiger Athletic is a modern, private, appointment only gym in Sandton, Johannesburg. We use a rigorous, results-focused methodology we are passionate about helping you be the healthiest version of yourself, so you can lead a more fulfilling personal and professional life.
Our sessions are strictly 1 on 1 just you and your trainer. There is nobody else in the gym and all equipment used is sanitized at the end of each session for the safety of all our clients.
Together changes everything. Let’s work out.
Tiger Athletic 