How to measure your resting heart rate, the normal ranges by age and fitness level, and when a high or low reading is worth discussing with a UK GP.
The NHS recommends a 500–600 calorie daily deficit for safe, sustainable weight loss of around 0.5 kg per week. Larger deficits cause faster initial loss but increase the risk of muscle loss, nutrient deficiency, and rebound weight gain.
BMI, ideal body weight formulas, and body fat percentage all measure something different — and all have significant limitations. Here's what each actually measures, when the NHS uses each one, and which is most useful for your situation.
Most pregnancy due date calculators use Naegele's Rule: add 280 days (40 weeks) to the first day of your last menstrual period. But why 40 weeks from a period that happened before conception? And when does an ultrasound date override the LMP? Full explanation here.
The NHS recommends 0.75g of protein per kg of bodyweight per day. If you're strength training, sports science suggests 1.6–2.2g/kg. Here's how to hit 150g+ protein per day on a £40 weekly food budget — with actual Aldi, Lidl and Tesco prices.
The NHS recommends drinking no more than 14 units of alcohol per week — and not saving them all for one session. A pint of 5% lager contains 2.8 units. A 250ml glass of 13% wine is 3.3 units. Most people underestimate how quickly units add up.
How BMI is calculated, what the NHS uses it for, where it fails (athletes, older adults, ethnic differences) and what the new 'BMI prime' and waist-to-height ratios add. A plain-English UK guide.
