Do You Know Your BMI?

Falcon said:
No, I don't know what it is. Just something else to worry about. Why do you ask?

I'm just happy the way things are.
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BMI stands for BODY MASS INDEX and is determined simply by your height and weight. Google BMI and calculate your own BMI Nothing to worry about by checking it.
 
Lon said:
This is certainly a number that we should all endeavor to keep at a normal level.
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Yup, mine hold pretty steady at about 23.5. An even better general indicator is the Waist vs. Height ratio. If your waist is more than half your height, you might want to modify your lifestyle.
 
Falcon said:
No, I don't know what it is. Just something else to worry about. Why do you ask?

I'm just happy the way things are.
Click to expand...

Exactly, It seems that the medical profession is far too keen to put people into categories. Anyway, BMI (which incidentally is also a British airline) is regarded im some areas as a crude and unreliable statistic.
 
I don't bother with BMI because it doesn't take into account the amount of muscle mass which makes a BMI higher. My ideal weight changes as I continue to build more muscle.
 
A1C, BS, BP, Tumor Markers, ALT/AST, Potassium,,,etc are the important numbers I strive for. I have never had my PC doctor, oncologist, cardiologist or ophthalmologist indicate that my BMI is too high. I think it's a number that is of more interest to nutritionist/body conscience trainers. Mine is high at 28.2. I goal is to get down to 205 (from 220) which would put me somewhere in the 25-26 range (still overweight). That in a nut shell is my goal along with great CBC numbers. I'll never get that last 10-15 lbs off (too old) & don't have any desire to.

It's like a chart I was looking at 9-10 months ago that 140/90 should be considered normal BP for a 70 YO male. I was in that range. Then the government decided to up the ante somewhat to 120/70 which I've finally achieved with medication & weight loss. The numbers were probably because the pharmaceutical industry needed to sell more BP pills, created a need. I've also read that elderly patients do better after surgery & medications if they are slightly overweight, helps with the recovery process & side effects of medication. Explain that.
 
I could not tell you what mine is, but the last time it was checked - 2 years ago - it was within the range for my height, etc. I am not sure that I would have changed anything tho' had it been outwith that range.
 
My BMI is 20.6 and has been the same for a few years now. Very little fluctuation. But then, except for being unable to resist the lure of a bag of potato chips or rice chips, my diet is pretty much unchanging too.
 
Lon said:
Do You Know Your BMI?
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Yep, my Dr. told me just yesterday that it's too high, due to my recent weight gain. I know that some of the weight I put on is definitely fat, but a percentage of the gain is muscle, as I have stepped up my workout.
 
I have shrunk 2" since I retired, do I get a discount for that?

I stayed in a hotel in London that a scale in the room. It gave you your weight in either kilos or stones, no pounds.
 
Manatee said:
I have shrunk 2" since I retired, do I get a discount for that?

I stayed in a hotel in London that a scale in the room. It gave you your weight in either kilos or stones, no pounds.
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Very easy. Just multiply kilos x 2.2 to get pounds. 1 stone is 14 lbs.
 
Lon, I don't worry about things like that. I'm perfectly happy with my body the way it is.

I eat what I like and don't need any meds. So I don't need any stress worrying about what's good for me or bad for me.

Talk to me again when you reach my age.
 
Lon said:
This is certainly a number that we should all endeavor to keep at a normal level.
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Yesterday the PCP estimated that my BMI would be 23.8 when I lose my abdominal pannus. According to one fitness expert, I may have to live to be 110 but it does give me a target date. Right now it's 24.8.

Taught ya a new word, didn't I.
 
The BMI scale is not always a surefire indicator of being overweight or obese. It does not account for percent body fat or muscle mass, so a muscular person’s score may be skewed. Also, when at the same BMI, women tend to have more body fat than men, and older people tend to have more body fat than younger people. However, the relation between the BMI scale number and body fatness is strong.
 
My Dad's way of gauging his weight was always a favorite pair of slacks. If they started to get a bit snug he cut back on empty calories for awhile...It must have worked, he's always stayed trim. I think it's important not to obsess over every ounce. Every month or so I go to the pharmacy machine. It's off to the side and seems fairly accurate. It gives your blood pressure and BMI on an easy to read chart. If you're within the green bar you're doing good.
 

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