Are you overweight?

[Square Wheels]

Not judging, just asking.

I'm not shy.  I'm 5'9", average build (not slender), currently 212.

My heaviest was about 10 or 15 years ago.  I'd estimate between 250 and 260.  I stopped weighing myself around 240. 

In high school I was about as muscular as I am now, maybe a little more, and weighed 169.

About 5 years ago I got down to the high 170s.

I need to get back there.

I've slowly been changing my diet and increasing my exercise.

[Square Wheels]

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmi_tbl.pdf

[ChrisL]

Yeah per BMI I am.  I am 5’10” 215 with a 36” waist & wear a Lg shirt.  I feel good at this weight and my glucose is in a good range for me so it seems to be working. 

I got down to 199 during the weight loss challenge I did in 2017 but really couldn’t sustain that weight and many thought I was sick. 

[Airehead]

Yes, I am. Some is my health issue and the meds. But of course I suck

at exercise and like food.

[ChrisL]

4 minutes ago, Square Wheels said:

 

I've slowly been changing my diet and increasing my exercise.

My weight crept up and I found that just eating less was a game changer for me. Intermittent fasting for one and just portion control.  We really just put way more food in our bodies than it needs.

[Parsnip Totin Jack ★]

Overweight for sure. I need more exercise. 

[jsharr ★]

I am currently around 245.  I am 6 foot and broad shouldered.  I probably have not weighed under 200 since I was a sophomore in high school.  I could easily lose 20 pounds and really should lose 40.   My waist size has grown from a 32 in 1982 to a 40 in 2022.

So yes, I am overweight and if I do not change my ways, or weighs, I will regret it.

[Kzoo]

Maybe 5 lbs overweight.  Optimal fighting weight might be 10 lbs less than I am.  I also need more exercise.

 

[MickinMD ★]

32 minutes ago, Square Wheels said:

Not judging, just asking.

I'm not shy.  I'm 5'9", average build (not slender), currently 212.

My heaviest was about 10 or 15 years ago.  I'd estimate between 250 and 260.  I stopped weighing myself around 240. 

In high school I was about as muscular as I am now, maybe a little more, and weighed 169.

About 5 years ago I got down to the high 170s.

I need to get back there.

I've slowly been changing my diet and increasing my exercise.

I need to lose 52 more pounds to get to 239, where the standard BMI tables say a 6'3" person is "overweight" and not "obese."  My neighbor who was my classmate in school - she's also battling weight - says I'm fat but not obese now, but that's more like saying I'm not "morbidly obese."

I think my fat is still dropping because I've reduced Calories and am eating healthier, but my doctor has changed my medications - and I'm allowed to vary the amounts to regulate blood glucose levels - and water retention has become a problem. My morning weight can vary up and down by 5 lb/day.  So I'm waiting until I do more sweating activities before I trust my weight changes.

My weight when I was a semi-elite 4 min. 45 second mile runner in high school was 175 lbs.  When I ran my last marathon at age 37 I weighed 188 lb - and I was a smoker!  Just before age 45 I quit smoking and the weight piled on.  Too bad smoking kills you!

So my first goal is to get halfway to overweight: 265 lb, then to 239.  Eventually, less than 200 would be great but I'll weight to 239 before seriously thinking about it.  In 2013 I went from 294 to 231 after 18 months on the Calorie counts I'm now following and was a little less sedentary.

[Wilbur ★]

37 minutes ago, Square Wheels said:

Not judging, just asking.

I'm not shy.  I'm 5'9", average build (not slender), currently 212.

My heaviest was about 10 or 15 years ago.  I'd estimate between 250 and 260.  I stopped weighing myself around 240. 

In high school I was about as muscular as I am now, maybe a little more, and weighed 169.

About 5 years ago I got down to the high 170s.

I need to get back there.

I've slowly been changing my diet and increasing my exercise.

I thought you only ate grass?  

[Wilbur ★]

I am under-heighted.   

[az_cyclist]

I am 5' 10", and currently weigh 181.  My BMI from my last visit said I was obese. The 10-12 # I have lost this year have been because of Covid and the dental work I had done 2 weeks ago. It is my intent to remain between 180 and 185.  I feel good, and less weight should help on mountain grades. 

[petitepedal ★]

I am not overweight..I am under tall 

I just moved from obese to overweight and based on the table posted...I have no plans of going for "normal"...

FYI...my doc is not concerned because of my muscle...

[Square Wheels]

My goal is to get to a normal weight for my size.  I will do it over the next couple of years so that it becomes permanent. 

[Razors Edge ★]

41 minutes ago, az_cyclist said:

I am 5' 10", and currently weigh 181.  My BMI from my last visit said I was obese. The 10-12 # I have lost this year have been because of Covid and the dental work I had done 2 weeks ago. It is my intent to remain between 180 and 185.  I feel good, and less weight should help on mountain grades. 

Square's BMI link - for 5'10" - has obese starting at 209.  181 (or 193) would just be in their overweight category.

I find BMI a "so-so" tool, but I'd definitely err on the side of "natural settling point with regular exercise" value as the healthier weight rather than one from that chart.  IOW, if you're out getting regular exercise - not simply "activity" - and optimally also some regular strength training, then you ought to find that sweet spot where you feel and perform best.  Obviously for longer climbs, the weight can be felt more, but we all know when we feel "good" on the bike, and it's not necessarily when we are at our lightest.  That 180-185, despite being a wee bit higher BMI, seems like a good place for you to be.

For me, sure, as I approach the end of a nice block of regular riding, I tend to feel great on the bike, and my weight will be towards the lower end of my "happy weight", but I can't say the opposite is true all the time - ie I am at my "happy weight" but might not be feeling great on the bike.  

[MoseySusan]

1 minute ago, Square Wheels said:

My goal is to get to a normal weight for my size.  I will do it over the next couple of years so that it becomes permanent. 

Me too. I haven’t been able to keep my lowest weight even though I’ve been there four times. I like the way I feel at about 155 even though I’ve been 140 a couple of times. At that weight, I constantly felt a knawing urge to eat. 

[JerrySTL ★]

I'm at 205 lbs and 6'1". I dropped 25 lbs after WoJSTL's heart attack and new diet. I've crept up 7 lbs lately.

My fancy scale shows my BMI in the 27s.

[maddmaxx ★]

I need 10 lbs to go from overweight to healthy on the BMI calculator.  I look worse than that though as my stomach is too large.  

[TrentonMakes]

Per the BMI methodology I am about 5 pounds into the "overweight" category.  Scoff if you like but I believe that with my build I'm at a healthy weight (and my doctor agrees).  

[Road Runner]

6'1" and 185.  I am right at the top of the normal range.  I would like to lose 20 lbs.  My bad back would love it, I'm sure.  But eating is the only fun thing I have left. 

Every summer, I lose 10-15 lbs.  I get lots more exercise and the hot weather stifles my appetite.  If I could reach 175, it would be the first time since my twenties.    

[Razors Edge ★]

20 minutes ago, TrentonMakes said:

Per the BMI methodology I am about 5 pounds into the "overweight" category.  Scoff if you like but I believe that with my build I'm at a healthy weight (and my doctor agrees).  

Yeah, the Eagles have 4 guys listed at my height - 5'11" - and all would be in "overweight" category, and one, at 215, just in the obese category!  On the flip side, the US men's national soccer team, has two guys who weigh just a tad more than me.  And then, of course, there are pro cyclists my height who weigh significantly less!   

It's gotta be a VERY individual value, so while the BMI (and other blood work, fitness test, etc) get's us talking and thinking about it, really we need to be aware of where we are compared to OUR optimal numbers. Of course, we also can't be in denial either, but that's a trickier evaluation to make

Football:

Soccer:

[Road Runner]

3 hours ago, Square Wheels said:

About 5 years ago I got down to the high 170s.

  Square Wheels, most likely in the 170's  

[ChrisL]

15 minutes ago, Road Runner said:

Dang how much did your hair weigh???

[ChrisL]

16 minutes ago, Razors Edge said:

Yeah, the Eagles have 4 guys listed at my height - 5'11" - and all would be in "overweight" category, and one, at 215, just in the obese category!  On the flip side, the US men's national soccer team, has two guys who weigh just a tad more than me.  And then, of course, there are pro cyclists my height who weigh significantly less!   

It's gotta be a VERY individual value, so while the BMI (and other blood work, fitness test, etc) get's us talking and thinking about it, really we need to be aware of where we are compared to OUR optimal numbers. Of course, we also can't be in denial either, but that's a trickier evaluation to make

Football:

Soccer:

Yeah I think BMI is a goal but I don’t think it works for all body types.  Some of us thick chested guys tend to slide more to the overweight & obese side.  That’s why I noted my pant & shirt size as In my mind, Obese people don’t wear a size LG shirt and 36” pants that need a slight cinch of the belt.  But  could I lose 10-15 lbs, sure I can. 

FTR in the Army & PD  I was 175 and looked good.  In my early 50’s I looked gaunt & sickly at 199.  So my body has changed as I have aged. I can’t imagine how I would’ve looked in my 50’s at 175.

[Road Runner]

13 minutes ago, ChrisL said:

Dang how much did your hair weigh???

That is a pic of SW.  Probably at his fighting weight, in the 170's.

[Square Wheels]

43 minutes ago, Road Runner said:

  Square Wheels, most likely in the 170's  

Yup, that was one of my Mt Washington runs.  The lightest I've been in the last 30+ years.

[Zephyr]

I am 5'11 and currently at 220.  I am 'thick' and at 204lbs was measured at 6% body fat.  210-212 is optimal weight for me without losing strength, which I need.

BMI is not an optimal test, as really the way it was designed was it was 1/2 of a test, where you did the BMI, then a series of tests including strength, flexibility, vertical leap, (I don't remember the rest).  These tests were scored and the accumulated score was entered into a formula along with the BMI and you got a fitness score.  That is where BMI showing a body builder as morbidly obese would in the finally tally come out as "very fit".

The tests took time to do, which meant docs could see less patients, so they could bill less, so the tests are rarely done now and the doc just spit out bmi crap like gospel truth.  

I think I would need to get to 189 or something on BMI to be considered fit.  I would need to cut off a leg to get there

[groupw]

I’m 5’9” and 185. In the middle of the overweight band. My doctor said I should try to lose 10-12 lbs but said he wished more people much younger were as active as me. 
Ten years ago I ran my marathon and was running well otherwise. I was normally around 172, but would sometimes drop below 170. WoW was not happy I was shooting for 165. I need to get back into a running rhythm, but I will be happy to get back to 175 on a regular basis. 

[Digital_photog ★]

5-10 and currently 168. Was as high as 198 in the past.

[Razors Edge ★]

1 hour ago, Zephyr said:

The tests took time to do, which meant docs could see less patients, so they could bill less, so the tests are rarely done now and the doc just spit out bmi crap like gospel truth.  

Interesting - maybe the test were a Canadian thing or a job-related thing for you?  I can honestly say, the ONLY weight discussions I've ever had at the doctors is when the nurse puts me on the scale.  No BMI, no extra testing, no checking my body fat, etc..  I'd be interested to hear if ANYONE has real discussions with their primary care doctors about their weight.  Anecdotally, from reading about this sort of things over the years, weight (and diet) seem to be third rail sort of discussion for doctors in the US.  We have a legitimate obesity problem in the US (whether based on BMI or some other metrics), but if we think a five minute discussion with a doctor once year (at best) is where it is or should be addressed, we're relatively dooming ourselves to failure.   

I'd also be interested to hear if anyone's doctor had a hard "weight" discussion with them, and what was the outcome of that (meds, follow up physicals, bloodwork, nutritionist or trainer recommendations, etc.).  What is a doctor's (primary care, especially) role in the weight/overweight/obese discussion? Where do they even begin when given 5, 10, or maybe 15 minutes to work through a person's medical info during a normal appointment?  My exams are generally of the "so, how are you feeling?" and "is there anything specific bothering you or bringing you here today?" sort, which usually rapidly gets very specific to an issue(s), and never heads towards more general "healthy living" aspects like making sure I have a balanced diet, reduced stress, good sleep, and an exercise plan.

[ChrisL]

3 minutes ago, Razors Edge said:

Interesting - maybe the test were a Canadian thing or a job-related thing for you?  I can honestly say, the ONLY weight discussions I've ever had at the doctors is when the nurse puts me on the scale.  No BMI, no extra testing, no checking my body fat, etc..  I'd be interested to hear if ANYONE has real discussions with their primary care doctors about their weight.  Anecdotally, from reading about this sort of things over the years, weight (and diet) seem to be third rail sort of discussion for doctors in the US.  We have a legitimate obesity problem in the US (whether based on BMI or some other metrics), but if we think a five minute discussion with a doctor once year (at best) is where it is or should be addressed, we're relatively dooming ourselves to failure.   

I'd also be interested to hear if anyone's doctor had a hard "weight" discussion with them, and what was the outcome of that (meds, follow up physicals, bloodwork, nutritionist or trainer recommendations, etc.).  What is a doctor's (primary care, especially) role in the weight/overweight/obese discussion? Where do they even begin when given 5, 10, or maybe 15 minutes to work through a person's medical info during a normal appointment?  My exams are generally of the "so, how are you feeling?" and "is there anything specific bothering you or bringing you here today?" sort, which usually rapidly gets very specific to an issue(s), and never heads towards more general "healthy living" aspects like making sure I have a balanced diet, reduced stress, good sleep, and an exercise plan.

Yes very common point of discussion with diabetics.  It’s a corollary scale where weight & blood glucose seem to go up & down together. 

[Bikeguy]

Years ago in HS and college (during the 70s) I rode my bike a LOT and played in pickup / intermural basketball games.   6' 3" and no fat...  I was skinny but strong.  Maybe 180 pounds... can't remember. 

Then I got a job, a few years later got married.   Life got busy...   and I worked, chores at home, and lots of did family stuff to do.   No more riding.

in 2001 I noticed it was difficult climbing stairs. If I recall is was 280 pounds or more.  My BMI was 35, well into the obese range.  I decided this was bad, and I needed to change.  WoBG and I purchsed MTB bikes to ride.  At the end of 2003 I purchased my road bike.  In the spring of 2004 we purchsed our tandem.

Now I weigh 218 (a BMI of 27) which is in the middle of overweight. 

My wi-fi enabled scale via thier web site, I can download my data into Excel.   I added a trend line to the data.  I'm slowly slowly losing weight. 

 

 

[Razors Edge ★]

5 minutes ago, ChrisL said:

Yes very common point of discussion with diabetics.  It’s a corollary scale where weight & blood glucose seem to go up & down together. 

By "discussion" though, is it actually more than a "you need to lose weight to help get you diabetes under control"?  It really seems like a routine doctor's visit would be rapidly gobbled up by just scratching the surface of a weight discussion. I can see, perhaps that happening with a specialist or maybe a "diabetes only" appointment, but - and I am woefully unaware of "normal" medical interactions in the US - it would really seem that, while a good fit if given the time, resources, and follow through, a regular check-up is not going to lead to a real change for most folks.  

[Chris...]

5’10” currently 220. I’m pretty fat, although I do have a lot of muscle mass. Got down to 185 a few years ago. Health issues have kept me out of the gym for the last 8 months or so. Still 36” waist and a 48” chest

[Ralphie ★]

I am the incredible expanding man. I mostly blame the sedentary job and 3 hours per weekday sitting in a car. 

[TrentonMakes]

33 minutes ago, Razors Edge said:

I'd also be interested to hear if anyone's doctor had a hard "weight" discussion with them

Probably sometime in the mid-2000s I went into the doctor's office and tipped the scales at 302 pounds, my highest reading ever.  Even at 6'-12"  that's just beyond the BMI's "obese" line.

But the doctor said something like "well, you're reasonably active" and "you carry it pretty well".  He did encourage me to get more aerobic exercise, more for the long term benefit of my heart, which has to do a lot of work.  He absolutely did not say "I think you should try to lose some weight".  So - I think this doctor used some common sense about it.

[Gump]

5 hours ago, Kzoo said:

Maybe 5 lbs overweight.  Optimal fighting weight might be 10 lbs less than I am.  I also need more exercise.

 

I own a push mower

[Gump]

6’2” and currently 214. I’ll drop another 1015 lbs over the summer.

[Razors Edge ★]

3 minutes ago, TrentonMakes said:

Probably sometime in the mid-2000s I went into the doctor's office and tipped the scales at 302 pounds, my highest reading ever.  Even at 6'-12"  that's just beyond the BMI's "obese" line.

But the doctor said something like "well, you're reasonably active" and "you carry it pretty well".  He did encourage me to get more aerobic exercise, more for the long term benefit of my heart, which has to do a lot of work.  He absolutely did not say "I think you should try to lose some weight".  So - I think this doctor used some common sense about it.

This sort of what I envision most folks encounter.  

I guess my rambling ties back to the BMI chart, and exactly who is using it in any constructive (or destructive) way?  I just don't get the feeling the doctors are the ones doing much of that discussion with patients. I generally feel you encounter the whole BMI either at the gym when working with a trainer to develop a weight loss and work out plan, OR maybe at a nutritionist when trying to use a chart to help a person plan a weight loss diet - ie your at 200 lbs and this BMI shows you ought to be at 175, so let's create some workout or diet that can get you there.

Mostly I see the BMI chart here  but I have seen it hanging in a doctors office in the past.  Maybe life insurance folks use it to set policy rates?

[jsharr ★]

23 minutes ago, Gump said:

6’2” and currently 214. I’ll drop another 1015 lbs over the summer.

You are going to be rail thin at -800 lbs.

[jsharr ★]

24 minutes ago, Gump said:

I own a push mower

so does Kzoo

[maddmaxx ★]

3 hours ago, Road Runner said:

  Square Wheels, most likely in the 170's  

He looked like that about 2015/16 when I met him.

[groupw]

A while back, NPR did a rather in-depth article or series of articles on American obesity. The problem for most doctors is twofold. They are uncomfortable putting patients on the spot and having the hard talk about weight so they just suggest losing weight in broad terms. Second, they have been trained to prescribe medicine not a health regimen. 
I forget where, but a rural community with a large amount of poverty and obesity and only 1 clinic decided to try to prescribe healthy lifestyles. They literally needed to get patients feeling healthier so the clinic wasn’t always swamped with people. 
They realized that just telling people to lose weight by diet and exercise wasn’t enough. They started prescribing distances for people to walk. They prescribed healthy meal plans. But they would ease patients in one food type or meal at a time.  It wasn’t a magical fix, but it helped. As patients checked of one exercise box, they would prescribe increased effort. If the patients were sticking to the diet, they would prescribe more healthy foods. Not everyone stuck to it, but enough did that the clinic workers weren’t overwhelmed. 

[ChrisL]

1 hour ago, Razors Edge said:

By "discussion" though, is it actually more than a "you need to lose weight to help get you diabetes under control"?  It really seems like a routine doctor's visit would be rapidly gobbled up by just scratching the surface of a weight discussion. I can see, perhaps that happening with a specialist or maybe a "diabetes only" appointment, but - and I am woefully unaware of "normal" medical interactions in the US - it would really seem that, while a good fit if given the time, resources, and follow through, a regular check-up is not going to lead to a real change for most folks.  

Well my quarterly diabetic meetings go over the metrics of my weight & A1C so the numbers are tracked.  It’s part of the overall discussion but there are no hiding from the numbers. It leads to to a more focused dialogue if I am trending the wrong way and even med changes or follow up appointments with a diatician.

So it’s a bit more than, yeah lose 5 lbs or you need to eat better. 

[az_cyclist]

6 hours ago, Razors Edge said:

Square's BMI link - for 5'10" - has obese starting at 209.  181 (or 193) would just be in their overweight category.

I find BMI a "so-so" tool, but I'd definitely err on the side of "natural settling point with regular exercise" value as the healthier weight rather than one from that chart.  IOW, if you're out getting regular exercise - not simply "activity" - and optimally also some regular strength training, then you ought to find that sweet spot where you feel and perform best.  Obviously for longer climbs, the weight can be felt more, but we all know when we feel "good" on the bike, and it's not necessarily when we are at our lightest.  That 180-185, despite being a wee bit higher BMI, seems like a good place for you to be.

For me, sure, as I approach the end of a nice block of regular riding, I tend to feel great on the bike, and my weight will be towards the lower end of my "happy weight", but I can't say the opposite is true all the time - ie I am at my "happy weight" but might not be feeling great on the bike.  

Correction on my BMI (from May 9; if found the printout from the appointment).  My BMI is 26.73, and the notes call it above normal.  My weight then was181.

[Kzoo]

2 hours ago, Gump said:

I own a push mower

What’s your point?

[Kzoo]

2 hours ago, jsharr said:

so does Kzoo

Stay out of my garage 

[jsharr ★]

Just now, Kzoo said:

Stay out of my garage 

I was amazed how high the grass was in your garage.  At least you are consistent

[Square Wheels]

I had a friend a long time ago, she was incredibly overweight.  Sadly, she had a cat that was morbidly obese.  She went to the vet, he told her to feed the cat less as it needed to lose a lot of weight for its health.  She found a new vet.  I wonder if people would do the same.

I went to a nutritionist, only once, about 20 years ago.  It was the first time I had tried to lose weight.  My wife (girlfriend at the time) knows I hear what I want, so she came with me.  The first thing I told the nutritionist was I needed a realistic plan of foods I can eat, a plan on how not to be hungry all the time, and info on how to transition to that type of life.  I asked her not to tell me to eat carrot sticks.  She talked for a while, didn't address any of my concerns, and essentially told me to eat carrot sticks in between healthy meals.  No help at all.  The wife remembers it the way I do.

A long time ago I had an annual checkup with my doc.  He was very fit.  Had the visit, all went well, he stood and said see you next year, you need to lose 20 pounds.  What was I supposed to do with that?  Where was the plan?  Maybe I think eating at McDonalds twice a week is good for you?  Pizza weekly is OK.  Having cake every week is not a big deal.

I don't think our medical system wants to deal with the problem.  The system is pretty broken.  You smoked and have lung cancer, no worries, we'll give you hundreds of thousands of dollars of treatment.  You are so overweight you wore out your hip?  No need to fret, we'll give you a new one.

Prevention is so much less expensive than treatment, I don't understand.

For me, I waited too long, but it's never too late.  I am overweight, I did it, I own it.  I will get to a healthy weight.  I know how, and have started working on it.

[petitepedal ★]

I've talked about wanting to lose weight ..and yeah my workouts were great...but I was lax with watching my food both portion and my occasional burger and fries etc. Became rather regular and not occasional. The doc offered me the 90 days to lower my cholesterol...and I am going for it..and hope to lose some weight as well.