BMI....What a lie!

Srmmelson
Srmmelson Posts: 31
edited December 17 in Health and Weight Loss
I wasn't sure which board to put this under...but I wanted to at least put it out there. How much weight should I actually be losing? If I go by my BMI it says that a healthy weight for me is something like 155 pounds. I really don't know where that number would actually put me. I know that muscle is heavier than fat...so it's possible to be "over weight" and still be healthy, but which should I be? As it stands right now I want to lose at least another 20lbs to put me at 165. HELP!!!
«1

Replies

  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    BMI isn't lying, it's just misunderstood. It was intended to be applied to populations, and it works pretty well for that. It is not accurate for individuals - if you are the average person, it makes a good rough guide, but that's as far as it goes. You are much better off going by your body fat percentage, or just by how you look and feel at a certain weight.
  • mischief1on1
    mischief1on1 Posts: 46
    SSSOOOOOO True!

    BMI is junk!

    I recommend going to your doctor. I was at 313 pounds and 5'-4" hieght and went to my doctor expecting him to say 130 lbs.

    My docotor said - based on your bone mass and your genetics for muscle you're looking at 170 to 180 as your goal weight.

    I about fell on the floor.

    So I recommned seeing a professional because based on BMI at 170 I will be considered obese.


    19372015.png
    Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Nutrition Facts For Foods
  • beduffbrickie
    beduffbrickie Posts: 642 Member
    mate forget BMI, what an out dated load of bollocks!
  • Lizabee84
    Lizabee84 Posts: 346 Member
    I dont believe in BMI on sites. According to the BMI I am always obese or overweight. I checked a second site didnt like hearing that and I am a healthy weight. I prefer wait to hear what the doctor will say
  • dg09
    dg09 Posts: 754
    If you can, find and focus on your BF%.
  • doinitforme2012
    doinitforme2012 Posts: 98 Member
    my BMI says i'm obese... i wear a size 7/9 juniors jeans... i'm not obese i just have a lot of muscle in my legs and but instead of fat.
  • doinitforme2012
    doinitforme2012 Posts: 98 Member
    mate forget BMI, what an out dated load of bollocks!

    not so much out dated. a few years ago the BMI scale was updated... this happened and the so called obesity ep[idemic started... people didnt get any bigger over night previously healthy people were considered over weight and so on. they lowered the weight classifications. it's just a bunch of BS.
  • SueStubbs
    SueStubbs Posts: 17
    For me I don't worry about it! Ive lost 25lbs as of right now. Havent been this weight for about 6 yrs
  • Awkward30
    Awkward30 Posts: 1,927 Member
    BMI isn't lying, it's just misunderstood. It was intended to be applied to populations, and it works pretty well for that. It is not accurate for individuals - if you are the average person, it makes a good rough guide, but that's as far as it goes. You are much better off going by your body fat percentage, or just by how you look and feel at a certain weight.

    This. It's a statistic. I never put much stock in it because I have a large frame and hold weight well, so when it said I was obese, other people wouldn't even call me fat, just "a few extra pounds" or some nicer euphemism. I never thought the numbers there were realistic for me because I was never within them. However, I'm starting to think they are more reasonable, since I have reached the upper limit of normal bmi and still see where I have another 10 pounds to lose. I would have to lose muscle or get an unhealthy bf% to get to the lower side of normal, but I don't think that aiming for the upper limit of normal is a bad goal for people starting out. Especially with men, once they are more trained they will probably have too much muscle for normal, but again, I don't think it's a bad goal for starting out. You can always re evaluate on the way and even stop early of there's a different weight that makes you happy.
  • shedoos
    shedoos Posts: 446 Member
    BMI isn't lying, it's just misunderstood. It was intended to be applied to populations, and it works pretty well for that. It is not accurate for individuals - if you are the average person, it makes a good rough guide, but that's as far as it goes. You are much better off going by your body fat percentage, or just by how you look and feel at a certain weight.

    Absolutely this^^
  • Karren188
    Karren188 Posts: 101 Member
    I'm ignorning BMI and going with what I need to lose to feel healthy, look good, and be happy. I saw a weight loss physician, and of course they threw BMI out there, but it's a pretty narrow ruler, and I think all the factors of your life & health should be considered.
  • colalady1
    colalady1 Posts: 5
    You go by what you feel. According to charts and BMI I should be between 120-159. I used to be around 180 and looked and felt good. Any lower than that my face looks sickly thin. I go by how I feel and my blood work every six months will tell the whole picture. Trust your instincts.
  • colalady1
    colalady1 Posts: 5
    You are absolutely right. According to my BMI I should lose 121 pounds and I know I look sickly when I get under 180. Especially since I am 5'7" tall. I go by the way I look, how I feel and my blood work results every six months. I am due to have my next test in June so I will find out if the weight I am losing is helping. I have lost 13 pounds in 3 weeks so far.
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    BMI is a complete waste....... When I started I weighed 560 lbs. and had a BMI of 74...... (They don't even list I guy my size on that chart) and today I am currently 23 lbs. lighter than when I played defensive end my senior year of football back in 88.... And my BMI is now 33.64 which says: Individuals with a BMI of 30-34.99 are in a physically unhealthy condition, which puts them at risk for serious ilnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, gall bladder disease, and some cancers. Take a look at my picture below, and tell me if this BMI crap holds any weight??? lol

    2012-03-31_08-27-41_160.jpg
  • twinmom01
    twinmom01 Posts: 854 Member
    Does not work for a vast segment of the population...

    based on BMI charts on my height I should weigh about 135 in order not to be considered overweight by BMI standards - problem is I have had my body fat tested and my lean body mass was calculated out to be about 130 lbs - so for me a good goal weigh is actually about 160....

    My sister who is a good 3 inches taller than me, fit as all get out with nice abs is considered overweight by the BMI charts....
  • rsouthland
    rsouthland Posts: 75
    When I was in the Marine Corps back in 89-93, I was constantly "over weight" at 180 pounds, lean and mean. I was officially on the fat body program which meant an extra 3 mile run every day during our lunch break, after 3-5 miles that morning with everyone else. The Marine Corps at that time used the standard BMI scale. Based on my height I should have been 165-170. Trust me, I'm gaunt at that weight. Way to damn skinny. Even the Corps didn't take into consideration my muscle when I was forced to step on the scale.

    I certainly wouldn't worry to much about your BMI. Base it on how you feel, your appearance.
  • angie_sample
    angie_sample Posts: 190
    Dont focus on BMI. I've lost 71 pounds my BMI is still in the obese range but my Body fat % is in the overweight category. I have a lot of muscle therefore BMI isnt very accurate for me.
  • adamb83
    adamb83 Posts: 719 Member
    I agree that watching BF% is more logical and reasonable.

    At my height/weight, BMI indicates that I'm obese. A 185 pound male who is 5'4" tall and able to run an 8 minute mile is obese??

    Bunch of bull.
  • mrau719
    mrau719 Posts: 288 Member
    BMI isn't lying, it's just misunderstood. It was intended to be applied to populations, and it works pretty well for that. It is not accurate for individuals - if you are the average person, it makes a good rough guide, but that's as far as it goes. You are much better off going by your body fat percentage, or just by how you look and feel at a certain weight.

    THIS THIS THIS!!
  • RideaYeti
    RideaYeti Posts: 211 Member
    If you can, find and focus on your BF%.

    +1 This is what really matters. According to the BMI scale, I should weigh between 136-179 (that is abig range). The thing is, when I was 20 I had a BF% of around 10-15%, which is considered good for someone who isn't pro athlete and I weighed about 200lbs. I was active and working out, but was by no means a body builder - I was not bulking up. If I get under 180, then there is something seriously wrong with me and I need to go to the hospital.

    If you just go strictly off of BMI, then Ahmad Bradshaw (running back for the NY Giants) is considered obese at 5'10 and 214lbs.
  • Di3012
    Di3012 Posts: 2,247 Member
    I wasn't sure which board to put this under...but I wanted to at least put it out there. How much weight should I actually be losing? If I go by my BMI it says that a healthy weight for me is something like 155 pounds. I really don't know where that number would actually put me. I know that muscle is heavier than fat...so it's possible to be "over weight" and still be healthy, but which should I be? As it stands right now I want to lose at least another 20lbs to put me at 165. HELP!!!

    Some bodybuilders come up on the "obese" part of the chart, when in actual fact they are far from obese, they are just large because of their training.

    This is why it is difficult to take the BMI thing seriously IMO.

    Is there nowhere you could get your bodyfat percentage taken? If you popped along to a gym and asked them, they might be able to use the callipers on you to measure it and even if it were not 100% accurate, I feel it is a lot more accurate the BMI.
  • lsapphire
    lsapphire Posts: 297 Member
    Biggest problem with BMI is insurance companies. You would think it was carved in stone, it is like a book in the Bible for them.
  • Di3012
    Di3012 Posts: 2,247 Member
    mate forget BMI, what an out dated load of bollocks!

    PMSL Beduff! :D
  • douglasmobbs
    douglasmobbs Posts: 563 Member
    BMI says I should be no more than 194.7lbs, calculating my lean body mass by measurements says I have a lean body mass of 196lb.

    BMI is a calculation to fit Mr/Mrs average, I am not Mr average.
  • Rabid_Hamster
    Rabid_Hamster Posts: 338 Member
    Is there nowhere you could get your bodyfat percentage taken? If you popped along to a gym and asked them, they might be able to use the callipers on you to measure it and even if it were not 100% accurate, I feel it is a lot more accurate the BMI.

    Like so many others here, focus on your body fat percentage. That is your true measure of your progress. Many competitive body builders will have 3-5% BF at the time of competition, but BMI would have them far above that.
    Calipers are great when you can find them, but that can be difficult since many gyms won't have them. You can also get a decent read on your BF% by using one of those scales that measures BF% via bioelectrical impedence or a similar device. http://www.tanita.com/en/body-water-monitors-fat/


    T
  • Candi8099
    Candi8099 Posts: 178 Member
    BMI is a complete waste....... When I started I weighed 560 lbs. and had a BMI of 74...... (They don't even list I guy my size on that chart) and today I am currently 23 lbs. lighter than when I played defensive end my senior year of football back in 88.... And my BMI is now 33.64 which says: Individuals with a BMI of 30-34.99 are in a physically unhealthy condition, which puts them at risk for serious ilnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, gall bladder disease, and some cancers. Take a look at my picture below, and tell me if this BMI crap holds any weight??? lol

    2012-03-31_08-27-41_160.jpg

    YOU LOOK AMAZING!! I couldn't even imagine how hard that was. Nice work on keeping your eye on the prize!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

    P.S. - BMI IS crap, lol
  • gaylelynnmc
    gaylelynnmc Posts: 41
    I am with you on this...I have a daughter who weighs 123 lbs, 5'5" and considered overweight...that is total bs...she is very active and a vegan....very healthy. I am going by my weight loss and how I feel thru exercise and diet!
  • Srmmelson
    Srmmelson Posts: 31
    That helps out a lot! Thanks!
  • wildboar1
    wildboar1 Posts: 88
    BMI was invented in the middle 1800's for use in social statistics. It was never meant to be a diagnostic tool for doctors or for diagnosing obesity.
  • Awkward30
    Awkward30 Posts: 1,927 Member
    I am with you on this...I have a daughter who weighs 123 lbs, 5'5" and considered overweight...that is total bs...she is very active and a vegan....very healthy. I am going by my weight loss and how I feel thru exercise and diet!

    I just put that into a calculator. That's normal weight by BMI.

    A lot of people on this thread are also not accounting for the fact that when you lose weight, especially significant amounts, you will lose muscle. So sure right now your lean mass might be too high to get to the BMI weight, but it will decrease. I think that while it is a statistic and not a bible, too many people think that they aren't average. I'm sorry, but not everybody is a special butterfly. I'm not saying that BMI should be everyone's goal, but I do think that in the statistical sense, risk of disease is increased with increased BMI and if you can get into that range healthily, maybe you ought to.

    That said, BMI puts me at the top end of normal and BF% puts me as "fitness." So yeah, I like the body fat % classification better, but the BMI isn't wrong, I have at least another 10 pounds I can healthily lose.

    Ultimately, you have to decide what works best for you
This discussion has been closed.

Categories