Advice please.

NewDawnFades · 25-07-2014 5:50pm #1

Hey everyone,

Just something that's been bothering me recently and I would appreciate some perspective on the issue.

According to my BMI I'm classed as overweight for a female who is 5'4 (only 19 too), I've known this for awhile and it never really bothered me but yesterday when the doctor weighed me she expressed shock at my weight and said that I didn't look that weight at all. She found it strange that I was in the overweight category for my BMI too. She even weighed me on different scales!

Is there anyone else like this? Before anyone says it's down to the weight of muscle etc., well tbh, I wouldn't be muscular at all. The only exercise I would do would be swimming and walking, more so walking though. My sister would be the same height as me but she's a good 10kg lighter (maybe more even), and honestly I don't even look much bigger than her bar our different body shapes...she would be a pear shape and I would be an hourglass so I might be able to carry the weight better. I'm not sure. Also I know BMI is only used as rule of thumb but it's usually a good indicator for the general population so that's why I'm kind of worried now.

My question is, should I make an effort to drop down to a healthy BMI for my height? Or should I just continue on the way I am, I've always been pretty happy with my shape tbh and already eat quite well and exercise but being classed as "overweight" has only really hit me now.

Oh and I have checked out my hip to waist ratio and it was in the healthy range so I'm fairly confused over everything.

Zillah · 25-07-2014 7:09pm

NewDawnFades wrote: »

My question is, should I make an effort to drop down to a healthy BMI for my height?

Absolutely. This shouldn't even be debated. What was the BMI result?

jennyjoy · 28-07-2014 7:34pm

To be honest, BMI is sometimes ridiculous what they categorize as 'overweight'...it shouldn't be labeled that because it usually isn't an unhealthy weight. If you want to get it down a bit, I would focus on doing toning exercises. Cario or HIIT exercises along with body weight exercises are great for total toning. If you are eating healthy and working out regularly, you shouldn't worry because you are healthier than someone who eats rubbish and is stick skinny.

Mellor · 29-07-2014 10:57am

jennyjoy wrote: »

To be honest, BMI is sometimes ridiculous what they categorize as 'overweight'...it shouldn't be labeled that because it usually isn't an unhealthy weight.

I think you find that in the overwhelming majority of cases somebody with an overweight BMI is simply overweight.

The people who it's doesn't apply to aren't worrying about BMI.

Stench Blossoms · 29-07-2014 11:27am

Mellor wrote: »

I think you find that in the overwhelming majority of cases somebody with an overweight BMI is simply overweight.

The people who it's doesn't apply to aren't worrying about BMI.

I'm overweight according to BMI.

Blacktie. · 29-07-2014 11:41am

Stench Blossoms wrote: »

I'm overweight according to BMI.

Are you worrying about the BMI?

Mellor · 29-07-2014 11:50am

Stench Blossoms wrote: »

I'm overweight according to BMI.

And you are also educated enough to understand body comp and know whether it's down to your training, a little excess fat, or both. And assess it without a bmi number

ford2600 · 29-07-2014 12:31pm

Mellor wrote: »

And you are also educated enough to understand body comp and know whether it's down to your training, a little excess fat, or both. And assess it without a bmi number

I agree with you but had a full medical a few years back paid for by employer. Doctor referred to me having a BMI of 27 and needing to lose weight.

I was in really good shape. She continued with this drivel while I was doing test on treadmill ramp wearing only shorts and runners.

I asked her where was the fat I had to lose, asking her to point it out. She couldn't.

First page of report referred to need to lose weight.

So while BMI has it's uses it is overused by people who should know better

Stench Blossoms · 29-07-2014 12:40pm

Blacktie. wrote: »

Are you worrying about the BMI?

Not in the slightest.

I dare anyone to call me fat.

29-07-2014 12:51pm

Stench Blossoms wrote: »

Not in the slightest.

I dare anyone to call me fat.

HEY FATTY

*runs away*

Zamboni · 29-07-2014 12:53pm

Stench Blossoms wrote: »

Not in the slightest.

I dare anyone to call me fat.

Big boned?

:pac:

*runs*

Stench Blossoms · 29-07-2014 1:05pm

....to my face

PinkLemonade · 29-07-2014 1:06pm

Zillah wrote: »

Absolutely. This shouldn't even be debated. What was the BMI result?

Do you think you know better then her doctor?

Mellor · 29-07-2014 10:37pm

ford2600 wrote: »

I agree with you but had a full medical a few years back paid for by employer. Doctor referred to me having a BMI of 27 and needing to lose weight.

I was in really good shape. She continued with this drivel while I was doing test on treadmill ramp wearing only shorts and runners.

I asked her where was the fat I had to lose, asking her to point it out. She couldn't.

First page of report referred to need to lose weight.

So while BMI has it's uses it is overused by people who should know better

I'm well aware of doctors, nurse, etc misuse it, I never mentioned them. That us an issue imo.
My point was that you are aware of the limitations. I imagine that at no point did you think you were overweight.

allybhoy · 30-07-2014 9:27am

If your happy with your shape thats all that matters. The only thing i would warn you though is that you are 19, and im sure most people on here will agree that as you get older your metabolism will gradually slow down. I wish somebody had of told me this when i was 22, If you dont alter your diet \excercise regime now and keep the same diet as you do now you will more than likely put on weight over the next 5 years or so. The worrying thing is that it goes on so slowly that before you realise it, its too late. Better to make lifestyle changes now to combat this in the future than having to loose a few stone in a few years..

runawaybishop · 30-07-2014 10:22pm

allybhoy wrote: »

If your happy with your shape thats all that matters. The only thing i would warn you though is that you are 19, and im sure most people on here will agree that as you get older your metabolism will gradually slow down. I wish somebody had of told me this when i was 22, If you dont alter your diet \excercise regime now and keep the same diet as you do now you will more than likely put on weight over the next 5 years or so. The worrying thing is that it goes on so slowly that before you realise it, its too late. Better to make lifestyle changes now to combat this in the future than having to loose a few stone in a few years..

Your metabolism doesn't slow down when you get older. You just stop exercising.

"If you are happy with your shape" is bollocks. If you are at an unhealthy weight you should lose the excess.

discus · 31-07-2014 12:11am

Check your thin privilege^^

Blacktie. · 31-07-2014 4:48am

runawaybishop wrote: »

Your metabolism doesn't slow down when you get older. You just stop exercising.

"If you are happy with your shape" is bollocks. If you are at an unhealthy weight you should lose the excess.

I've heard this isn't completely true. True lifestyle would have a huge impact on the weight gain but as you grow older your BMR does go down. One of the reasons I've heard is bone density decreases. Even with weightlifting it still decreases over time though at a much reduced rate.

runawaybishop · 31-07-2014 9:11am

Blacktie. wrote: »

I've heard this isn't completely true. True lifestyle would have a huge impact on the weight gain but as you grow older your BMR does go down. One of the reasons I've heard is bone density decreases. Even with weightlifting it still decreases over time though at a much reduced rate.

I think the amount is every very small though - metabolism is hugely down to activity and physical composition. Its just not correct to say that your metabolism slows down when you get older and that's why old people get fat - they get fat because they aren't as active and have less muscle mass.

NewDawnFades · 31-07-2014 9:12am

Thanks for the replies, I'm just going to up my exercise and a eat a little less, I already eat quite healthily so it's not a major deal. Plus I don't have that much to lose at all.

Actually, I was in hospital a couple of years back and I lost quite a bit of weight from being ill, I remember weighing myself and I was classed as a healthy weight for my BMI but I was terrible looking, bones everywhere, gaunt etc. Not an exaggeration either so I'm not going to go crazy losing weight. I think being at the lower end of the BMI for a healthy weight will suit me perfectly.

Thanks again!

runawaybishop · 31-07-2014 9:53am

NewDawnFades wrote: »

Thanks for the replies, I'm just going to up my exercise and a eat a little less, I already eat quite healthily so it's not a major deal. Plus I don't have that much to lose at all.

Actually, I was in hospital a couple of years back and I lost quite a bit of weight from being ill, I remember weighing myself and I was classed as a healthy weight for my BMI but I was terrible looking, bones everywhere, gaunt etc. Not an exaggeration either so I'm not going to go crazy losing weight. I think being at the lower end of the BMI for a healthy weight will suit me perfectly.

Thanks again!

BMI isn't a precise science but it should be a good indicator for the majority of people. That said, you should be able to tell if you are carrying fat or not and can work from there.

Advice please.

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