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The Curious Bag
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<h4 class="dechead">On One Hand: Body Mass Index
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gauging your body mass index, or BMI, is a reliable way to determine your weight-loss goal. A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 in an adult indicates a normal weight range. A BMI under 18.5 indicates you are underweight, while a BMI between 25.0 and 29.9 is considered overweight. If your BMI is 30.0 or above, you are considered obese.
On the Other: Set Sensible Goals
You didn't gain the weight overnight, so don't expect to lose it that way. The American Dietetic Association, the American Heart Association and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases affirm that losing 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can effect significant improvements in your overall health.
Bottom Line
While you may need to set higher long-term weight loss goals in order to attain a healthy BMI, aim for no more than a 10 percent loss of total body weight in six months. This way, you'll have a better chance of maintaining the loss.
Source:
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Risks of Being Overweight
American Dietetic Association: Little Losses, Big Gains
Resource:
National Heart and Lung Institute: BMI Calculator
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