Please take this poll and try to be honest

I think weight isnt the right measure of health! perhaps the percentage of fat is better? You may be flabby, but the right weight. or muscular and slightly overweight.. in any case, we all know what really overweight really means!

Oacs.

If you asked this last year, I'd be in the more than slightly overweight. To be utterly selfish, and even vain, I wasn't too interested in buying new pants, so I went on a diet along with my wife. I've lost about 20 lbs and have been able to keep it off without difficulty.

Funny thing is, I'm back in the same situation, I need to buy new pants.

Originally posted by Wall Man If you asked this last year, I'd be in the more than slightly overweight. To be utterly selfish, and even vain, I wasn't too interested in buying new pants, so I went on a diet along with my wife. I've lost about 20 lbs and have been able to keep it off without difficulty. Funny thing is, I'm back in the same situation, I need to buy new pants.

Way to go!!!!!

Mods please correct the poll.
Thanks

Well, I consider myself the ideal weight but my family say that I am underweight. They are wrong though because I took that body mass index test and I was in the perfect level.

Body Mass Index Calculator

I just found a whole page full of neat health calculators.


http://www.drkoop.com/tools/calcula...sp?wrapper=1234

I've never really trusted those health calculators.. taking a few numbers and making a calculation of ideal weight is rather simplistic. what about bone density, genetic factors or health concerns?

according to those calculators my BMI is slightly higher than it should be. Now while I admit I should lose about 5 lbs to improve my physique I dont consider myself overweight. I go to the gym fairly regularly and have gained 20lbs of muscle in the past 2 years (unfortunatly that little bit of extra fat never seems to go away).

I say if you're healthy then why worry?

I have never understood why BMI is the basis for determining healthy weight. Arnold Schwarzenegger (?) must have a BMI through the roof, yet I would be pressed to find an ounce of fat on the guy. My BMI is around 29-30 (obese), yet my % body fat (tested by a medical specialist) is only 24% or so (he says it is supposed to be 25-30 for females around ages 20-30). Hence, I can hardly base my perceptions on such an unreliable chart.
I totally agree with you, Rackemup.

I don't trust BMI either. I joined a gym a few years ago, not much smaller than I am now, and my BMI was only 29% if I use the same info now as I did then with the BMI it comes out really bad.. So needless to say you can't go by that. If you have a large frame, which I don't that counts too. Muscle mass also isn't taken into condieration when they can't actually see you.

According to the weight chart at doctors I will be permanently overweight until I am anorexic.

In my family we all have large body frames (bone wise) so even if we are the right weight for our body, we will always be overweight.

Oh well, pass the donuts and the ice cream.

I'm happy with me.

Interesting weight-related story...
240-Pound Woman Wants Right to Teach Jazzercise

Originally posted by Peanuts According to the weight chart at doctors I will be permanently overweight until I am anorexic. In my family we all have large body frames (bone wise) so even if we are the right weight for our body, we will always be overweight. Oh well, pass the donuts and the ice cream. I'm happy with me.

I'm the same way. I'm 5'4" and weigh 160. No one believes I weigh that much unless I step on a scale. I have a large frame and I regularly weight-train and cycle. I'm in very good shape, but those indexes don't work for me. According to them, I'm obese. But I easily fit into a size 8........

Originally posted by Rehan Interesting weight-related story... 240-Pound Woman Wants Right to Teach Jazzercise

I think these people are really short-sighted. Personally, as someone who is over 40 and has had 4 children, I am intimidated by classes taught by "Barbie". I am sure many people would prefer to have their class given by someone who is as qualified as this lady and yet who would not make you feel self-conscious. Fitness has nothing to do with the sexy image that popular culture keeps stuffing down our throats.

I just want to thank everyone here for being so open and accepting about weight issues. I think that you guys can all go out into the world knowing that it is people like you who have the power to teach and empower others who are still believing that you have to be thin to win.