So you want to be a normal BMI?
When people first start their journey, including me, it seems we pick a weight that will put us in a normal BMI and say that is our goal weight. But the BMI even though widely used is not totally accurate. Look at the number of atheletes tha are in perfect health but are still considered over weight or even midly obese because of their BMI.
BMI is a formula based on height and weight and doesn't take any of the other body compisition factors into account. The BMI was Created in the mid 1800s as a way of generalizing a populations overall health. People in the medical field today agree that the BMI has its faults and does not always accurately represent an individuals true health. A 6 foot tall male body builder who weighs 210 is considered overweight according to the BMI even if his Body Fat % is low.
After having WLS and starting to make the strides in fitness that I have been able to make I quickly gave up the notion that I had to reach a certain weight to be successful. At my Heaviest ever recorded I weighed 350 I started this with a goal weight of 185 (cause that sounded way cool), today I really don't care. I admit there are days when I would like to weigh 10 pounds less because I think I would run that much faster or it would be easier to run just a bit longer, but the reality is this comes with training and by pushing myself to go farther or faster.
When I had my first nutritional consult before WLS my Body Fat % was measured at something over 50%, today my Body Fat % is 21.2% which is considered average. And all of this in 10 months!
I have given up worrying about my BMI and how neatly it will catergorize me and my health, because the reality is I am in the best health I have ever been and it is only getting better. I no longer worry about hitting the prize of weighing less than 200 if it happens cool if it doesn't I'll take trading adding pounds of muscle over pounds of fat any day. I will live my life happily knowing that regardless of what number some chart assigns me I am still healthy and fit. I will will continue to pursue fitness goals that very few NORMAL BMI people even try.
I will be happy eing Overweight with a Normal Body Fat %. So do you want to continue to let some number dictate how you view yourself?
BMI is a formula based on height and weight and doesn't take any of the other body compisition factors into account. The BMI was Created in the mid 1800s as a way of generalizing a populations overall health. People in the medical field today agree that the BMI has its faults and does not always accurately represent an individuals true health. A 6 foot tall male body builder who weighs 210 is considered overweight according to the BMI even if his Body Fat % is low.
After having WLS and starting to make the strides in fitness that I have been able to make I quickly gave up the notion that I had to reach a certain weight to be successful. At my Heaviest ever recorded I weighed 350 I started this with a goal weight of 185 (cause that sounded way cool), today I really don't care. I admit there are days when I would like to weigh 10 pounds less because I think I would run that much faster or it would be easier to run just a bit longer, but the reality is this comes with training and by pushing myself to go farther or faster.
When I had my first nutritional consult before WLS my Body Fat % was measured at something over 50%, today my Body Fat % is 21.2% which is considered average. And all of this in 10 months!
I have given up worrying about my BMI and how neatly it will catergorize me and my health, because the reality is I am in the best health I have ever been and it is only getting better. I no longer worry about hitting the prize of weighing less than 200 if it happens cool if it doesn't I'll take trading adding pounds of muscle over pounds of fat any day. I will live my life happily knowing that regardless of what number some chart assigns me I am still healthy and fit. I will will continue to pursue fitness goals that very few NORMAL BMI people even try.
I will be happy eing Overweight with a Normal Body Fat %. So do you want to continue to let some number dictate how you view yourself?
Paul C.
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
(deactivated member)
on 6/3/11 4:15 am - clyde, OH
on 6/3/11 4:15 am - clyde, OH
I also am glad you wrote this. I am scheduled for wls on July 18th. Just like for everyone else, it has been a long journy. I started a year ago.
I was told that I should loose as much weight as possible and get my bmi as low as possible. My BMI put me at morbidly obese at that time. Since then I have been in the hospital 3 times, and have gained 20 lbs. As if gaining 20 lbs wasn't upsetting enough, I looked at my new bmi. It is in the super morbidly obese catagory. This devistated me.
This is when I decided to try to ignore my BMI. This number is not telling me anything I don't already know. I know that it is very hard for me to loose weight or I wouldn't be getting the surgery. I know that my BMI is 54 but I also know that there are other things that contribute to my weight that are not taken in to concideration, such as my very large breasts. I was starting to feel as if this number defined who I am and how successful the wls would be.
My weight goals have changed over the last week. My goal now has nothing to do with my bmi. I want to be at a weight that makes me comfortable.
I just want to be able to run!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was told that I should loose as much weight as possible and get my bmi as low as possible. My BMI put me at morbidly obese at that time. Since then I have been in the hospital 3 times, and have gained 20 lbs. As if gaining 20 lbs wasn't upsetting enough, I looked at my new bmi. It is in the super morbidly obese catagory. This devistated me.
This is when I decided to try to ignore my BMI. This number is not telling me anything I don't already know. I know that it is very hard for me to loose weight or I wouldn't be getting the surgery. I know that my BMI is 54 but I also know that there are other things that contribute to my weight that are not taken in to concideration, such as my very large breasts. I was starting to feel as if this number defined who I am and how successful the wls would be.
My weight goals have changed over the last week. My goal now has nothing to do with my bmi. I want to be at a weight that makes me comfortable.
I just want to be able to run!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for writing this... because I am scared of the "normal" BMI weight for me.
Supposedly, for me to have a normal BMI I would have to weigh 125 lbs. Now keep in mind, I think the last time I was 125 is when I was in my mid teens.... there is no way in h3ll I want to weigh 125 lbs. Mostly because I am scared of how small that is, and secondly because my happy body image is at 150. My Dr. doesnt give goal weights. He tells us to let our body decide.
you have a smart doctor and yo will do fine by not setting a goal weight and have a lot less frustrations. As for the weight you might be suprised where you body decides it wants to be. I weigh less now than I did in high school which was 20+ years ago.
Paul C.
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
Paul,
With an attitude like yours, this is the real reason you are one of the success stories of WLS, and will be a success story for the rest of your life. My doc doesn't assign a goal weight, they jus****ch and make sure you aren't getting too thin. It really is all about the health. I may never reach a normal BMI, but I finally did a body fat calculation and was absolutely shocked to discover my percentage is at 26. 78%, low end of acceptable. I've never been a normal range weight wise for anything. I'm fitter and healthier and more active than I've ever been in my life, and I love it. That is what success is all about, being healthy. I've always said great minds think alike, and I love how you think. We really do need to party or do a race together someday.
Jan
With an attitude like yours, this is the real reason you are one of the success stories of WLS, and will be a success story for the rest of your life. My doc doesn't assign a goal weight, they jus****ch and make sure you aren't getting too thin. It really is all about the health. I may never reach a normal BMI, but I finally did a body fat calculation and was absolutely shocked to discover my percentage is at 26. 78%, low end of acceptable. I've never been a normal range weight wise for anything. I'm fitter and healthier and more active than I've ever been in my life, and I love it. That is what success is all about, being healthy. I've always said great minds think alike, and I love how you think. We really do need to party or do a race together someday.
Jan
Bay to Breakers 12K May 15, 2011 (1:54:40) First 5K 5/23/11 (41:22)
Half Marathons: Napa: 7/18/10 (4:11:21) 7/17/11 (3:30:58) 7/15/12 (3:13:11.5)
SJ Rock and Roll: 10/2/10 (3:58:22) Run Surf City: 2/6/11 (3:19:54)
Diva: 5/6/12 (3:35:00)
HW/SW/CW 349/326/176
"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." - Albert Einstein
Half Marathons: Napa: 7/18/10 (4:11:21) 7/17/11 (3:30:58) 7/15/12 (3:13:11.5)
SJ Rock and Roll: 10/2/10 (3:58:22) Run Surf City: 2/6/11 (3:19:54)
Diva: 5/6/12 (3:35:00)
HW/SW/CW 349/326/176
"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." - Albert Einstein
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