I started a new routine today

[obgyn65]

Went back to the gym. I had not been there in a few months because of the lack of time. Maybe i have been spending too much time in these ER forums :-)

Anyway it feels great to exercise again. I would like to decrease my BMI back to 22.

I would encourage everyone who has not exercised in a while to do so, after getting medical approval (of course) :-)

[brewer12345]

Yes, I need to get back on the horse again myself. I get lots of exercise in daily life, but it is sporadic. I was a slug Tuesday through today, but Saturday I was hunting all day, Sunday I chased the kids at a huge indoor stock show/rodeo (lots of walking), and Monday I was brewing (6 hours of running around, lifting heavy loads, etc.). Have to start getting up early again and lifting weights. Perhaps this weekend is the time.

[Stanley]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewer12345 Monday I was brewing (6 hours of running around, lifting heavy loads, etc.).

Have you considered writing a book about this novel way of getting exercise? I think you may find it very popular.

[CoolChange]

I am also located in a midwestern city; my BMI is currently at 23; family (and some friends) tell me that I am too thin.

What I think they are really saying is that I am thinner than the local average which is likely true. But, when I travel to locations with more active lifestyles (South Beach, Fort Collins, Redondo Beach, etc.), I am currently quite pudgy by comparison. I remember feeling my best when my BMI was just under 21.

I was just wondering if obgyn or others have encountered similar situations.

[freebird5825]

Good for you to get back in the saddle again.

Between having the flu for 2+ weeks right after Thanksgiving and then pulling a very small muscle in my back shoveling snow , I have not been able to fire up my virtual ping pong and gladiator game (Sports Champions) on my PS3. That is my normal indoor winter exercise.

I have been able to do some living room rock-n-roll dancing (medium speed so as not to aggravate that muscle) with the tunes cranked. The muscle strain has finally healed.

My overall fitness level and weight is about the same as it was before the holidays. Considering that I usually gain 5 lbs during the holidays, I am happy with that result.

[W2R]

One of the best aspects of retirement for me is having the time to go to the gym. We have gone regularly on MWF ever since we retired.

Although I had the gym membership before retirement, it was much harder for me to go regularly for some reason.

[obgyn65]

Bone density, muscle mass among other factors may also influence your BMI.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoolChange I was just wondering if obgyn or others have encountered similar situations.

[Amethyst]

I don't know if BMI standards differ for women and men, but I have a medium build and I feel best between 20.5 and 21.5. Once, I went just below 20 and felt skinny and hungry, even though 18-21 is in the "healthy range." Over 22, I definitely feel pudgy.

I agree that different locales, cultures, etc. can influence other people's perceptions of your weight. Pay no attention to what other people say, unless they are doctors...

Amethyst

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoolChange I am also located in a midwestern city; my BMI is currently at 23; family (and some friends) tell me that I am too thin. What I think they are really saying is that I am thinner than the local average which is likely true. But, when I travel to locations with more active lifestyles (South Beach, Fort Collins, Redondo Beach, etc.), I am currently quite pudgy by comparison. I remember feeling my best when my BMI was just under 21. I was just wondering if obgyn or others have encountered similar situations.

[Alan]

When I was working I used to try and average 1 hr/day exercise, and that was often a struggle to achieve.

When I retired I upped that target to 80 mins/day and almost make or exceed that target since I can't use the old excuse of not having enough time.

[Ronstar]

I'll be starting a new routine Thurs when my new treadmill arrives. Until then I'll do the usual weights & run outside if possible. Today will be fun as I remove the old 240lb treadmill out the basement door and push it uphill to my garage. Then Thurs I'll somehow get the new 315 pounder down into the basement. The best treadmill workout could be just getting it in place.

[eytonxav]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amethyst I don't know if BMI standards differ for women and men, but I have a medium build and I feel best between 20.5 and 21.5. Once, I went just below 20 and felt skinny and hungry, even though 18-21 is in the "healthy range." Over 22, I definitely feel pudgy. I agree that different locales, cultures, etc. can influence other people's perceptions of your weight. Pay no attention to what other people say, unless they are doctors... Amethyst

Men generally have a higher BMI vs Women and Women have a higher BF % vs Men. I can't remember the exact differential for in shape individuals, but I think it is several pts different for BMI or BF.

edit: had it reversed initially

[Lsbcal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by obgyn65 Went back to the gym. I had not been there in a few months because of the lack of time. Maybe i have been spending too much time in these ER forums :-) Anyway it feels great to exercise again. I would like to decrease my BMI back to 22. I would encourage everyone who has not exercised in a while to do so, after getting medical approval (of course) :-)

Long ago I got BMI measurements at a JC course that specialized in physical fitness. Those measurements were based on (1) full body immersion in a water bath, (2) skin fold test using an instrument.

Now I wonder how people do this? There is one source here that just uses your weight and height: How to Calculate Your Body Mass Index (BMI) By Hand - wikiHow Is this accurate at all?

The video on that link discussed another way to check yourself out using your waist measurement. I took my "waist" to be about where my belly button is.

P.S. That site gave me a 21.6 and I run >20 miles/week in the hills. If I grow by 1 foot, I'd get to 15.5 -- wow! Then I did my waist/height = 53%, not too bad. DW was skeptical but when she came out at 53% she liked this approach a lot.

[Amethyst]

I just use the height-weight ratio calculators to approximate my BMI. Works for me, since I only measure myself against myself. Other people may use a different measurement method and that's fine for them.

A.

[Alan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lsbcal Long ago I got BMI measurements at a JC course that specialized in physical fitness. Those measurements were based on (1) full body immersion in a water bath, (2) skin fold test using an instrument. Now I wonder how people do this? There is one source here that just uses your weight and height: How to Calculate Your Body Mass Index (BMI) By Hand - wikiHow Is this accurate at all? The video on that link discussed another way to check yourself out using your waist measurement. I took my "waist" to be about where my belly button is. P.S. That site gave me a 21.6 and I run >20 miles/week in the hills. If I grow by 1 foot, I'd get to 15.5 -- wow! Then I did my waist/height = 53%, not too bad. DW was skeptical but when she came out at 53% she liked this approach a lot.

I think the measurement you describe is % body fat and I agree that it is a more meaningful measurement than BMI, which is a simple guideline with a ratio calculation that anyone can do with a set of scales and a tape measure.

[Lsbcal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan I think the measurement you describe is % body fat and I agree that it is a more meaningful measurement than BMI, which is a simple guideline with a ratio calculation that anyone can do with a set of scales and a tape measure.

I looked it up and you are right, it was body fat.

[Lsbcal]

I was reading about a revised formula for calculating BMI. The article also has a built in calculator: BBC News - BMI: Does the Body Mass Index need fixing?

A few interesting quotes:

Quote:

"I think the moral of this study is that these BMI categories are weight categories and they're not exact health categories," says Dr Katherine Flegal

and this is worth noting

Quote:

So it looks like BMI is here to stay but it's worth remembering that, strictly speaking, it is a measure of your weight relative to your height, not fatness or how healthy you are.