If You Ate Whatever you wanted, no excersize, what do you think would be your stable bmi/ weight?
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Dsadvocate, sounds great, unless you are over 51 years. Then its better to be 27 bmi or more, you know for bones, muscles and all that!
This is extremely inaccurate. The heavier you are, the more weight is on your bones, joints, muscles, etc. This is even more of an issue the older you get, putting older adults at a higher risk for arthritis and osteoarthritis.
I thnk you will find, if you do a bit more research, that the normal bmi range is not the healthiest for over 50's and thwt the overweight and even the obese categories are more healthier for older folks.
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Dsadvocate, sounds great, unless you are over 51 years. Then its better to be 27 bmi or more, you know for bones, muscles and all that!
This is extremely inaccurate. The heavier you are, the more weight is on your bones, joints, muscles, etc. This is even more of an issue the older you get, putting older adults at a higher risk for arthritis and osteoarthritis.
I thnk you will find, if you do a bit more research, that the normal bmi range is not the healthiest for over 50's and thwt the overweight and even the obese categories are more healthier for older folks.
Actually, I am a geriatric nurse and have done quite a bit of research on this topic. What you are saying is completely false. Being overweight or obese as an older adult puts you at a huge risk of diabetes, cancer, CVA, MI.
I am interested to see where you are finding the information that states what you're saying.
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I am not surprised by your post, I think you will find as many science research projects that havenot found conclusive results for what you say as ones that do.
Again, oveall mortality is much less for overweight and obese people that are over 50 years of age than for those in the normal weight bmi group. There are reviews and articles around that have researched this one everywhere.0 -
So looks like everyone here is convinced that without dieting and 'formal' out of the ordinary excersize they will become something they can't live with?
Just wanted to politely suggest that I do not agree with this. I am using MFP for a distinct period of time in order for the logging/focus on caloric intake, etc. to assist in changing my circumstances. I have lived happily and moderately for many years without such formality. Exercise is something I will do until the day I am no longer able - not because I am afraid of who I might become - but because it makes me happy.
In my mother's words, I wish to be constantly moving towards something (health/happiness), not running away from it (fear of becoming heavy). I would think that most of the folks on this thread would agree that is the healthier frame of mind.0 -
Dsadvocate, sounds great, unless you are over 51 years. Then its better to be 27 bmi or more, you know for bones, muscles and all that!
This is extremely inaccurate. The heavier you are, the more weight is on your bones, joints, muscles, etc. This is even more of an issue the older you get, putting older adults at a higher risk for arthritis and osteoarthritis.
I think it's a matter of degree. There's a big difference between moderate overweight and obesity. For instance, at 5'1.5", anything over 132 is overweight for me. Right now, I'm around 123. I've been as high as 140. While that's in the overweight category, if I had to have a major surgery or end up with an illness that suppressed my appetite, and lost 10-15 lbs., I'd be in OK shape. At 140, it wasn't as if it was killing my joints, etc. carrying that extra; my cholesterol was a bit higher, I wasn't happy with my clothes not fitting, etc., but otherwise, I was fine. In fact, I gained the weight after a joint injury which had nothing to do with my weight, but with already poor bone density. In fact, many studies show that women with low BMI have lower bone density and higher risk of fractures and injuries, probably because they aren't well-nourished and aren't doing strength-bearing exercises. BTW, when I was at the low end of the BMI (105-110), I was much weaker than I am now.
Let's look at an actual elderly, moderately overweight person. My grandmother, also a tiny person (only 5'0"), was around 140-145 most of her elder years and fairly healthy. She began to become fragile, falling, breaking bones, around age 80 when she lost weight after my grandfather died. At one point she got to around 105, which is a normal BMI for someone of that size. After some nursing care and rehab, she fattened up to the 130s and was much healthier. I think this is a completely different circumstance than someone who is say, morbidly obese, at a weight of 200 lbs. I think the medical community panics over someone being over BMI; for a smaller person, especially, that could be as little as a 10 lb. difference. Even for someone 5'1", 158 lbs. is "obese." This is only 25 lbs. heavier than my current weight, and I have seen large boned women my size who were close to that weight whom I wouldn't consider obese, just stocky and slightly overweight.
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So looks like everyone here is convinced that without dieting and 'formal' out of the ordinary excersize they will become something they can't live with?
Just wanted to politely suggest that I do not agree with this. I am using MFP for a distinct period of time in order for the logging/focus on caloric intake, etc. to assist in changing my circumstances. I have lived happily and moderately for many years without such formality. Exercise is something I will do until the day I am no longer able - not because I am afraid of who I might become - but because it makes me happy.
In my mother's words, I wish to be constantly moving towards something (health/happiness), not running away from it (fear of becoming heavy). I would think that most of the folks on this thread would agree that is the healthier frame of mind.
I'm glad to see your post! I think most people here on MFP believe that they are moving toward happiness and health as well, and I truly hope that all of them reach it!
I am also happy to know that you are not afraid to stop dieting and focusing on caloric intake and that you believe that will be ok for you. Yes, its always better to stop, turn and face our fears when we feel that we are strong enough to do so.
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Dsadvocate, sounds great, unless you are over 51 years. Then its better to be 27 bmi or more, you know for bones, muscles and all that!
This is extremely inaccurate. The heavier you are, the more weight is on your bones, joints, muscles, etc. This is even more of an issue the older you get, putting older adults at a higher risk for arthritis and osteoarthritis.
I think it's a matter of degree. There's a big difference between moderate overweight and obesity. For instance, at 5'1.5", anything over 132 is overweight for me. Right now, I'm around 123. I've been as high as 140. While that's in the overweight category, if I had to have a major surgery or end up with an illness that suppressed my appetite, and lost 10-15 lbs., I'd be in OK shape. At 140, it wasn't as if it was killing my joints, etc. carrying that extra; my cholesterol was a bit higher, I wasn't happy with my clothes not fitting, etc., but otherwise, I was fine. In fact, I gained the weight after a joint injury which had nothing to do with my weight, but with already poor bone density. In fact, many studies show that women with low BMI have lower bone density and higher risk of fractures and injuries, probably because they aren't well-nourished and aren't doing strength-bearing exercises. BTW, when I was at the low end of the BMI (105-110), I was much weaker than I am now.
Let's look at an actual elderly, moderately overweight person. My grandmother, also a tiny person (only 5'0"), was around 140-145 most of her elder years and fairly healthy. She began to become fragile, falling, breaking bones, around age 80 when she lost weight after my grandfather died. At one point she got to around 105, which is a normal BMI for someone of that size. After some nursing care and rehab, she fattened up to the 130s and was much healthier. I think this is a completely different circumstance than someone who is say, morbidly obese, at a weight of 200 lbs. I think the medical community panics over someone being over BMI; for a smaller person, especially, that could be as little as a 10 lb. difference. Even for someone 5'1", 158 lbs. is "obese." This is only 25 lbs. heavier than my current weight, and I have seen large boned women my size who were close to that weight whom I wouldn't consider obese, just stocky and slightly overweight.
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ILiftHeavyAcrylics wrote: »ILiftHeavyAcrylics wrote: »
Yeah, I definitely wouldn't want to go back to being sixteen, unless I get to keep everything I've learned since then. And even so, those whacky, whacky hormones!
Oh geez. I taught high school for four years-- I wouldn't trade places with those kids for anything.
Me either. I think the pressure is greater on them than it was on me, including the pressure to be thinner than some people naturally should be.0 -
I think the medical community panics over someone being over BMI; for a smaller person, especially, that could be as little as a 10 lb. difference. Even for someone 5'1", 158 lbs. is "obese." This is only 25 lbs. heavier than my current weight, and I have seen large boned women my size who were close to that weight whom I wouldn't consider obese, just stocky and slightly overweight.
IME, panic is vastly overstating the case for medical professionals. I have a bad knee (meniscus tear, arthritis, some tendon laxity) and it's painful to walk on. I also have a BMI of about 25.5. I went to see the orthopedist, expecting to be told to lose weight into the normal range, and maybe not the top of it. Instead he said "Usually we tell people to lose weight, but you're slim"
My PCP and GI would ideally like me to maintain a BMI closer to 28, and encourage me to stop losing weight every time I see them. We've shifted strategy from trying to maintain weight to trying to slowly gain weight (to see if it balances out.)
Note: At my current weight, I still have a lot of excess fat. Being a special snowflake doesn't mean that I'm exempted from the risks of excess weight or a poor diet. It just means that when you look at all-cause mortality risks - being fat is more likely to save me than to kill me.0 -
So, mostly I'm getting you all pretty much feel your natural bmi is in the obese range then?
I am a very conservative dieter and until this latest enterprise, I only seriously went on a diet once before, in my thirties. It took a year to lose twenty pounds back then. The pattern ever after is to gain 10-15 pounds every year. By the time I was in my fifties, I was morbidly obese. Left to my own devices I am absolutely convinced my weight would steadily rise over the years, and considering the health conditions now in remission (diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure), my weight loss is definitely in the direction of health and vitality.
I am still on the edge between obese and overweight, and I'd be very happy to remain in the overweight range as I have lost enough to get moving and avoid the health deficits of obesity. If I stopped tracking today I would still likely have to take a few months every year to monitor and curtail my intake to return to a healthy weight.
P.S. I wanted to add that my weight gain over the years I don't believe is "natural" nor a result of "laziness" or "gluttony". I am a statistic in the burgeoning obesity epidemic.0 -
"So, mostly I'm getting you all pretty much feel your natural bmi is in the obese range then?"
I can't find the post this came from, but I think it's a great question. No, I'm not naturally supposed to be obese. Naturally, if research is correct, we haven't caught up with our food and sedentary environment yet.
Naturally if I lived in some areas hundreds or thousands of years ago, I might be much more active, and even if not, I would never have been exposed to most of the foods I ate when I was obese. And my body has changed because of those foods and possibly sedentary lifestyle (and possibly pollutants, too, jury still out on that, but some researchers are looking into it). So only in the context of our current food and lifestyle environment is obesity 'natural' for my body. Unfortunately, it seems to also be 'natural' for a lot of other people, too.0 -
I think the medical community panics over someone being over BMI; for a smaller person, especially, that could be as little as a 10 lb. difference. Even for someone 5'1", 158 lbs. is "obese." This is only 25 lbs. heavier than my current weight, and I have seen large boned women my size who were close to that weight whom I wouldn't consider obese, just stocky and slightly overweight.
IME, panic is vastly overstating the case for medical professionals. I have a bad knee (meniscus tear, arthritis, some tendon laxity) and it's painful to walk on. I also have a BMI of about 25.5. I went to see the orthopedist, expecting to be told to lose weight into the normal range, and maybe not the top of it. Instead he said "Usually we tell people to lose weight, but you're slim"
My PCP and GI would ideally like me to maintain a BMI closer to 28, and encourage me to stop losing weight every time I see them. We've shifted strategy from trying to maintain weight to trying to slowly gain weight (to see if it balances out.)
Note: At my current weight, I still have a lot of excess fat. Being a special snowflake doesn't mean that I'm exempted from the risks of excess weight or a poor diet. It just means that when you look at all-cause mortality risks - being fat is more likely to save me than to kill me.
THIS
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You're funny.
"stable"
If I ate what I wanted, it would never stabilize.
Never.
I'd keep getting bigger and bigger until I was one of those 900 pound dudes they had to tear out a wall in the house to haul my "ate himself to death" @$$ to the coroner's office.0 -
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I'd be right back at 291+ if I ate the way I wanted to.0
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So, mostly I'm getting you all pretty much feel your natural bmi is in the obese range then?
I am a very conservative dieter and until this latest enterprise, I only seriously went on a diet once before, in my thirties. It took a year to lose twenty pounds back then. The pattern ever after is to gain 10-15 pounds every year. By the time I was in my fifties, I was morbidly obese. Left to my own devices I am absolutely convinced my weight would steadily rise over the years, and considering the health conditions now in remission (diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure), my weight loss is definitely in the direction of health and vitality.
I am still on the edge between obese and overweight, and I'd be very happy to remain in the overweight range as I have lost enough to get moving and avoid the health deficits of obesity. If I stopped tracking today I would still likely have to take a few months every year to monitor and curtail my intake to return to a healthy weight.
P.S. I wanted to add that my weight gain over the years I don't believe is "natural" nor a result of "laziness" or "gluttony". I am a statistic in the burgeoning obesity epidemic.
Thanks for sharing, I found my fifties were where every bite I took another pound went on. I might as well have glued the food right to my thighs! For me after menopause it seemed easy to gain and I was in a situation where walking became difficult -- a heavy urban area and very cold icy long winters. All those things together plus several deaths in the family within a few years, well, stuff happens!
I believe in health at any size. It looks like you are in the right place to enjoy many healthy fun years. I never knew getting older would be this much fun!
P.S. I don't think weight in the upper ranges is ever about gluttony or laziness.0 -
"So, mostly I'm getting you all pretty much feel your natural bmi is in the obese range then?"
I can't find the post this came from, but I think it's a great question. No, I'm not naturally supposed to be obese. Naturally, if research is correct, we haven't caught up with our food and sedentary environment yet.
Naturally if I lived in some areas hundreds or thousands of years ago, I might be much more active, and even if not, I would never have been exposed to most of the foods I ate when I was obese. And my body has changed because of those foods and possibly sedentary lifestyle (and possibly pollutants, too, jury still out on that, but some researchers are looking into it). So only in the context of our current food and lifestyle environment is obesity 'natural' for my body. Unfortunately, it seems to also be 'natural' for a lot of other people, too.
Jolina! hi, I think the studies being made on pollutants and some of the ingredients in cleaning products can cause weight gain, I don't know a whole lot about it though, cortisoll levels or something I believe. So agree about the more ancient active life being curtailed by modern life. But some studies show that even excersize doesnt have the capacity to change our size over the long term anyhow. I'm surprized about that as anyone, because it seems everyone in the fitness world would deny this.
There are thinish and larger people in my family, so I can't really say much on that in mycase. When I was younger, I smoked, when I quit, automatic 15 pound gain. Lost it though, naturally it just started melting off about 6 years later, which gave me the idea that my natural weight was a static thing even though it could take years to adjust. I think its also genetic that I gained after menopause, because so did my mother and my grandmother. There will hopefully be some science research studies on the set point theory for weight and weight distribution someday soon.
It is interesting isn't it. Thank you very much for writing how its been for you.:-)
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"So, mostly I'm getting you all pretty much feel your natural bmi is in the obese range then?"
I can't find the post this came from, but I think it's a great question. No, I'm not naturally supposed to be obese. Naturally, if research is correct, we haven't caught up with our food and sedentary environment yet.
Naturally if I lived in some areas hundreds or thousands of years ago, I might be much more active, and even if not, I would never have been exposed to most of the foods I ate when I was obese. And my body has changed because of those foods and possibly sedentary lifestyle (and possibly pollutants, too, jury still out on that, but some researchers are looking into it). So only in the context of our current food and lifestyle environment is obesity 'natural' for my body. Unfortunately, it seems to also be 'natural' for a lot of other people, too.
Jolina! hi, I think the studies being made on pollutants and some of the ingredients in cleaning products can cause weight gain, I don't know a whole lot about it though, cortisoll levels or something I believe. So agree about the more ancient active life being curtailed by modern life. But some studies show that even excersize doesnt have the capacity to change our size over the long term anyhow. I'm surprized about that as anyone, because it seems everyone in the fitness world would deny this.
There are thinish and larger people in my family, so I can't really say much on that in mycase. When I was younger, I smoked, when I quit, automatic 15 pound gain. Lost it though, naturally it just started melting off about 6 years later, which gave me the idea that my natural weight was a static thing even though it could take years to adjust. I think its also genetic that I gained after menopause, because so did my mother and my grandmother. There will hopefully be some science research studies on the set point theory for weight and weight distribution someday soon.
It is interesting isn't it. Thank you very much for writing how its been for you.:-)
I find it fascinating. Of course there may be some people from ancient times who, unless they were in a flat out famine, became obese. And some researchers think it had survival value for some people, too. As for exercise, doing it to burn calories in our calorie dense foods environment is pointless (though it does have health benefits) but we aren't a species that always had access to calorie dense foods all the time.0 -
I ate what I wanted and it was a lot (sometimes easily over 3000 cal a day...chips, chocolate, Oreos..take away...you name it). My BMI never went over 21. No exercise at all, besides walking 200m to the train station. I changed this now. Not because of my weight (ok, maybe a little bit here and there could go away), but because I just felt like crap. My back was hurting a lot and I was grumpy and demotivated to do stuff. I feel way better now I check what I put in my mouth and have a dog, who requires at least 2 hours of fast walking and playing. MFP really helps me to track nutrients and I feel guilty if I have candy (like today...Skittles...but they were really really good
) 0 -
"So, mostly I'm getting you all pretty much feel your natural bmi is in the obese range then?"
I can't find the post this came from, but I think it's a great question. No, I'm not naturally supposed to be obese. Naturally, if research is correct, we haven't caught up with our food and sedentary environment yet.
Naturally if I lived in some areas hundreds or thousands of years ago, I might be much more active, and even if not, I would never have been exposed to most of the foods I ate when I was obese. And my body has changed because of those foods and possibly sedentary lifestyle (and possibly pollutants, too, jury still out on that, but some researchers are looking into it). So only in the context of our current food and lifestyle environment is obesity 'natural' for my body. Unfortunately, it seems to also be 'natural' for a lot of other people, too.
Jolina! hi, I think the studies being made on pollutants and some of the ingredients in cleaning products can cause weight gain, I don't know a whole lot about it though, cortisoll levels or something I believe. So agree about the more ancient active life being curtailed by modern life. But some studies show that even excersize doesnt have the capacity to change our size over the long term anyhow. I'm surprized about that as anyone, because it seems everyone in the fitness world would deny this.
There are thinish and larger people in my family, so I can't really say much on that in mycase. When I was younger, I smoked, when I quit, automatic 15 pound gain. Lost it though, naturally it just started melting off about 6 years later, which gave me the idea that my natural weight was a static thing even though it could take years to adjust. I think its also genetic that I gained after menopause, because so did my mother and my grandmother. There will hopefully be some science research studies on the set point theory for weight and weight distribution someday soon.
It is interesting isn't it. Thank you very much for writing how its been for you.:-)
I find it fascinating. Of course there may be some people from ancient times who, unless they were in a flat out famine, became obese. And some researchers think it had survival value for some people, too. As for exercise, doing it to burn calories in our calorie dense foods environment is pointless (though it does have health benefits) but we aren't a species that always had access to calorie dense foods all the time.
yeah, the worst we could do in these times is go for a run breathing in all the exhaust fumes from the morning traffic! Lol!
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likehlikeo wrote: »I ate what I wanted and it was a lot (sometimes easily over 3000 cal a day...chips, chocolate, Oreos..take away...you name it). My BMI never went over 21. No exercise at all, besides walking 200m to the train station. I changed this now. Not because of my weight (ok, maybe a little bit here and there could go away), but because I just felt like crap. My back was hurting a lot and I was grumpy and demotivated to do stuff. I feel way better now I check what I put in my mouth and have a dog, who requires at least 2 hours of fast walking and playing. MFP really helps me to track nutrients and I feel guilty if I have candy (like today...Skittles...but they were really really good )
THanks for adding your experience! Enjoy your skittles.
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"So, mostly I'm getting you all pretty much feel your natural bmi is in the obese range then?"
I can't find the post this came from, but I think it's a great question. No, I'm not naturally supposed to be obese. Naturally, if research is correct, we haven't caught up with our food and sedentary environment yet.
Naturally if I lived in some areas hundreds or thousands of years ago, I might be much more active, and even if not, I would never have been exposed to most of the foods I ate when I was obese. And my body has changed because of those foods and possibly sedentary lifestyle (and possibly pollutants, too, jury still out on that, but some researchers are looking into it). So only in the context of our current food and lifestyle environment is obesity 'natural' for my body. Unfortunately, it seems to also be 'natural' for a lot of other people, too.
Jolina! hi, I think the studies being made on pollutants and some of the ingredients in cleaning products can cause weight gain, I don't know a whole lot about it though, cortisoll levels or something I believe. So agree about the more ancient active life being curtailed by modern life. But some studies show that even excersize doesnt have the capacity to change our size over the long term anyhow. I'm surprized about that as anyone, because it seems everyone in the fitness world would deny this.
There are thinish and larger people in my family, so I can't really say much on that in mycase. When I was younger, I smoked, when I quit, automatic 15 pound gain. Lost it though, naturally it just started melting off about 6 years later, which gave me the idea that my natural weight was a static thing even though it could take years to adjust. I think its also genetic that I gained after menopause, because so did my mother and my grandmother. There will hopefully be some science research studies on the set point theory for weight and weight distribution someday soon.
It is interesting isn't it. Thank you very much for writing how its been for you.:-)
I find it fascinating. Of course there may be some people from ancient times who, unless they were in a flat out famine, became obese. And some researchers think it had survival value for some people, too. As for exercise, doing it to burn calories in our calorie dense foods environment is pointless (though it does have health benefits) but we aren't a species that always had access to calorie dense foods all the time.
yeah, the worst we could do in these times is go for a run breathing in all the exhaust fumes from the morning traffic! Lol!
Luckily or not, our homes can trap even more pollutants, so going outside is still a good idea!0 -
Its good to know, I just keep to the less busy streets. Thanks for the encouragement to get out in the freshER air!:-)0
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I used to eat whatever I wanted and I was around 220 steadily climbing by about 10lbs a year. If I had kept going I would be 250 ish so a BMI of 42 but it would probably be going up. My appetite has always grown to match my intake. I will always watch what I eat and be active now. It is so much better than being overweight and sore and depending on my next meal for happiness.0
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Well I kinda know because that's exactly what i did for years. I ended up at 340lbs.0
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I used to eat whatever I wanted and I was around 220 steadily climbing by about 10lbs a year. If I had kept going I would be 250 ish so a BMI of 42 but it would probably be going up. My appetite has always grown to match my intake. I will always watch what I eat and be active now. It is so much better than being overweight and sore and depending on my next meal for happiness.Well I kinda know because that's exactly what i did for years. I ended up at 340lbs.
Do you ever think its certain foods that trigger your hunger? for example sugar? I agree about the appetite grows to meet intake if its going up, but what about down, how long did it take you to adjust to lower intake?
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darrensurrey wrote: »Ate what I want and no exercise? I'd probably creep up to 15 stone at 5'8.
Darren, that's not much really! You lucky dog!
It's a complete guess, really. But I know I'd look overweight. Since you said no exercise, it'd definitely be fat and not muscle.0 -
I actually gained muscle back just from doing everyday chores and walking up a lot of stairs. I read that muscles have memory and we can trigger that growth. I hope thats true, cause muscles really help a body get things done!0
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I think I would be slightly overweight, but not obese. A BMI of 26-28 probably. But that's because I've learned what makes me happy, and too much food is not something that makes me feel good. A huge pizza every weekend would be something though 0
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If I ate whatever I wanted without restraint and never exercised, I would wager that I'd be super morbidly obese within 2 years.0
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