Ideal Body Weight?

In reviewing an article in December 17, 2007 People magazine about Jennifer Love Hewitt, it made me ponder what ideal body weight is. Ideal body weight is simply what your weight becomes when you exercise regularly and eat smaller (reasonable) portions of healthy food, i.e. ideal behavior. It seems as if Jennifer got criticized for being fat (i.e. not looking like she did when she was a size 0). In her blog she said "a size 2 is not fat for somebody 5'2 1/2!  I've sat by in silence for a long time now about the way woman's bodies are constantly scrutinized. To set the record straight, I'm not upset for me, but for all the girls out there that are struggling with their body image". Let me expand on this.

I happen to agree with Jennifer. Her body shape is determined by genetics (her parents gene pool) and her environment (how she eats and exercises).  For most women, no matter how healthy their lifestyle is, their bodies are not going to look like a supermodel's. This goes the same for guys. They're unlikely to look like bodybuilders or male models. Striving to achieve the unachievable leads to unhealthy eating and exercising behaviors and disappointment.

One comment of a source close to Jennifer that I someone disagree with said " Hewitt was naturally thin and a regular at McDonald's, Tony Roma's and Pizza Hut.  She ate whatever she wanted, but her teenage metabolism is going away now that she's all grown up". A slowing metabolism is often blamed for a change in body shape/weight. Typically, the change in one's appearance as they age has to do with genetics, less activity and increased caloric intake. Metabolism typically slowly decreases after age 35.Therefore, don't blame metabolism.

Moral of the story, whatever your best look will be will happen when you regularly follow ideal behavior. However, you're not going to change your genetics and therefore don't expect to look like a supermodel. Keep the faith, exercise and eat smart. Be healthy.

This is a great plan if one has the resources to do it. Most Americans are not going to be able to work out with a trainer as Tristan does. She does yoga, Pilates and power-lifting exercises amongst other circuit training. I tell my patients to make walking their core exercise. Anyone can afford this. I also recommend that they get a piece of exercise equipment at home that they’re most apt to stick with.  This is usually a treadmill, stationary bike or something aerobic. Usually they can find someone wanting to sell or even give away such equipment. Do your exercising early in the morning before the world puts its demands on you!  Resistance exercising is great, but most won’t stick with it. Let’s face it, we’re not all ex-athletes or the rich and famous.
Now for Trista’s diet plan, the calories are reasonable, but the food is a little “upper crust”. Most Americans are not going to eat Orowheat Whole Grain and Flax toast.  Most Americans will eat Wonder Bread. I can’t say I’ve even heard of Sambazon-brand premade shake with acai (a Brazillian berry). We tell our patients to shop the perimeter of the supermarket. This is typically where the fresh produce, lean meat and unprocessed foods are. We’ll set their calories at around 1200/day for woman and 1800/day for men. If our patients want to lose weight faster, we have them do a partial fast using meal replacements, nutrition bars and all natural snacks. It truly is about smaller portions and less food choices as this reduces food cravings. Inexpensive healthy food items are important because as a rule, less money to spend equals greater body weight. Wouldn’t it be nice if supermarkets or schools had a dietary counselor available to teach the masses how to eat healthy? What a novel idea.

Dennis Padla, MD
ManageYourWeight.com
This correspondence does not constitute a physician patient relationship. Opinions expressed are Dr. Padla's and are given as general information and not specific medical advice for you. Always check with your personal physician when dieting.