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Try this rather than the BMI scale - much more accurate http://www.armystudyguide.com/content/useful_files/apft_and_weight_control/automated-body-fat-conten.shtml.
Measure your neck and abdomen at the thickest point and horizontal, enter the numbers and viola! body fat calculations within 1%.
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Clubber,
It was not a question of 'what DO we use' but 'SHOULD we use BMI'.
Wealth is a measurement of happiness in America - even though the studies show that money has little to do with happiness above the poverty level.
We DO use wealth as a measurement for happiness - we SHOULD NOT.
That was all I am trying to express.
TF
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CLUBBERLANG
3/21/07 6:15 P
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| Like it or not BMI has been proven to be a health index if not a body fat index.
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TALFUCHRE
3/19/07 10:54 A
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Hike It,
I came to this conclusion as well. I am estimating the loss off my gut so far to be 4 or 5 inches.
I think that is fairly accurate.
TF
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When I was 26 I was into body building...I had a 36" waist and a 52" chest...I was built, but I also weighed 228.
I had a doctor tell me that for my height and weight I was obese! But when I had a body fat composition done (dunk test) I was around 12%
I don't go by BMI anymore!
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| thanks for the info on BMI...i personally think it is nonsense
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| I had my bf% measured and I would break 25 on BMI at 88 kilos. But then again, according to bf%, I would have to be absolutely fat free to reach 88 kilos.
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CRAZY4BLUES
3/15/07 6:44 P
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| I hear tell that it was developed by . . . The FRENCH!
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Good idea!
You could also use the tape to measure the inside of your belt, from the end of the little tongue thingy to the mark the farthest out on the belt.
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| If you did not take the waist numbers before you started, you can use changes in belt size to estimate your starting point. The notches are typically 1 in apart.
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Great advice. I wish I would have measured myself at the beginning of this expedition.
I could still do it and see about my gains from here on out.
TF
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| That's a great idea - I'm going to look for a cloth measuring tape right away. Thanks for the tip.
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I have found that BMI and weight are both pretty unhelpful, and electronically measuring your body fat percentage can vary widely according to the amount of water and electrolytes in your body.
What I have found helpful is to use a cloth tape measure (about a dollar, at wallymart or a fabric store) and measure across the nips (chest), navel (belly) and the widest measurement across my hips.
These numbers will give you a good benchmark for your general physical shape. Cranking the chest numbers up and the butt and belly numbers down will show you the improvement you're making in increasing muscle tone and lowering body fat.
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DAVIDDOTSON
3/6/07 7:41 A
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| It really depends on what body shape you have. Some of us are "typical" and others of us are not so "typical." Even the military recognizes this point by allowing a higher weight for those that are more heavily muscled or tall. I follow body fat percentage and how I feel. Another big indicator is how my spouse feels about what she sees when she sees me. This, of course, goes into the "how I feel" category.
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| In his prime of winning all those Mr Olympia titles even Arnold...(yeah that one) was considered obese according to his BMI calculations. Calculating your body fat percentage is better way and healthier way.
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| I think that they developed the BMI chart with the medium or small build person in mind. It applies to me for the most part, but I have several friends that you could look at say that there is no way that they are over weight but according to the BMI chart they are. It is crap for many people.
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| I agree that BMI is crap.
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| Yeah I'm a sissy. I like my legs. It makes basketball that much easier. If I get myself back down between 210 and 220 I can call it a success. I've never been really fast but I'll take power almost anytime.
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Hey Loghouse,
30 pounds is nothing to sneeze at - good work.
I agree - Fat composition in a dunk tank is the best way to measure it. I am happy if I get near 15% personally.
I don't need to fine tune down to looking like a Men's Health model - the reality is - even when I was in the USMC and in the best shape of my life I didn't have a six pack. I honestly don't care anymore.
TF
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Yup, it's crap. Even my Dr. told me it's crap (well, he didn't actually SAY "crap", but that's what he meant).
I'm obese now, but I'm fat and overweight. As I approach my goal, I'll be going by weight, measurements, and to "fine tune", I'll go to a gym and have my body fat measured. BMI can't measure body composition.
Rick
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Russ - you sissy! I guess you will be a fatty - and keep your legs. ;)
I am glad it is not just me that BMI does not work for.
Now - I am not saying that I am in good shape with my body fat - 27% or something - but I am getting that down. My goal will get me to 15%. I am satisfied with that - with a full time job and 2 kids.
TF
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| In college I was 6'1 230 lbs with 10% body fat. I played full court basketball an hour a day and could hike all day for fun. According to BMI, I was sitting comfortably at obese 30.3. If I find myself at 200 lbs which is 12 lbs less than I graduated high school at I would be overweight at 26.4. I could probably get to the upper end of normal which for me is 185 if I lost another 100 lbs chopped off my leg. No thanks.
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So I was caclulating my BMI and I was running some numbers.
After bootcamp I was 6'5" tall and weighed 180 pounds. I could run 21 miles a day with a pack and do some serious damage.
Here is a pic:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r141/talfuchre/Misc%20Pictures/USMCme.jpg
Not exactly fat...
My BMI chart says I was, at the end of boot camp, in the TOP END of the "normal" chart. Almost over weight!
To get to the bottom end of that chart I would have to weigh 155 pounds! At 6'5"!!
BMI is officially poo poo.
TF
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