BMI: I have been taking part in the NHS... - Weight Loss Support

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BMI

Walkinggranny profile image
21 Replies

I have been taking part in the NHS 12 week weight loss programme and am on the Twelfth week and have lust a stone. However I am still rated as obese which is really disappointing. Do you think too much emphasis is put on BMI?

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Walkinggranny profile image
Walkinggranny
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21 Replies
moreless profile image
morelessAdministrator7 stone

Welcome back, Walkinggranny :)

BMI is just a guide aimed at the population as a whole, so doesn't take into account muscle mass, frame size, etc. We all have a point where our bodies feel happy and where we feel happy and that has little to do with BMI.

As a reminder, all of the information you need about the forum can be found in Pinned Posts healthunlocked.com/weight-l... and we hope you'll be joining all the Events, Challenges and Clubs that we run, especially a weigh-in and the daily diary.

We've found active participation to be key to successful weight loss and, of course, it's a good way to get to know people, find inspiration and share support and encouragement.

Wishing you all the best :)

Walkinggranny profile image
Walkinggranny in reply tomoreless

Thank you, I feel also BMI does not take into consideration age. I will be 80 this year and I think the weight range suggested for my height is a ridiculous 7- 10 stone and I feel that being 12.10 now if I lost another stone would be quite sufficient. Do. You think that is defeatist?

moreless profile image
morelessAdministrator7 stone in reply toWalkinggranny

I don't think you're being defeatist at all! The most important consideration should be our health and well-being, not an arbitrary number on the scales.If you're eating well, exercising to your ability and have reasonable health markers, then you're doing a good job and your body will be grateful to you.

Also, being mature and scrawny is not a good look ;)

Personally, I think if the word obese ( and the BMI thing) is preventing you from enjoying or celebrating your hard work, then yes.

If you have worked hard and you are happy with the stone you have lost I would certainly celebrate this. Losing a stone is a massive achievement. 🥳🥳🥳

pd63 profile image
pd63Visitor in reply to

A better measure for normal weight is waist should be half your height, BMI doesn't take body type/physique into account

Walkinggranny profile image
Walkinggranny in reply topd63

That's interesting I didn't know that. Thanks.

in reply topd63

I didn't know that. Thank you

Moreorless profile image
MoreorlessMaintainer3 stone in reply to

I’d forgotten that and thanks for the reminder.

Moreorless profile image
MoreorlessMaintainer3 stone in reply toMoreorless

I once watched a TV programme about it. If you work out your height in cms or inches (I’m 5’4”=64”) and cut a piece of string that long. Then fold it in half and see if the string meets around your waist. If your waist is bigger, you can see what you are aiming for.

Moreorless profile image
MoreorlessMaintainer3 stone in reply toMoreorless

I have even found my long lost piece of string now!

Northlondongirl profile image
Northlondongirl

Well done on losing a stone in 12 weeks!! You should be really proud of yourself!I think the NHS suggestion of a healthy weight is a bit low personally. I am also in the 7.5 to 10.5 range. When I was just under11 stone I was a size 10 so I would not like to see what I would look like much lighter than that!

Just keep being active and enjoy what you have achieved!

Lytham profile image
Lytham3 stone

Hi, good to see you again and MASSIVE well done on that stone ! Would you like to join us on our weigh in? Here's the link, hope to see you there! :-) x

healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

Walkinggranny profile image
Walkinggranny in reply toLytham

I am using my weigh in day (Sunday) to coincide with the programme I am following. Does that mean I will have to join another group?

Lytham profile image
Lytham3 stone in reply toWalkinggranny

Yes you can join the Sunday group on Sunday, I'm sure they'll make you very welcome! :-) x

Cockneyblue profile image
Cockneyblue2lbsRestart Jan 2024

Well done. That’s amazing. Another stone, if you feel you need to, would be ok. You must be very proud of yourself 👍

Walkinggranny profile image
Walkinggranny in reply toCockneyblue

I am pleased it's a matter of keeping at it, another 12 weeks. I think.

EveryoneKnows profile image
EveryoneKnows4 stone

Massive well done on your loss so far!! A stone is amazing. I also started off with the NHS programme and found it works well. I think we can just use BMI as a general guide rather than a hard and fast rule, it's a generalisation and not specific for peoples body types. Don't let it stop you enjoying your fantastic success - you're definitely a healthier person than you were 12 weeks ago 💪💪💪

Zendaya profile image
Zendaya

Well done on losing a stone, especially in lockdown. I think waist measurements are a great way to check progress. Something I am finding useful is I have a pair of jeans that used to fit me a few years ago, before lockdown and before I had bilateral hip replacements. They wouldn't even go over my hips. I can now get them on ( not do them up) but I feel it is marking my progress much better than the number on the scales. I have also moved away from calorie counting to high healthys fats and low carb and I think this will be more manageable long term. There is great support on the LCHF group. Once again well done

😀 x

Lytham profile image
Lytham3 stone in reply toZendaya

MASSIVE well done getting those jeans up ! I love low carb too :-) Would you like to join us on our weigh in today? Here's the link, I hope to see you there :-) x

healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

Walkinggranny profile image
Walkinggranny in reply toZendaya

I have a few pairs of jeans like that I'm glad I gave gone down a size , and hope I will carry on losing!!

Zendaya profile image
Zendaya

Thank you so much! I have posted on the weigh in x

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