BMI - sighhhhhhhhhhhh

I now weigh 163 pounds (down from 300 lbs 14 months ago) - I went to the BMI calculator just to check out where I stood - I played with it a little bit to find out just what I would need to weigh in order to be "normal" because I am still "overweight" according to that lovely little system...I would need to weigh 138 pounds just to get to normal... My surgeons goal for me was 165 (due to age and bone mass) - I am in a size 10/12 pants and large top...Honestly I'm not sure I want to weigh 138 pounds (not that I could on the path I am on) - I think I would be too thin. I am almost happy where I am - my ultimate personal goal is 150 pounds which I would really like to see by January 1, 2007...(am I dreaming???) but I will still be "over weight" with my BMI - now granted I have gone from a 53.1 down to 28.8 (still bordering on OBESE) and I feel great - so my question is....just how important is this BMI thing?? I am really confused and a little disillusioned by it... hugssssssss...Linda

I dont know if this will help but i found it online. it will take me another almost 25 lbs to get to normal but here is what i seen online Body Mass Index One of the best ways to determine your risk for health problems associated with weight is to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI). Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is an important factor in determining your health risk. It is a method of relating your height to your weight, that provides an estimate of the degree to which you may be over- or underweight.

well according to that chart I am bordering obese - makes no sense to me but thank you

The BMI thing is a bit of a bummer, I agree. However if you feel good and really don't think you will get down to the "normal BMI" why sweat it. Statistically you have dramatically reduced your chances of weight related illness by loosing what you have. Your surgery is considered sucessful if you loose 75% of your excess body weight, which it looks like you have --although I havent' done the numbers. Why beat yourself up over 25 pounds?

oh I'm not beating myself up over the weight - I just don't understand the BMI thing and how it can still have me as borderline obese - that's the part that I don't understand. I am very happy with the progress I have made over the last year and don't want to lose another 25 pounds...(I think I would be too thin) it's the BMI thing that drives me crazy!

Good because you look Great! I don't really understand it either. However I know that for my height and age, the national average is above the normal BMI. Check out this website. It might be helpful. http://www.halls.md/body-mass-index/bmi.htm

BMI drives me nuts, too. I have lost 133lbs in 14 months, going from 280 to 147. I am still technically overweight according to my BMI. I need to be at 141 lbs to be in the "normal" range. Well, my PS believes he wil remove 6-8 lbs of excess skin after my TT and BR on Dec 15th, so I should be "normal" then

okay Linda, here is my theory!! I was totally stressing about getting to normal BMI which would be 158. I was at 160, 161, and just couldn't get to that. It was so a 'I want to be a normal bmi thing', not really the number on the scale. Well guess what, so I had this cute little surgery and sometime somehow during that process I have lost and am now at 150!! Yup, I'm normal bmi. But you know what. I think I look awful!! I think I look frail, weak, and just not as healthy. And healthy is really the look I am going for. I know I am still sort of getting through this surgery and not quite on my regular routine, so I'm not real worried that I am going to stay at this weight. I think I will get back to what is probably good for me, maybe 160'ish, and I will be satisfied. So for me - screw the bmi. But I totally totally know how you feel. It is just wanting to be normal!! I understand. Oh, and this is so me, but I even tried to find a calculator that would give me a break due to my age!! What a fool I am!!! love you Linda!! donna

Linda, I so get it. I cannot believe the BMI is a good indicator of HEALTH and my nutritionist agrees. There is apparently a "new" measure for what is healthy: Hips to waist ratio which is "supposed" to determine( according to the "professsionals") how healthy you are. I like this one better because according to this measure, I am healthy at 160. The BMI has me about 15 pounds overweight!! Try googling hips to waist ratio and you will find a website that will help you figure out how to do this and see how "healthy" you are according to this measure. I agree with Donna Mae though, it really is about how you FEEL not the number on a scale or even the hips to waist ratio crap. I have decided to accept that I will be a little overweight but healthier than MOST adults my age: 44, No medication except vitamins and able to run 4 miles a day, eating a healthy diet and active!! What more can one want in life!! Believe me, I understand the importance of the BMI and despite loosing 115 pounds still have what I call "FAT DAYS" when I feel like I never lost an ounce. Keep your Chin up and appreciate all you have done for yourself and CONGRATULATIONS on your success. HUGS, jacqueline

BMI is just a rule of thumb......it's useful in accessing a degree of overweight or underweight as long as other factors are taken into account. Keep in mind that: Arnold Schwartzenager and Tom Cruise are "obese" if you go only by BMI. EVERY Bariatric surgeon I have met has a BMI higher than 25. As people who have been MO, we have heavier bones, and excess skin that aren't included in the BMI Calculator. Health is the most important thing, and that's something only you & your bloodwork can truly assess.