3 signs that it's time to lose weight

Many people don't even realize how they're gradually gaining weight. This creeping process is often either not noticed at all or simply ignored. Then, suddenly, one day, "the penny drops," and they look at their reflection in the mirror with horror. Wanting to lose weight is one thing. But knowing when it's time to start losing weight is quite another. If you're one of those people who don't know when to begin, you should regularly ask yourself the following three questions.

1. Is your BMI over 24.9?

The Body Mass Index (BMI)Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measurement method frequently used by healthcare professionals. It's used to determine whether someone needs to lose weight. Calculating your own BMI gives you a general indication of whether you're still within a healthy range. To calculate it, divide your weight (kg) by your height (m). Then divide the result by your height again.
Example:
You weigh 70 kg and are 1.75 m tall. Therefore, divide 70 by 1.75 and then divide the result (40) by 1.75. The answer here would be a BMI of 22.9. The healthy BMI range is between 18.5 and 24.9.
However, BMI only makes sense if you have little muscle mass. This measurement method is particularly unsuitable for predominantly mesomorphic body types. Muscle cells weigh twice as much as fat cells. Therefore, calculating BMI for individuals with larger and denser muscles is completely meaningless. For example, boxing world champion Wladimir Klitschko would have a BMI of over 28 and, according to this logic, would be severely overweight. However, he doesn't have an ounce of excess body fat. In principle, BMI is suitable for people with predominantly endomorphic (and possibly also ectomorphic) body types.

2. What does your waist say?

Your BMI can tell you a lot, but by no means everything. It's also very important to know where you've stored the excess weight. After all, too much fat in the abdominal area can increase the risk of developing a number of serious health problems (including type 2 diabetes, various cancers, and heart disease).
To measure your waist, first find the midpoint between the top of your hips and the bottom of your ribs. Exhale naturally and wrap the measuring tape around your body at this point.
Women have a higher risk of suffering from health problems if their waist circumference exceeds 80 cm. For men, this value is 94 cm. It becomes particularly dangerous when women exceed 88 cm and men exceed 102 cm.
Many people might now cry out in horror. These values—analogous to BMI—apply to average individuals. Therefore, very similar limitations must be applied here as with BMI. There are men who, due to their bone structure and muscle composition, can have a waist circumference well over 90 cm even with a body fat percentage of 15%. Women, too, can have a significantly broader skeleton than assumed by these values.

3. What other signals does your body send?

Besides these two points, there are other signs that might indicate you should lose weight. Injuries to your knees, back, or hips could show that they are under too much strain. If you're already completely out of breath when running for the bus, you should check not only your figure but also your fitness level.
Furthermore, snoring could be a wake-up call. Even a few extra pounds can lead to snoring because the fatty tissue in the throat presses on the airways and prevents a regular airflow.
If you think you should lose weight, now is the time to take action. Remember that a healthy diet and regular exercise are the best ways to slim down. If you don't see results despite your efforts, you should consult a doctor. However, this is rarely necessary.