What's the lowest BMI you'd go to?

vanessaclarkgbr

Right in the middle of healthy for me, that's my aim as my weight fluctuates a bit anyway. However, I'm aiming lower for a race next year when it'll take all I've got just to get me around, so I plan to lose even say 4lb more or so to help with that :-)

vanessaclarkgbr

Right in the middle of healthy for me, that's my aim as my weight fluctuates a bit anyway. However, I'm aiming lower for a race next year when it'll take all I've got just to get me around, so I plan to lose even say 4lb more or so to help with that :-)

love4fitnesslove4food_wechange

BMI isn't the most accurate measure of health. When I ate around 1800-2000 calories a day (I counted calories), I maintained a weight of 100-102, which is the bottom range of healthy or slightly underweight for my height.

well then you weren't eating enough. you were probably underestimating how active you were and therefore 1800-2000 wasn't appropriate despite it sounding like a nice, healthy number.

Oishii

BMI isn't the most accurate measure of health. When I ate around 1800-2000 calories a day (I counted calories), I maintained a weight of 100-102, which is the bottom range of healthy or slightly underweight for my height.

I have to eat over 2300 calories to maintain my BMI of 20. I don't think that means I have to be lighter, and the BMI advice is based on statistics that I don't think take calorie intake into consideration at all.

Oishii

Right in the middle of healthy for me, that's my aim as my weight fluctuates a bit anyway. However, I'm aiming lower for a race next year when it'll take all I've got just to get me around, so I plan to lose even say 4lb more or so to help with that :-)

I always find it interesting how people lose weight for sport. I have one friend on mfp doing super marathons, etc, who is doing that, and a triathlete colleague who has a skinny time of year too. I don't know if I'd do that or not.

Uerzer

i love how people with "underweight" goals call BMI nonsense. I can see the bodybuilders/athletes who are super lean and are "overweight" but underweight people make me want to scream (or those with underweight goals).

There are REAL health implications for being underweight as a woman regardless of what you think is healthy/okay for your frame and build. Some people are NATURALLY underweight..that's one thing, but dieting to become underweight is something else entirely.

Some problems associated with being underweight (for those not NATURALLY that way)

Weakened Immune System
Underweight individuals often have fragile immune systems, putting them at risk of contracting infections and viruses. They may also feel weak and experience chronic fatigue.

Osteoporosis
Failing to consume food with the proper nutrients can cause lasting damage to the bones. Osteoporosis, which is linked to insufficient amounts of calcium in the diet, is a condition that causes the bones to become weak and brittle. Underweight people are at risk for developing osteoporosis, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation.

Reproductive Issues
Women who are very thin may stop ovulating, experience irregular periods or face fertility issues. Underweight women who are pregnant may go into premature labor or deliver babies with low birth weights, which can lead to developmental problems.

Anemia
Underweight individuals are also at risk of developing anemia. People with anemia have a low number of red blood cells, usually as a result of an iron-deficient diet. This poses health risks because red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which is a protein that helps carry oxygen throughout the body.

Hair Loss
When people are underweight, they may experience hair thinning or loss as a result of malnutrition. Additionally, people who are drastically thin may grow a fine layer of hair called lanugo on their arms, legs or stomach.

That!!

BMI should be from 18.5 to 25 (unless you are asian or w/e) and it is still a wide range... so all complexions are meant to fit in that range!

For my height it is considered to be normal between 77 and 57 kg.... that's 20kg range! Big one if you ask me.

mamagooskie

I'm trying to get to the mid range of healthy.....so approx 22 for me would be ideal 21.8 but 120.7 would be nice.

I want to be muscular though so I probably won't reach those numbers and I could end up being leaner/smaller than I would be if I was a "skinny fat" person solely worried about the lbs on the scale.

at this point I am mostly basing my ideal weight on how clothing fits.

BattyMama

17.7 or 19.2 my goal is to hit 120 pounds but I am more worried about body fat then BMI my goal for body fat % is 8 to 13.

MooMooooo

Thank you for posting this, it is a very interesting question.

tmt2003

I have been listening to "fat to fit" radio podcast. They say BMI is a guide. Get to a healthy BMI then focus on lowering your % body fat with strength training. Don't worry about the numbers on the scale, You should only be concerned with % BF, that will eliminate double chins, love handles etc.

Teresa

megz4987

19 is lowest I'd go. I have large hips and I would probably look awkward even there.
In the photo on my page wearing the red sweatshirt, my BMI was 21.3, I'm aiming for about 20.

ChitownFoodie

Mine is 20.4 right now, the lowest it ever was 14.4. I'd never go lower than 20 again.

baisleac

BMI for individuals is bunk.

BMI does not affect fertility, bodyfat does.

AlsDonkBoxSquat

I don't look at BMI, it's difficult to go off on, it's unreliable. Get your body fat percentage checked.

LilacLizabeth

Whatever 135lb. at 5'4'' is.

EXACTLY WHAT SHE SAID.

and I mean 135 butt naked on the scale at 6:00 a.m.

splackk

I just calculated and it looks like my goal weight puts me at a BMI of between 19.3-19.8, which I think is good for me based on my past weight.

If worse comes to worse and I still have little lovehandles I wouldn't mind toning up and losing another pound or two in the process, but I don't think that will be necessary and I wouldn't actively try to get any lower than my goal weight.

Oishii

I have been listening to "fat to fit" radio podcast. They say BMI is a guide. Get to a healthy BMI then focus on lowering your % body fat with strength training. Don't worry about the numbers on the scale, You should only be concerned with % BF, that will eliminate double chins, love handles etc.

Teresa

For me the double chins disappear as I near a BMI of 20. My scales reckon my BF is in the low 20s, though I've seen a 19 when I did 30 DS.

For me BMI is just an alternative to saying 'what's the lowest weight you'd go to'. Although I know it's not perfect, it does make it easier to compare like with like.

cowlover22

BMI for individuals is bunk.

BMI does not affect fertility, bodyfat does.

no I have to disagree when my BMI was 11.8 I didnt have periods (or have I ever since) so it does affect fertility And yes they are not a 100% accurate..they are a guide for most people. If you have a large amount of muscle mass you have other ways to judge whether you are at a healthy weight or not. Personally right now if I could get up to 17 I think that would be a miricle. Even though that is still considered a low Bmi that would be good for me. And sometimes you cant go by the scale or BMI or whatever..go by how you feel, what you like(unless it is unhealthy). Just because some one says you SHOULD weight something doesnt mean it fits everybody. As long as you are eating healthy and exercising what is 10 or 15 lbs. (now just apply that to myself) lol

fteale

I wouldn't want to go below 20 for health reasons. The lowest I have been was 19 and that isn't healthy for me.

fteale

BMI for individuals is bunk.

BMI does not affect fertility, bodyfat does.

True enough. Which is why it irritates the **** out of me when women go on about wanting 6-packs because to get them, your BF% has to be well below what is reproductively healthy.

Elisirmon

when I first got married my BMI was 13 and I looked horrible and I still got pregnant. Now my BMI is 23 and would like it to be 18.

neanderthin

Well, if I drop any weight it's going to be muscle because of low body fat, so I'll have to survive on the higher than average BMI.....I quess I'm doomed.

fteale

17.7 or 19.2 my goal is to hit 120 pounds but I am more worried about body fat then BMI my goal for body fat % is 8 to 13.

As a woman, that BF% is incredibly dangerous.

bigfluffyjujubird

my bmi should be around 22.5-24 otherwise i 1-look ill and 2-cant keep the weight off without literally not eating. I have a large build and bmi doesnt take it into account at all so its a bit crap!

catshark209

mine is currently 18.7
Physically I'm NOT happy with my body, I want to tone, build muscle . gain weight and lose inches

I wouldn't recommend going below 20

I'm at 18.1 and I really need to gain some weight, namely add muscle. I'm trying though...but it's a lot harder for me to gain than it was to lose.

I wouldn't go below 20 either, or really, whatever is healthy for you.

CharlieJuliette

I currently have a BMI of 20.5 and body fat of 21%.
My goal is 20 for both. I managed it back in the summer and I felt great!

gumigal82

Right now I'm at (about) 22.5 -I'm 5'2& 123. Yet, I also have more muscle than I used to. I still want to tone up certain areas though, and to answer the question, get it to 20...but I won't kill myself if I don't. For me it's about inches lost and how tone I look&feel.

gumigal82

Right now I'm at (about) 22.5 -I'm 5'2& 123. Yet, I also have more muscle than I used to. I still want to tone up certain areas though, and to answer the question, get it to 20...but I won't kill myself if I don't. For me it's about inches lost and how tone I look&feel.

FitForLife81

I am at 19.9 for BMI with 20% bodyfat. I am trying to maintain although I havent figured out the right amount of calories yet!

Samsara9

mine is currently 18.7
Physically I'm NOT happy with my body, I want to tone, build muscle . gain weight and lose inches

I wouldn't recommend going below 20

I'm at 18.1 and I really need to gain some weight, namely add muscle. I'm trying though...but it's a lot harder for me to gain than it was to lose.

I wouldn't go below 20 either, or really, whatever is healthy for you.

I was at 18.9% and thought that I looked bad, now I am over 20% (I don't have actual number, but I put on 10lbs). I am missing that BMI, and want to get back to it...even though logically I know I should hang out where I am. I am going to focus on BF% (I need to get it professionally done). I am tall, and have a large frame, and want to be all muscle, so I know that BMI won't actually matter or be relevant. Sometimes I get stuck on a number though, it is a daily battle!!