Whenever I go on social media, I’m always amazed by the healthy and active women who are dedicated to keeping their bodies in a peak state- both mentally and physically. 

It´s good to know how they find time to do everything and how they know what to do. And I also wonder about those women who try all the things but are still diagnosed with conditions like PCOS, chronic inflammation, and anemia.

A big part of our health is predetermined by our genes. But there’s still a lot we can control once we know the basics about our bodies.

While many of us women venture into health and wellness for different purposes, there are still some core things we should be aware of for our health’s sake.

It doesn’t matter if your main goal is losing weight, reducing sugar cravings, healing inflammation, or lowering cholesterol.

These are the things that all women should know about their bodies in order to live a healthier lifestyle.

7 Things That All Women Should Know About Their Bodies 

1. Your Weight & BMI

When it comes on to weight, the first thing to note is that women naturally have more fat than men.

When measuring our weight, however, we sometimes tend to look at the scale and become discouraged if the number is too high.

But the two things that we need to consider when weighing ourselves are that:

One- you should look at body fat percentage instead of total weight, as your overall weight includes everything including muscle, bones, water, etc. 

It’s not an ideal representation of your health.

Two- the body fat ranges for healthy women are 14% to 30%. This means 14%- 30% of your body can be made up of fat. Beyond that and you would be considered overweight.

Even if you are a relatively thin person, you can still have a high body fat percentage if you have too much deep fat, which can be dangerous.

How To Measure Your Weight, Body Fat Percentage, and Body Mass Index (BMI)

You can use a regular bathroom scale to measure your weight. 

Once you know your weight, you can calculate your BMI by dividing your weight by your height. The exact formula is is: BMI= kg/m²

Or you can use this simple BMI calculator for free. 

An advanced scale like this one could measure your weight, BMI and body fat percentage.

2. Your Body Type

If you are trying to lose weight, your body type may be influencing your results more than you realize.

Knowing your body composition can help you to focus on your weight loss journey in a positive way, as you’ll learn how your body carries weight.

There are 3 main body types, or somatypes, and a variety of shapes and sizes for each of them. Read on to find out which one you belong to.

Ectomorph

Persons with this body type tend to be labeled as ‘skinny fat’.

This means you weigh relatively normal for your BMI range but still have a high level of body fat. Luckily, you also have a fast metabolism so you are more resistant to weight gain.

It also means that your ability to gain muscle mass is limited so you may have to focus on resistance training to build strength and muscles.

Your body type can benefit from high-quality fats and proteins. And even though your weight may not suffer if you tend to overeat, it’s always a good idea to stock up on some healthy snacks at home or at the office.

Mesomorph

This is the body type that fit right in the middle. Your physique is proportional and it’s easy to gain muscle.

Women with this body type tend to have a long torso and short limbs. With this physique that lends itself to strength and athleticism, you can gain and lose weight quickly.

It all depends on your diet and physical activity level.

For ideal body composition, you can focus on good quality fats with moderate carbs and protein. Moderate endurance training, yoga, and Pilates can also be beneficial for strength and body-fat loss.

Endomorph

You are generally curvier, softer, and tend to store fat more easily.

When you realize that you were born with the body type that makes it easier for you to gain weight, it can be a bit disappointing. I know this because I’m an endomorph and it’s a little more work to stay fit.

But even though our metabolism is not the fastest, we aren’t destined for obesity unless we have really bad eating habits.

My main strategy is keeping my sugar intake low and practicing intermittent fasting.

What this means is that you have to be more proactive in making sure you eat the right foods to boost your metabolism and avoid overeating as that will make you feel sluggish and gain weight easily.

Related: 11 Real Reasons Why You’re Not Losing Weight

Ensure that exercise is a part of you routine and that good quality protein and fat makes up the bulk of your diet. Low carb foods tend to be beneficial as well.

3- Blood Type & State

This another important thing to know about your body.

If you’ve ever gone to the doctor or taken any type of medical test, you might have had some blood work done.

It’s one of the first things that doctors ask for because your blood says a lot about your health. From cholesterol levels to cancer and even pregnancy- your blood knows it all.

It’s crucial to know what’s going on with this vital part of your body.

You may already know that there are different blood types so you should find out your blood type if you don’t already know- and even find out who in your family you’re compatible with in case of an emergency.

Along with your blood type, it’s important to know:

• your iron levels
• your cholesterol level and how to control it

4- Period, Pain, & Birth Control

These are some of the unique issues that women deal with. Since reproduction is a big part of our genetic makeup, we have to deal with menstruation, cramps, birth control, pregnancy, and a lot more.

If you’re already on birth control or you’re considering it, there are some things that you should consider such as hormonal effects, PMS, possible weight gain, plus other side effects.

If you have previously experienced any hormonal, vaginal, or reproductive issues such as PCOS, ovarian cysts, recurring yeast infections, etc. It’s good to do research and consult your gynecologist for the best choice of birth control.

For women like me who have horrible cramps, it’s best to go to the doctor to find out if there are any underlying issues that could be causing you pain, and if there are any healthy remedies.

When it’s that time of the month, our skin sometimes acts up too. It’s one of the other important things that we should all be aware of.

5-The State Of Your Skin 

Despite everything that we’ve been taught about skincare by our parents, celebrities, and the media, the most important thing is what you know for yourself. This is what influences your daily decisions.

For example, at age 20, I found out that I have thin skin that is prone to dryness, premature aging, and hyperpigmentation. 

While this is bad news for a young woman, it’s helped me to adjust my skincare routine accordingly, which is good.

For healthy and beautiful skin, which all of us should strive for, you have to own your skin because it protects us from the outside world.

You are the only person who knows how you break out, what time of the month you are prone to acne or dryness or greasiness and the list goes on.

Know Your Skin Type

One of the biggest investments you can make is to go to a dermatologist to find out your skin type. You might have dry, oily, or combination skin, and they all react differently to your daily activities and skincare products.

With this information, you can build a skincare routine and a healthy diet around your skin’s needs.

It’s also very important to check out any weird moles, rashes, or other issues. As mentioned earlier, your skin is your biggest organ and it can offer a lot of clues as to what’s going on inside your body.

Knowledge is Power

Women’s bodies can be complicated. (Probably why it takes 12 years to become a gynecologist). It’s not enough to do a Google search or ask a friend when you have concerns.

Plus with all the toxins and stress that we face both internally and externally, it’s even more important now to know what’s going on beneath the surface.

I’ll be the first to admit that going to the doctor to find out that I had a cyst or chronic inflammation wasn’t fun, but I have a responsibility to my body to take care of it regardless of what it’s going through. 

So do you.

We know that knowledge is power, and these five basic things could be what you need to take your health and self-care to the next level.