How to Know if I Am Fat?

With so many people reaching for any form of motivation to lose weight, I thought this is as good a time as any to provide the facts on obesity. 

Regardless of how fat you are, fat is fat and it is the leading cause of disease and illness.  

Recent research findings spot light how obesity impacts the development of Alzheimer. Obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes, all weight related illness, increase your risk of developing this disease and many others.  Weight gain contributes to diseases that if gone unchecked manifest into serious life threatening conditions.  It is no wonder this disease alone is on the rise as the obesity epidemic increases. Read on to get the wake up call you need to get motivated!

The Elbow Method

1. Stand up and raise your arm in front of you to a 90 degree angle, as seen in the picture to your left.  It will form the shape of a backwards L.
2. Locate the two bones protruding, the two bones at the bend of the elbow, see the picture once again to confirm you have the right spot. Once you find them turn your palm to the right and touch both joints with calipers, remove the calipers and measure the distance between the two points, write this number down.
3. Use the chart below to determine your bone structure size.

How tall you are plus your frame both are important in determining what you should weigh.

Height and Frame for Woman

• Heights of  5’ 2” or less with an elbow width of 2 ¼ - 2 ½ inches equals a medium build, measurements lower than this are small framed and those higher are large framed.
• Heights of 5’ 3” - 5” 10” with an elbow width of 2 ¼ - 2 ¾ equals a medium frame, those lower a small frame while those higher a large frame.  

Note: remember I mentioned I’m 5’10”?  The distance between my elbow joints is 1 ¾ inches, I therefore have a small frame, understand?  Great!

Weight Statistics;

1. Over 64 percent of US citizens are overweight
2. Over 48 percent of Europeans are overweight
3. 2 of 3 Chinese are expected to be overweight within twenty years.
4. Americans are considered to be obese are at a rate of 27%
5. At least 325,000 deaths per year are attributed to obesity.
6. World wide 750 million people are considered over weight.
7. World wide 300 million people are considered obese.
8. The weight loss market earns over 61 billion dollars per year

 Health Related Disease and Illness

Note:  The most common of fat, belly fat, to any degree, is a threat to your heart and the leading cause of heart attacks. 

If you can reach down to your mid section and fill your hands with ANY excess fat you need to eliminate that starting NOW! 

Fat around the mid-section is a dangerous health threat and it kills each day.  Fat in any area of the body, if in access, causes the dangers to your health listed below. 

Am I fat?

The biggest reason you may find motivation to lose weight is for the sake of appearances. It’s no secret your appearance plays a huge role in the achievements of successful people.  We pull and tug at our clothes feeling angry when we can't slip into something with ease, and yet we know it's a problem with our expanding bellies not the clothes.

Most of us don't want to admit it and buy a bigger size dress, pants or shirt.  It's much easier to imagine the clothes shrunk in the wash.   Oh how many times have you thought this over even said it out loud?

It's really not the clothes.  Do you have an up to date bathroom scale to keep track of your weight and face it with open eyes head on?

ZUMBA STEP

I love Zumba and have been a huge fan since the first product launch.  The addition of the new step program is AMAZING!  People who have not got into Zumba before will find this to be a refreshing workout. There is little dance to the routine, it is easy to pick up and includes the best ab workout ever. The ab program is done on a chair so you never have to lay on the floor. It is like no ab workout I have ever done. I LOVE IT!  You have got to give The Zumba set to the left a chance, you will be glad you did. 

The Look of Fat;

• Man boobs (commonly referred to as moobs)
• Stomach rolls
• Can’t fit into your bra, spilling out, binding tight and uncomfortable
• Double chin
• Back fat
• The cottage cheese appearance
• Big butt, if you have to ask...
• Fat stomach, muffin top with fat spilling over the top of your pants
• Ankles to fat for sandals or the shoes you wore a year or more ago
• Can’t wear a bathing suit, or won’t due to appearance
• Cellulite on arms and calves a sign you're going to far
• Arm fat, the jiggle when you wave look

The Effects of Weight on Relationships;

• Your spouse, girl friend or boy friend pushing you to lose weight as they are unhappy with your weight which puts stress on the relationship!
• Weight gain impacts relationships with everyone in your life as you stop participating
• friction and lack of companionship causing separation or divorce
• Lack of sex drive due to weight gain maybe from fatigue and body image
• Weight gain causes loneliness as you are afraid to go out you withdraw from social life 
• Losing weight can have a positive impact on relationships as you can provide a better profile picture for online dating 

Looking Good for Events;

• Enjoy the summer, fit into a bathing suit
• Look good at a wedding, the bride, bridesmaid, parent of bride or groom
• Look good for family reunion
• New years resolution
• Enjoy success like those on The Biggest Loser!

Pregnancy;

• Keep fit during pregnancy
• Lose weight after pregnancy
• prevent rapid weight gain during pregnancy
• prevent pregnancy stretch marks
• irregular digestion and discomfort

More Good Reasons to Lose Weight

Improve your personal life;

• Stop getting sick and feeling irregular.
• Relieve shoulder, leg, back and neck pain
• Stop inner thigh and leg chafing
• Be able to take part in out doors activities, athletics and sports
• Relieve sore swollen feet, walk correctly and with ease
• No more heavy breathing from simple task like walking  or climbing stairs
• Dress with ease, comfort and satisfaction as you look great
• Stop the obesity trend in your family, pass on a healthy lifestyle and habits
• End your children's weight issues by setting a good example
• Keep your job status motivate and impress co-workers with your progress
• Increase you chances of getting that promotion
• Stop feeling bad and ashamed
• Eliminate depression and on and on the reasons go!

Today we've covered the ground work and the facts regarding whether you are fat. I know you've found the motivation you need to shift gears and start on your new road to life and really living life!    

We are merely creatures of habit.  You can replace your overweight fat habits with those that will have you on the road to better health.  Every little step you take helps to improve your life. You have many years ahead so do everything you can to provide yourself with the tools you need to succeed.  Having healthy support tools lying around will keep you on the road to better health and living.