BMI vs fat on my body.

Ronni

Ronni

Well-known Member
Location
Nashville TN
Body mass index = A weight to height ratio used as an indicator of both obesity and underweight.

The National Institutes of Health suggests a range of healthy BMI, and gives a handy calculator to measure individual BMI’s

BMI calculator

I’ve used a bunch of different BMI calculators, all of which put my BMI at between 22-23. When it’s been measured more formally at the gym, it’s slightly higher, but still within an acceptable range. By all “normal” standards I am at an acceptable weight for my height and within an appropriate BMI range.

That’s all well and good, but is in direct contradiction to what I’m seeing and feeling with my own body. I’ve developed abdominal fat since menopause, the midriff bulge common to folks in later life. My waist keeps traveling upwards, and I can pinch waaaay more than an inch....more like a very large handful. 😡

Weight wise I fluctuate within a 5 pound range and I’m at the high end of that since coming back from vacation. Again it’s an acceptable range...145-150 lbs at 5’8 1/2. But it doesn’t feel good. 😟 Plus there’s all kinds of research now to indicate belly fat is an indicator of visceral fat...the kind that builds up around vital internal organs creating a health hazard. And no matter how carefully I eat to maintain a healthy weight, that fat seems to just continue to accumulate.

I’m so confused by all these contradictions. 🥴 What’s your experience?
 

Like yours, my BMI ranges from 22-23. If I gain weight or some belly fat shows up my strategy is to lay off sweets, oils, grains, corn (other than popcorn which I cannot survive without) and potatoes other than sweet potatoes.

Since I'm already a Whole Food Plant Based ovo-vegan (I eat eggs and/or egg whites a few times a week but no other dairy and no meat), that means shifting more heavily into fruit, veggie, tofu and bean territory while leaving the simpler carbs behind. Even whole grains.

Go-to snacks are home-popped popcorn, unsweetened applesauce, and a small handful of mixed nuts. I eat almost no processed foods as it is.

That's what works for me. I'd also like to see what solutions other SF members have found.
 
I can get too obsessed with denying myself this, that, and the other thing. I try to keep a balanced and happy medium. Told my kids, if I am dying, give me a large scoop of ice cream for all the times I denied myself in order to be fit as a fiddle.
 
I'm in the group that says BMI is a totally useless indicator. There are so many variables in people's weight including bone density, muscle mass, even hydration. All you have to do is 'google' BMI and see the negatives.

".....That’s all well and good, but is in direct contradiction to what I’m seeing and feeling with my own body. I’ve developed abdominal fat since menopause, the midriff bulge common to folks in later life. My waist keeps traveling upwards, and I can pinch waaaay more than an inch....more like a very large handful.....".
Yes. That is a far better health indicator than BMI. Fat around the middle is some of the most unhealthy fat and yes, difficult to get rid of. I'm sure you realize there is no spot reducing. You have to have some kind of caloric restriction and lose the weight. I have trouble in the middle and work out a couple of hours a day. So, I need to reduce calories too.
 
retiredtraveler said:
I'm in the group that says BMI is a totally useless indicator. There are so many variables in people's weight including bone density, muscle mass, even hydration. All you have to do is 'google' BMI and see the negatives.

".....That’s all well and good, but is in direct contradiction to what I’m seeing and feeling with my own body. I’ve developed abdominal fat since menopause, the midriff bulge common to folks in later life. My waist keeps traveling upwards, and I can pinch waaaay more than an inch....more like a very large handful.....".
Yes. That is a far better health indicator than BMI. Fat around the middle is some of the most unhealthy fat and yes, difficult to get rid of. I'm sure you realize there is no spot reducing. You have to have some kind of caloric restriction and lose the weight. I have trouble in the middle and work out a couple of hours a day. So, I need to reduce calories too.
Click to expand...

I completely agree. I’ve long since realized the utter futility of “spot reducing.” Because I dance and do other physical activities, I have a strong core, and abs of steel lol! Excellent abdominal musculature....under a nice soft cushy layer of fat! 🤦🏼‍♀️

I pay attention to everything that goes into my mouth. I count calories (keep it under 1500 a day) and carbs. (under 50 net) I need to get back to the gym, but my job is very physical, I don’t sit, I’m on the move all day and I stay active.

Other than going back to the gym I’m at a bit of a loss as to what else I can do. I don’t function well on less calories. My energy plummets and I’m hungry all the time which I’ve learned is a surefire way to binging.
 
BMI is a good indicator, but an even better one is the "Waist to Height" ratio....which says that if your waistline is more than half your height, you need to take some action to stave off future health issues. Belly fat is a sure sign that the body is having issues that will likely lead to any number of health related problems. Whenever I go anywhere is seems that half, or more, of the population has a large belly...and that goes for both men and women, and the old and young. On the rare occasions that I go to the doctors office, the waiting room is filled with those who probably cannot see their feet, unless they bend forward. The data at the CDC website clearly shows that fully 1/3rd of our nations health problems and costs are directly related to Obesity.
 
The only thing that works for me to help keep the middle area fat off is hiking. I don't use BMI measurements, just note how I feel. Mussel weighs more than fat, I can lose inches and not a pound of weight.

Here is my very unofficial idea of why we gain inches around the middle later in life. We shrink, we get a bit shorter, but our internal organs don't get smaller. So those organs stick out more. LOL
That's my story and I am sticking to it.
 
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