OK... very confused... :(

[syrnett]

I "was" feeling good about my progress and even have begun to think of my ultimate goal since my original goal of getting under 200lbs is coming near.

So I hit some sites...

I am 5' 10" and 34 years old. If you look at my before and after progress pics (http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ad.php?t=17382) I am obviously never going to be a slender build person... I still wear size 48" - 50" suit coat (depending on brand) and have an 18" neck... my waist has gone from an all time high of 40" to a respectable 34".

OK... enough background... acording to many sites, I am STILL borderline obese at my height/weight.

Current BMI:
30

Ideal Body Weight:
Low 132lbs (19BMI)
Mid 155lbs (22BMI)
High 175 (25BMI)

????? (sigh)

Seriously... unless i amputate something... those numbers arent happening....ever. At any time I neared the 190lbs point in the past, I was seeing abs clearly (ya ya ya... its been a LONG time...).

Its just extremely depressing... maybe im delusional about how far i need to still go... i dont know... you tell me... am i???

-Erik

[Bugaboo]

Re: OK... very confused...

Not delusional at all!!! Those online calculators are too vague to be concerned by them. They don't take into account on all the other factors that make up our body structure such as bone density, muscles, and etc. If it's really bothering you make a dr appointment or find a place that will do the dunk tank bmi calculation. 2big can elaborate on that she had one done. More than anything focus on how you feel. You look fantastic to me honestly but it's your own opinion of yourself that matters. Don't worry about numbers because that's all they are. I hope that helps.

[2big4mysize]

Re: OK... very confused...

Erik find one that measures body fat% that is what you need to use to set your goal weight with. if you are in the healthy range you are there if not ge in the healthy and then play with getting into the jock range.

Remember Karl Malone AKA the Mailman from the NBA according tioo the BMI charts he was OBESE. the guy was a rock hard muscled althlete and the folk who put out the BMI back peddled fast saying it didn't work of you had a muscular build. Eatking Atkins you are storing amino acids in your muscles increasing your lean body, you are exercising which grows more muscle tissue and you are adding lean body mass so those charts will be off. My BMI said I was over weight the height weight charts said I was over weight but the dunk tank said I was underweight when I stopped.

[divaindubai]

Re: OK... very confused...

Erik!

Please don't use the online BMI calculators for completely accurate information! If you want to get it done more accurately, go to a gym and get it done. I know back in Canada I went to Fitness World and got my BMi checked on this stand on machine. I have heard that the best and most accurate BMI measure is to do the immersion in water way, which is obviously only available at medical centres or some physiotherapy offices or something like that.

Just take your weight loss one pound at a time Erik. Don't feel depressed about anything! Look how far you have come already!

I know for us women who have had children, the idea that we may never get our bodies back to pre-pregnancy is probably more of a reality. espcially some of us who have had c-section deliveries.

Besides male bodies change from when they are younger compared to in their 30's. Its just human nature. I don't know what age you are comparing yourself to, as when you were before, but if you look at most men even the slim ones, their bodies change as well.

Even my son who is now almost 12 is changing, he's not that skinny kid anymore, but rather a boy who is filling out a bit (healthily though). I'm not comparing my son to your situation, but in the end its human nature.

I believe you will get down to a really healthy weight that is right for you, and only you! Only you can be the judge of how much weight is healthy for you, and if you are happy with your weight int he end or not.

Hope that helps !

[Kent]

Re: OK... very confused...

I agree with everything being said here. Using tape measure, my body fat is approx 12%, but all the height-weight sites say I still have at least 15 pounds to go. Don't believe them. Have a look in the mirror. Tape yourself and get a body fat percentage. Do you fit in your ideal clothes size? Let those things tell you how close you are to goal. I put on a pant that were size 34x34 today, and they fit great. Don't get discouraged by numbers produced by people who have absolutely no idea what weight would look good on you.

If you think you could stand to lose another 10 pounds when you get to goal, what have you lost? In otherwords, don't fret about it.

[Momtofour]

Re: OK... very confused...

When my husband was in the military they kept on him about losing weight because he was around 210 pounds. He kept trying but he just has a big build. He finally was given the dunk tank water thing where they can test body fat composition. He had the lowest body fat that they remember testing. After that he carried a letter in his files that stated his weight was fine. I would just base your weight loss on how you're feeling, what your doctor says, and use the guidelines as just that, a guide.

[womanpraised]

Re: OK... very confused...

I would ask... what does the mirror say? your clothes? can you be as active as you want and not be out of breath? what does your girlfriend say?

Those BMI charts are the same folks who are pushing the carb-pyramid.

[nobodyknowsme]

Re: OK... very confused...

Those numbers were always ridiculous to me too. I'm 6'4", and those charts always say I'm supposed to be between 168 - around 200. Now, at around 185 people were ready to commit me because they thought I was skin and bones so I can't even imagine what I would look like at 168.


It also depends who you ask. Jillian Michaels (the trainer from the biggest loser) posts her own chart in her book (Winning by Losing) which I highly recommend...for someone your height she suggests 190 lbs, with a leeway of ten pounds in either direction. I find her numbers alot more fitting, and she is in no way just trying to soften us up...she is pretty hardcore as it is.

Anyhoo...how you look is most important and you look great.

[iyamamaschke]

Re: OK... very confused...

I had my Body Fat Professionally measured those so called sights have me pegged at like 115, 130, and 150, What a pile of Hokey they do not take into account your lean Body Mass How active you are anything they were designed more for people who do not exercise and even then it's iffy. My lean Body Mass is 133 Pounds and so for me to be in the ideal weight for me is around 165-170 that would put me at a relatively low BF for a woman. If I was to go by the sight I would kill myself basically waisting away to get to their Ideal and at the weight I should be would stiull be considered Overweight what a pile all those calculaters can Bite my BUT. ROFL. I wouldn't put too much emphasis on them if you really wanna know where you are at go get your BF measured and go from there.

Sarah