BMI calculations... help!

Teardrop81
Teardrop81 Posts: 132 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I've never paid too much attention to BMI because, well, mine's always been too high.

So, I just measured and input everything and it says I have 26.9% body fat with 109 pounds of lean body mass and 40 pounds of fat. I understand all that. Then it asks me what's my body fat percentage goal. I said 22%. It said my goal body weight should be 140......really?? But its not....it's more like 130. I'm 5'3 and weigh 149. I don't really know what to do with these numbers because they're not jiving with the numbers in my head. If there are some other/better calculators out there besides BMI where all I need is a scale and tape measure, please let me know. I don't really want a crazy low body fat % but I don't know how I feel about losing lean body mass, or if that's even healthy. This is not my area of expertise. Feedback anyone?

Replies

  • jdm_taco
    jdm_taco Posts: 999 Member
    Avoid bmi. Calipers are real cheap or find someone who has and knows how to use them.

    I think i'm overweight according to bmi lol!!
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    I'm guessing it is saying that at 140lbs you'd be 22% BF if you didn't lose any LBM. I'd work towards that goal of 22% BF and not worry about what number that is on the scale.
  • sire137
    sire137 Posts: 41
    Don't listen to BMI. It doesn't know how much fat you have at all, and it way overestimates if you work out.
  • scubar17
    scubar17 Posts: 43
    Well, first of all, give BMI the finger because most athletes are considered obese by their calculations. If you truly have 109 lbs of LBM and want to have 22% BF, you should weigh in at 132.98 lbs. (109 x .22= 23.98 lbs of fat + 109 LBM = 133 lbs [after rounding]). Forget BMI and focus on that goal.
  • doriharvey
    doriharvey Posts: 89 Member
    Perhaps this website explanantion can help you.
    http://www.healthchecksystems.com/bodyfat.htm

    "Body fat measurements and the measuring tape are recognized as superior methods for measuring "weight loss". When one declares that they want to "lose weight", what they often mean is that they want to lose fat. So, now that you've had your body fat percentage measured, what does the number really mean? "
  • jwdieter
    jwdieter Posts: 2,582 Member
    Most athletes, especially female athletes, are not considered "obese" in BMI. That's just goofy. Some *very* muscular men can get to "obese" with low body fat. Most female athletes are "normal".

    The OP would fit into the "normal" BMI range at 130 and 140 (and 120), so it's understandable that she doesn't find it a useful differentiating tool for her targets.

    OP's goal BF of 22% or ~130 lbs seems reasonable.

    The only reason I seem to be defending BMI is because people seem to think it's horribly wrong all the time, and use it as a strange excuse, when it's only sometimes horribly wrong. :p
  • Teardrop81
    Teardrop81 Posts: 132 Member
    Thanks for everyone's feedback! :flowerforyou: BMI doesn't seem like an exact science so I won't pay much attention. I think I'm gonna get some calipers and look at other calculators as well just to stay informed. Thanks again!!!

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