Monday, February 7, 2011

Why Be Normal?

"Normal" is relative. What is normal for you or me may seem totally bat-shit crazy to someone else. Most of my friends are unusual characters, not crazy people, just unique individuals. I've always gravitated towards people who have strong personalities, don't tend to run with the masses or even care what the masses think, and march to the beat of their own drum.

I always thought that being "Normal" was overrated. Who wants to be normal? Normal is boring and in the case of the BMI chart can be total bull. Still, when it comes to the BMI chart, I've been dreaming of being considered "Normal" and can't believe how close I'm getting to that "Normal" line. Check out the snapshot of my Wii screen showing my BMI graph. In November 2009 my BMI was over 40 which is the Morbidly Obese range and now I'm hovering just above "Normal."
I have no intention of getting down to the recommended BMI for my height because I think I would look scary skinny at that weight (129) and it would be almost impossible for me to maintain it without severe food restrictions and hours at the gym daily. I really like my curves and have every intention of keeping them so I'm shooting for the high end of the BMI "Normal" range.

I was so excited the first day my Wii stopped saying "that's OBESE," and instead said "that's OVERWEIGHT." I can't wait to tell me I'm "NORMAL."

What do you think about the BMI chart? Do you think it's an accurate measure? or total bull?

12 comments:

  1. I'm afraid to jump back on my wii scale. I was 14 pounds away from the overweight line. I just don't want to be disappointed. Sigh. The BMI chart is not the most accurate measure of healthiness but it is a good gauge for where people should be. It only calculates height vs. weight...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good job on the "overweight" category!! I remember being supremely happy the day I dipped into the overweight portion of the BMI scale.

    Keep at it and you'll be NORMAL soon!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Woo-hoo! You're knocking on the door!

    And yeah, normal is just a word. It's how we feel, inside and out, and our healthy actions that are the highest rewards of success.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow, that's awesome that you are so close to normal. I've been trying (although obviously not hard enough) to get to overweight ... 5 pounds away ... for months. I guess wishing isn't going to make it happen.

    ReplyDelete
  5. BS BS BS BS. Hate the BMI chart. Not to mention that they often vary a little here and there from one to the next chart... It's like telling Serena Williams she is overweight-um excuse me?

    BMI needs to take muscle, fat, and water into account to be an accurate measure of body mass.

    Until we all become cookie cutter Stepford wives, that is! ;-)

    Polar's Mom
    www.polarspage.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am 5.2 and 167 and I am just over the obese line - I need to get to 161 to just be overweight.

    But my doctor still wants me to be about 125 pounds - that's what I weighed when I was a four season athlete! I wouldn't be worried about the BMI chart - I don't think its accurate.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Total bull! BMI has become just a fancy height and weight chart. It was never intended as a measurement for individuals, but unfortunately it's the gauge everyone uses now. I've been "Normal" once, following jaw surgery and over a month on a liquid diet. I looked ghastly. While I would like to get down comfortably into the middle of the "Overweight" category, I'll never be BMI Normal. And I'm ok with that.

    Good job on all your hard work!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I do think there's more range in reality than is reflected in the BMI chart. It's all about body type, muscle, etc...
    Where do you look and feel the way you want to? That's the best place to be.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great job! I love this post... keep up the good work!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great job! BMI doesn't tell the whole story, but I do like being "normal" rather than super morbidly obese. You are doing a fantastic thing for yourself.

    ReplyDelete
  11. The BMI is not total BS... But you should take other stuff into consideration before looking at your BMI:

    1. Waist Circumference
    2. Body Moist
    3. Body Fat/Lean Body Muscle

    and if all of that is healthy, I don't think it matters what your BMI is. I have a blogpost about fat tissue: http://obesityrehab.blogspot.com/2011/02/food-rehab-2-fat-what-to-do-with-it.html

    And the waist circumference:
    http://obesityrehab.blogspot.com/2011/02/body-lessons-2-your-waist-line-how-to.html


    Maybe its interesting for some of you, I can always use some criticism or feedback. The BMI is BS if step 1 -3 are healthy this is my opinion.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I think finding a weight where you are comfortable both in your skin and with what you have to do to maintain is key.

    ReplyDelete

No Sugar Coating Allowed