my goal weight is overweight according to BMI

bobf279

you certainly don't look overweight and I have the same problem with BMI and "ideal" weight at 5'6". I will be quite happy to move from obese to overweight which will happen at around 185 lbs my target is 180 lbs but my ideal weight allegedly is 155 lbs - never in a month of Sundays. I can already fit back into my 34 waist jeans at 194 lbs so I am happy already. Just get to a weight you are comfortable with and the girl you want to see looks back at you in your mirror.

dsmpunk

go by body fat percentage not BMI

BMI was designed for comparing populations (and it's not too great at that either) not for telling individuals if they have too much body fat. BMI only looks at height and weight, not muscle mass, bone density or frame size. Body fat percentage, if measured in a reliable way (I'd advise using 2-3 different ways of measuring it at least) tells you how much fat you are carrying.

My lean body mass is in the healthy range of BMI for my height. (130lb, 22%bf, 101lb LBM, healthy range for my height: 100-132lb) My ultimate goal is to gain at least 5lb of muscle, while having a healthy range body fat percentage, that's likely to mean that my goal weight is overweight according to BMI (I'm currently only 2lb away from that as it is).... if my body fat percentage is in the healthy range, then I really don't care what BMI says.

Leigh Peele's blog has a free download on body fat percentage, the pros and cons of different ways of measuring it, and pictures of women and men at different body fat percentages.

THIS. BMI is rough guideline. Have your bodyfat measured with calipers and go from there.

applechoice

I am 5'6.5" and weighed 230 in July. It's now January and I weigh 182. But more than the pounds I've been noting my BMI according to the National Institute of Health bmi calculator. I'm aiming for a BMI of 22 because while the "healthy" range is 18.5-24.99 I understand that those with the greatest health profiles and longevity are at 22 (some studies have shown). I THINK this will mean I will need to weigh 140. However, these are all abstractions---true, based on numbers of people etc but we are each individual to some extent. Body shape, physical activity levels, etc---- i don't know if 140 is correct but we'll see. When I reach a BMI of 22 I'll see what that means in terms of weight. Then I'll know! Is it the best way to look at my progress? I don't know. So MANY opinions out there from so many "experts" and others, like me. I'm no expert. Just working hard (daily working out at the gym) and changed my diet permanently: no beef, pork, poultry. just fish and veggies, grains, nuts, fruit, water. i may give up fish eventually but for now...And some folks say BMI isn't the best. I can track my body fat: 53 lbs fat; 129.6 lean, right now...all good info. AND I don't want to be PARALYZED with info or make this the primary focus of my days! it's a focus, but i have a very full life... So onward! The path we make by walking, as it were..... Good health to you!

Saramelie

You look just fine to me.
I have the same problem, I`m just realizing now.... I used to weight 150 and felt great, but my BMI said ``Overweight`` and all the girls around me wanting to lose weight at my height (5.4) seem to shot around 125-135.... So I lowered my goal weight to 140, then to 132, but do I NEED to go this low (for me) to look ok and feel great? Not sure....... Just go where YOU are comfortable and whatever what BMI says!

cafeaulait7

You definitely don't look fat at that weight! You look like you may have some fat, what I call 'bikini fat' that would not be enough to make you unhealthy at all, imho. You'd know how much of that you have when you get there.

There are certainly people within the 'normal' BMI range who have bigger bulges, so I wouldn't worry about BMI. Use some of the other metrics like waist to height ratio and let that help guide you. BF is best; I agree.

FrnkLft

can you see this pic?
this is me at my fittest; I was around 158 lbs... do I look fat still?

No, though it's tough to tell... my first thought was that you looked kinda skinny.