The first step in fitness and bodybuilding is to define your current situation and then find appropriate training and nutrition based on that information.

Body mass index

The body mass index is displaying a ratio of weight and height of the body, but it doesn't take in account the body structure of an individual, so, it's implementation is limited. It's major flaw is that it cannot illustrate the percentage of fat tissue in relation to musle or bone mass, which are basic criterias for approximation, whether a person is obese or undernourished. Individuals with heigh boddy mass and heigh BMI can't be automatically categorized as obese, since many persons that have it don't actually have too much fat. BMI therefore can't be taken as an only referent tool for calculating ideal weight, but it is mostly used for statistical information of nourishment of population. It's good to know your BMI, though, since it clears up where you should be with weight approximately, based on your height. But, you should also find a way to calculate your body fat surplus, if you have it.

Ideal body weight and percentage of fat

Ideal body weight and ratio between fat and muscle tissue varies, depending on sex and age, but the minimum percentage of body mass, which we can consider safe for health is 5% for men and 12% for women. Average adult man is closer to the result of 15-18%, while women 22-25%. Sportsmen are on the bottom of these measurements, since they have large percentage of muscles and low of fat.

Conclusion and actions to take

Before anything, calculate your body fat percentage and body mass index. They're both good information to know, and can help you in directing your exercises and nutrition. If you're overweight and have fat surplus, you should start with weight loss programs and trainings, and after that, muscle building. It's common that beginners often replace those two steps, and sometimes get injuries, or loose the will to continue working out. Also, plan your nutrition around that information. Nutrition plays extremely big role in weight loss and management. The problem today is that we often consume food with lots of calories and lacking minerals and vitamins our body actually needs. Learn about nutrition and food health benefits as much as you can and implement that knowledge in your diet.

The bottom line is - be realistic of where you're at, and don't be ashamed or discouraged by it. It's good that you actually started out. You have to learn to take new information as motivation, instead of discouragement. Plan out your fitness plans on monthly basis, measure results and be persistent. You'll see differences before you know it!