Don't read beauty magazines: they will only make you feel ugly.

[jackofallgeeks]

So, I was reading This Article on weight, and then followed their link to the online BMI calculator. and assuming a height of 5'11" and a weight of 185lbs, it tells me that I'm just over the 'overweight' line.
 
And to be honest, I'm not exactly sure how I feel about that.
 
I'll be the first one to say that Americans' opinion on appearance and health is more than a little bit skewed. The Media (monolithic entity that it is) tells us what pretty is, but the image it paints is hardly realistic and, at least for my part, not all that attractive in practice. people are over-concerned with what the numbers on the scale say and not interested enough in how healthy they actually are.
 
I think I'm fairly healthy. I don't think I get tired out too quickly from activity, I don't think I'm particularly unhealthy. I do know I could eat better, if I took the time and applied effort. And I could certainly benefit from exercising a bit. And I guess, if pushed, I do think I'd feel better about my weight if it were more like 160 or 170.
 
But even at that, I think the 25.5 or whatever the BMI comes up as on my guestimated measurements (I may be closer to 190lbs these days, but I don't know the last time my height was accurately measured) is getting me more down than I think it should.
 
I don't want to be fat. And I don't think I am. But... -shrugs-

Comments

[quix.livejournal.com]

I hate those things. According those "calculators" I'm just under the -obese- line. Oh yeah.. loving myself right now, thanks. I know I'm overweight, but obese? *sigh* Whatever.

[jackofallgeeks.livejournal.com]

See, that is what I'm talking about. I wouldn't consider you fat. Certainly not 'obese.' Obese is the people who are egg- or ball-shaped, who can't walk down the grocery aisle properly, or worse yet ride those electric scooters because their legs can't support them.

I don't think it's the only bit, but I think their vocabularly is problematic. What does 'overweight' mean?

[tiel.livejournal.com]

Well, first of all, you're reading an article from Redbook, a women's fashion magazine, and its pretty well known that the whole lot thinks that size 2 is the new 10.

But also remember that BMI is a very basic calculation. It can't tell the difference between water weight, fat weight, and muscle weight. It can't tell whether you're short and big boned or tall and willowy. Something as simple as height to weight ratio can't be seen as anything more than a guideline. As long as you're healthy overall, its not anything to get hung up on.

[jackofallgeeks.livejournal.com]

Well, I've no idea what size 2 or size 10 or anything inbetween is, but I do know that 2 != 10, and as my subject (and an amazing Commencement Speech) attest to, fashion magazines are not to be trusted.
 
Speaking of Commencement, I just stumbled upon This One" (http://www.wm.edu/news/?id=3650) by Jon Stewart and thought it was pretty funny. Especially the part where he says 'terror' is not a noun. *shakes his head and chuckles*

[surichan.livejournal.com]

The BMI is pretty silly, given the fact that muscle weighs more than fat. My father loves to tell me a story about a guy he knew in the Navy who had to be put on the "fat boy" diet and exercise plan just because his BMI reading put him into the "overweight" category - though he didn't have an ounce of fat on his body. He was a bodybuilder, you see, and as such weighed a ton, but it was all muscle. Eventually, the Navy realized they were being silly and started using more accurate means to gauge the overall health of their men and women.

Still, if it's getting you down, you could always try to make a minor lifestyle change - something that works for you as opposed to something drastic that you won't stick with. You said you wanted to get back into running - why not try going for a short jog once or twice a week? If nothing else, the endorphins will make you feel better.

[jackofallgeeks.livejournal.com]

This is something that I'd like to do, but I don't think I'd feel comfortable running around my neighborhood -- especially since last night, when I turned onto my street at 10pm to see a legion of flashing lights and be told by a police officer that I had to park a block from my apartment and walk home because the road was closed.
O.o

[surichan.livejournal.com]

But see, I've got a really nice neighborhood, which just happens to be conveniently shaped in an oval around a lake, for running convenience. You're always welcome to come out here and run, especially if you take me with you. :P

[metis2be.livejournal.com]

I had the same problem. I really didn't want to run around my neighborhood, but I've plumped up and decided it was required. But between the people in my neighborhood (back in my skinny days, I had someone almost hit another car because he was staring at me, as well as being followed and constantly yelled at) the fact that it's all hills, and my complete embarrassment over how out of shape I am, I decided running around wasn't an option. I started with jumping jacks, but those got old real quick so I just splurged for a treadmill on craigslist and have more than tripled my endurance. You gotta find what's best for you. I wouldn't use a gym, whily my father says he would never do anything without a gym.

Oh, and I'm 1 point away from being obese. I know I'm overweight, but I still know what my feet look like.

[laurelei28.livejournal.com]

i'm technically obese. watch out. fat girl. BMI isn't taking a lot into account. and lets see, i wear a size 12 which is like a 34 inch waist... to make some size 2 and size 10 comparisons.

Two cents

[thismortalquill.livejournal.com]

The BMI scale, yes, completely inaccurate. But if the numbers really are getting to you, take consolation in the fact that you'd only need to be 178.5 to be back in the healthy range.

Just do whatever it is that makes your body feel good, you know? If you feel good now, stay that way, if you're tired or whatnot, make some changes.

*I* think you're cuddly. And that's always a good thing.

[jackofallgeeks.livejournal.com]

*I* think you're cuddly. And that's always a good thing.

-laughs-
You and I, we have to get together and have dinner at Cracjer Barrel again sometime. Well, I guess it needn't be Cracker Barrel. And much less with the traffic. -nods to this-

^_^ Good seeing you around more these days.

[thismortalquill.livejournal.com]

We must indeed. I'm trying to engineer a joint trip to california (to see my relatives) and to virginia (to see elizabeth and help her when her baby's born) so odds are I'll catch you at one end of the country or another, right?