Opinions On BMI
y2k0
Posts: 7 Member
I wanted to know what everyone's opinions are on BMI.
Between 2014 & 2016, I lost 150+ lbs. At 5'7", I was 128 lbs. My BMI was 20.0, a "normal" BMI. I developed anemia (had to get on an iron supplement), my fingertips were often blue, and I was always exhausted, despite eating 2400 calories a day, insuring that I had enough sodium, protein, healthy fats, etc. I was often told that I looked emaciated because of how thin I was and because you could see all my ribs.
Fast forward to 2018, I decided to experiment with my weight. I started lifting, gained some muscle, as well as weight, and am now up to 155 lbs. My BMI is 24.3, 25 being considered "overweight". I feel ten times better now & the anemia is gone.
I'm thinking that I must have a large frame for a woman, being that I see photos of women at 120, 130 lbs at 5'7" who don't look sickly like I did. Now, at 155, I look much better. My measurements are 32-31-40 (with me being able to still feel my ribs and my hip bones).
What are everyone's opinions on BMI? How do you guys determine what is a good weight for you???
I'm trying so hard to not focus on the number on the scale but on musculature, tone, and how I feel.
Between 2014 & 2016, I lost 150+ lbs. At 5'7", I was 128 lbs. My BMI was 20.0, a "normal" BMI. I developed anemia (had to get on an iron supplement), my fingertips were often blue, and I was always exhausted, despite eating 2400 calories a day, insuring that I had enough sodium, protein, healthy fats, etc. I was often told that I looked emaciated because of how thin I was and because you could see all my ribs.
Fast forward to 2018, I decided to experiment with my weight. I started lifting, gained some muscle, as well as weight, and am now up to 155 lbs. My BMI is 24.3, 25 being considered "overweight". I feel ten times better now & the anemia is gone.
I'm thinking that I must have a large frame for a woman, being that I see photos of women at 120, 130 lbs at 5'7" who don't look sickly like I did. Now, at 155, I look much better. My measurements are 32-31-40 (with me being able to still feel my ribs and my hip bones).
What are everyone's opinions on BMI? How do you guys determine what is a good weight for you???
I'm trying so hard to not focus on the number on the scale but on musculature, tone, and how I feel.
10
Replies
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BMI is a range. For your height, 155 is still within 'normal' BMI - just on the higher side instead of the lower like you were at 128.
I determine a good weight for me based on health markers, how I feel, sustainability, and aesthetics. Those factors happen to put me in a mid-to-high range of normal BMI, which I'm fine with.5 -
Awesome! Good to know. Thanks for sharing!0
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The problem with BMI is not really BMI...it's the way people use BMI. It is not a range in order that you just pick and choose a number within that range. It is a range in order to accommodate different frames/builds/muscle mass, etc.
My wife typically maintains at the higher end of BMI (5'2" 130-135 Lbs)...she has a larger, athletic build and carries more muscle mass than many women...she is a former collegiate soccer and rugby player. In the summer she usually drops down to 125 or so which is still a BMI of 23 and looks really good at that weight. She starts looking more sickly if she goes much below that...she would look ill at the lower end of BMI and probably would be ill as well.7 -
Very true! Very insightful as well! I have an athletic build as well so that makes sense. Thank you!2
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Bmi for the vast majority of people is a good indicator.
For a few people it isn't2 -
I absolutely never recommend anyone to go by BMI. It's interesting to read about, but not useful to go by.
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There are a couple of Debate threads on BMI that flair up every once and awhile, if you're bored
There's a lot of ridiculousness in both, but also some good info:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10611159/is-every-single-body-in-the-world-intended-to-be-within-the-so-called-healthy-bmi-range/p1
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10681147/bmi-agree-or-disagree/p1
My own opinion, which I believe I posted in both, is that BMI is a range that can give you a general guide, but that is more useful when you take it into consideration with other measurements, like waist-to-hip ratio, BF%, health markers from bloodwork, etc.13 -
DaisyHamilton wrote: »I absolutely never recommend anyone to go by BMI. It's interesting to read about, but not useful to go by.
If only the obesity crisis really boiled down to too many people looking like the guy on the left. "Overly-muscled" is not a problem most folks I know who insist they are a healthy weight outside of BMI have.28 -
Agree with the others. It's a range for a reason. Not everyone can go to the low end of the range and be healthy. I'm shorter than you (5'4.5") and when I was 120lbs (20.3 BMI) I was pretty thin. I don't think I looked sick, but I do think I lacked muscle mass. I'm currently 138 lbs (23.4 BMI) and wanting to cut a little body fat before trying a bulk cycle in the new year.3
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Kimny- Thank you for sharing! 🙏☺️ I think abiding by those other measurements sounds like an excellent plan. I’m very grateful for all the responses! Very insightful & extremely helpful!3
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DaisyHamilton wrote: »I absolutely never recommend anyone to go by BMI. It's interesting to read about, but not useful to go by.
Most people aren't hanging around at <10 percent (for male) or <13 percent (for female) body fat.
If you're not at super muscled levels, BMI is a perfectly reasonable first-glimpse tool. It's not the end all to be all, but let's not chuck it out entirely just because there are outliers.23 -
DaisyHamilton wrote: »I absolutely never recommend anyone to go by BMI. It's interesting to read about, but not useful to go by.
Being sub 10% and obese per BMI is exceedingly rare. It is more common for a male who trains to maybe be slightly overweight, particularly if they carry a little extra fat...like I'm about 5 Lbs overweight at 180 and around 15% BF...I'm at a healthy BF%, but I could most definitely cut more and get into a healthy BMI range. For the vast majority of people, BMI is a perfectly reasonable indicator of whether or not they are at a healthy weight (not that they are necessarily healthy).
My trainer is a retired professional athlete and is chiseled...he has a BMI of 24.20 -
I've lived most of my adult life (50yr) between 98-112lbs at 5'-5'1.
I never knew my BMI, just was happy with my size.
Fast forward to late 40's and I had a short lived upward blip of 30 lbs.
when I lost the weight I aimed for 105 lbs, the middle of my 'normal', then maintained that weight.
It wasn't until I joined these forums I learnt about BMI. Turns out I was at the top of normal BMI when I was at my heaviest, and I maintain well at the bottom of a normal BMI.
It is what is right for me, but not everyone at my height.
I think it is a good general guideline especially when used in conjunction with other health markers.
Be the weight that is healthiest for you. And for some that can be outside the 'normal' BMI range, either way.
Cheers, h.8 -
Outliers are the exception rather than the rule, unless you happen to work and live your life in a gym full of bodybuilders.DaisyHamilton wrote: »I absolutely never recommend anyone to go by BMI. It's interesting to read about, but not useful to go by.
If you take a look around at society in general, our problem isn't that the vast majority of our population are ultra-lean and carrying too much muscle mass. Pair that with the fact that a lot of people who consider themselves BMI "outliers" are fatter than they think they are.
BMI is a reasonable ballpark figure for most people - with the understanding that it's not being utilized for what it was originally designed for, and that outliers, although rare, do exist.20 -
Middlehaitch and I paired together are a good example of why there is a range of healthy weights for a particular height.
While she and I are both the same height, we have different frame sizes. I would look terrible at her weight.
I'm around 115 in my profile picture, I'm currently 120 but look exactly the same as I do in my profile picture thanks to recomp, except a bit smoother in spots. I'd maybe like to get to 110 at the absolute minimum.
Bear in mind that on a 5'1" frame, that 10ish pound difference between Middlehaitch and I would be pretty significant.11 -
Excellent comparison @GottaBurnEmAll. h2
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Agree with most comments. BMI is pretty good for most of the population. I think ~24 is right for me and that's fit. If my chest and shoulders were less muscular, maybe 22.5 or so. I think ~20 would be getting into the unhealthy zone for me.0
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I'm the same height as OP, and two pounds heavier than her "emaciated" weight, at 130. I'm also at about 20 BMI. No one (IRL) tells me I look too skinny, my iron levels are always good, I have plenty of energy, my doctors are happy, and I feel great. I'm athletic, lift heavy weights a couple of times per week, along with cardio and yoga on other days.
I think that's why there is a range in BMI, and not an exact number. We all have different bodies and carry our weight differently. At OP's "optimal" weight of 155, which is at the top of the healthy range, I look and feel not that great. (I've been there. I'm a slug with an extra 25 pounds on my frame.) My cholesterol and blood pressure go up whenever I start getting to the upper limits, too. My body actually seems to want to be on the slimmer side for optimum health.
Both of us are the same height, but we are in our prime at opposite ends of the healthy BMI spectrum. I think we are both totally normal.
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Jenilla- I’m pretty sure it’s because I have a large frame. I’m glad you’re healthy ☺️🙌 I’ve seen many photos of women our height at 110, 120, 130 lbs who look very healthy. I unfortunately look sickly at that weight. I think everyone has a different BMI range according to what feels right for them. My bloodwork at 155 is much better than it was at 128. My doctor told me he’s glad I gained some weight. Very good insight that two people at the same height can have two entirely different BMIs that work for them. Thanks for sharing!7
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We all have different bodies. I'm the same height as you, OP. At 155, I'm definitely overweight. Right now, I'm around 151-152, and still have plenty to lose. Our frames definitely make a difference. Prior to putting on the weight, I was about 128 (that was comfortable to maintain). I dropped below that once while going through 4 months of black belt testing (very intense training schedule, plus a very physical job, plus I was still in college so hiking around a campus every day) and dropped a little below that, but I was - literally - eating just about everything in sight. I dropped to around 124-125, I honestly felt I looked better there, but maintaining that low just wasn't going to happen.
Pics below - the comparison photo group is me about 6 pounds below my heaviest (around 157, heaviest was ~163-166ish - never got on a scale at the time), compared to just this last week around 151 but with a lot of strength training that has happened in between there, and the other pic was me at ~125. All of these photos are in the "healthy" BMI range (from high to nearly 10lbs above "low"). It's pretty obvious that, at 157 with little muscle, I was NOT at a healthy weight. I'm better now, but still have a fair bit of excess fat, and at my smallest, any tinier would have too "too thin." But all still in a "healthy" BMI range!
So yes, it's just an approximate range!!
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HoneyBadger- Very insightful post! Thanks for sharing!7
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Feeling good is WAY more important than any sill tool or chart.7
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I think it is relatively uncommon for an adult to be a true outlier to the BMI range. I think a lot of people lie to themselves and think they have far more muscle than they actually do and use that to justify maintaining an overweight size. And, the ones who are outliers often look like they weight far less than they actually do.
Bodies are built differently though and your genetic structure will help to determine which end of the range you are more comfortable in. At 5 foot 9, I can easily maintain 130lbs which is about 8lbs less than my profile pic. I have a friend who is 5 foot 6, and she can also maintain about 130lbs easily. We have different body types and she is about 10 years older than me. I have another friend who is 5 foot 8 and she easily maintains closer to 150lbs.10 -
I don't like it but it's what doctors go by to determine if you're "healthy". When I can get to a "normal" BMI, I sit around 130-133# which is close to overweight for a female at 5'2", but I'm lazy and don't want to put in more effort to lose another 20# to get in the middle.1
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DaisyHamilton wrote: »I absolutely never recommend anyone to go by BMI. It's interesting to read about, but not useful to go by.
The more usual problem is that the fat bloke on the right does a few bicep curls and thinks he is an outlier and uses the example of an elite athlete on the left to "prove" why BMI doesn't apply to him.28 -
I don't like it but it's what doctors go by to determine if you're "healthy". When I can get to a "normal" BMI, I sit around 130-133# which is close to overweight for a female at 5'2", but I'm lazy and don't want to put in more effort to lose another 20# to get in the middle.
From the NHS website....
BMI takes into account natural variations in body shape, giving a healthy weight range for a particular height.
As well as measuring your BMI, healthcare professionals may take other factors into account when assessing if you're a healthy weight.
It's not intended or expected everyone should be in the middle of the range.
It's just one tool, not the only tool.11 -
DaisyHamilton wrote: »I absolutely never recommend anyone to go by BMI. It's interesting to read about, but not useful to go by.
The more usual problem is that the fat bloke on the right does a few bicep curls and thinks he is an outlier and uses the example of an elite athlete on the left to "prove" why BMI doesn't apply to him.
One of my favorite ones is the "large frame" excuse. It's amazing how many large frames melt away with the fat when people lose weight. The root problem is the same as what you are discussing - because there is a small chance BMI doesn't apply, a lot of people think they are exceptions, or at least they says so. In many cases it is willful deceit, which is another issue; there are outliers, and there are out and out liars. Speaking of outliers, I think once you get past a BMI of 27 or 28, there will be incredibly few truly healthy people who exceed BMI. It is not just uncommon but exceedingly rare for anyone in the obese range to actually be healthy.16 -
I don't like it but it's what doctors go by to determine if you're "healthy". When I can get to a "normal" BMI, I sit around 130-133# which is close to overweight for a female at 5'2", but I'm lazy and don't want to put in more effort to lose another 20# to get in the middle.
From the NHS website....
BMI takes into account natural variations in body shape, giving a healthy weight range for a particular height.
As well as measuring your BMI, healthcare professionals may take other factors into account when assessing if you're a healthy weight.
It's not intended or expected everyone should be in the middle of the range.
It's just one tool, not the only tool.
You know, that's really awesome! Now please tell every doctor I have that! No doctor I've seen has ever taken my blood work/lab results into account of what they consider to be "healthy" for me.
I'm pear shape with a smallish medium frame (almost 6" wrist circumference, and 2 1/4" elbow measurement). I can stand to lose 20# and still be considered "unhealthy" by looks alone because I would have a hanging, flabby belly.2 -
I guess I am one of those outliers. The BMI has never worked for me or described me. I am 5'0", pear shape, super muscular from the waist down, with large calves and thigh for my size. Even before I worked out a lot and gained muscle, even when I was very young, I have always been at least 10 lbs. above the range and into "overweight", where the BMI currently shows me to be, although I have been in maintenance for 4 years and am a size 4 to 6 Petite. I agree with those who say look at many other factors, including waist circumference, lab work, etc. , all of which show me to be healthy. My internist does not agree that the BMI range covers everyone accurately and had me look at the Smart BMI calculator which shows me to be at a good weight for my height, weight, and age.14
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I also look unhealthy & feel sick when I’m on the low end of the BMI chart. I agree with nowine4me. Feeling better is far more important. I guess it’s ultimately up to the person to decide what’s best for them.2
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