The distance separating the terms ?overweight? and ?obese? may be a little bit slimmer than you think. For some reason, we Americans have seemed to accept the fact that nearly two out of every three of us are overweight. It's something I hear from friends, family members and patients everyday, but when you ask whether or not they consider themselves obese, that gets an entirely different reaction.

The truth of the matter is this: the Centers for Disease Control say that the labels overweight and obese describe ranges of weight that are greater than what is generally considered healthy for a given height. The terms also identify ranges of weight that have been shown to increase the likelihood of certain diseases and other health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke and even some cancers.

For adults, overweight and obesity ranges are determined by using weight and height to calculate a number called the ?body mass index? (BMI). An adult who has a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight. An adult who has a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese. For example, an adult who's 5'9? and has a weight range of 169-to-202 pounds is considered ?overweight,? but anything more than that and they're considered ?obese.? It's different for everybody, but for those of you who have accepted being overweight, it might surprise you to learn just how close you are to being considered obese, and while that label is nothing to scoff at, the health risks are.

So, what can be done? Well, that's different for everybody. You see, you know how each of us has a different set of fingerprints; well the same can be said for our bodies as well. One thing you can count on is that all of those diets out there, including the likes of Nutrisystem, Jenny Craig, and Weight Watchers may not be right for you. Sure, they may make bold promises, but in reality, if you want to lose weight, lose fat, and lose inches, you've got to find diet plan that works specifically for YOU.

A new year is upon us, and resolutions are already running amuck, but stay confident in your goals to find a healthier you. Wouldn't it be nice to have a New Year's resolution that wasn't about losing weight? Start living the life you want to live today! Next year will be here before you know it.