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One question that many people looking to lose weight ask is how can I calculate my BMI? BMI stands for Body Mass Index, and it’s a ratio determined by your weight vs. your height to decide if you are underweight, overweight, or “just right”.
There are many BMI calculators available, as well as BMI charts that can make it easy to calculate your BMI. The formula for calculating your BMI, if in the U.S. is to multiply your weight in pounds by 4.88 and then divide it by your height squared. (Height x Height)
So, for example, if you weigh 150 pounds and are 5 feet 6 inches tall, your formula would be as follows:
150 * 4.88 / 5.5 * 5.5
You would then solve it like this:
732 / 30.32 = 24.19
So, if you are 5 feet 6 inches tall and weigh 150 pounds, your BMI is 24.19.
Naturally, in order to know if your BMI indicates you are underweight you need to know what the guidelines are for BMI. Here’s a simple BMI chart to help you find out what your BMI means.
BMI
18.5 or less
Underweight
18.5-24.9
Normal
25-29.9
Overweight
30+
Extremely Overweight
If your BMI falls into the “Normal” range, it means you are healthy weight-wise and sticking to a simple balanced diet and exercise program can be enough to keep you in the range for the long-term. If you are underweight, talking to your doctor to understand the cause of being underweight and how to address it is the best idea, since being underweight can be a sign of underlying problems.
If you are in the overweight categories, there’s no need to panic or feel depressed - it can be easy to lose weight by making some simple diet changes and incorporating a regular exercise routine into your diet.
