What would be considered "healthy"

swervring

Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone can give me any advice about weight/bmi/body fat and where the best balance is.
A year ago I was 147lbs with a body fat reading of 34% (from home scales). I was trying to get down to 136, being 5ft2 and wanting to get my BMI under 25.
At my last measurements in gym i was 156lbs with body fat of 25.57%, down 4% in 2 months. I want to get back to the 147lbs and to get my body fat to 22%, but at that weight I would still be considered overweight with a BMI of 27.... its all very confusing but what I'm wondering really is how much weight I need to lose!!
Oh and I'm female if that makes a difference

skallywag

Do you exercise / train regularly? If you do then you will likely have more muscle mass than the norm and hence be perfectly healthy at a BMI of 27.

swervring

I train twice a week in the gym, circuit type training which changes up a lot, thats what has reduced my body fat. I also do some running and yoga although feel I need to do more!

skallywag

In my opinion the BMI 'norms' are only really applicable to someone who does very little exercise. Most fit people I know would have a BMI greater than the 'norm' of 25 but they certainly do not look overweight in any regard.

papu

Don't worry too much about the scales, those BF% readings are usually very inaccurate. Go by how you look in the mirror and how you feel in your clothes. Take pictures in the same pose and compare every 6-8 weeks.
Weigh yourself daily and get a weekly average to see how you're getting on, your weight will fluctuate between days but it should average out over the week and you'll see which way the scales are heading. If you're not losing weight do some more exercise or cut down on food by a little bit.

It's really all going to be determined by your diet.

FWIW my Bmi is 24.8 at 11% bf I still have abs but am .2 from being "overweight". BMI scale is somewhat misleading as said above.

swervring

papu wrote: »

Don't worry too much about the scales, those BF% readings are usually very inaccurate. Go by how you look in the mirror and how you feel in your clothes. Take pictures in the same pose and compare every 6-8 weeks.
Weigh yourself daily and get a weekly average to see how you're getting on, your weight will fluctuate between days but it should average out over the week and you'll see which way the scales are heading. If you're not losing weight do some more exercise or cut down on food by a little bit.

It's really all going to be determined by your diet.

Thanks, the second BF% reading was done using calipers so I know that one was much more accurate than the scales
I'm also in Slimming World so get weighed once a week anyway, I'm up slightly at the moment from my lowest weight but have lost 3.5 stone from my heaviest weight - it's become a struggle in the last year or so to keep losing which is why I've slightly changed focus towards fitness and body fat rather than simply weight.

grumpynerd

swervring wrote: »

Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone can give me any advice about weight/bmi/body fat and where the best balance is.
A year ago I was 147lbs with a body fat reading of 34% (from home scales). I was trying to get down to 136, being 5ft2 and wanting to get my BMI under 25.
At my last measurements in gym i was 156lbs with body fat of 25.57%, down 4% in 2 months. I want to get back to the 147lbs and to get my body fat to 22%, but at that weight I would still be considered overweight with a BMI of 27.... its all very confusing but what I'm wondering really is how much weight I need to lose!!
Oh and I'm female if that makes a difference

Bmi is ****. Doctors know almost nothing about nutrition and biology. They only know physiology from a mechanical perspective.

That said the deeper point of measuring fat to muscle to bone to genetic traits is valid. It takes a lot of overall research and self honesty to find the healthy you.

We know it ourselves. I looked puffy and juvenile and dimwitted at 250lbs. Now at 230lbs everyone is saying how chisselled and hot Im looking. I feel better to with more energy and so forth.

Im still obese by the bmi though.

Alf Veedersane

I wouldn't worry hugely about the scales or the bodyfat measurements.

Like papu said, take pictures, note how you feel in your clothes.

If you continue to eat healthily and do some exercise, your body will change accordingly.

People get too bogged down in metrics when the ultimate measure is how you look and feel in your clothes and sometimes a scales masks that.

swervring

Hi all,

Thanks for your responses. I know the scales don't always tell the full story - while I'm heavier now than last year, I'm probably about the same size due to fat loss.

I think it's just because I have been struggling with my weight and with fitness most of my adult life and most of my teenage years, and have never yet reached a target, that I'm trying to set myself one and just looking for some help in figuring out what a healthy one would be so that I can finally get there after so long

skallywag

Setting targets isn't always the best way to go about it I think. Like others have said watch what you eat carefully, which is *much* more important when aiming to lose weight than the exercise, the exercise is a great motivator though, and step on the scales in 2-3 weeks and see the difference. Then decide if you are happy the way you look / feel in your clothes, or if you would like to give it another 2-3 weeks etc. Even fitting more comfortably into that pair of jeans which were once annoyingly tight can be a win.

grumpynerd

swervring wrote: »

Hi all,

Thanks for your responses. I know the scales don't always tell the full story - while I'm heavier now than last year, I'm probably about the same size due to fat loss.

I think it's just because I have been struggling with my weight and with fitness most of my adult life and most of my teenage years, and have never yet reached a target, that I'm trying to set myself one and just looking for some help in figuring out what a healthy one would be so that I can finally get there after so long

Not sure how much gyms have to offer females. Spin classes and gitl sized weihjts prgrams will change your body composition and maybe boost self esteem but who wants a gf with robust forearms and tins of tuna on the shopping list?

Ive always thought tennis yoga and ballroom dance combined with a big emphasis on nutrtion and eating habits might be a better bet for most women.

Just a thought.

grumpynerd

grumpynerd wrote: »

Not sure how much gyms have to offer females. Spin classes and gitl sized weihjts prgrams will change your body composition and maybe boost self esteem but who wants a gf with robust forearms and tins of tuna on the shopping list?

Ive always thought tennis yoga and ballroom dance combined with a big emphasis on nutrtion and eating habits might be a better bet for most women.

Just a thought.

As in better options to be fit and social in a way thats more feminine. Best to look and feel great as you rather than sort of getting suvked into gymreality.

Alf Veedersane

grumpynerd wrote: »

Not sure how much gyms have to offer females. Spin classes and gitl sized weihjts prgrams will change your body composition and maybe boost self esteem but who wants a gf with robust forearms and tins of tuna on the shopping list?

Ive always thought tennis yoga and ballroom dance combined with a big emphasis on nutrtion and eating habits might be a better bet for most women.

Just a thought.

Oh dear.

I don't even...

grumpynerd

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Oh dear.

I don't even...

Not saying shouldnt but asking whether? Women gym training is very recent esp in ireland.

Its not like the fitness industry will turn down market share but yeah not sure healthy femininity has the same route as healthy masculinity.

So sue me.

swervring

grumpynerd wrote: »

Not sure how much gyms have to offer females. Spin classes and gitl sized weihjts prgrams will change your body composition and maybe boost self esteem but who wants a gf with robust forearms and tins of tuna on the shopping list?

Ive always thought tennis yoga and ballroom dance combined with a big emphasis on nutrtion and eating habits might be a better bet for most women.

Just a thought.

While I appreciate the contribution I can't say I agree. I don't like tennis, I don't like ballroom dancing, and I eat tuna because I like it. Changing my body composition is exactly what I'm after - I know how to eat right and I know how to exercise in a way that makes me feel good.

Also, I do know targets that aren't always the best way to measure things - but I'd like to set myself one and I'm just looking for some advice on what might be a healthy one for me.

Alf Veedersane

grumpynerd wrote: »

Not saying shouldnt but asking whether? Women gym training is very recent esp in ireland.

Its not like the fitness industry will turn down market share but yeah not sure healthy femininity has the same route as healthy masculinity.

So sue me.

So women who do weight training can't be feminine and attractive?

Penny Tration

grumpynerd wrote: »

Not sure how much gyms have to offer females. Spin classes and gitl sized weihjts prgrams will change your body composition and maybe boost self esteem but who wants a gf with robust forearms and tins of tuna on the shopping list?

Ive always thought tennis yoga and ballroom dance combined with a big emphasis on nutrtion and eating habits might be a better bet for most women.

Just a thought.

Firstly - any man that has an issue with his girlfriend buying tuna while food shopping is a Fcuking idiot and weirdo.

Secondly - women sized weights? What? At my best, I was lifting heavier weights than the men I knew. I never got a muscular, 'masculine' physique, or any defined muscles really. I just dropped fat and inches.

Tennis is boring and unchallenging. Yoga is also boring. Ballroom dancing? for real? This isn't the 1940s. If I'm gonna do dance, it'll be Zumba, hip-hop or breakdance, not Fcuking ballroom dancing.

There's absolutely no reason why women shouldn't do what you seem to think are man things.

We don't have much testosterone in our bodies. We're not going to become steroid filled, tanned muscular beasts just from bloody lifting.

Penny Tration

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

So women who do weight training can't be feminine and attractive?

No Alf. We turn into muscular she-beasts, poised to beat men to near death at the slightest insult.

grumpynerd

Just to offer up considerations. Ive been gymming for years before anyone could spell gym in ireland.

My job to suggest what others mightnt. I often see unhappy women at my gym doing workouts more suitable for men because its the latest trend or because they feel a certain physique is required these days.

Im not saying gym training cant be for women too but I see it being more industry and cash oriented than for men where evolutio has had a hand for millions of years.

The op asked about health in the context of bmi and gym trainibg and a history of weight problems. Important to note current cultural and business biases for girls in the gym as opposed to what were the goto options until maybe 6 years ago.

papu

grumpynerd wrote: »

Just to offer up considerations. Ive been gymming for years before anyone could spell gym in ireland.

My job to suggest what others mightnt. I often see unhappy women at my gym doing workouts more suitable for men because its the latest trend or because they feel a certain physique is required these days.

Im not saying gym training cant be for women too but I see it being more industry and cash oriented than for men where evolutio has had a hand for millions of years.

The op asked about health in the context of bmi and gym trainibg and a history of weight problems. Important to note current cultural and business biases for girls in the gym as opposed to what were the goto options until maybe 6 years ago.

How is a Mans workout different to a womans workout?
How is a Mans muscle different to a womans muscle?

Alf Veedersane

grumpynerd wrote: »

Just to offer up considerations. Ive been gymming for years before anyone could spell gym in ireland.

My job to suggest what others mightnt. I often see unhappy women at my gym doing workouts more suitable for men because its the latest trend or because they feel a certain physique is required these days.

Im not saying gym training cant be for women too but I see it being more industry and cash oriented than for men where evolutio has had a hand for millions of years.

The op asked about health in the context of bmi and gym trainibg and a history of weight problems. Important to note current cultural and business biases for girls in the gym as opposed to what were the goto options until maybe 6 years ago.

I'm not sure ballroom dancing was ever a 'goto' option.

What 'industry' and 'business bias' has to do with women getting themselves into good shape in a gym, I don't know.

Alf Veedersane

papu wrote: »

How is a Mans workout different to a womans workout?
How is a Mans muscle different to a womans muscle?

Because business.

And/or industry.

Women being happy with what they're doing is a hell of a lot different to the very patronising 'who wants a gf that...' i dont even know where to start

Alf Veedersane

Women of the world, if you want as boyfriend like this handsome fellow (on the right), then...

I do like ballroom
I don't like women know your place

swervring

I honestly have no idea what business or industry have to do with women in the gym - my gym is a small gym that does small group training classes with a great rate of success. And mainly female members. I know I'd much rather be there than putting on a frilly dress to do ballroom dancing - not that there is anything wrong with that either, its just not for me.

Oryx

grumpynerd wrote: »

My job to suggest what others mightnt. I often see unhappy women at my gym doing workouts more suitable for men because its the latest trend or because they feel a certain physique is required these days.

Im curious as to what these are.

Im not saying gym training cant be for women too but I see it being more industry and cash oriented than for men where evolutio has had a hand for millions of years.

What on earth are you on about?

The op asked about health in the context of bmi and gym trainibg and a history of weight problems. Important to note current cultural and business biases for girls in the gym as opposed to what were the goto options until maybe 6 years ago.

I think the offerings for women have improved. They are no longer seen as only able for 'pink weights'. 20 years ago when I started 'gymming' a girl in the weights section was treated like she was lost. Thank god that has changed.

Arthur B

I don't know about bmi but I know Slender Health Gym do good deals at the moment, I am going to sign up;) WestWood are great too - I used to be a member. It's all about moving - I walk a lot and I think this keeps me slim:)
Fingers crossed for you!

blatantrereg

If you don't have big muscles then BMI is an okay indicator. BMI of 27 is fine. There is a major negative impact on health if your BMI is >30 and you are classified as obese. There isn't much evidence that being classed overweight and having BMI between 25 and 30 is much to worry about on the other hand.

Deer

I have no contribution to make only to say best of luck with the weight loss swerving and that certain contributions on this thread have given me a much needed laugh tonight !

elprincipito

Poster is kinda right, I doubt Audrey Hepburn squatted. Probably best to eat healthy and engage in sports like fencing, tennis if you want a nice body as a women.

Penny Tration

elprincipito wrote: »

Poster is kinda right, I doubt Audrey Hepburn squatted. Probably best to eat healthy and engage in sports like fencing, tennis if you want a nice body as a women.

Or do sports you enjoy, which could also include lifting, squatting, jogging, football, rugby, etc.

With regards to your 'nice body' comment - women who squat properly and regularly tend to have fantastic bums.

Alf Veedersane

elprincipito wrote: »

Poster is kinda right, I doubt Audrey Hepburn squatted. Probably best to eat healthy and engage in sports like fencing, tennis if you want a nice body as a women.

Squats would be part of training for both fencing and tennis.

Or do the women folk just play a genteel game before heading off to prepare afternoon tea for Mr Darcy and his chums?

elprincipito

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Squats would be part of training for both fencing and tennis.

Or do the women folk just play a genteel game before heading off to prepare afternoon tea for Mr Darcy and his chums?

Sharapova: “I can’t handle lifting more than five pounds,” Sharapova said. “It’s just annoying, and it’s just too much hard work. And for my sport, I just feel like it’s unnecessary.

I can't post the article because I am a new user, it is from a recent New York times article

All this squatting and weights for women is a fad, I wouldn't say it is essential at all unless of course you like lifting weights(Strangely some people find the idea of lifting metal in a room 'fun')

Alf Veedersane

Marion Bartoli mentioned being able to squat 3 times her bodyweight at the peak of her powers. I doubt she did a full squat that much but she squatted is the point.

But squatting doesn't necessarily mean banging out heavy squats but a lot of tennis players will need to train their glutes and legs to improve their movement around the court or be better on grass where the ball stays lower and they have to sit lower. It may not even be squats but single leg work but they will usually do some resistance training for their lower body.

Just because you don't find weight training enjoyable doesn't mean no one does.

And there are plenty of female athletes that compete in sports outside of tennis and fencing AND who do resistance training who have nice bodies.

Triceratops Ballet

elprincipito wrote:

All this squatting and weights for women is a fad, I wouldn't say it is essential at all unless of course you like lifting weights(Strangely some people find the idea of lifting metal in a room 'fun')

Well technically its not necessary for ANYONE and among the women I know those who dont like lifting dont lift. Maybe it's a fad for some or maybe it's an opportunity for some women to try out something they always wanted to try but worried that people would tell them that a womans place is on the treadmill.

Op in terms of goal, did slimming world give you a goal? I dont know much about slimming world but i know its a big part of weight watchers. I get the importance of having a goal, how do you know you're going the right direction if there is no end point.
For me its not a number on the scales or a bmi, it's a red dress! Tbh I'm not even sure of the size cos I had to cut the tags off as they were visable, but I know that when I can fit into that dress then the goal is achieved. For me numbers be it on the scales or bmi just give me something to obsess over and fixate on and that's not healthy for me

elprincipito

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Marion Bartoli mentioned being able to squat 3 times her bodyweight at the peak of her powers. I doubt she did a full squat that much but she squatted is the point.

But squatting doesn't necessarily mean banging out heavy squats but a lot of tennis players will need to train their glutes and legs to improve their movement around the court or be better on grass where the ball stays lower and they have to sit lower. It may not even be squats but single leg work but they will usually do some resistance training for their lower body.

Just because you don't find weight training enjoyable doesn't mean no one does.

And there are plenty of female athletes that compete in sports outside of tennis and fencing AND who do resistance training who have nice bodies.

This is going to sound rude but Bartoli does not exactly personify femininity. Like I say it depends on your goals, and there is nothing wrong with going gym as a women its just there are other ways to get in good shape, including ballroom dancing

elprincipito

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Marion Bartoli mentioned being able to squat 3 times her bodyweight at the peak of her powers. I doubt she did a full squat that much but she squatted is the point.

But squatting doesn't necessarily mean banging out heavy squats but a lot of tennis players will need to train their glutes and legs to improve their movement around the court or be better on grass where the ball stays lower and they have to sit lower. It may not even be squats but single leg work but they will usually do some resistance training for their lower body.

Just because you don't find weight training enjoyable doesn't mean no one does.

And there are plenty of female athletes that compete in sports outside of tennis and fencing AND who do resistance training who have nice bodies.

This is going to sound rude but Bartoli does not exactly personify femininity. Like I say it depends on your goals, and there is nothing wrong with going gym as a women its just there are other ways to get in good shape, including ballroom dancing

Personally I prefer an Audrey Hepburn body to Jen Selter.

Triceratops Ballet

elprincipito wrote:

Personally I prefer an Audrey Hepburn body to Jen Selter.

Luckily for women being pleasing to your eyes is not a requirement for existance!

elprincipito

It kinda is though, I mean not me personally but impressing guys, it be foolish to suggest girls don't workout to look hot.

Penny Tration

elprincipito wrote: »

It kinda is though, I mean not me personally but impressing guys, it be foolish to suggest girls don't workout to look hot.

I work out to be HEALTHY, not hot. Same reason I'm watching what I eat carefully and losing weight. I already like how I look, but being healthier is the aim because I'd like to live a long, fruitful life.

Suggesting some pro athletes don't look feminine enough FOR YOU, telling women we should be doing fcuking tennis and not lift or squat? Seriously? The sexism is laughable.

Hanley

I think the real question here is how can a woman meet a man well off enough to afford a house that's big enough to put gym in the kitchen for her.

Alf Veedersane

elprincipito wrote: »

This is going to sound rude but Bartoli does not exactly personify femininity. Like I say it depends on your goals, and there is nothing wrong with going gym as a women its just there are other ways to get in good shape, including ballroom dancing

Personally I prefer an Audrey Hepburn body to Jen Selter.

There are plenty of ways to get in good shape. Weight training is one of them.

And you have your preferences but that doesn't mean that any woman that does weight training but doesn't have a figure like Audrey Hepburn isn't feminine enough.

Triceratops Ballet

Because women have no agency of their own? We spend all our time thinking about what men think of us? We couldn't possibly have an interest in sports or hobbies if the end result isn't us bagging a man! Get a grip!

Alf Veedersane

dottie_lottie wrote: »

Because women have no agency of their own? We spend all our time thinking about what men think of us? We couldn't possibly have an interest in sports or hobbies if the end result isn't us bagging a man! Get a grip!

I certainly won't be fencing opposite you!

elprincipito

dottie_lottie wrote: »

Because women have no agency of their own? We spend all our time thinking about what men think of us? We couldn't possibly have an interest in sports or hobbies if the end result isn't us bagging a man! Get a grip!

I have an interest in sports and have hobbies, the gym is just something I do, its boring as hell, but it has to be done or I won't feel good. Most people who go to the gym are doing it for vanity and to increase their value in the opposite sex, that is just reality.

Alf Veedersane

elprincipito wrote: »

I have an interest in sports and have hobbies, the gym is just something I do, its boring as hell, but it has to be done or I won't feel good.

Have you tried fencing?

Tremendous fun.

Oh I definitely work out to be health and hot.

No question.

And guess what - I squat :eek:

elprincipito

You guys should sheck out that article I alluded to actually. The Williams sisters don't touch weights btw.

Penny Tration

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Oh I definitely work out to be health and hot.

No question.

And guess what - I squat :eek:

You should really stop squatting before you develop a manly figure

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy

Jenny Thalia wrote: »

You should really stop squatting before you develop a manly figure

You're joking, right? You are, of course...