This is depressing

Losershawn

I was messing around with the BMI calculator today and discovered some not so good news. My goal was to get down to 180, (haven't been there since middle school). I was trying to figure out how much I needed to lose in order to get my BMI in the overweight category instead of the obese....well guess what - I have to get to 185 just to get to the overweight category. That totally sucks big harry monkey toes. Lets just say I was not ENCOURAGED this morning.

JanerZzz

That's OK. Set it as your long term goal. Start with some short term goals, they'll help you feel more encouraged! Good Luck! Don't give up!

bjlowe

Many things can be discouraging when we try to diet. Instead of feeling down or depressed, just think: Going to the gym and getting your body moving creates a lot of serotonin in your brain. This and other hormones that are released after working out will physically put you in a happier and better mood!

I have found it very encouraging to work out in the morning, before you start your day. This way, you do not spend your entire day dreading going to the gym, and instead start your day with a good flow of hormones and energy!

Just keep trying, and find out what works for you! :-)

PokenStick

BMI isn't that accurate, especially for guys. Don't be discouraged!

deepmidnyght

BMI's are not an exact science. I think that if you are healthy at 180 and happy that way not to worry about a BMI. Truthfully it varies per person. You should just focus on the fact that you have lost weigh and the amount you will have lost to get to 180. That is an accomplishment. Screw the BMI.

Volforlife83

Try and stay positive! I know it's hard This morning I found a picture of me when I was five months pregnant with my second child and I was actually skinnier then than I am now. That totally sucks! Oh well, just use it as motivation and know that you CAN reach your goals and imagine how good it will feel when you do. Keep your head up!!!

miqisha

Don't get discouraged, that happened to me a few months ago, when I realized my goal weight was still higher than my alloted BMI.

Take it one day at a time.

Goodluck

whoisgoingtosaveher

Its alright thats what we are all here for to motivate each other and get eah other on the track to the body we want!!
Any encouragement you need, advice or just general natter then feel free to add!!
Good luck on your journey. Xx

wyze

i think you should focus on reaching your goal weight of 180 first. Once you get to that bridge, you can set a new goal. My goal is 160 which i cant ever remember weighing. According to my BMI it says i am overweight, my attitude is simply that i will be healthier than i have ever been, and for now i am okay with that. Besides we all have different body types, some are heavier than others naturally, in those cases, the BMI calculation may be slightly off cos it doesnt take all the factors into consideration. That is my honest opinion

YOU CAN DO THIS

ajbeans

Meh, BMI isn't all it's cracked up to be. Body fat percentage is much more important in determining obesity. Work on strength exercises to build up your muscle, and just get to a weight where you feel comfortable in your skin. Don't worry so much about BMI. It's often inaccurate.

LeonaB17

I have to get to 195 just to be not obese. But after being MORBIDLY Obese for a while now - I'll be ecstatic to be just overweight! LOL. Keep your chin up - you will get there. Dont' let the BMI chart get you down!

Tiana405

First of all... I hate hate hate trying to conform to what a scientists scale thinks is the "norm" for MOST americans. I'm only 5'2 and when I weigh 145lbs, (overweight to "their" calculations), I've only got 7-9% body fat! There's NO WAY that I'm overweight at a size 6 with that percentage. *OF COURSE THAT'S NOT WHAT I AM AT NOW* LOL!!! The scale is just an average of people, but some people (like you and me) just may not fit in to this category. Which just means we're kick *kitten* and awesome!!! : ) Keep your head up and if you're eating right, working out, feeling good when you get in to those old pants that you used to wear and are now "new" again.... who cares what that BMI B.S. says! Chin up! Know that you have great support here at MFP! ; )

DaveNix

It's the whole glass half full/empty question.

Do you look at the mountain in front of you, or do you look at the 10 lbs you've dropped already?

Personally, I look at the 11 pounds I've dropped since the beginning of the year and realize that if I *only* lose a pound a week, I should be close to my goal by the end of the year. The same goes for you at a very achievable pound and a half a week.

I don't know about you, but the last time I was in the 190s... I looked pretty good, and felt great. It didn't matter if some BMI chart said I was still "overweight", it was about feeling healthy and attractive.

marm1962

Yes, they've changed the categories, I am considered Obese for my height and weight. When I tell people I need to lose weight they look at me and say "where" and "who says". My doctor told me that I need to be at 140, I say 135, I am about 40 lbs overweight, fortunately for me I look about 20 lbs less than I am.

JoyceJoanne

I HATE those "big harry monkey toes"!!! :explode: It's all about feeling your best- whatever that number is. Why is it that we (yes, I DO include myself) get SO freaking caught up in the numbers??!! When I talked to my doctor about the BMI numbers (that I found online) he was NOT thrilled with what it said for me. He said that most of them were so outdated and that they were not accurate-

Don't let it get you down, you're doing terrific.
Best of luck to you in the rest of your journey!

Meggie_pooh

When I started this site, I did my BMI, and all this time I thought I was a lil overweight, come to find out I was OBESE!! Imagine my surprise and disappointment!!! Being 6' tall, weight sits differently on me, so I never really considered myself obese at all!!

Zaggytiddies

My BMI says I should be btw 85.5 and 119. My goal is me still being overweight and I'm fine with that. Don't sweat it.

calmmomw3minimeez

I know this feeling all to well. Last year, dr. weighed me at 156lbs which put me a couple of steps from the obese category and as if that wasn't enough, bmi was 35.6! I went home thinking "D@#$! I thought I was just overweight but now my @ss is 36% butter!!!" I went home, did a crash diet and gained 15 more lbs...eventually, I came across MFP. I seem to be running into a little road block right now, but I set a goal of only 20lbs for now and then I'll go for 20 more. I've been on the site since Jan. 2011, lost 10lbs so far, but my wgt. fluctuates like crazy, but all in all, MFP has been such a great tool with the support, encouragement, and yes - humor, that I can't see myself quitting ever again. I just want to tell you that you have made a great decision in coming to this site because you will love every minute of it - even when things aren't going so great. Someone will always be there to vent to, give some good advise, or whatever you may be dealing with, you'll know that you aren't alone in this...welcome and much success on your journey...you will find many friends! :sad: :grumble: :happy:

ColeyCannoli

Meh, BMI isn't all it's cracked up to be. Body fat percentage is much more important in determining obesity. Work on strength exercises to build up your muscle, and just get to a weight where you feel comfortable in your skin. Don't worry so much about BMI. It's often inaccurate.

Exactly right. A lot of football players and wrestlers are in the "overweight" to even "obese" BMI category but they have low body fat percentages and are perfectly healthy. Don't get discouraged... one step at a time.

mlb929

BMI sucks. I'd have to lose another 20lbs to be on the low end of it, but I'm at 22% body fat and the fittest I've been since I had kids. It feels great to be in the best shape of my life at 40 - but my BMI is still barely in the middle of the scale and still on the higher end. I went from a size 12/14 to a size 0 - I'd just by sizes, measurements and body fat over BMI.

WolffEarl

I agree with the other folks saying that the BMI is a very questionable number at best. Much depends on body type, amount of muscle, bone density, etc. Much better to look for good ratios of waist to chest (the v-shape for us guys), an under 40 in waist line, and good fitness. Some folks can be super fit, run mile after mile and still be that slightly rounded shape. No need to obsess over some arbitrary number. You are doing all the right things, you are exercising and eating well. The rest will take care of itself.

shallo

My goal is 150 and it still puts me in the overweight category. I have to be like 125 of less to be considered normal. I don't think I weighed that in high school when I played sports.

marm1962

Because BMI does not show the difference between fat and muscle, it does not always accurately predict when weight could lead to health problems. For example, someone with a lot of muscle (such as a body builder) may have a BMI in the unhealthy range, but still be healthy and have little risk of developing diabetes or having a heart attack.
BMI also may not accurately reflect body fatness in people who are very short (under 5 feet) and in older people, who tend to lose muscle mass as they age.

http://arthritis.about.com/od/preventionandriskfactors/ht/bodymassindex.htm