BMI advice please

LisaM265 · 04-27-2009, 09:09 AM

Hi All,

I am new here and just wanted to ask for some advice.

I am 26, relatively active with 2 border collies so walk A LOT but until recently didnt do a lot else. I am a size 10 occasionally a 12, have a good ass, and calves but want to tone up my thighs, arms and stomach.

I tone up really quickly as I used to do a lot of sport, but have always weight a lot. I am +11 stone and 5'5'' at the moment but my dress size is 10, my BMI is 25.9 which is over where i need/want to be.

BUT I seem to put on muscle (not bulky) which weighs more than fat, BMI of +26 is classed as overweight.

Do people pay attention to BMI or more inches lost and muscle tone?

Any advice much appreciated

Cheers
Lisa

5kgLifter · 04-27-2009, 05:56 PM

If you're a dress size 10, then odds are that you are not in the 25+ BMI range; as you say, muscle weighs more than fat, and teh BMI calculations do not take muscle into account. Go by your waist size etc, and not the scales, more so if you have muscular definition in your legs and so forth...you really need to get a bodyfat reading to see where you are (but don't use those scales, they fluctuate far too much).

Trusylver · 04-27-2009, 09:23 PM

I agree, BMI is not a good measure, There are still inacuracies with calipers so it is best if you can get an experienced person to take the measurements.

Puffin · 04-28-2009, 04:50 AM

The BMI measurement is a reasonable chart but it's widely acknowledged that there are a lot of limitations to it's use. It's designed for a quick and general guide and I don't take too much notice of it (my opinion). I have body measurements taken, some with a tape measure, just so I can check my size progress because the scales don't accurately reflect the change when I'm losing fat/gaining muscle. I also pick out clothes and notice how well they fit - these are much better indicators to me.
Think of it this way - boxers/footballers/swimmers would most likely register as obese on the standard BMI chart because of their weight vs height measurement, yet they're pretty ripped. Bottom line - if you feel good, it's good. Don't worry about the numbers.