I’m being Bold.

Yesterday while pursuing the internet, I was reading an article that was about healthy weights and BMI (Body Mass Index).   I thought to myself, “I know that I need to loose a few pounds but I wonder where I stand with my BMI.”

After calculating it, I found out a shocking fact.   A fact that I don’t believe.   It’s not that I am in denial.   It’s just that I think it’s totally wrong and this chart doesn’t take into account many things.   Curious as to what this chart told me?

According to this handy dandy chart that many healthcare professionals (and I’m sure insurance company’s use) to help determine my health,

I am

Wait for it.

Here it comes….

I am (according to the chart)

Overweight (yeah, I know),

but also according to the chart

on the boarder of becoming obese.

Yup, you heard me.

This apparently is what borderline obese looks like.

As the saying goes, I beg to differ.

I’ve discussed this before in  It’s Really Just A Number.

Today, I’m going one step further and putting it out there as I’m not ashamed and it really is what it is.   I’m 150ish pounds depending on the day.

It’s just a number after all.  Yes, a little bigger than I would like, but it does not define me.

Yes, I do know that I could stand to loose 10 pounds and maybe a few more.  I’m not disputing that.   Never have.  I just like food.  I admit it.   Yes, I am 5 foot 2.   Yes, I weight between 150 and 155.   Yes, according to the handy dandy chart a healthy weight for me is between 118 and 132.    Well, I haven’t seen those numbers since before my first son was born and I doubt very much that I will ever see them again. I’m ok with that as I’m doing ok as I am.   I would really settle for 140 to 145 but I’m not actively dieting.  I’m ok with that too..

Now, to go a step further, this handy dandy chart does not take many other factors into account.  It is a generic chart that too many people depend on to determine their health.  It does not take my muscle tone into account.   I’m not one to brag, but my legs are solid muscle.   Solid.   My arms aren’t’ too flabby either.   I will readily admit that I have no muscle mass around my belly and it does like to jiggle like a bowl full of jelly which I’m working on (sometimes).   I will also admit that I very comfortable in a  size 8 and if I don’t want to breathe I can fit into a 6.

So please, please tell me how this makes me borderline obese.   I hate that there are people looking at just these charts, looking in the mirror and then feeling bad about themselves.   One size does not fit all and we have to stop generalizing sizes, weights, BMI, and everything in between based on a number or size.

I will further say that even with a high BMI, my cholesterol is VERY good with my good levels being much much higher than my bad which is very low.   I have  good blood sugar levels, blood pressure and all those other things they check.

So my question is why we always try to fit everyone into one mold?