For me, growing up, there was only one measurement used to determine health.  It was WEIGHT as related to height and sex. 

I was one of those tomboy girls with older brothers.  I learned to fight, with my brothers, I had to.  I learned to run, climb, jump.....all the things I had to do to keep up with my older brothers and their friends.  When the other girls were playing with their girly stuff, I was outside, getting dirty and scrapped up, and pushing my physical boundaries at any chance.  As a result, I was one of the girl/women who could eat anything, never gain a pound, and still manage to be slimmer that most.  I'm sure it seemed unfair to those that couldn't eat like I did.  They just saw me as "lucky".   Back then we really didn't understand the roll of exercise and muscle.  People assumed because I was thin, I was light.    When it came to discussing our weight, if I revealed mine, it never failed to bring shock.   Slim yes, light.....nope.  Back then, the concept of lean muscle mass, bodyfat percentages etc just wasn't something anyone had any concept of.   And then, when my weight was known, because I was heavy, I was told I was fat.

Now, even today, with so much more known about metabolism and health.  The height/weight criteria still exists.  Not that it isn't helpful in some ways.  It is one way to measure changes, but not nessesarily going to tell you if the changes are good or bad.   Ok, I'm not that slim lean young woman who could eat anything and everything anymore. Far from it,  DARN IT!   I have to watch what I eat very closely, and exercise, consistently.

Since those days when height/weight was the end all to be all, we now have the largely underutilized measurements of bodyfat % and lean muscle mass.  At the doctors office they still largely ignore bodyfat/lean muscle mass.  But, they have added the waist measurement.  Ok that is better than weight alone.  ..but is it reasonable  to use one measurement (35") for all women, regardless of height and frame?  

I leave in a few minutes to go with my hubby to his appointment with a nutritionist, so having a few minutes .....found myself pondering these things.  Curious what your experiances are and how you feel about them.

To some extent I'm still very frustrated at doctors who think the weight and waist measurements are the end all and be all. They are useful tools, but they don't take into account just how much variations can occur- bone structure/build, apple vs pear, body fat %, lean muscle mass.

By the book numbers I'm 20 pounds overweight and am 35 inch waist, and my doctor constantly lectures me that I should lose weight (nevermind that he's definitely overweight himself). The thing is, I was once the "ideal" weight and had no energy and my cholesterol numbers were borderline. I ended up with a cold that turned into pneumonia, had to stop all exercise (I was getting winded walking), and gained weight. After I got healthy I turned back to exercise. I've successfully lost inches but very little weight since then. While I actually would like to drop one pant size, I really don't care if the number on the scale stays the same or goes down. I can do workouts now that I never would have attempted before, my cholesterol is actually on the low side, and the asthma I developed after the pneumonia no longer requires me to take daily medication (just have an emergency inhaler whose use has gone dramatically). By these criteria, I would say that I'm healthier now than before.

I've had the same issues. I have luckily found a doctor within the past couple of years who is more understandable that BMI is not the be-all, end-all for health measurements. I was also very athletic and played contact sports in my teens and early 20s and after 2 accidents is when the weight really started to pile on. I though weighing more today than I did back then still am 100 points lower on the cholesterol charts! I was in my teens and even 20s considered overweight and borderline obese but wore a Size 10 or smaller until about 4-5 yrs ago. In fact I have worn a size 6 (26-27 inch waist) and was deemed "overweight" by my charts when you could see the outline of the abdominal muscles (4-pack starting).

I no longer put my weight into the BMI standards. I know I'm healthy when I can exercise comfortably at a higher intensity and when I don't huff and puff going up and down stairs all day. When I can increase the weight I use and when I crave more nutritious foods verses old craves. When my sleep is deep and restful and my bursitis and sciatic issues don't flare for months on end. When I can lead the life I want and my physical being doesn't impead my quality of life.

Good topic!!

I heard way back when that Michael Jordan, tall, muscular basketball athlete, was considered OBESE when going my height and weight charts!  That right there told me the charts really don't measure reality.  Crazy isn't it?

I have the same problem. I bulk up very quick for some reason, especially in the legs, which is why I don't do a lot of leg weight training.

I went to my OB/GYN last Tuesday, and when the nurse took my blood pressure, she commented on how defined my arms were. I said great, but I would like to lose 15-20 pounds. She said no need, with my body style, who care about the BMI. The doctor was in the room and totally agreed.

Best news I have had in a long time!

That's very good news, Congrats!!

Yay Murph!

The BMI is a measurement system based on information and opinions like anything else.  In 1998, they changed the BMI scale and suddenly overnight millions more Americans were overweight and obese.  In addition, there have been all those new studies saving people in the normal range can still be unhealthy and overweight people live longer.  There's still alot more research to be done on BMI and health.

I'll look at the BMI and waist measurement for information sake.  However, I am NOT looking at those for my weight goal.

I am judging my weight goal on what I weighed when I looked my best and was my most active.  After many years of struggling with my weight, I've realized that I'm the most important person in deciding what I weigh and how I look. 

Great topic.

Well, the my hubby's appointment yesterday at the doctors with the nutritionist was ok.  Basically there was a 20 second nod to exercise "keep up the exercise that's the best thing you can do for your blood sugar" then the rest of the hour she school him on counting carbs.  Nothing new really.  And just as I had anticipated, he was weighed, but no other measures of change were done.  My hubby gets discouraged at his attempts to lose weight.  He has lost a little, but only about 5 pounds in 5 months.  Like me, he has been exercising consistenly for 5 months, and watching his diet.  And especially since I gave him the Band Camp workout for Christmas, he feels his strength and endurance have improved.  I'm there to encourage him....but it would be great if a the doctors they also looked at more at body composition, as it would encourage him to keep it up even more. 

MURPH -That's great!  That must have felt really guuuudd.  They are right, if the fat is coming off..and the muscles showing that is a better measurement than weight.

MLB,

I understand what your husband feels like.  Remind him that exercise builds muscle which contributes to weight but in a good way.  I think it's great that you're his biggest supporter.

Dear Murph,  I read your post with interest-you said your legs bulk up. Mine bulk up also. The more cardio I do, the bigger I get. What do you do to slim them down? Most people loose weight when exercising. I don't! I just get bigger. Any advice would be welcome! Thanks!

Ha!  I just used a BMI calculator on the internet the other day and it told me I was obese.  This after losing 30 lbs with around 20 lbs to go to my goal weight---the weight I was the day I got married 22 years ago, when I was looking fine.  I am just under 6 feet tall and have never had a waist measurement near their "optimum" since I was a colt of a girl.

Here here Ruby, I'm with you!! I've been obese for years, according to the BMI chart. I could lose another 20lbs myself, but yeah, that middle aged midsection is hard to get rid of. My Dr. never hassles me about my weight. He just tells me to keep doing what I'm doing. If he's happy, I'm happy. And all my lab work is within normal limits. So there (insert raspberry with tongue)!

Hi Primdaisy,

We had a great time! I even went ahead and did the Zip line thing in the Sierra Madre Mtns. A little scary, but cool! We went whale watching and snorkeling. Saw a few whales, some dolphin, and baby manatees jumping out of the water! It was cool. Played in the waves, layed on the beach and drank tequila, margaritas, and mexican beer. I was able to keep my weight in check and I didn't even exercise at all!! I meant well, brought my HRM, exercise clothes and shoes, but alas it was not to be!!

OMG, your post brings back memories of my own.  I'm so happy you did it all, the zip line thing, the whale watching and snorkeling. I'm so happy you played in the waves, drank tequila and Mexican Beer.

Ruby Ray,
Even though I have ordered from Collage for years I am new to this forum.  I too have that menopausal middle thing going on, as well as the back fat.  You said in your message that all of that is slowly coming off.  Which videos do you use and how often.  I'm trying several different DVDs but am interested in what you have been using.   Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Rhonda Don't let the regrets of yesterday destroy the hopes of tomorrow !! 

Hi Happynonie,

Welcome to the forum.  

What's worked for me is working out 5x a week, 45-60 minutes and including a lot of resistance training---weights, bands, body weight, pilates etc.

I do a very wide variety of videos but I do more circuit tapes than anything else---meaning the combo of cardio and strength. I really the Firm's pinks ---there are many, but I like 500 Calorie Burn, Bootcamp Maximum Calorie burn, Get Chiseled, Cardio Dance Fusion, Pump Jump and Jab, and Cardio Sculpting balls.Most of these are intermediate level and can be worked up to or heavied up for a more advanced work out.


Other strength/toning work outs I like are NYC/Kelly Coffey Mayer, as well as some of her 30 Minutes to Fitness work outs, some of Gilad's weights and tone work outs, Reach with Kari Anderson, Squeeze.


I also have a daily calorie count adjusted to my height, current weight and level of exercise, calculated for the loss of one pound a week.  It is a very comfortable amount of calories for me and I don't feel deprived, still have enough treats to stay happy.  I've put the link to the calculator I use below.  In case it doesn't work, google freedieting-the Weight Loss Guide.


It's been slow but sure.  Take heart---I think you can melt away the middle with consistent exercise, and a reasonable calorie count.  Oh, and yeah, patience.  It's taken me 7 months to lose 30 lbs, which comes to pretty close to my goal of one pound a week.  Even with 20 lbs still to go, there is  a SIGNIFICANT difference in my mid section from when I started, I have no reason not to believe it will keep going as long as I keep going. :)  
Good luck.

RubyRay


It's taken me 7 months to lose 30 lbs, which comes to pretty close to my goal of one pound a week.  Even with 20 lbs still to go, there is  a SIGNIFICANT difference in my mid section from when I started, I have no reason not to believe it will keep going as long as I keep going. :)  
Good luck. 

RR just wanted to say CONGRATS !! Don't cha just love it when it falls into place .. I myself lost 77 lbs so I know how it feels when you see and feel it coming off ..

Hi Slinks,