BMI sucks

I don't put much faith into BMI charts.  They aren't accurate.  They are for what someone considered an average frame, and average lifestyle.  If you have a larger frame (bone structure) or are more muscular than their average, the BMI levels are not accurate.

Put your sights on how you feel, not a number that wasn't based on your body type, or what anyone else thinks.

Since I didn't trust BMI to tell me if I was healthy or not, I had my body fat analyzed, I was at 36%, the top of healthy is 33% so my doctor told me I could start maintenance if I wanted.  I was just happy to be in the healthy range.

Cathy

You are right. I think I will stop checking it. I am actually pretty happy with the size I am. I am smaller now than when I met my husband 38 years ago

I too would like to lose 15 - 20 lbs, but just to say that I'm under 200 lbs, which I don't remember being.  While a bit of plastic surgery would do it (when I win the lottery) and going to the gym will help (more likely to happen), I'm not worried about it.  I am currently smaller than I was when I graduated high school.  I'm happy about that.

While I know I need to get back to the gym, and plan to do so, if I don't lose 20 lbs, I'm not going to worry about it.  It's just a number.

Good luck with your surgery!

Cathy

Thanks. You have a great attitude. With the summer coming I know I will be active. The plastic surgery isn't going to happen for me either

if you would like to get the only tried tested and true way to accurately measure your BMI, is to ask your physician for a req for a Bone Mineral Density Scan, the one with a full body. it is amazing, and can tell you exactly the weight and composition (fat, muscle, bone) of each body part. takes less the 3 mins. well worth it. I just finished my clinical practicum in Radiography and had a rotation in BMD, and am looking forward to getting a req of my own to have this procedure

Sounds cool. Do they do these to measure bone density for osteoporosis? 

I had a DEXA scan - which is a full body scan. I went to a place on Broadview Ave in Toronto. It was $100. I had one done the day I started Optifast as a baseline. I had one at six months and will do one at one year and each year after that. I found it very informative but then again, I like that kind of stuff 

Does sound interesting. Because of my age I will probably need a bone scan soon anyway

That scan tells you bone density as well. 

according to most BMI charts Olympic Swimmer Michael Phelps is overweight. . .anyone care to tell him this? BMI tables only consider 2 variables height and weight. Other important variables include body type, muscle mass (muscle weighs more than fat) and percentage body fat.

I knew of a WLS patient who was struggling to reach normal BMI weight she finally signed up with a personal trainer to "kick her a$$" Part of the intake included % body fat. . .hers was 3%. . .how could she possibly lose another pound without putting her health in jeopardy?

In summary BMI is only one parameter. This journey is yours not friends not your families not your co-workers yours. Your journey is complete when you decide you have arrived regardless of what the BMI chart says