Can yo be underweight before you have an underweight BMI?
JWGF01
Posts: 59
I am 62 KG, and 174cms... i have a BMI of 20.5... my dream goal is 55/56 KG, where i'd have a BMi of 18...
Yet, people say i'm tiny/skinny and close to underweight anyway....
But i don't think i am....
Yet, people say i'm tiny/skinny and close to underweight anyway....
But i don't think i am....
0
Replies
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BMI is not accurate for many or even most people. I ignore it completely, and just go with how I feel.0
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To be at optimal health you want to have a BMI of 19.1 rather than 18. 18 is sometimes too low for most people. For instance, any athlete will be told they want a BMI of 19.1.0
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I am 62 KG, and 174cms... i have a BMI of 20.5... my dream goal is 55/56 KG, where i'd have a BMi of 18...
Yet, people say i'm tiny/skinny and close to underweight anyway....
But i don't think i am....
Not that I agree with BMI, but why would you want a BMI of 18?, You do look thin in your profile picture, why not strength train and gain some muscle and lose a little fat and keep your weight near where it is now, but with more muscle on your frame?0 -
I am 62 KG, and 174cms... i have a BMI of 20.5... my dream goal is 55/56 KG, where i'd have a BMi of 18...
Yet, people say i'm tiny/skinny and close to underweight anyway....
But i don't think i am....
Not that I agree with BMI, but why would you want a BMI of 18?, You do look thin in your profile picture, why not strength train and gain some muscle and lose a little fat and keep your weight near where it is now, but with more muscle on your frame?
I agree!!!0 -
I think you look fine weight wise, any smaller may be a bit much, I'd work on toning up if you were to do anything.
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BMI is just a guideline, and not a very accurate one at that. There's too many variables. Your body fat percentage, your muscle mass, your skeletal frame, etc.
The more muscle you have, the more you're going to weight and the higher your BMI will be. That doesn't mean you need to lose any weight at all.
For instance, I'm 130# and can fit into jeans I wore 20 years ago when I weighed 110#. I have more muscle mass now. And I'd look like death if I tried to weigh 110# again.0 -
To be at optimal health you want to have a BMI of 19.1 rather than 18. 18 is sometimes too low for most people. For instance, any athlete will be told they want a BMI of 19.1.
really most athletes I know are in the 22-28 range, as athletes tend to carry a larger proportion of muscle than the general population. Swimmers, long distance runners, ski jumpers, and cyclists may want BMI's that low, but not most athletes.0 -
I can tell you that youre small right now.... but i would put away the scale and the bmi calculator and bring out the weights and the body fat calculator.0
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I think you look fine weight wise, any smaller may be a bit much, I'd work on toning up if you were to do anything.
ding ding ding!!!!!!0 -
My problem is that i don't think i'm small enough... =/
i need to be skinny... and underweight = skinny...
and a bmi of 18 would be just unerweight.. but borderline normal... so it's clinically ok/.... =/0 -
My problem is that i don't think i'm small enough... =/
i need to be skinny... and underweight = skinny...
and a bmi of 18 would be just unerweight.. but borderline normal... so it's clinically ok/.... =/
no
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My problem is that i don't think i'm small enough... =/
i need to be skinny... and underweight = skinny...
and a bmi of 18 would be just unerweight.. but borderline normal... so it's clinically ok/.... =/
Have you considered speaking with a doctor about this? You sounds as though you are on the verge of an eating disorder (yes, it happens to men as well).
And no, it's not "clinically OK"--you can defnitely be underweight within the "normal" BMI range just as you can be "overweight" within it.0 -
I have an eating disorder... was in hospital for 3 months...
been out of hospital for 3 weeks....
so yeah.. doctor's already know bout it... and yeah... i have lived with anorexic people for a few months.. and i'm bulimic myself...
this is my reason for losing weight... taken from my profile page
Why I Want To Get In Shape
I want to get in shape, to look and feel good. i want to be able to walk in the street and passers by say 'hey.. he is skinny'
or a least not feel judged as peoples stares burn through me when i am out and about..0 -
also my 'inspirations' contribute to my low self esteem
The bullies that beat me up for being fat
All my friends are skinnier than me..
used to get majorly bullied and beat up and spat on... everything...
problems at home.. and i know everyone has problems at home...
but i'm one of the people that is scarred deeply from it....
got post traumatic stress disorder...
but yeah...
my focus on losing weight.. stops me from self harming...
but also makes me feel good that i'm losing weight...0 -
Awwwww.... *HUGS* I was bullied and picked on when I was young, too, but for being too skinny. And a small chest. And thick glasses. And crooked teeth. And just plain being a dork.
Self-esteem has to come from your head and your heart, not from the scale, measuring tape or what other people say about you. That's why it's called SELF esteem. It has to come from within. I really hope you can get to the point where you're treating your body right because you love you, and not to care about what anyone else is saying about you.
The people who made fun of you are NOT worth it. They're mean, petty people who have their own insecurities and hangups, or they wouldn't try to bring other people down.0 -
Sweetheart, do you have a counsellor or psychologist you can talk to more about these issues? You need to break the connection of being skinny to feeling good about yourself.
I see you have post traumatic stress disorder as well, which again is another thing that needs to be worked on with therapy, the issues need to be addressed and you need to start re-training your brain to think differently. It can be done, with professional help and a strong support network.
The brain is a tricky thing and can really mess people up, but as well there are ways of controlling and changing it, it just takes time.
Good luck. xxx0 -
Awwwww.... *HUGS* I was bullied and picked on when I was young, too, but for being too skinny. And a small chest. And thick glasses. And crooked teeth. And just plain being a dork.
Self-esteem has to come from your head and your heart, not from the scale, measuring tape or what other people say about you. That's why it's called SELF esteem. It has to come from within. I really hope you can get to the point where you're treating your body right because you love you, and not to care about what anyone else is saying about you.
The people who made fun of you are NOT worth it. They're mean, petty people who have their own insecurities and hangups, or they wouldn't try to bring other people down.
that's the thing i guess... i am probably the only one that doesn't love me... was initially put into hospital cos i am suicidal... =/
yeah i know they were mean and petty.. but their lives looked so good if you know what i mean.. they were the cool skinny boys with spiky hair... i was the chubby asian boy with curly hair.... i tryed so hard to be like them.. and 6 years later .. i finally am skinny.. wear the clothes.... i accept my hair... and feel i have to keep losing in order to be cool and accepted by society...0 -
Sweetheart, do you have a counsellor or psychologist you can talk to more about these issues? You need to break the connection of being skinny to feeling good about yourself.
I see you have post traumatic stress disorder as well, which again is another thing that needs to be worked on with therapy, the issues need to be addressed and you need to start re-training your brain to think differently. It can be done, with professional help and a strong support network.
The brain is a tricky thing and can really mess people up, but as well there are ways of controlling and changing it, it just takes time.
Good luck. xxx
the annoying thing is.. all this was diagnosed just before i turned 18... im 18.. and the NHS changes... i'm now an 'adult' and under adult services.. everything takes a lifetime to come together.... wheras in hospital i was 17 and everything was on hand... and everyone was there to support the 'child' first.... the difference a month makes!!
psycologists and therapy will come soon...
but for now.... i have to stick with my weekly checkup from community nurse.. and keep losing weight!!
if u look closely you can see the damage i did to my left arm... it's not pretty.... but still it helps...0 -
You seriously need to reconsider the way you measure your success with your appearance. The BMI scale only works for some people, not even the majority. Seriously according to the BMI scale, most of the professional athlete's you see are considered either obese or on the verge of being. It's unreliable and takes nothing about the unique qualities of a person into consideration.
Back when I was 18 I was 14.5st at my fittest and according to BMI scale I was obese. The doctor at the time told me to ignore it because it was simply wrong. I was in great shape and looked good (something i'm aiming to get back to) but I remember the doctor saying that Jonah Lomu (a very famous rugby union player) was obese according to this chart and that instantly put my mind at ease.
Looking at your picture you seem to have a great body and certainly nothing to worry about and you most deffinietly don't need to lose anymore to fit into a bracket on a chart that medical and sporting professionals around the world dismiss as being inacurate at best.
Seriously mate, I say this with all honesty as one guy to another. You look great, and other people will think you look great. And more importantly than that, happiness doesn't come from looks because there will be forever something you want to change about yourself. It comes from so many different things, this is just one aspect of yourself and quite frankly just a vain part. Your happiness doesn't come from how thin you are. The important thing is that you're healthy and have realistic goals.
If you need to chat or anything or need encouragement feel free to add me as a friend.0 -
yeah i know they were mean and petty.. but their lives looked so good if you know what i mean.. they were the cool skinny boys with spiky hair... i was the chubby asian boy with curly hair.... i tryed so hard to be like them.. and 6 years later .. i finally am skinny.. wear the clothes.... i accept my hair... and feel i have to keep losing in order to be cool and accepted by society...
If their lives were so good, they'd be too busy having fun to poke fun at you. Really.
At the risk of sounding like a dirty old lady because I'm more than twice your age, you are really good looking guy. I love your thick curly hair! Great bone structure. Beautiful complexion. Nice physique. Really nice lips.
Don't worry about being accepted by society. Worry about accepting yourself. It takes time, but you will learn to love yourself. Hey, you've already accepted your hair. The rest isn't far behind!
I'm certainly not qualified to give advice in that matter, but I think focusing on a goal that has nothing to do with the scale or your size would be a great first step. How about volunteering for some charity? Maybe something like Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters, or at an animal shelter? You'll be helping those in need, as well as surrounding yourself with other caring individuals who won't be judging you on the size of your body, but appreciating the size of your heart.0 -
WOOPS0
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also my 'inspirations' contribute to my low self esteem
The bullies that beat me up for being fat
All my friends are skinnier than me..
used to get majorly bullied and beat up and spat on... everything...
problems at home.. and i know everyone has problems at home...
but i'm one of the people that is scarred deeply from it....
got post traumatic stress disorder...
but yeah...
my focus on losing weight.. stops me from self harming...
but also makes me feel good that i'm losing weight...
Puttng yourself at a weight that is conciderd underweight, you are self harming. I know you know that... You don't seem like a dumb person. You need to care a little more about yourself an a lot less about the past. Work forward and don't look back.
I also just wanted to add that people don't pick on another person BECAUSE They're fat... they have their own problems and that's the way they release. I was also teased and picked on when I was younger. I had lollipops thrown in my hair, this same group of kids taunting me all the way home from school, "pee" (it was in an apple juice bottle, didn't hit me so I don't really care, ha) thrown at me, etc. Kids are brutally mean sometimes and it has nothing to do with you as a person or what you look like. They're just as self concious as you are, they have problems at home, they're unhappy, etc. You ARE accepted by society, whether you recognize it or not, the only person that seems to not accept you is yourself. I hope you get there soon!0 -
You seriously need to reconsider the way you measure your success with your appearance. The BMI scale only works for some people, not even the majority. Seriously according to the BMI scale, most of the professional athlete's you see are considered either obese or on the verge of being. It's unreliable and takes nothing about the unique qualities of a person into consideration.
Back when I was 18 I was 14.5st at my fittest and according to BMI scale I was obese. The doctor at the time told me to ignore it because it was simply wrong. I was in great shape and looked good (something i'm aiming to get back to) but I remember the doctor saying that Jonah Lomu (a very famous rugby union player) was obese according to this chart and that instantly put my mind at ease.
Looking at your picture you seem to have a great body and certainly nothing to worry about and you most deffinietly don't need to lose anymore to fit into a bracket on a chart that medical and sporting professionals around the world dismiss as being inacurate at best.
Seriously mate, I say this with all honesty as one guy to another. You look great, and other people will think you look great. And more importantly than that, happiness doesn't come from looks because there will be forever something you want to change about yourself. It comes from so many different things, this is just one aspect of yourself and quite frankly just a vain part. Your happiness doesn't come from how thin you are. The important thing is that you're healthy and have realistic goals.
If you need to chat or anything or need encouragement feel free to add me as a friend.
love ur biblical reference as your post signature... =] pretty cool...
yeah man. thats deep.... =/
it's gonna take time.... and... a lot of work.. help that i will be receiving soon... but yeah...
cool man thanks..0 -
You seriously need to reconsider the way you measure your success with your appearance. The BMI scale only works for some people, not even the majority. Seriously according to the BMI scale, most of the professional athlete's you see are considered either obese or on the verge of being. It's unreliable and takes nothing about the unique qualities of a person into consideration.
Back when I was 18 I was 14.5st at my fittest and according to BMI scale I was obese. The doctor at the time told me to ignore it because it was simply wrong. I was in great shape and looked good (something i'm aiming to get back to) but I remember the doctor saying that Jonah Lomu (a very famous rugby union player) was obese according to this chart and that instantly put my mind at ease.
Looking at your picture you seem to have a great body and certainly nothing to worry about and you most deffinietly don't need to lose anymore to fit into a bracket on a chart that medical and sporting professionals around the world dismiss as being inacurate at best.
Seriously mate, I say this with all honesty as one guy to another. You look great, and other people will think you look great. And more importantly than that, happiness doesn't come from looks because there will be forever something you want to change about yourself. It comes from so many different things, this is just one aspect of yourself and quite frankly just a vain part. Your happiness doesn't come from how thin you are. The important thing is that you're healthy and have realistic goals.
If you need to chat or anything or need encouragement feel free to add me as a friend.
jonah lomu considered obese??? dayummmmm.... i would never have thought that..... hmmm... thats interesting0 -
yeah i know they were mean and petty.. but their lives looked so good if you know what i mean.. they were the cool skinny boys with spiky hair... i was the chubby asian boy with curly hair.... i tryed so hard to be like them.. and 6 years later .. i finally am skinny.. wear the clothes.... i accept my hair... and feel i have to keep losing in order to be cool and accepted by society...
If their lives were so good, they'd be too busy having fun to poke fun at you. Really.
At the risk of sounding like a dirty old lady because I'm more than twice your age, you are really good looking guy. I love your thick curly hair! Great bone structure. Beautiful complexion. Nice physique. Really nice lips.
Don't worry about being accepted by society. Worry about accepting yourself. It takes time, but you will learn to love yourself. Hey, you've already accepted your hair. The rest isn't far behind!
I'm certainly not qualified to give advice in that matter, but I think focusing on a goal that has nothing to do with the scale or your size would be a great first step. How about volunteering for some charity? Maybe something like Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters, or at an animal shelter? You'll be helping those in need, as well as surrounding yourself with other caring individuals who won't be judging you on the size of your body, but appreciating the size of your heart.
thnks very much....
i have actually requested to volunteer!!! i can't doit while i'm signed off sick ... but as soon as my doctor says i can work again, i will help with special needs kids during school holidays... and hopefully i'll be a volunteer for london 2012 olympics... and might volunteer at local age concern...0 -
also my 'inspirations' contribute to my low self esteem
The bullies that beat me up for being fat
All my friends are skinnier than me..
used to get majorly bullied and beat up and spat on... everything...
problems at home.. and i know everyone has problems at home...
but i'm one of the people that is scarred deeply from it....
got post traumatic stress disorder...
but yeah...
my focus on losing weight.. stops me from self harming...
but also makes me feel good that i'm losing weight...
Puttng yourself at a weight that is conciderd underweight, you are self harming. I know you know that... You don't seem like a dumb person. You need to care a little more about yourself an a lot less about the past. Work forward and don't look back.
I also just wanted to add that people don't pick on another person BECAUSE They're fat... they have their own problems and that's the way they release. I was also teased and picked on when I was younger. I had lollipops thrown in my hair, this same group of kids taunting me all the way home from school, "pee" (it was in an apple juice bottle, didn't hit me so I don't really care, ha) thrown at me, etc. Kids are brutally mean sometimes and it has nothing to do with you as a person or what you look like. They're just as self concious as you are, they have problems at home, they're unhappy, etc. You ARE accepted by society, whether you recognize it or not, the only person that seems to not accept you is yourself. I hope you get there soon!
i just move from one self harm to the next...
i've been obese, i cut regularly... i am bulimic... and now to stop the other forms of self harm... want to be underweight...
it's impulsive and makes me feel good.... but yeah... i'm glad i signed up to MFP... lots of people here have their heads screwed on.... =] and offer some great advice0 -
If I were to get down to a BMI that wasn't considered overweight, I'd need to drop to 0% body fat (which is impossible, as it would kill me) and then lose over 20 pounds of muscle on top of that. In short, BMI is a joke. What's your body fat percentage? That's what you should be looking at. Professional athletes have a body fat percentage of between 5% and 13%. I'm aiming for about 8%. At 8% body fat I'd have a BMI of around 27. And then after adding on muscle, my BMI would be orotund 33, technically obese.
So yeah, BMI is a joke, and I'd say you're good where you are. Pay attention to your body fat percentage. 24% body fat is average, 17% is fit, and under 13% is athletic, but anything under 5% is getting dangerous, as it's bare essential.0 -
also my 'inspirations' contribute to my low self esteem
The bullies that beat me up for being fat
All my friends are skinnier than me..
used to get majorly bullied and beat up and spat on... everything...
problems at home.. and i know everyone has problems at home...
but i'm one of the people that is scarred deeply from it....
got post traumatic stress disorder...
but yeah...
my focus on losing weight.. stops me from self harming...
but also makes me feel good that i'm losing weight...
Puttng yourself at a weight that is conciderd underweight, you are self harming. I know you know that... You don't seem like a dumb person. You need to care a little more about yourself an a lot less about the past. Work forward and don't look back.
I also just wanted to add that people don't pick on another person BECAUSE They're fat... they have their own problems and that's the way they release. I was also teased and picked on when I was younger. I had lollipops thrown in my hair, this same group of kids taunting me all the way home from school, "pee" (it was in an apple juice bottle, didn't hit me so I don't really care, ha) thrown at me, etc. Kids are brutally mean sometimes and it has nothing to do with you as a person or what you look like. They're just as self concious as you are, they have problems at home, they're unhappy, etc. You ARE accepted by society, whether you recognize it or not, the only person that seems to not accept you is yourself. I hope you get there soon!
i just move from one self harm to the next...
i've been obese, i cut regularly... i am bulimic... and now to stop the other forms of self harm... want to be underweight...
it's impulsive and makes me feel good.... but yeah... i'm glad i signed up to MFP... lots of people here have their heads screwed on.... =] and offer some great advice
I've been there. I've been a binge eater, bulimic, anorexic, over exerciser, abuse diet pills, lax's, diuretics, You name an eating disorder, Ive had it for the last 6 years. I understand how your mind is working right now. While its very disheartening that I personally can't do anything for you, I'm glad you're aware you need the help and you're seeking it 0 -
If I were to get down to a BMI that wasn't considered overweight, I'd need to drop to 0% body fat (which is impossible, as it would kill me) and then lose over 20 pounds of muscle on top of that. In short, BMI is a joke. What's your body fat percentage? That's what you should be looking at. Professional athletes have a body fat percentage of between 5% and 13%. I'm aiming for about 8%. At 8% body fat I'd have a BMI of around 27. And then after adding on muscle, my BMI would be orotund 33, technically obese.
So yeah, BMI is a joke, and I'd say you're good where you are. Pay attention to your body fat percentage. 24% body fat is average, 17% is fit, and under 13% is athletic, but anything under 5% is getting dangerous, as it's bare essential.
i have no idea what my body fat % is.. how do u work it out??0 -
also my 'inspirations' contribute to my low self esteem
The bullies that beat me up for being fat
All my friends are skinnier than me..
used to get majorly bullied and beat up and spat on... everything...
problems at home.. and i know everyone has problems at home...
but i'm one of the people that is scarred deeply from it....
got post traumatic stress disorder...
but yeah...
my focus on losing weight.. stops me from self harming...
but also makes me feel good that i'm losing weight...
Puttng yourself at a weight that is conciderd underweight, you are self harming. I know you know that... You don't seem like a dumb person. You need to care a little more about yourself an a lot less about the past. Work forward and don't look back.
I also just wanted to add that people don't pick on another person BECAUSE They're fat... they have their own problems and that's the way they release. I was also teased and picked on when I was younger. I had lollipops thrown in my hair, this same group of kids taunting me all the way home from school, "pee" (it was in an apple juice bottle, didn't hit me so I don't really care, ha) thrown at me, etc. Kids are brutally mean sometimes and it has nothing to do with you as a person or what you look like. They're just as self concious as you are, they have problems at home, they're unhappy, etc. You ARE accepted by society, whether you recognize it or not, the only person that seems to not accept you is yourself. I hope you get there soon!
i just move from one self harm to the next...
i've been obese, i cut regularly... i am bulimic... and now to stop the other forms of self harm... want to be underweight...
it's impulsive and makes me feel good.... but yeah... i'm glad i signed up to MFP... lots of people here have their heads screwed on.... =] and offer some great advice
I've been there. I've been a binge eater, bulimic, anorexic, over exerciser, abuse diet pills, lax's, diuretics, You name an eating disorder, Ive had it for the last 6 years. I understand how your mind is working right now. While its very disheartening that I personally can't do anything for you, I'm glad you're aware you need the help and you're seeking it
yeah i know what you mean... i have friends that have ED's and i can't really help them with the way i behave...
i was just about to buy Alli tablets as well.........
man/... i should be getting help soon....
and last year my UG used to be 10 stone,... and i passed that last month...and went up again... but finally passed it today...
9 stone is my ultimate ultimate goal..0
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