How To Calculate Body Fat Percentage

Ever wonder how to calculate your body fat percentage? When most of us think about about losing weight, we tend to focus on the scales. But the amount of fat you are carrying around is actually much more important than weight.

If you should be measuring anything, it should be body fat percentage, not weight. Your weight does not accurately reflect your level of your fitness and can be misleading for overall health.

Body fat is measured with what is known as Body Mass Index, or BMI. A women that is in shape should have a body fat percentage range somewhere between 21% and 31%. A woman who is in fantastic shape, could have a body fat percentage as low as 10%.

For men, if you are fit and in shape, your body fat percentage should fall between 14% and 25%. If you are in excellent shape, your body fat percentage could be as low as 2%.

Here is how to calculate your own body fat percentage. Write down how much you weigh but you have to be honest for this to work. Remember, no one will see this but you. Multiply your weight by 703.

Next, write down your height, in inches. Multiply by that same number. Then you will divide your weight number by your height number. That is your BMI or body fat percentage.

For example, if your weight were 150 pounds x 703, your weight answer would be 105,450. If your height is 5’4”, that would be 64 inches x 64 for a total of 4,096. Divide the 105,450 by 4,096, you come out with a BMI of 25.7.

There are a few other ways to measure your body fat percentage but this will give you a quick idea of where you are at.

If you are thinking about about losing weight, remember the amount of fat you are carry around is actually much more important than your weight.

If you use the method above to figure out your current body fat percentage, you'll be on your way to a much healthier fitness level.

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Gary Gresham is the author of "Fat Burning Secrets." Discover simple yet powerful changes that can have a major effect on your weight loss results with this free report at: Free Fat Burning Report

Acne DOs and DON'Ts

by: Natalie Katsman
Every little thing counts when it comes to fighting acne and keeping it under control. After all, zits are not that big themselves, they just bug us in a big way. We don't always realize that seemingly insignificant things can help us look better (or worse, depending on what they are), while intentionally following myths, we do more harm than good to the skin.

Here are a few things to consider if you don't want to see those pimples pop up.

DO:

= Clean your face twice a day. Use a cleanser that is designed for your skin type and avoid harsh and irritating products. When cleaning your skin and rinsing it with water (make sure to use plenty!), move from the neck to the hairline - that way you are not likely to spread hair build up over your face, as it can aggravate acne.

= If you work out and sweat, clean your face after you exercise.

= Use a moisturizer for your skin type. Even if your skin is oily, don't ignore this important part of your daily routine. Your skin needs protection. Overdrying your skin will not do any good: on the contrary, the oil glands will start working even harder.

= Choose cosmetics made for your skin type.

= Use products with fruit acids. They help to shed old skin cells and prevent pore clogging. You are not likely to see the results overnight, but be patient and stick to the treatment - you will be pleasantly surprised.

= Protect your skin from wind and harsh environment as they make skin prone to infections.

= Shampoo your hair regularly. Oil glands on your scalp produce the same sebum as those on your face. Add hair care products residues and environmental elements that stick to your hair - and you have a super-effective acne causing solution.

= Drink lots of water to clean your body of toxins and keep your skin hydrated from the inside.

= Take vitamins and eat a healthy diet. People who suffer from acne often don't get enough vitamin A in their diets (you may want to consult your doctor about that since large doses of vitamin A can be toxic). Zinc supplements are known to fight acne outbreaks. Healthy eating is good for all parts of your body. While diet changes alone won't spare you of acne, they will help your skin look better.

= See a doctor if your acne is severe.

DON'T:

= Don't use drying cleansers and harsh scrubs. They destroy the protective barrier and alter skin pH, making skin vulnerable and prone to infections. Astringents should be used on oily areas only.

= Don't squeeze zits. This is the worst thing to do, and for many the hardest to avoid. Still, if you don't want to aggravate the condition, don't pick on your pimples. You can, however, drain them with a sterilized needle once they are mature.

= Don't scratch or rub your skin. Sometimes rubbing can cause zits on otherwise clear complexion. You may want to experiment if you are brave enough, otherwise try to keep your hands off your face and avoid wearing hats, helmets or bands that may cause unpleasant surprises.

= Don't tan. Even though tan will mask the blemishes, the effect is temporary. Excessive sun exposure can aggravate acne. Many over-the-counter and prescription acne products make your skin sensitive to sun. In addition to causing skin dehydration and premature aging, UV rays destroy cells responsible for skin's immunology


This article is provided by Understanding Acne: Causes, Cures & Myths
Discover everything you need to know about acne without having to spend hundreds of dollars on a doctor’s visit. This information has helped thousands of people understand their acne, and subsequently make it disappear!

Factors that Affect A Mortgage Loan

A mortgage loan is a long term commitment that usually stays with you 15 to 30 years of your life. So it is not a small thing.

Because of this, there are many factors that will decide whether you will get a mortgage loan or not.

First, you need to know what to do before getting a mortgage loan. The second would be the factors about you that lenders consider before approving your mortgage loan.

Let's look at what you need to think about before getting a mortgage loan.

Before you can choose the right mortgage plan for you, review your present financial situation and think about if your housing needs might change in the future.

Ask yourself these questions to help you with this:

How long do you think do you plan to stay in your house?

Are there expectations for you financial income to increase over time which could allow you to pay more for your mortgage loan?

What do you think are the significant expenses you might make in the future that could affect your capability of paying your monthly mortgage payment?

College tuition fees, investing in small business plans, etc are examples of these.

The next step is to assess the level of risk you are ready and comfortable in taking. Decide on what mortgage rate you think you can work with for your budget.

Adjustable rates are risky since interest rates change which is why it is best to project your income if it can increase over time. Fixed rates will always be safer because they are stable.

The third step is to determine the length of period you want to have the loan. Most terms are 15, 20 and 30 years. Usually, a shorter term means higher monthly payments.

This is good for people whose incomes are higher than average and are stable. But, most average income people go for long term periods because they can fit it in their budgets easier.

The last step is to assess the closing costs of a mortgage loan and the best interest rate that you can get.

Now, let's look at the factors that might affect the approval of your mortgage loan from lenders.

1. Credit report. The three major credit bureaus: Equifax, TransUnion and Experian provide your credit report. It is important to review these for errors because according to statistics, errors are present in 40 percent of credit reports.

These errors are a big factor in your mortgage loan and can lead to higher interest rates or not getting the mortgage loan at all.

2. Credit Cards. Lenders get nervous when you apply for new credit cards or close current accounts when you are applying for loan mortgage.

3. Outstanding Credit. This has a lot to do with the approval of your mortgage loan. Pay off as much credit debt as you can before applying for your mortgage loan.

4.Income. A steady income will give you a lot of points in getting a mortgage loan so it is recommended that you should avoid changing jobs or quitting your job before applying for a mortgage loan.

5. Available funds. Make sure that you do not make purchases that could consume your available funds before buying a home. Aside from a down payment, you have to consider other expenses such as closing costs.

6. Down payment A bigger down payment assures you of the best interest rates on the mortgage loan.

7. Interest rate. This determines how much your monthly mortgage payment will be. It is best to consider "lock-in" fees to guarantee yourself that you still get the advantage should interests rise in the market. Remember that interest rates continuously change and until you lock in anything can happen.

8.Price Range. From your current financial assessment of your situation and by figuring out your debt-to-income ratio, determine the price of your home. A lender will not approve of a mortgage loan application if it shows you have too much debt.

This article is supplied by Credit Repair Facts.com where you will find credit information, debt elimination programs and informative facts that give you the knowledge to correct your own credit and credit report. For more credit related articles like these go to: Credit Related Articles