Hey guys, Did you know that BMI for women and men is the same?  How can that be?  Anyway, I was 225 in highschool and a failry low body fat percentage.  I was up to bmi 44 before surgery and now I weigh 240 and I am appoaching the weight I was in highschool.  However, if I go by the BMI chart, I should lose another 45 pounds to ne a "normal" weight.   I was never in the "ones" and have always carried a large frame and have been fairly muscular at 6'3".  So I wanted to ask if anyone else decided that the normal weight on the BMI chart was realistic for men?  I'm thinking of changing my goal weight to 225 instead of 195 but I dont want to feel like I am compromising.   Any thoughts?

Matt- Yep, having a 'realist' Goal is as imortant as having any goal to start with. And yes, the BMI i a fairly crude measuring system that doesn't take into account muscularity.  By standard BMI alculations, actors Harrison Ford, & Will Smith are overweight and Sylveter Stallone (Rocky/Rambo) is Obese!  There are many more 'elegant' methods of setting an accurate "Health Goal" rather than just a number on the scale. sorry to just 'copy/paste' from an old post, but it saves a bunch of typing.... Best Wishes- Dx From a post of mine on Quix---

Body Mass Index (BMI) - The most widely used index of obesity. The BMI approximates body mass using a mathematical ratio of weight and height. . The higher the BMI, the greater the percentage of body fat, in general Given its simplicity and objectivity, the BMI has displaced weight-and-height tables. This index is a measure of weight that accounts for height A BMI of 30 is now regarded by most health agencies as the threshold for obesity. The calculation for BMI is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. The BMI is not the most accurate way to estimate obesity - but it is the easiest. A BMI over 40 generally qualifies as morbid obesity. Note, however, that BMI measurements in body-builders and athletes may not be accurate determinants of obesity. …from- "1is2fat.com" Weight Chart & Body Fat Calculators: "Weight Chart look-ups and Body fat calculator results are the easiest way to establish your ideal weight and body fat percentage.  The most accurate ways are to check your perception against the accepted norms, using precise calculations. Try the body fat calculator or the BMI calculator to see if your perception of yourself is right."   Body Mass Index (BMI) - is a measure to help assess if you're at a healthy weight and if weight loss is necessary. http://www.1is2fat.com/bmi_calculator.htm  Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) - shows the number of calories your body needs to operate. -http://www.1is2fat.com/basal_metabolic_rate_calculator.htm   Body Frame Calculator - To refine and define theoretical weights, researchers added frame size as a factor. http://www.1is2fat.com/body_frame.htm

Calorie & Protein  Requirement Calculator - a quick approximation of Caloric and Protein needs. http://www.1is2fat.com/calorie_requirement_calculator.htm Calorie Use Calculator - a quick approximation of Calories Utilized. http://www.1is2fat.com/calorie_calculator.htm

Body Shape Calculator - to get a clearer picture of your overall health risk, some find it useful to check body shape - plotting the size of the waist against height on the Ashwell^® shape chart. http://www.1is2fat.com/Body-shape-calculator.htm Male Body Shape Calculator - adjusts 'body shape' standards to specifically accommodate male musculature. http://www.1is2fat.com/male_body_calculator.htm Waist/Hip Ratio Calculator - is used to establish weight loss goal based on body shape.  http://www.1is2fat.com/waist_hip_ratio_calculator.htm Old-Style "Weight-to-Height" Chart  - once used as the primary means of determining Overweight status. http://www.1is2fat.com/weight_chart.htm Running Time Calculator -  a tool to help plan exercise to measure fitness and weight loss progress. http://www.1is2fat.com/running_time_calculator.htm "Jogger's Choice" Calculator - another tool to measure fitness by running and weight loss progress. http://www.1is2fat.com/joggers_calorie_calculator.htm

Thanks for the reply.  I will take a look at those sites.  I just realized the other night when I was inputing weight on a BMI calculater that the BMI chart is the same for men and women.  That's when it hit me that this cant be right for all men.

Yo Matt.   I hear ya and understand exactly your feelings.  I am in the same boat with a goal weight of 180.  I weighed 245 when I got out of HS and went to 260 before going on a protein diet and taking upi jogging.  I got down to 200. Actually I got down to 180 for 2 weeks but couldn't maintain it.  Me and my body were a lot happier at 200.  That being said.  Coming down from 408, not being in organized sports like in HS, but getting in more exercise that I have in addition to being more active than I have been in a while.....A goal weight of 180 I am thinking may be a bit ambitious also.  But it is the goal I set and I desire, it is my intent, to get there.   That doesn't mean I have to stabilize there if I don't like it.  If I become unhealthy in order to get there,...that will be a different story,...but for right now; 180 is my goal.  I may very well get more into lifting and bulk up some, especially regarding upper body.  I also have a goal of wearing at least as small as a 36 pants which is what I wore when I was 200 back in the day.  That may or may not workout with the goal weight of 180.   I don't worry too much about the BMI except that Life and Health Insurance companies use that in policy writing and benefits determination so, it can have a impact.  But being labeled overweight or even obese by a chart is the least of my concerns. Make a decision that you are at peace about and live with it,...but don't sell yourself short because you are comfortable.  Remeber the period of rapid weight loss is a window of 12-18 months for most, some shorter, some longer.  I want to get as much of as is healthy doing thet magic period because it seems to be a more difiicult task in 2 or 3 years, according to those I read about. Joe

Thanks Joe, I think what I am going to do is work to get down to 220, then I will focus on proper long term diet and exercise.  My body will then decide to maintain a health weight or continue to drop down.  I like how you mentioned your goal being a clothes size.  That has been mine to.  I wear a 36 pants and XL shirt.   I am so glad to be wearing clothers that are in the normal section again. Thanks for the reply