There are some drawbacks to body mass calculation as every person is different. Common sense should be used to evaluate findings, even those who fall in middle of a specified range of index. Those with more athletic builds and leaner builds certainly need to understand objectivity of BMI. Even though there is some grey area, body mass indexing is still quite useful.

Goal Setting and Index

The index is useful on a variety of fronts, but major application is weight control. Those with a low body weight should get it up into normal range, as those with excessive weight should bring it down. Those that are on cusp of trouble areas can probably do well on their own, while those closer to extreme should consult a medical doctor. Health professionals are well equipped to get you on right program and give you best advice for your individual situation.

If your plans are to begin some sort of diet and exercise routine, your ultimate goal should leave you in normal range. Goal setting is important in weight loss as in many other arenas, but your body requires some special consideration. It’s only one you have.

An ideal weight goal is necessary to have, but if it is only one, you may become discouraged with your progress. Setting and meeting intermediate goals give inspiration that it takes to get to next step. Fitness and weight loss don’t happen overnight, no matter how hard you try. Taking measured steps with frequent evaluation ensures that you are making progress.

The same thing would happen to both arms – to your whole body – if you had servants do everything for you as you reclined in an easy-chair. Then, if all of a sudden you had to get out of chair and run a mile or lift 200 pounds to survive, you wouldn’t make it. Your wasted and weak body could not rise to challenge.

Hormones are like a metabolic sling placed on hormone producing glands—testicles, ovaries, adrenal, thyroid, pituitary, etc. They replace hormones that glands normally produce. When this happens there is a negative feed-back: more hormones from outside that are introduced into body, less glands do what they no longer need to – synthesize hormones. So metabolic “muscles” (glands) that create hormones atrophy. If all of a sudden outside source of hormones is withdrawn, your weak and withered organs may then not have strength to take up task again and supply hormones. Since about every function in body is hormone-influenced, and every hormone interacts with every other hormone in some way, catastrophe results. Is it any wonder that modern anabolic body builders are also racked with heart disease, cancer, immune disorders, digestive failure and metabolic disorders in their (early) later years? The use of anabolic hormones is most certainly a case of desire being a ruinous tenant of its landlord, body. Consider this also with regard to anabolics. A normal body weight of 170 lbs. can be changed to 250 lbs. of solid muscle. To get there, massive amounts of food have to be consumed. Yet digestive “muscle” is not being built to keep pace, So digestive tract and associated organs (liver, pancreas, gall bladder) suited for maintaining a 170 lb. body is forced to digest and assimilate extremely large amounts of food? The result is digestive exhaustion and resultant damage that can last a lifetime. Most of us suffer some digestive problems and intolerances as we age due in large part to eating abuses when we were young. Note number of television commercials hawking stomach remedies. Body builders force feeding can exaggerate this damage leaving a ruined digestive system tolerant of little more than Maalox.. A huge number of high school kids are trying to “get big” with steroids. What an incredibly dangerous proposition for them. Parents, be aware that this is not innocuous. If plea is that a little won’t hurt, particularly if they are “cycled” properly, don’t buy it. If argument is that taking them is only way to excel in a sport, then change sports. Insist.

For you adults who are toying with idea of taking hormones for one reason or another, think long and hard. Read contraindications and cautions on drug insert sheets. Take heed. Find other ways to stimulate your body’s own natural ability to enhance or improve itself through exercise, lifestyle and nutrition. Don’t put your organs in slings and then expect long-term benefit. The piper will always be paid.