Am I Obese?

shelleyspots
shelleyspots Posts: 89
in Motivation and Support
I just went to a gym for a body analysis and free workout. I wanted to compare this new gym to my current one. They weighed me and measured me and said I am obese. I guess I'm hung up on labels, but that word hurts. I've lost about 50 pounds. I weigh 210 , 5 foot 7", size 16 and very muscular. I run, swim, walk every day etc. I feel great. But according to their chart, I'm still obese. Has anyone else ever run into this before. I feel so defeated.

Replies

  • bokodasu
    bokodasu Posts: 629 Member
    According to the BMI charts, pretty much every football player, boxer, bodybuilder, etc. is obese. I wouldn't get hung up on it. If you're really worried, go get your body fat % measured somewhere that does one of the more accurate scans. (Theoretically you can find cheap BodPod scans these days, but Google totally failed me when I tried searching for ones near me, so I don't have any personal experience with that.)

    Anyway, if they didn't do ANY bf measurement - at least calipers, although there's no way of knowing if the person doing it is any good at using them - I wouldn't be too excited about having them do my "body analysis".

    Alternatively, you can try not to focus on the word. If it just means having certain measurements, and you have them, then you are. There are other things that are more important to your health besides the word we use to describe certain body types. Again, if you're worried, see a doctor, not a business who makes money off of convincing you they can fix what's wrong with you (and therefore need you to believe there's something wrong in the first place).
  • Angie__1MR
    Angie__1MR Posts: 388 Member
    Get your body fat percentage checked!
  • maricash
    maricash Posts: 280 Member
    Alternatively, you can try not to focus on the word. If it just means having certain measurements, and you have them, then you are. There are other things that are more important to your health besides the word we use to describe certain body types.


    I love this. Words like "fat" and "obese" get used as insults, when really they are just descriptors. In the case of "obese", it just describes a certain height/weight combination. It doesn't mean that you are any less active, or should feel any less better than you do. I am more active now (I am in the obese category as well) then I was years ago when I was much smaller. Just keep doing what your doing and try not to worry about labels.
  • jennatea6591
    jennatea6591 Posts: 11
    I'm glad I came across someone who is in the same boat as me! I'm a college student who has always had weight issues. Yes, I'll admit that I am pretty big for a girl. But I am also very healthy. I eat well and I exercise regularly. I played sports all through high school and play intramurals at school. It drives me crazy that people label me as "obese" because of my size. I happen to come from a family of Cubans who all have the same body type (hips, boobs, and a butt). I also take after my father, and it is very easy for me to gain muscle.

    I am someone who is just never going to be skinny because of my body type. It's something that I don't think people understand. I could lose 50 pounds and be skin and bones, but would still look like a big girl. Having my body type is difficult at times. I have come to terms with it simply because it is what God has given me. It's just frustrating sometimes because I feel like people judge me without even knowing me at all.

    Overall, I'm not someone who focuses on the word "obese" or "fat" because I know in my heart that I am healthier than a whole lot of those people who are judging me for my body.
  • BreannaJohnson1030
    BreannaJohnson1030 Posts: 25 Member
    I look at it this way 50lbs is amazing and i am guessing you worked really hard to loose thoughs 50lbs so keep up your awesome work and just enjoy being you. Keep working out and focus on how YOU feel thats all that matters!!!

Categories