Other important numbers to keep an eye on:
Blood pressure: This is a measure of the pressure of the blood against the walls of the arteries. An optimal blood pressure reading for adults is below 120 over 80, while a reading of 140 over 90 or greater is considered elevated (high).
Cholesterol levels: Cholesterol is a fatty substance that builds in arteries, leading to heart disease. Your doctor can check your HDL, LDL and triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels. In general, total cholesterol numbers should be below 200, with 240 considered high cholesterol, and anything between 200-239 considered borderline. Triglycerides above 200 are considered high and may need treatment. An LDL above 130-159 is considered borderline high, 160-189 high, and 190 and above is considered very high. If you are concerned about your cholesterol levels, talk to your doctor about your numbers and how to get them into a healthy range.
Waist circumference: One if the very best ways to keep track of body fat levels is by simply taking your waistline measurement on a regular basis. A waist size of 40 inches or more for men and 35 inches or more for women is considered high risk.
Weight: I advise using the scale as only a general guideline, because it does not tell you anything about your actual health or body fat percentage. For example, I have worked with clients who are slightly overweight yet have better numbers than someone who is underweight. Fluid levels can also cause body weight to fluctuate, for some this can be as many a 3 to 5 pounds in a day. If your lifestyle habits are healthy, chances are good that your numbers will be too, unless you have a genetic predisposition to a particular medical condition. That said, if you do decide to weigh, one method often used for calculating what is known as ideal body weight (IBW):
Men: Start with 106 pounds for 5 feet of height and add 6 pounds for every inch above this.
Women: Start with 100 pounds for 5 feet of height, plus 5 pounds for each additional inch.
About the Author