How accurate is BMI

Congrats on your weight loss so far and best of luck getting the rest of the way.

180 puts you at a BMI of 22.5, pretty much in the middle of the normal range. 200 would be right at the top of the range. What makes you believe you are muscular? Have you resistance trained extensively or have a very physical job? If the answer is no, you are probably not muscular at this point but you sure can get there with proper training.

As @bold_rabbit rabbit mentions, I would wait to get closer to normal BMI and discuss with your doctor. Again no knowledge of this surgery but he may want you to get low before surgery as I would say the skin would stretch a bit if you were to train and gain some muscle, but you're not going to have the surgery again if you lose more weight when in a closer to normal range.

By all reports the surgery is not minor. I would urge weight stability beyond the minimum before going for it, assuming that healthy concerns are not forcing the issue.

Take your time and continue losing till you're much closer to a weight you feel you can settle at to determine if normal BMI or slightly overweight BMI should be your final goal. I see the suggestion of BMI 22.5, and I would say that I probably would not agree from the point of view of where you're coming from.

Are you particularly athletic/lifting weights etc during your loss? This could end up playing a role.

Here are some thoughts from someone who lost way less than you.

In my books one year to go is optimistic. The equivalent of what you're discussing for one year took me two and that was my start to finish. I still found it quite fast. You are coming closer to more normal overweight levels. You should not continue losing at the same rapid rates once you're there. Think 0.5% to 0.75% of total weight per week as opposed to 1% to 1.5%. At least once you're out of the obese ranges.

Also, when many of us stop restricting there is a fairly long time period where our hormones are pushing for weight restoration. I found it easier to partially ride it out / blunt it by keeping to a year of less than a lb a MONTH weight loss (-11lbs). This was followed by very small (-3lbs) to no changes on the following three years. Thinking back it was only during the subsequent years of no changes that I started having to apply significantly less management on my "hunger" cues, so 2+ years post the -11.2lbs.

Beyond hunger cues, there will be some re-composition. For example your calves as an obese person are much larger than what a non competitive cyclist / possibly very trained weight lifter will need. The muscle mass there WILL reduce... and that's not necessarily bad. Having large calves doesn't help you with anything if you're not using them at your new weight! There is also connective tissue in addition to fat that is lost when we reduce.

So in general the proportion of people who will end up at a healthy fat level within a normal weight BMI is similar to the population as a whole. Not everyone. But definitely most. Whether that includes YOU... well we don't know

Skin could account for 5lbs? 10lbs? Unless you are counting attached fat that may also be removed during the same procedure I don't think that skin, by itself, is much heavier than that. I am sure people who have had the procedure will chime in!

rodnichols69 wrote: »

My doctor calls BMI voodoo math. As I read this, the math doesn't add up. Here is my reasoning:

1. Someone 6'3" who works averages more than 180 lbs. of lean mass, so the BMI chart puts you at 0% body fat.

2. My buddy is 6'3" 218 Lbs. and ~ 11% BF. His lean mass is 194 lbs.

3. I am 5'9" and have 158 lbs. of lean mass, which is just above an average build. At 180lbs., I am 12% BF

but BMI doesn't take muscle mass into consideration..it is literally a ratio of height to weight

yxba wrote: »

I don’t work out with weights at this point. I had too many back problems. I’m also dealing with knee osteoarthritis which limits me further. What I have found works for me is doing yoga 3 days a week. I have recently started seeing an athletic therapist who has helped to get rid of a blockage in both of my knees and this helped me greatly. I’m now on a program of home excercises to help build support for my arthritic knees and I do these exercises as well as glute activations each day.

I’m turning 38 soon. When I was in my early 20’s I was into bodybuilding and put on a lot of muscle. A lot of it is coming back even during my weight loss from the yoga alone.

I respect what you’re saying in terms of taking my time. However, I’m very focused and honestly I’d like to have a body that I can feel comfortable with while I’m still in my 30’s.

From someone well past his 30's (and I'm impressed you decided to do something in your 30's which I did not )... regardless of any additional motivation that you may have in terms of being comfortable in your own body, you actually have a major health issue at your original weight. My own knees feel normal and non limiting at normal weight. Putting on a 40lb vest for a few hours means my knees hurt the next few days... just like they used to. A nice body... is nice. As you age, the opportunities afforded by better health, are even more nice!

Losing your excess weight is NEITHER THE GOAL NOR the end of the process.

Losing and MAINTAINING YOUR LOSS is.

Was the doctor you visited an actual plastic surgeon? If not, I wouldn't put a lot of stock in what he said and I would wait about another 50 pounds and see a PS for an initial consultation.

As @PAV8888 mentioned your fast losing days need to be soon behind you. I am not sure what your rate of loss is at the moment but mine was 2.5lbs pounds per week at 300. I decided to drop it to 2 when I hit 270 and follow the normal guidelines the rest of the way. My plans were altered for a surgical need so I consulted an RD and actually went faster than I wanted to for 3 months but I feel like 270 should have been my line to slow down.

You have done great. I know you are at a tough weight. I remember it well. There is so much great about losing weight and so much that sucks. Keep your spirits up. I made it through and I am older than you.

rodnichols69 wrote: »

Theoldguy1 wrote: »

rodnichols69 wrote: »

My doctor calls BMI voodoo math. As I read this, the math doesn't add up. Here is my reasoning:

1. Someone 6'3" who works averages more than 180 lbs. of lean mass, so the BMI chart puts you at 0% body fat.

2. My buddy is 6'3" 218 Lbs. and ~ 11% BF. His lean mass is 194 lbs.

3. I am 5'9" and have 158 lbs. of lean mass, which is just above an average build. At 180lbs., I am 12% BF

@rodnichols69 6'3" at 218 and 11% body fat is NFL wide receiver range of bodyfat for that height and weight. If all his measurements are accurate he's jacked/built, not your normal dude at LA Fitness.

He is exactly that size and looks nothing like a NFL receiver other than about a 2 pack of abs. The original question was how accurate is BMI. It is not accurate at all. It does not take lean mass into account or about 10 other factors that should be considered.

I would have to lose 9.5 lbs. of muscle to be at the top tier of the BMI scale for my height and still have some body fat.

BMI is a realistic benchmark for 80-90% of the population. It will correlate well with other measures such as bodyfat % and waist measurement (i.e, someone with an overweight/obese BMI will most likely be in the same category on the other measurements) and it easier to determine.

If someone is significantly overweight/obese on BMI, they should talk to their doctor and determine if there are other factors such as a high level of muscularity that mitigates the health threats associated with higher BMI. If one truly has a high level of muscle, and is being honest with themselves they know it (hint, it's not happening without extensive resistance training).

BTW 11-12% BF is fantastic and not what you typically see on your average gym goer and certainly not the average male on the street. Could I ask how you are determining BF%?