What’s My BMI?

someecards.com
someecards.com

Have you ever heard someone talk about their BMI and wondered what the heck they were talking about?

BMI stands for Body Mass Index.  It measures total body fat for men and women between the ages of 18-65 based upon height and weight.

There are some limitations to BMI calculations.  First, if you are a bodybuilder or very muscular athlete it might overestimate your results because it does not account for lean muscle mass.  Secondly, if you are older than 65 it might underestimate your results because after 65 you lose more muscle mass.  But if you are just a normal Joe, this is a great tool for assessing your health risks.

If you want to know what your BMI is, click here for the BMI calculator from the National Institutes of Health.

Here is what that number means:

  • BMI is <18.5 = underweight
  • BMI is 18.5-24.9 = normal
  • BMI is 25-29.9 = overweight
  • BMI is 30-34.9 = obesity (class 1)
  • BMI is 35-39.9 = obesity (class 2)
  • BMI is 40 or more = morbid obesity

    gamrconnect.vgchartz.com
    gamrconnect.vgchartz.com

If you are looking at your results right now and crying, dry your tears.  There are so many things within your control to improve your health!  The most important thing you can do is to “eat clean” which means eat healthy, well balanced meals containing a mix of proteins, carbohydrates (including vegetables!) and healthy fats (like avocado.)

If it makes you feel better, last year my BMI was 29 (overweight/borderline obese) and I was 50 lbs. overweight (by most charts 30 lbs or more overweight = obese.)  I never considered myself  “obese” but I was, and that’s pretty embarrassing to admit.  The good news is that eating clean and exercising works.  Today I weigh 115 lbs. and my BMI is 19.7.  If I can do it, you sure can!

Eat Clean.  Train Dirty.

Lisa

P.S. – Thanks, Jenny for posting the ecard!

Sheslosingit.net (c) 2013 Lisa Traugott.  All rights reserved.  No portion of this blog, including any text, photographs, and artwork, may be reproduced or copied without written permission.

13 thoughts on “What’s My BMI?

  1. My BMI is just over 24. I was only my ‘ideal’ of 22 for a single day. I don’t stress about it too much anymore, I am fit and fast and strong. A number that doesn’t take muscle into account has no use for me now.

  2. I’m still working down towards my ideal – my BMI is about 24 at the moment, but I still feel too fat for my liking, and I have a long way to go before I am near competition ready for bodybuilding.

    It’s tough, but you can do it. Maintaining it long term is the hardest part.

    1. Ah, maintenance. Wouldn’t it be great if you just had to diet once and then your weight would be stuck at the perfect level and you could go back to eating chocolate chip cookies every day? *sigh*

  3. Diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease are mostly linked to being overweight. Utilization of BMI Calculator for Women is highly recommended to those who are overweight and also have health risks. When it comes to determine obesity and increased risk of various diseases, both BMI and waist circumference can be very useful measures. If you are all set to get into the right shape and leave your friends and foes in envy, then make use of BMI calculator for women.

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