BMI Depression

Just when I think I am getting close to a good goal weight I went and did the stupid thing of checking my Body Mass Index. Normally I would not do such a masochistic thing, but I got some spam e-mail that did not get trapped in my “don’t bother me junk mailbox” and I clicked on it.

According to the skinny police I still need to lose 12% of my whole body to be at the very top of the healthy weight BMI. That is a lot more weight than I was thinking about losing. But here is the really depressing part, the range is something like 45 pounds. WHAT? The SP (that’s skinny police) say that the healthy BMI range for my exact age, height and gender is a 45 pound range – that is an almost 30% difference between the top and bottom.

I cannot imagine what planet I would have to live on to weigh 35% less than I do now. So in the best head in the sand way I am willing to split the difference and try and lose 6% more weight, not 12% and heaven forbid, not 35%. If I were to get that skinny I would be nothing but a skin bag of wrinkles.

There comes a point when an older woman just looks like hell because she is too thin. Sounds like a great rationalization, but honestly, I know a little fat on my face is a good thing. Sure my thighs, stomach and the undersides of my arms could handle a 35% reduction, but unfortunately I can’t spot reduce. I would get a too thin face and still have fat on my thighs.

My suggestion is don’t click on any BMI calculator. Use your clothes and your own mirror to figure out what the right weight for you is. If a range is so big it just is not right and a 45 range is too much.