Skinny Fat

The other day I was thinking about a conversation I had with a nutritionist and I want to share it with you guys. The nutritionist was telling me about an anxorexic client she used to counsel and gave me an example of "skinny fat."

First of all lets define BMI (Body Mass Index)

Body mass index (BMI) is a calculation based on height and weight that correlates with the amount of body fat. Calculating your BMI will tell you if you are at a healthy weight. These calculators can be found all over the web at various health sites but for an accurate BMI calculation it should be done with a nutritionist or someone trained to do so. The web based calculators just give an average based on height, weight and age but there are many factors that contribute to your resutls and therefore make it different then the average number.

The normal BMI range is: 18.5 - 24.9

The overweight BMI range is 25.0 - 29.9

Obese is 30.0 and above

Ok, this client we are referring to weighed 80 pounds and had a BMI of 29.................... THAT IS SKINNY FAT! We can all imagine how extremely thin she looked BUT she was nothing more than bone and fat.......... YUCK!

Ok, so whats my point? What I want people to understand is that to be healthy and fit doesn't mean you have to be skinny or a size 2. There are tons of women who are a size 6 and 8 that are very healthy and look great. Genetics plays a huge factor in a womens physique and this is something that we can't control ladies! Being HEALTHY is key and that looks different for everyone! Dont strive to be a certain look, strive to find YOUR healthy!!

Snacks.... 200 calories or less!

1 tablespoon peanut butter spread on slices of a small apple

3 cups air popped popcorn sprinkled with 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese

Small baked potato with salsa and 1 ounce low fat cheese

6 whole wheat crackers with 1 slice low fat Colby cheese

Fruit smoothie:: blend 1 cup fat free milk, 1/2 cup frozen strawberries and 1/2 banana

One 6 inch whole wheat tortilla with 1/4 cup black beans & 2 tablespoons of salsa

My New Challenge!

As I mentioned in my introduction, I LOVE to challenge myself! So the challenge I have taken on this year is a Bikini Competition.  I have joined the team, TEAMGOFITNESS, and am competing in Las Vegas in November! For those of you who are not familiar with this, it is similar to a fitness/figure competition except it is a more feminine look and little less muscle! I don't view this as a competition between me and the girl next to me but as a competition with MYSELF! The dedication and discipline it takes to achieve this goal is mind boggling! I have learned so much about myself through this process so far and I have 6 weeks left!

My plan for this blog is to post ANYTHING regarding health, fitness, and nutrition..... I guess you can say that I will do the "dirty work" for those who don't have time to read fitness magazines, research articles, ect...... I also have learned so much through my own trainers that I could share on this site! I am open to any suggestions and hope this can be a forum for people to communicate their own knowledge and "tid bits" on!

Introduction to My Blog!

Hey Guys! Ok, those who know me well know that I always have my hand in some new project or venture! After several years and requests from friends and family asking me to help them with a diet or workout regimine, I decided to start this blog!!

By no means do I proclaim to know it all, but over the past 17 years of adopting a healthy lifestyle, I do feel like I have acquired tid bits of information that could help someone get closer to achieving their goals. I do believe to MAINTAIN being healthy you have to make it a LIFESTYLE change. Diets are temporary unless you never stop the diet, but most of us "fall of the wagon." I believe that diets can be the catalyst to adopting a healthy lifestyle but you must find what works for YOU and what you are able to maintain FOREVER!