I weighed myself this morning and was happy with my weight recordings still heading South, I put on my considerably smaller size clothes and was comfortable. I looked in the full length mirror and noticed I had swapped a "belly" for a small "paunch" . I sat down with a lite breakfast and small coffee and with a feeling of contentment, I fired up the computer. Going straight to the NHS BMI site, I tapped in my details and the smile fell from my face. BMI 27.1 with the graphic indicator stuck in the middle of the OVERWEIGHT measurement.
This morning I have learnt not to trust my own perception of myself.
2bfabnfit has hit the nail on the head hunny. You have done and ARE doing well. Walk tall and proud, you are earning the right to do so every single day. 😊
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ShellieL, that's a lovely comment. Yes, I shall walk tall and proud All the indications, are that I'm doing quite well and progress is at the recommended rate.
You're progressing! That's what counts! Well done! Please don't get discouraged!
Nooooo ! - you are doing brilliantly so don't let the BMI put you off Imagine what it would have said before you started this, and think of the progress ! Your perception of yourself shouldn't be 'overweight' but 'in control and achieving success'
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The problem is that I had a number of smaller size clothes which I used to wear and feel quite good in, which I can now wear. My belt is on its last notch and I'm happy about that.
The truth is, the body I thought I wanted and have now got, is still overweight by 3st 7lb. So now I'm having to rethink/visualise the physique I'm trying to attain. The last time I was at my optimum weight was 35 years ago. I need to get to 10st 7lb to be at a healthy weight for my age and build and am currently 14st 2lb. I knew it would be a long road from the outset, but I had gotten it into my head that the period I was wearing the clothes I'm now dressing in, was when I felt happiest with my body. I didn't know at the time I was overweight. I've wound the clock back 20 years as far as my weight is concerned but have another 15 years worth of overeating and lack of exercise to unwind.
I know I can do it, and I know the weight I'm trying for is realistic and healthy. The trouble is, when one looks back through family photo's, one smiles when one get to the pics where one was at their happiest (or in the prime years). It's dawning on me, that when I was last the weight I want and need to be, was not the best time in my life.
Still, onward and downward. I shall be viewing my progress very carefully, to ensure that it's not having an impact on my overall well-being and happiness.
I agree with the others who have said how brilliantly you're doing. The other thing I thought, when you mentioned 'walking tall' is whether you are actually quite 'tall' - because if you are, then the standard BMI wouldn't be ideal for you anyway, and you could try looking at the 'new BMI' which has been designed for use by taller people. Worth using it if you are taller.
BMI is only an indicator in anycase, as 2Bfabnfit said, and waist measurement is also a good measure of health.
You're doing really well. Wishing you another great week ahead.
Hi Lowcal. I'm 5'11 which is not overly tall. I'm of slight build. Up to the age of 20, I weighed 9st 7lb and was seeing the doc about trying to put weight on. At the age of 23, I had given up smoking and taken up swimming, learning to swim from scratch and able to swim a mile at a time in the Serpentine in Hyde Park (indoor pools being to warm for serious swimming). I would still be healthy at 9st 7lb, but would prefer to be a healthy 10st 7lb.
Thanks for your reply, and good luck with your goals.
Incase you're interested in the waist to hip measurement, here's a link of how to do that - apparently it is a better measure of health, and is used quite a lot within health circles:
Thank you LowIcal, I will visit the site. I've been looking at a number of sites and have found there is a difference between measuring for health purposes and measuring for trousers, and so am very interested.
Thank you for your help and support. I've got real drive and determination to get where I want to be and am not losing my resolve. I'm reevaluating where I want to be.
It's very kind of you to show interest
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Hi Tewson - at 5'11" you should definitely have a look at the 'new BMI scale' that someone posted a little while ago (can't find the link now, but I'm sure if you google it you would find something). As Lowcal has said, it is worth it if you are taller than average. I am 5'9" so slightly shorter than you, but my ideal weight is raised slightly using the new scale (i.e. I don't have to lose as much as I thought !).
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Thank you so much. There's a considerable difference. I will continue dieting but as Fagin would have sung "I'm reviewing the situation ............"
Thank you again
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Glad it made a difference Remember as well that if you are quite fit (i.e. with more lean muscle) - that will mess up the BMI because it won't take account of the fact that some of your 'weight' is muscle. I think these 'measurements' all have to be taken with a pinch of salt to an extent, as only you know your body/fitness levels/shape etc. I think deep down we all 'know' whether we are at a healthy weight or not for ourselves.
Hang on a minute!! You have lost weight and need to focus on that success. If your BMI is still high, it just shows you have a way to go. Take heart from the positive progress
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Thank you nasreenrich. I'm certainly one of life's optimists In Feb 20015, I weighted in at 228 lb and made little progress on weight loss (wasn't seriously trying) until I found this site and started calorie counting. I've been calorie counting for nine weeks and have lost over 30 lb in that nine weeks and am happy with the progress My goal is to reach around 175 lb by Feb 2016, in time for a big family party/gathering, for which I remain on target. My ultimate goal was to reach 147 lb as my final optimum weight target.
It's the final weight target which I'm now reviewing. I am a person who is very interested in analytic maths and often find myself seeking definitive answers. For instance, I seek to reduce my weight by .0015% daily, but use the weekly/monthly measurements to assess my progress. I suppose I'm a little odd when it comes to measuring and seeking "facts". It has been mentioned before but, there seems to be no definitive BMI for a person and it is only a "guide". I find it a little frustrating that there is more than one BMI and there is also a "New BMI". I think it was Lowcal that mentioned that there should be more emphasis on measurement ratios of waist to hip.
As we lose weight, we will also lose muscle tone, and when I look at my original final target weight, I question whether I want to lose that much of my muscle tone.
This group has been of excellent support and has helped me lose 12.94% of my body weight this year, with 9.77% being lost since joining the group. I am well happy and can't thank the group enough
My final target weight will be dependent on how much exercise I'm prepared to do on a regular basis and for an indefinite period (lifestyle).
When I started dieting, I was inspired to do so by the NHS BMI, which said I was OBESE. It now says I am OVERWEIGHT. I started this thread by questioning the NHS BMI and have since done more research and been pointed in the right direction by lowcal and others. The BMI is a "GUIDE" only and many other things, particularly measurements need to be taken into consideration. Finally, there is a measurement which is far less tangible and that is the "sense of personal well-being and happiness". As I head inexorably to my original final target weight, I shall be looking at this measurement very carefully, as the last time I was that weight, I did feel a little uncomfortable.
There is no "one size fits all" answer to weight loss but there are hard and fast rules. Weight loss must be viewed in conjunction with other medical issues and my heart goes out to those who are struggling with mobility problems. I consider myself to be very fortunate to have so much choice regarding diet and exercise regimes. It's up to each of us to decide how best to play the hand that we've been dealt.
The comments and input to this site will continue to support the decisions I make and all comments are valid. Calorie counting, for me is one of those "hard and fast rules" and is essential for achieving optimum weight.
Thank you for your input and I apoligise for the lengthy reply. I guess I have used this in part, to clarify my own thinking. I'm simply on a review stage of my personal plan and have identified areas which need tweaking.
For anyone who has read this, you may ponder whether you should have been out walking or exercising instead,
Hi Tewson, can I help you question your target weight too? I'm quite a bit shorter, 5'3.5", and my goal was also 10st7. Like you I'm active and a muscly build. I'm now maintaining within a 10st0 - 10st7 range, to allow for natural fluctuations. My BMI is at the top end of 'healthy', my waist is 27", and I'm wearing size 10s and 12s. I wouldn't want to be slimmer than this. I think for your height 10st7 would be very slim indeed. If you're already feeling 'trim' at your current weight, then I think you don't need to aim any lower than the top end of a 'healthy' BMI too. Which it sounds like you're close to, if you're at a BMI of 27.1 already. Keep your goals within a reasonable range, maybe try just losing 1 more stone for now, or perhaps even stick with where you are now, to save having to buy a load of new clothes!
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Thanks Ruth_canal_runner, I think you hit the nail on the head. My aim is to be Healthy and Happy I have a big challenge ahead of me and a number of key milestones to get to my desired state. In February, I hope to be around the 12 1/2 stone mark, with most of the parties out of the way. I will still be borderline overweight, but that's not a problem. When I reach that weight, I shall give up smoking. This will be almost impossible to achieve without putting on some weight but is essential in attaining Health and Happiness. My final goal of reaching my desired weight will be put on hold for a few months and I shall probably have to start again.
Now you know some of my bigger plan, I hope you will understand that the weight thing is simply a part of the overall plan.
I was a lot younger when I first gave up smoking for over a year and was single with few commitments, with plenty of time and money to indulge in long sessions of swimming and running. I shall be 61 in January and my body will protest if I tried to do the same again, even if I did have the freedom to indulge myself to that extent.
So, it's one step at a time for me. I shan't worry if my weight creeps up a little from time to time, as I know I shall reach my goals and as far as possible, I shall enjoy the journey.
Thank you for replying. I've done the school run, I've still got the washing to hang up, rooms to dust and floors to clean and hoover. Now I ask myself, what to do first? And should I think about it over a full English in my local cafe? LOL.
I think I'll crack on with the chores and put some up beat music on to keep me motivated.
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. I sat down with a lite breakfast and small coffee and with a feeling of contentment, I fired up the computer. Going straight to the NHS BMI site, I tapped in my details and the smile fell from my face. BMI 27.1 with the graphic indicator stuck in the middle of the OVERWEIGHT measurement.
I have a healthy BMI :-)
Self sabotage
BMI achieved 
Self sabotage
What a day
