Whats your BMI? single choice poll and plea... - Healthy Eating

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Whats your BMI? single choice poll and please leave comments

234 Voters

Please select one:

82 Replies
Marthaclemat profile image
Marthaclemat

I eat healthy but it’s hard to loose weight as I’m only 5”00

Sookie1414 profile image
Sookie1414 in reply toMarthaclemat

I’m only 5’2” it is a struggle

Marthaclemat profile image
Marthaclemat in reply toSookie1414

It is and I can do it but I have to be very very strict. Counting every one of the 1100 calories I’m allowed just to loose 1.5lb per week. Having said that I am fit for 60, I walk 3 miles every day, have great blood pressure and ok cholesterol and am on no medication whatsoever. I went through the whole gamut of cancer treatment four years ago and got off very lightly in the way of side effects. I thing that was due to my overall general good health.

Fran182716 profile image
Fran182716Prediabetic in reply toMarthaclemat

Please ignore this if it doesn’t help you, but I’m wondering whether this would be easier if you aimed to lose less per week. That ought to give you an extra couple of hundred calories a day which could make quite a difference if you “spend” it on foods which would be filling for you. I’m on my last stone now and aiming to lose no more than half a pound a week. This means I can get in plenty of good nutrition and not go hungry other than normal before meal hunger

Eryl profile image
Eryl in reply toMarthaclemat

For most people, simple calorie restriction is hard and not particularly effective, whereas counting carbs is a double edged sword as it reduces calories and lowers blood sugar which is the primary health problem of being overweight. Lower blood sugar also allows the hunger and satiety hormone system work as it should which makes it less of a struggle to resist over eating.

Cosmo501 profile image
Cosmo501 in reply toEryl

Beautifully written. I wish this could be shouted from the rooftops to help so many more people. In coming to understand these principles I was able to turn my life around.

Ninn profile image
Ninn in reply toMarthaclemat

Wouldnt this mean that all tall people should be thin?

Marthaclemat profile image
Marthaclemat in reply toNinn

They are aren’t they?

Canbe profile image
Canbe in reply toNinn

I was slim when l got married 53 years ago and 5ft 6ins now

S11m profile image
S11m in reply toNinn

The BMI system is nonsence, and does indicate obesity in "normal" tall people.

Gymbunny55 profile image
Gymbunny55 in reply toMarthaclemat

Snap

Mx6goatgirl profile image
Mx6goatgirl

I was 29.7 but managed to lower it to 24 over the past couple of years.

Mazxstitch profile image
Mazxstitch

I have lost 24 kilos in the last 4 years, aiming to lose a bit more, but Covid 19 situation isn't helping.

mattymoo33 profile image
mattymoo33

I was 15.7 due to my health condition. Managed to get up to a respectable 20.1 for my 5'4"😁

Htims46 profile image
Htims46

I am unable to exercise owing to joint and back problems in the last 6 years.

I have not eaten any more but the weight has just piled on. During lockdown I have tried to eat more healthy. 2 light meals, one main meal, no eating between meals. The weight is coming off but very very slowly. I am not going

to give up however. I just tell myself, slowly, slowly does it.

velvetD profile image
velvetD

My BMI is 15.4 and I’m 5ft 11”.

I look like a stick insect. 🦯 🤪

Mandystix profile image
Mandystix

Fit and healthy but I’m a little over weight.

Moontiger47 profile image
Moontiger47

I am terrible at snacking . Since I have hut my late 40's all the snacks sit on my tummy as excess fat Just! Just downloaded the updated nhs app. Focused now on getting that BMi down.

Poggsey profile image
Poggsey

In the healthy range 22.9. I am happy where I am and working hard to maintain.

AitchL profile image
AitchL

33, but it was 35. Trying hard to get below thirty, so I'll just be overweight and not obese!

PandQs profile image
PandQs in reply toAitchL

I had to get down to 30 before I would be considered to go on waiting list for surgery for hernia. By the time I reached 30 the fatty hernia had reduced and retracted (not sure of medical term, but anyway, I was no longer bursting at the seams with fat around internal organs. Didn’t need surgery, carried on with LCHF, continued to lose weight. Win, win. Stick with it, good luck!

siwhite profile image
siwhite

32.2 today.

yotboy profile image
yotboy

I have no trouble maintaining 25 - easy because I stopped alcohol 10 years ago and exercise daily.

Lavendar41 profile image
Lavendar41

I find it hard to lose weight I don’t know y

Lavendar41 profile image
Lavendar41

I weigh 142kg after colon cancer n chemo with lots of steroids put so much weight. My life’s changed completely I m a different person. Then hysterectomy coz of cancer. Do more weight gain. Need help please.

In colon cancer they have cut my 4.5 foot big colon n joint to small coz it was cancerous.

in reply toLavendar41

Hello Lavendar41 well you have been through a lot and we will help you all that we can and I suggest that you make a post asking for advice and others experiences and feel that you’ll get a much bigger response as we support healthy eating for everyone regardless of their circumstances and you deserve support with everything you’ve been through.

So please think about this as we will help you.

Jerry 😊

Dixidude39 profile image
Dixidude39

I understand that waist measurement may be a better benchmark.

108820 profile image
108820

Don’t eat snacks or fizzy drinks

ColbyK profile image
ColbyK

Mine is 26 but my doctor says that, at my age of 71, a bit extra weight is good. Who knows?

maria40 profile image
maria40 in reply toColbyK

I was told that at 80 my 23.9 is healthy though I'd still like to lose my spare tyre.

Since May I have reduced my BMI and lost over 1 stone in weight. I still have a long way to go but am delighted by the changes I have made so far.

CDAF profile image
CDAF

I eat healthily and run 3 times a week, Currently hit by menopause and have an under active thyroid for 20 years which has never been a problem with any weight gain. Also recently stopped smoking, and lockdown, 😭😭 I am 25.2, which is just over, but feeling sluggish and finding it so difficult to loose weight, any suggestions ??

Fitforit75 profile image
Fitforit75

Mine is 37.7 so just need to lower it by about 15 points.. 👷

David1910 profile image
David1910

I don’t know what mine is, I’m 5”10 and 14 stone,67 years young.

in reply toDavid1910

Hello David your BMI is 28.

New2BoatLife profile image
New2BoatLife

At the top end of healthy. Considering starting running again but need advice on hip pain first....

slipstick profile image
slipstick

30.3 today, down from 39 but it did take over 3 years. Only another few pounds and I'm merely overweight instead of obese. I'm going to count that as a win when I get there.

lonelywolf69 profile image
lonelywolf69

I am a disabled guy in a wheelchair (Spina Bifida), so BMI is never an accurate representation of my actual health or size.

I eat healthy but portion sizes too much walk as much as l can,knee problem ,l am 5'4.

Coolepic profile image
Coolepic

My BMI is 25.8 with weight 72.9kg and height 168cm. So it means that I am overweight. I feel very healthy. I walk between 6 and 8 miles a day and I cycle. About three times a week I do some weight lifts and a few squats and sit ups. I still feel guilty however because my BMI says that I am endangering my life and putting a strain on the NHS. My last dealings with the NHS was a flu jab last October. How can I get rid of my guilt? I am 83 years old and Male.

in reply toCoolepic

Hey don't beat yourself or feel guilty as you have muscle which weighs more than fat and you are only slightly over the 25 so I'd try the new BMI calculator as I think that you will be in range and then guilt free as to me its how fit you feel and how much energy that you have and guilt is a negative emotion.

Please see:

people.maths.ox.ac.uk/trefe...

julianc profile image
julianc in reply to

That link is great ... Explains why the bmi calculation is flawed!

lawli56 profile image
lawli56 in reply toCoolepic

Personally if I could maintain my weight in the overweight catagory I'd be ecstatic. Don't beat yourself up about 0.8 of a BMI point just eat healthy and keep active. BMI alone is not an accurate measure of how healthy you are.

Eryl profile image
Eryl in reply toCoolepic

Diet change is ten times more effective at affecting weight as is exercise, and exercise tends to build muscle which as has been previously mentioned, will raise your BMI although you may have low(ish) levels of body fat. It is increasingly recognised that carb restriction is most effective (and easier) rather than simple calorie restriction.

Coolepic profile image
Coolepic in reply toEryl

Thanks to Eryl, Jerry, StillConcerned and lawli56. Most encouraging. You are all very kind. Thank you.

Biomet profile image
Biomet

Not sure how to reduce my BMI. I do walk for around 30 mins each day. Any advice would be good.

Activity2004 profile image
Activity2004Administrator in reply toBiomet

Have you talked to your doctor about decreasing your BMI?😀👍🌈

Biomet profile image
Biomet in reply toActivity2004

Hello Activity 2004, I don’t really like to bother my GP as I like to see if there are other ways of lowering my BMI eg through diet etc. I am starting again the 12 week NHS weight loss plan and am pleased with the changes that have been made to that app.

I would rather try other ways and leave my GP as a last resort as the practice is busy enough with everything else that’s going on. I do thank you for your input. 😀

in reply toBiomet

Hey do please let us know how you get on with the NHS 12 week plan and good luck with it. 😊

Biomet profile image
Biomet in reply to

Thank you Jerry, I will indeed try a bit harder this time. 🙂👍💐

Millie53 profile image
Millie53

Can’t get back on track after over eating in lockdown.

Biomet profile image
Biomet in reply toMillie53

Oh dear, Millie 53, 🙁 seems like a worrying situation to be in. Please try not to and if you are able to do so, download the NHS weight loss plan and My Fitness Pal. One will give you lots of hints and tips, and the other will allow you to keep a diary on your dietetics habits and consumption of calories etc.

I have found these apps quite useful in the past along with Easy Meals and the Active 10 apps. Please try not to feel too overwhelmed as these apps are super easy to follow and may help you with restarting your motivation. Have fun! 😁

lawli56 profile image
lawli56

I'm disabled and have to pace myself so shifting the weight is difficult as I'm limited to what I can do. The lockdown hasn't helped with being active as I've been shielding. I'm happy if I just maintain the same weight right now.

Becksagogo profile image
Becksagogo

I struggle to put weight on and am borderline skinny

Hi Jerry

I've just been on the NHS website to calculate mine and it's 21.5 which I'm pleased with and I was also pleased to see that I am classed as active, I'm happy with that. :)

in reply to

Hi Alicia thats bang in the middle so nice one, when we ran this poll 2 years ago mine was 19 and now its nearer 21 and Im very pleased with that so comfort eating during the lockdown has benefitted me...

And of course you're classed as active as you live up to your user name. 🏃‍♀️🚴‍♀️😊

in reply to

Hi Jerry

Yes I was pleased with it considering I haven't checked for years, I don't weigh myself very often, I used to be terrible as I constantly unchecked my weight but no more, it wasn't healthy.

Your BMI is very good Jerry, well done.

Oh yes, love my exercise.😉😊🌈🌱🚴‍♀️🚶‍♀️

Onegramatatime profile image
Onegramatatime

Research shows that the overwhelming majority of the population would like to lose weight, but can't keep it off. Until I attended nutrition lectures on Youtube, understood what causes weight gain, and also learnt how to overcome sugar addiction, I couldn't either. Meanwhile PHE continues to focus on eating less, the very strategy that has got us where we are.

China-trekker profile image
China-trekker

Managed to keep just below 25 , cut down on alcohol but hard to resist C- Food diet Crisps, Cake , Chocolate, Cup a soup. Etc. At the moment 😊

Greyone profile image
Greyone

I will hold my hand up and admit to being one of the lucky ones, Still just under 25 btu on the way up so thinking about "having a go".

Fran182716 profile image
Fran182716Prediabetic

I can’t remember the source either and don’t have time to search but I do remember a medical journal paper which showed correlation between people over retirement age being at the bottom end of overweight having a lower incidence of all cause mortality compared to those at the lower end of “ normal” BMI.

Fran182716 profile image
Fran182716Prediabetic

Mine is 27, down from 31 at the highest point. I’ll be happy once I’m into the healthy range, quite okay with being at the top end. I’m 55 now and my face and shoulders wouldn’t look great much thinner than they are (all the weights round my middle).

Gumnut profile image
Gumnut

Very good advice. Cut out the carbs and eat good protein, butter, vegetables, salads, nuts and fruit.

Eryl profile image
Eryl in reply toGumnut

Yes, we must try to dispel this outdated and incorrect idea that it's all to do with calorie counting. Fats do not raise insulin level so do not promote energy (fat) storage. Let's get the idea of carb counting and not calorie counting out there.

thara9643 profile image
thara9643

I am underweight.

DeeSending profile image
DeeSending

I am on prednisolone (starting at 50 mg daily and now down to 10 mg daily) and vonoprozan which have caused bloating and weight gain. My weight continually varies by 5 kgs but on average I have put on 15 kgs over the past 3 years. So, before my IPF and COP I weighed 55 kgs and now I'm 70 kgs. I feel like I'm dragging a bag of spuds around all the time which, of course, causes further breathing problems. This is the price of staying alive.

Hippomoose profile image
Hippomoose

I’m not fat I’m just really short for my weight🤣

Whydothis profile image
Whydothis

I am at 21.9, down from 23.9 in January. I had been happy for some years with being 23+, until I measured my waist in January and frightened myself. BMI does not tell the whole story - My relaxed waist measurement is still 3 inches more than half my height, even after losing 3 of them, and that is much more relevant to my health than my BMI, which looks very healthy. How I wish I wasn't an extreme apple shape - my skinny arms and legs and even bum make people tell me not to be silly I don't need to lose any weight!

Gizzmo2013 profile image
Gizzmo2013

Just need to get on it, times ticking and I don't want to get stuck at this weight! No wine so far this week, and no junk food, early days😁

Rienij70 profile image
Rienij70

Ok I hang my head in shame it was 29.9

Sotonowl profile image
Sotonowl

I'm at 32 (BMI) now, down from 36.6 at the start of February. Weights coming off gradually now, around 1lb a week due to having a few sherbets over the weekends. This is all mainly down to this website mynetdiary.com which has helped and motivated me no end. Just got another 2 stone to go so around year end I'll be at my target hopefully.

S11m profile image
S11m

The ideal weight for tall, old, muscular people is higher than BMI indicates.

BMI is nonsence - See:

healthunlocked.com/fasting-...

The way to reduce your BMI is to eat Low-Carbohydraye, Hight-Fat (LCHF) and (Intermittent) Fast (IF):

healthunlocked.com/fasting-...

I have lost 35kg in two years... and, by some yard-sticks, I am now almost thinner than ideal at BMI 24.5, being 6'3", 90kg and 71.

It is great that Boris want to help us lose weight... but would it not be great if he, .gov.uk, the NHS and the WHO knew what they were on about?

I still eat LCHF, and I still fast 20 hours most days... and I continue to lose weight without trying - infact I have to eat more to keep my weight up.

Cosmo501 profile image
Cosmo501

Interesting to see the results!... My BMI was 36 a year ago, but I've brought it down to 29 by eating whole foods, healthy fats, and low carbs. Definitely had a few big bumps in my journey, and still have a way to go... but progress is good, and I feel so much healthier now.

PinkLady90 profile image
PinkLady90

I'm 5 ft 2 and 7 stone 8lbs. I look slim but healthy at this weight however I am allowed to lose a further 5 pounds and still be considered a healthy weight. I did go down to 7 stone 3 due to a bout of depression and was told I looked terribly gaunt and unwell. A less tactful individual said I didn't look human. I felt awful too, listless and with zero energy. I craved sugar because I just couldn't face eating a proper large meal. I ended up eating far too many chocolate and cake bars which had no nutrition or vitamins.

I don't think BMI is an accurate weight calculator. You cannot be 7 stone 3 lbs even as short as I may be without looking gaunt and feeling exhausted. If they can get my weight wrong I'm sure they can do it for others so I urge people not to take it too seriously as a weight calculator. A general guide possibly but it's far from 100% accurate. If your jeans are too tight (and the size of those jeans) may not be a scientific way of working weight gain out but I personally think it's superior to bmi in some people's cases.

My diet is good I think the portions are too large. I have been brought up with eat everything on the plate.

Lori23 profile image
Lori23

I only know this because I had a medical, other wise I don't really know to much about BMI.

Cycleknit profile image
Cycleknit

Having just fractured my ankle weeks into my lifestyle change... I am trying hard to remain positive, despite not being very active. Testing my patience though. 😕

in reply toCycleknit

Hey poor you fracturing your ankle you can still use aerobic weights but you have a reason to put your feet up. I hope that you make a speedy recovery. 👍😊

AndrewT profile image
AndrewT

I'm FAT.... I guess that I 'Love' my Food Too Much. Simple as that.....

AndrewT

Eryl profile image
Eryl

Yes, people have been told half truths that benefit the processed food industry. Whole wheat was a healthy grain when eaten in moderation (as anyone would want to with what is basically a seed). The trouble is that centuries of selective breeding has turned the wheat into a low nutrition high yeild plant, and modern high speed milling and sieving removes anything else of benefit in the grain. Thus these days, flour has to be fortified with artificial additives so as not to be completely harmful. And the reason it has such long shelf life is because even pests and moulds don't want to eat it.

Onegramatatime profile image
Onegramatatime

If such a high proportion have a BMI over 25, it implies that they are not eating nutritiously. As "healthy" eating (as widely promoted) is so often not nutritious, are many cardiac patients being misled?

I find it hard to gain weight following a starch based, whole grain, nutritious diet.

Should you not be promoting it?

Fran182716 profile image
Fran182716Prediabetic in reply toOnegramatatime

If you read the comments I think that you will find that a lot of us who have BMI over 25 are in the process of bringing that number down through healthy eating. What constitutes healthy eating will differ from person to person depending on their nutritional and medical needs, so promoting only one way of eating would not be appropriate. Your starch based diet clearly works for you and that’s great, it’s good that you have found what you need, but starch based would be bad for me.

Moderation team

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Cooper27Administrator

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