Weight Labels & Emotional *kitten*

lbt1004

BMI is worthless in my opinion.... I have lost 312 pounds and if I went by that stupid chart I am still considered class 1 obese... lol I think I will be the judge of how I feel and look and not leave it up to a chart that is outdated....... Best of Luck....

Hats off to you!! Congrats

WEBAyahoo

I totally agree... enjoy where your at! Those labels were created as a guide... not a rule!

erickita89

but hearing that stupid label "overweight" bothers me. i know its just a word and an arbitrary label and the whole sticks and stones and bones jazz should apply, but for some reason it doesn't here. im usually not one to care about the labels, but I've worked really hard and the word "overweight" honestly bothers me.

It's not "arbitrary." Over time, doctors and researchers and others have determined what is a healthy weight range for an average person, i.e., not an athlete, of a particular height. Your weight is an important gauge of your health. I would try to get to the top of the healthy weight range for my height.

I'm sorry but I'm gonna have to ask you to back the eff off. This one here is one of my earliest friends and I hold her near and dear to my heart. If just this ONE TIME you could see your way out of this thread. I will promise never to jump on any ridiculous crap you say on other threads ever ever again. Just leave. Please.

oh SHIZZAP! MCD got her bat out for me!:bigsmile: thanks hunny:drinker:

CallMeBacon

I've struggled with this, too. I am the same height as you (5'3") and for a long time my goal was 150 (started at 210). I hit that goal, pretty much parked there for 6 months or so, and re-assessed what my goals were. Am I happy with how I look? Do I want to make further changes? What will it take (what will I have to add or sacrifice) to get there, and is that worth it?

Really, at the end of the day - it's all about what you want, and if it's worth it to keep putting the effort in. I'm closing in on the 130s, but honestly the last 20 lbs have been soooooo much harder than the first 50!

As to the weight ranges - while a good basic guideline, they are only that - a basic guideline. You look fabulous. Give your head some time to catch up to what your body has done - I agree with the suggestions of parking it at 150 for a while. Enjoy this new self, you worked really hard to get there.

And lastly, hats off to you. Well done.

MyChocolateDiet

So yeah Ericka Congratufreakinglations!!!!!!! I am so happy to see you so near your goal and ALL YOU!:flowerforyou:

Yeah, as people have been saying when people are more muscular that tends to get somehow jumbled in those measures. I hear the water weighing machine is the most accurate for body fat measuring. At least that's how all the info has congealed in my head.

Otterluv

I also wanted to add that at my most recent appointment, my doctor told me that she would much rather have a patient who is overweight and exercises than a thin one who doesn't. The issue of mortality is contentious, but there seems to be evidence that being overweight has a bit of a protective effect while being obese has a negative impact.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK62367/
Check out the "mortality" section.

"A recent analysis looked carefully at the mortality risk and years of life lost due to different levels of obesity, breaking the numbers down by age, gender, race, and smoking status (Finkelstein et al., 2010). In general, the authors found that being overweight does not increase mortality risk and sometimes decreases it, although the effect usually is not statistically significant either way."

***please note that it goes on to say that there is a sharp increase in mortality once you hit even the Obese class I category.

TheEffort

I think the question is at what point are you considered "healthy"? I struggled with the Obese label and got down to my goal weight; I was in the Normal range but found myself looking too thin so now I'm working on improving my cardio and building muscle. Labels are destructive because it warps our perception of what's important.

Improve your life and not your label.

lynn1982

As others have mentioned, I think body fat % (and especially visceral fat) is a much better judge of health than BMI. That being said, I completely understand where you're coming from. I have 2 more pounds to lose before I'm at what is considered a "healthy" BMI range. I have my goal set at the top range of my BMI. Even though I feel fantastic at 130, I'm still bothered by the fact that it's considered overweight for my height. So I guess I don't really have a suggestion for you, but I empathize!

CoderGal

I also wanted to add that at my most recent appointment, my doctor told me that she would much rather have a patient who is overweight and exercises than a thin one who doesn't. The issue of mortality is contentious, but there seems to be evidence that being overweight has a bit of a protective effect while being obese has a negative impact.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK62367/
Check out the "mortality" section.

"A recent analysis looked carefully at the mortality risk and years of life lost due to different levels of obesity, breaking the numbers down by age, gender, race, and smoking status (Finkelstein et al., 2010). In general, the authors found that being overweight does not increase mortality risk and sometimes decreases it, although the effect usually is not statistically significant either way."

***please note that it goes on to say that there is a sharp increase in mortality once you hit even the Obese class I category.

YES!!!! This exactly. I wasn't that heavy when I started here...And I guarantee you I'd drop dead if I tried to outrun someone who had a healthier lifestyle. I felt like a piece of unhealthy wheezy crap. And then I'd get harassed because I didn't lose weight. And I felt way better when I did. But with that said I wish someone kicked me in the *kitten* before and said what do you think you feel like crap because of the extra weight or because you don't move anymore. Health shouldn't be based on weight, sugar carb fat this and that intake etc

All the crap that links if you're obese then that's bad seems to be based on a bunch of Mcdonalds over eating couch potatoes...because that's what most of them are. I hate statistics.

That said 'obese' and 'overweight' seems to be based on BMI standards...which are standards for a sedentary individual. IF YOU ARE NOT SEDENTARY STOP GOING BY THIS UNRELATED TO YOU STANDARD!

nino07110922

Don't focus on the number showing on the scale. Instead, focus on your lifestyle and level of exercise, along with your caloric intake. According to the standard BMI, I'm considerably overweight at 5'11" and 198 lbs. I've gone online to several sites to chest my body fat, and just spoke to my doctor this week. Interesting point I found: I was 194lb with a 34" waist. I'm not 198 and still a 34" waist. That shows that I've reduced body fat and increased lean muscle mass on my body. My body fat measure is actually lower. For women, you need to account for other measurements besides just your waist. Not that I'm endorsing, but the site I settled on is: http://www.fitwatch.com/qkcalc/body-fat-percentage-calculator.php

As you sculpt your body to what YOU want, it's perfectly ok to change your goals. My original goal was to get down to my tournament weight when I was practicing martial arts. I've really no desire to lose another 20lbs. At 195-200, with a 34" waist, I'm looking lean and fit - and feel absolutely wonderful.

Let go of the "fat/overweight/obese" labels. Focus on the slow changes you're seeing in the mirror and keep feeding off the encouragement of others. Your before and after pic looks wonderful - you're making excellent progress.

A_Fit_Mom

I wanted to also add that I changed my goal up 10 pounds. I had an initial goal of 135 which is closer to the lower end of healthy weight for my height. The healthy weight range for my height is 122-164, there is no way I would look good at 122. So now that I am 152, I changed it to 145 as my goal. Which is right in the middle of the "healthy bmi" range.

I like how I look now, I still have curves, but I don't look overweight. I have no desire to be very slender. So it all depends on how you want to look and feel. I think you look great and I can see why you wouldn't want to go much lower.

herblackwings39

I have my "goal" weight set at 150 or 155 which is the high end of healthy for 5'6". To be prefectly honest I'll be delighted to get under 200. If I find that I'm happy at 160, 170, 180, or even 190 I may take a little break and see how I maintain at different points or I may try to shoot for 140. We all have to live in our bodies so do what makes you happy.

erickita89

Don't focus on the number showing on the scale. Instead, focus on your lifestyle and level of exercise, along with your caloric intake. According to the standard BMI, I'm considerably overweight at 5'11" and 198 lbs. I've gone online to several sites to chest my body fat, and just spoke to my doctor this week. Interesting point I found: I was 194lb with a 34" waist. I'm not 198 and still a 34" waist. That shows that I've reduced body fat and increased lean muscle mass on my body. My body fat measure is actually lower. For women, you need to account for other measurements besides just your waist. Not that I'm endorsing, but the site I settled on is: http://www.fitwatch.com/qkcalc/body-fat-percentage-calculator.php

As you sculpt your body to what YOU want, it's perfectly ok to change your goals. My original goal was to get down to my tournament weight when I was practicing martial arts. I've really no desire to lose another 20lbs. At 195-200, with a 34" waist, I'm looking lean and fit - and feel absolutely wonderful.

Let go of the "fat/overweight/obese" labels. Focus on the slow changes you're seeing in the mirror and keep feeding off the encouragement of others. Your before and after pic looks wonderful - you're making excellent progress.

i like ur site it says:

Your Body Fat Weight is: 40.98 lbs
Your Muscle Mass is: 113.02 lbs
Your Body Fat Percentage is: 26.61% <--- woohoo

erickita89

I also wanted to add that at my most recent appointment, my doctor told me that she would much rather have a patient who is overweight and exercises than a thin one who doesn't. The issue of mortality is contentious, but there seems to be evidence that being overweight has a bit of a protective effect while being obese has a negative impact.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK62367/
Check out the "mortality" section.

"A recent analysis looked carefully at the mortality risk and years of life lost due to different levels of obesity, breaking the numbers down by age, gender, race, and smoking status (Finkelstein et al., 2010). In general, the authors found that being overweight does not increase mortality risk and sometimes decreases it, although the effect usually is not statistically significant either way."

***please note that it goes on to say that there is a sharp increase in mortality once you hit even the Obese class I category.

thanks for this post.... its very interesting information

MelsAuntie

To hell with the labels, your measurements are great and you look wonderful!!

PepperWorm

I think you look hot. :flowerforyou:

nmn2

If you feel great at 150 then 150 is your number!!! My starting weight was 202 also and my goal is 170! Still in the overweight category but it's a weight I feel great at! You look awesome btw!

Athijade

BF% would be the better number to look at for the individual. BMI was originally intended to be used to look at societies. It loses a lot of accuracy when you use it at an individual level.

Ejourneys

First, congratulations on all your hard work paying off!
Fat percentage is a much better indicator than BMI. This chart comes from Accu-Measure calipers:


This article shows why BF trumps BMI:
http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

My goal weight is also 150, which has always been my "comfort weight." That's a heavier weight than my avatar photo shows. At my current weight I am still "Overweight" according to my BMI, but according to my calipers I have a BF of 29.2%, which places me in the "Ideal" range for a woman my age. (The http://www.fitwatch.com/qkcalc/body-fat-percentage-calculator.php site shows my BF at 26.69%.)

Once I get to 150 I'll see how I feel and will simply trust my body.

nxd10

I understand hating the label.

The label is based on BMI. If you are muscly, the label is wrong.

If you are average for muscle, it's right, but has no health consequences.

I'd be THRILLED with your accomplishment. You have done awesome. Your doctor must be thrilled. I'd be overjoyed!

140 would not be too thin at your height. I'm 5'10" and do exercise a lot and weigh 151. I never ever thought I'd hit this weight - technically 'ideal' for my age and height. But it does feel a lot better than the 165 which was first goal I never thought I'd hit.

You've come so far. I would be happy where you are and very proud of what you;ve done but encourage you to go for 140.

jwdieter

Labels, like scale results, affect different people in different ways. Looking and feeling good is most important. Also, that body fat chart has labels that do not work for me at all. I started at "ideal", which was nowhere close to a 6pack - something I consider ideal. Shrugs.

Anyway good luck shaking off the labels - they dont define you or anyone. BMI overweight should be interpreted as "see if your doctor has any concerns, but you're probably healthy", not some huge problem.

MzManiak

5'1" was 130lb, currently deliberately gaining weight to 140lb (or thereabouts - my main focus is strength). I've deliberately put myself in the "overweight" category. Although according to Jackson Pollack, my body fat percentage is around 20%

base your goal on body fat percentage and what you're aiming for (e.g. a particular look, strength, ability to run marathons, etc) and chuck the BMI chart in the bin. If you're in the healthy body fat percentage range (looking at your after pic in your profile, I'd say you are!!) then seriously, screw BMI.

This... so many women I know are considered "overweight" based on bmi but have a killer bod! Other girls are also considered "normal" weight, but their body fat percentage is high... and it shows. If you are happy with your body when you look in the mirror, who cares what the scale says? I would agree with switching your goal... but to a body fat %, not necessarily to a lower weight.