This is a weight loss board

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  • victoria4321
    victoria4321 Posts: 1,719 Member
    General Diet and Weight Loss Help

    What kind of job requires you to be unfit, but light? Professional pillow tester?

    I would guess any job that bases their initial screenings on BMI?

    Which is a little illegal?
    Not necessarily. Jobs that require intense physical activity are allowed to discriminate based on fitness indicators.

    Oh well that's totally different. If you're unfit and can't do the job how can you possibly expect to get it? You still can be unfit with a low BMI too.
  • skinnylove00
    skinnylove00 Posts: 662 Member
    lets NOT make fun of the OP, but rather try to see things from her point of view.

    fact of the matter is, you can still lose weight, and still look fat and flabby. the scale isnt an accurate measure of anything, really and the further along you travel in your fitness journey the more you will realize this. and the sooner you realize this, the better it is for you.

    measurements, bf%, body composition, the way clothes fit, etc are what TRULY matters at the end of the day. NOT the scale. might as well throw that hunk of metal OUT the window. its a CRUTCH and it prevents you from paying attention to the measurements that TRULY matter.

    hope you get that job.
  • iron_jj
    iron_jj Posts: 446 Member
    Losing weight while keeping the same measurements is gonna be a tough one, tell you that. :laugh: Doesn't seem legit.
  • ironanimal
    ironanimal Posts: 5,922 Member
    BMI is flawed at it core as it is a generalisation, the entire Englnd rugby team would be obese but very very fit. I know if a job requires a BMI of a certain levels (is that legal?) there isn't much you can do about it. But do bear in mind it is not the be all and end all.

    Not the end all be all...but it is the start.
    No, it's not. It was devised in around 1840. I think the science behind it may be a little outdated.
  • victoria4321
    victoria4321 Posts: 1,719 Member
    BMI is flawed at it core as it is a generalisation, the entire Englnd rugby team would be obese but very very fit. I know if a job requires a BMI of a certain levels (is that legal?) there isn't much you can do about it. But do bear in mind it is not the be all and end all.

    .............................You are not a professional athlete. Sorry it didn't work out.
  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
    The ENTIRE site might be a fitness site but this board...is WEIGHTLOSS.
    This board is both General Diet and weight loss help. So if a person who is using MFP in conjunction with Eating-disorder related issues, that ED Member is more than welcome to post on this board. I have a patient right now who frequents all boards including this one, where she is trying to increase her daily intake slowly - hence under the category "General Diet"... Its not just for weight loss.
    Perhaps its title should be changed to Weightloss and Body compesition Help?
    Nahhh, MFP owners have it perfectly fine
    But like I said....I do NOT care to be smaller if my BMI still screams obese.
    Thats your perogative and you are entitled to not being smaller.
    And if BMI doesn't matter tell me why it matters to insurance companies? Because when are you trying to get health insurance, or my case a job, weight on the scale matters.
    I can definitely answer this because Im now on my 17th year working in healthcare and work with medical insurances. Its harder because health concerns with regard to people who are obese/overweight/high BMI are more prone to other health-related problems (diabetes, high blood pressure, retroperitoneal issues, liver issues, reproductive issues, etc) thus increasing the need to see doctors, have prescriptions ordered and a greater need for medical interventions, especially when there are some patients who are non-compliant in their care. So, you suffer the higher premiums depending on what financial contracts are arranged thus determine what your share of those premiums will be, your deductibles, out of pocket maximums, etc....

    Unless you are fortunate to work for a company who gives insurance-related incentives for being active, working on being healthy, going to the gym, or using an agency like Weight Watchers, or enlisting a personal trainer for help where your insurance rates can be lowered with proof of documentation, you will be subjected to higher premiums... that is how it goes generally.

    You mentioned job-related: I would suggest you contact your local Labor-and-Wage Division to learn more about the laws governing where you reside and to learn whether or not its legal for an employer to disregard you for employment due to
    weight, BMI and health-related situations.
  • cranberrycat
    cranberrycat Posts: 233 Member
    I personally feel that there are a LOT of people who are being extremely rude here! Lets be SUPPORTIVE!
  • Thomasm198
    Thomasm198 Posts: 3,189 Member
    myFITNESSpal, not, myWEIGHTLOSSpal :yawn:
  • wasveganvictoria88
    wasveganvictoria88 Posts: 249 Member
    Is this a rant? I'm confused - measure what the hell you want...or not...its your own thing?
  • KetoBella
    KetoBella Posts: 141 Member
    Actually the name is MY FITNESS PAL, there are many folks on this board that do use it for fitness more than weightloss. When you ask for help you will get many ideas from people with different thoughts and experiences. If you only want one kind of answer I think you will be disappointed and might actually be looking for help in the wrong place.
  • kayemme
    kayemme Posts: 1,782 Member
    whoo, somebody woke up on the wrong side of the futon....
  • skinnylove00
    skinnylove00 Posts: 662 Member
    I personally feel that there are a LOT of people who are being extremely rude here! Lets be SUPPORTIVE!

    YES LETS STOP BASHING AND MAKE MFP A PLACE OF SUPPORT AND NOT A BUNCH OF HIGH N MIGHTY FITNESS FANATICS
  • ahsongbird
    ahsongbird Posts: 712 Member
    The only way to lose weight is to lose fat, if you lose fat you lose inches, hence why people are asking if you've lost inches, you can't lose a lot of weight without losing mass.
  • Pookylou
    Pookylou Posts: 988 Member
    BMI is flawed at it core as it is a generalisation, the entire Englnd rugby team would be obese but very very fit. I know if a job requires a BMI of a certain levels (is that legal?) there isn't much you can do about it. But do bear in mind it is not the be all and end all.

    Not the end all be all...but it is the start.

    I totally agree, seeing my BMI go to obese was my main motivator to getting control of my weight.
    But as I get closer and closer to goal it gets less important. Don't diminish others efforts by saying it is more important. One day you'll be wishing for half an inch over half a pound too!
  • dansls1
    dansls1 Posts: 309 Member
    The ENTIRE site might be a fitness site but this board...is WEIGHTLOSS.

    Perhaps its title should be changed to Weightloss and Body compesition Help?

    But like I said....I do NOT care to be smaller if my BMI still screams obese. And if BMI doesn't matter tell me why it matters to insurance companies? Because when are you trying to get health insurance, or my case a job, weight on the scale matters.
    Not Body Fat Percentage, not the size of my hips and waiste...BMI.

    End rant.

    And not a rant board either...
  • tscagg
    tscagg Posts: 11
    .........................First of all, you cant come on here complaining about discussions/comments made to you from the past, thats actually going against an MFP policy....

    Secondly - yes.. Measurements are more accurate than a scale. People who suggest taking measurements are genuinely trying to help you see past the scale and to help you understand and realize that when the scale doesnt move, you may have lost inches.... To continue to obsess over the scale will only cause you to create cortisol - and cortisol causes weight gain.

    When you gain that weight, it will be because you allowed yourself to stress over a piece of equipment that didnt show a numerical result - its not worth it... seriously.. its not worth it.

    I agree with people who follow the "measuring tape-rule" because its more realistic and accurate......................
    [/quote]

    Thank you for reminding me about the numbers and scale, that stepping on a scale every day, and every night, or in the middle of the night (Yes I've done it!) is not good. I think I've become obsessed with the scale, because I was told, "most people gain some weight back" and I'm determined that I'm not going to be one of them. I started measuring and am going to go back to that and use the scale once in a while. I'm getting rid of all the clothes that don't fit, and for now on I'm going to be fit and in shape, to chunky and flabby. YIPPEE! :heart:
  • Hmrjmr1
    Hmrjmr1 Posts: 1,106 Member
    :huh:

    This is the stupidest rant ever.

    No but it's close
  • angieleighbyrd
    angieleighbyrd Posts: 989 Member
    The reason people ask if you take measurements when the scale isn't moving is because muscle takes up less space then fat. So even if the scale isn't moving, you can still be losing fat.
  • well I guess she got the dramatic discussion she was hoping to create........................

    Personally---I'd rather my pants to fit (measurment) than for the scale to show me a different #.
  • Qskim
    Qskim Posts: 1,145 Member
    Lol...Thanks everyone I enjoyed that... N I'm sorry to original post but sometimes I think MFP too heavy for too long. FYI I weigh and measure and waist measurement stays same even if scales bounce. Sometimes my waist is an indicator of the loss to come. I don't care bout arms n legs cos they'll follow waist n I'll b stuffed I'm going to measure all of them n write it down. Good luck with your weightloss.
  • Duck_Puddle
    Duck_Puddle Posts: 3,237 Member
    A large part of this process is keeping motivated to keep on keeping on-especially at times when the movement on the scale slows or stops and we think we are doing everything right. I feel you on the BMI piece-regardless of it's overall validity-I need a "normal" BMI for insurance rates and so forth-so I too care very much about the number on the scale. But, I also measure myself & my body fat % because at the times the scale isn't moving the way or at the speed I'd like, a reduction in inches or body fat % provides me the encouragement to know I am making progress. The scale always catches up eventually.

    Many people are here for encouragement & motivation as well as weight loss/fitness. Suggestions to measure things other than weight (such as fitness levels, inches, body fat%) really are attempts to help someone else find those little pieces that keep us going when progress is slow. Or that's my take at least.
  • ZebraHead
    ZebraHead Posts: 15,207 Member
    I disagree. Nuf said...
  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
    well I guess she got the dramatic discussion she was hoping to create........................

    Personally---I'd rather my pants to fit (measurment) than for the scale to show me a different #.

    ...and I know I dont want people singing "Pants on the ground!" because mine almost fell off at the gym about two weeks ago! LOL!
  • cranberrycat
    cranberrycat Posts: 233 Member
    Yes, I agree that it is hard to lose weight, and that we are sometimes judged unfairly by the BMI. However, truth be told, the BMI works pretty well for the average person. It is those who have an above average percentage of lean body mass that are screaming about the BMI not being fair.

    If you want to focus on JUST your weight, that is fine. But your weight can change without you ever losing any fat at all. And, honestly, your BMI is not going to change drastically with water weight shifts.

    However, if you can try to change your focus and look at your other measurements of success, you will definitely see the difference. Even if you gain some muscle mass, that muscle is going to help you to burn the fat more efficiently--thus changing your BMI and resulting in weight loss.
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    I personally feel that there are a LOT of people who are being extremely rude here! Lets be SUPPORTIVE!

    Wow, so let's recap. I'm assuming she asked for weight loss advice on another thread on which people started asking her about other indicators like inches. So then she created this post specifically to rant at the people giving her advice and asking about other reasonable indicators. I find it completly acceptable to support and encourage a person on their journey, but ludicris to suggest that this is a reasonable and supportable original post.
  • Pookylou
    Pookylou Posts: 988 Member
    BMI is flawed at it core as it is a generalisation, the entire Englnd rugby team would be obese but very very fit. I know if a job requires a BMI of a certain levels (is that legal?) there isn't much you can do about it. But do bear in mind it is not the be all and end all.

    .............................You are not a professional athlete. Sorry it didn't work out.

    My dad played rugby to a very high level, is short and very well built, going by BMI alone he would have been considered very unhealthy. As would a lot of people, not just professional athlete, with a high muscle percentage, when in actuality he was very fit. That is what I was trying to say it applies to "normal" people as well as athletes.
    Yeah I tried to be a ballet dancer but my huge boobs prevented me progressing, thanks for the sympathy :flowerforyou:
  • Hearts_2015
    Hearts_2015 Posts: 12,031 Member
    Just and FYI to everyone who ask "Do you take other mearsurements." YES I Take other measurements, but those measurements don't mean anything if I am still overweight.
    I am here to LOSE weight...not inches, no cm, not improve my ability to do a standing broad jump...WEIGHTLOSS. When I complain about not losing any real weight...don't ask me if I have measured my hips.

    Denise
    I'm sorry you're so frustrated, that's a tough spot to be in, we've all been there, trust me! I agree with those that have shared that others are merely giving options if the scale appears to get stuck. Sometimes the tape measure saves us from our own self induced insanity because it WILL show changes when perhaps the scale doesn't.

    When the scale is stuck at the same place, it sucks BUT if you're doing everything you know to do that's heading in the direction of health and fitness then it WILL eventually move.

    Please trust the folks on MFP, 99.9% of them genuinely want to help you get to where you want to be as long as you're goal is a healthy one!
    :happy:
    Cheers!:drinker:
  • Gwoman2012
    Gwoman2012 Posts: 163 Member
    Unless you are weight training pretty heavily three times a week or more I fail to see how measuring matters either.
  • wasveganvictoria88
    wasveganvictoria88 Posts: 249 Member
    Yes, I agree that it is hard to lose weight, and that we are sometimes judged unfairly by the BMI. However, truth be told, the BMI works pretty well for the average person. It is those who have an above average percentage of lean body mass that are screaming about the BMI not being fair.

    If you want to focus on JUST your weight, that is fine. But your weight can change without you ever losing any fat at all. And, honestly, your BMI is not going to change drastically with water weight shifts.

    However, if you can try to change your focus and look at your other measurements of success, you will definitely see the difference. Even if you gain some muscle mass, that muscle is going to help you to burn the fat more efficiently--thus changing your BMI and resulting in weight loss.

    Well said :) Did someone call Denise fat or something? I'm unsure where all this came from!
  • peacefulsong
    peacefulsong Posts: 223 Member
    I personally feel that there are a LOT of people who are being extremely rude here! Lets be SUPPORTIVE!

    It sounds to me like people were trying to be supportive at some point, trying to help her see that there is more to it than the number on the scale sometimes, and she wasn't interested in hearing it.
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