BMI and picking a goal weight
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How I look in a full length mirror is how I chose my goal weight.2
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So, if your BMI is anywhere between 18.5-24.9, you will be w/in healthy weight range and itcwon't matter, at least in terms of your wt related heslth risks what your goal wt is, as long as it is w/in that range.
Unfortunately this isn't always the case, I have some health issues at BMI 24.9 which disappear at lower numbers.2 -
So, if your BMI is anywhere between 18.5-24.9, you will be w/in healthy weight range and itcwon't matter, at least in terms of your wt related heslth risks what your goal wt is, as long as it is w/in that range.Unfortunately this isn't always the case, I have some health issues at BMI 24.9 which disappear at lower numbers.
Yes, the BMI is a range because people are built differently. I'm best at the top of the range. My family would do an intervention if I got mid range.5 -
At a 21, you are already right in the middle. I'm assuming your post means you are still not happy with where you are? How strict do you have to be with your eating and exercise to maintain your current weight? In other words, how much of a struggle would it be to stay at a deficit for another 6 months to a year, and would it be worth it to you?
Another option is a recomp, check out these posts:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10177803/recomposition-maintaining-weight-while-losing-fat/p1
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1161603/so-you-want-a-nice-stomach/p1
Thank you so much for sharing these links. They're super helpful. I'm pretty happy where I am. I would just like to look a bit leaner, no more pooch and gain some upper body strength. Re comp sounds like my path. Deficit for another 6 months sounds fine too. But I feel like I'd want to maintain after that for a while to see how I feel, reassess and kind of give my body time to normalize to the new weight.
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So, if your BMI is anywhere between 18.5-24.9, you will be w/in healthy weight range and itcwon't matter, at least in terms of your wt related heslth risks what your goal wt is, as long as it is w/in that range.
Unfortunately this isn't always the case, I have some health issues at BMI 24.9 which disappear at lower numbers.
Understood. Just because you are w/in the healthy BMI wt range doesn't mean that one still might not have a wt related health problem.
It just means that you are at a lower RISK for such problems based on the BMI calculation, which is acknowledged to be a crude standard of measurement for such problems.
But, it wasn't designed to identify the likelihood of such problems in ALL cases. It was designed as a quick and easy way to medically screen patients for the RISK of such problems w/o the need for (or the availability of) medical equipment or labs, especially in places where such equipment or labs are not readily available.5 -
Anything in the healthy range is good. I prefer to be in btw 20 & 21 BMI. That's when and look and feel my best. My clothes look good and I have energy.1
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At a 21, you are already right in the middle. I'm assuming your post means you are still not happy with where you are? How strict do you have to be with your eating and exercise to maintain your current weight? In other words, how much of a struggle would it be to stay at a deficit for another 6 months to a year, and would it be worth it to you?
Another option is a recomp, check out these posts:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10177803/recomposition-maintaining-weight-while-losing-fat/p1
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1161603/so-you-want-a-nice-stomach/p1
Thank you so much for sharing these links. They're super helpful. I'm pretty happy where I am. I would just like to look a bit leaner, no more pooch and gain some upper body strength. Re comp sounds like my path. Deficit for another 6 months sounds fine too. But I feel like I'd want to maintain after that for a while to see how I feel, reassess and kind of give my body time to normalize to the new weight.
So maybe what you can try is to do a recomp, focused on a strength training program, while eating at a small deficit like 250 calories. Don't worry too much about the scale, expect fluctuations, but just make sure you aren't losing too fast over any 4-6 week period. Then re-evaluate in 6 months.
I'm pretty much on a recomp for the rest of my life I think
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my goal weight puts me in the overweight category. goal is 5'4 147lbs.1
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I'm just curious others thoughts on selecting a goal weight. If you're overweight it seems reasonable to just get it into the "healthy" range. That seems self explanatory. But for those of you already under 24, what is your goal? Bottom end of the range, whatever feels/looks good to you, something else? Perhaps I shouldn't be so focused on what the scale actually says, but I'm not sure what else to go by.
Just to note, I'm already in the healthy range at 21.
BMI is a screening tool and not a definitive indicator of poor health or risk.
Example at age 50, 6'3", 247lbs, I would be considered overweight BMI(31) This is because my above average LBM is not factored into the calculation. That being factored in, I am considered normal weight.
Another screening tool that might be coupled with BMI is waist circumference. Which reams scientific evidence.
If you are not Asian, females and males with a waist circumference over 37" and 40" are considered higher risk for chronic disease and shorter life span. This is where we might generally prioritize weight loss.
You might chose to implement this screening tool as well to help guide you in your decision.
To get a accurate measurement we feel for the bony prominences on the front of your hip and find the highest one, theanterior superior iliac spine (ASIS). Measure the circumference on top of ASIS without compressing the skin.
Hope this helps you in some way.2 -
So, if your BMI is anywhere between 18.5-24.9, you will be w/in healthy weight range and itcwon't matter, at least in terms of your wt related heslth risks what your goal wt is, as long as it is w/in that range.
Unfortunately this isn't always the case, I have some health issues at BMI 24.9 which disappear at lower numbers.
Asians tend to consider the upper limit for BMI at 23, above is starting the overweight range. I also think that 25 is too high.
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@saintor1 what is the source of your info-graphic?
The Asian numbers seem to be broadly correct (normal BMI being 18.5 to 23, 23 to 25 being overweight, 25+ being obese)
However I take issue with the low risk designation for underweight as actual risk at that level is probably more similar to that of obesity as opposed to the lower health risk levels that apply to the overweight and normal weight categories.2 -
My goal weight is between 165-175 I think the way my frame is made that will be good for me but more importantly I just wanna be healthy1
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