Confused by Body Mass Index- Please help!!

  • Hiya guys. My BMI at the moment is 42.2- which makes me obese.

    My goal weight is 176lbs, which would then make my BMI 29.4- which means I will still be overweight.

    I would have to then aim for 143lbs as my goal weight to be at a "normal weight".

    Personally, I don't think that is a healthy weight for me, as I am tall and big boned, as well as carrying a lot of muscle.

    Anyone have an insight to this topic and can give me some advice or opinion please?
  • BMI is an average, so some people may fall outside normal ranges. However, the ranges do accommodate different body types - I think the normal range for my height is something like 120-154 lbs!

    You may want to look at body fat percentage as another method to monitor your progress. Unfortunately it's not nearly as easy to calculate.
  • Just start on the journey. See how you feel when you get to 176. Don't start stressing about your goal weight, just concentrate on starting.
  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/7736776...7602199008819/

    This kind of illustration usually helps me understand bmi and it's flaws a bit better.
  • I thought the same thing when I began my journey (I'm tall and big boned, there is no way that 140 would be a healthy weight for me!).
    Now that I've gone from 200 to 160, I can definitely see where I can loose another 20 and be very healthy.
    BMI does not account for bigger bones and more muscle mass, however. It is a guideline. I say aim for your first goal and re-evalute. You may be surprised at what your new goal will be!
  • I'm the same height as you, bmi is just a tool, not an end all be all.

    Good luck!
  • Your BMI is only a small part of the piture. Just work on you until you feel healthy and look as you want. Unless you have pressure from doctors and then they might need to give you the #s they want you to aim for?
  • My first goal is the very high end of the normal weight range. Once I get there, I'll re-evaluate and see where I want to be. I have a total of 6 mini-goals before I get there. I've already crossed off the first two.
  • It's just a measurement standard that doesn't account for fat/muscle %. I'm your height but very small boned - I have two chins at 143 lbs!
  • I would base it on body fat percentage rather than BMI. That gives you a more realistic view of where you should be, especially if you carry a lot of muscle.