Interesting story today on MSN about the limitations of using BMI, or body mass index, as a measure of body fat.
When I checked my BMI a couple weeks ago it said I was 25, which is the very beginning of the overweight category. It pushed me to join up for the mayors' challenge to try and lose 10 pounds and get healthier. All of which is positive.
After reading the article on MSN, I played around with the BMI calculator. I would have to drop three pounds to 147 to be in the "normal" category.
But clearly, as the article points out, there are limitations to using BMI. I would still be considered "normal" at 113 pounds! There's no way I'd be "normal" at that weight. I'd be dying. I think I weighed more than that in high school, for god's sake.
It doesn't change my motivation to get fit, but I don't think I'm going out on a limb by saying that BMI might not be gospel.
Anybody have anything to add on this debate?
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Goodie Days
Avoiding temptation has been rough this week.
On Monday, I got a package of Valentine's Day candy. On Tuesday, Girl Scout cookies I forgot I purchased arrived. And today, of course, is Valentine's Day and an official "Goodie Day" here in the newsroom.
Brownies, cupcakes, candy, chips. They're all there, just a few cubicles down.
On Monday and Tuesday, I gave the candy and cookies to my co-workers. (As one of our photographers pointed out, it doesn't count as weight loss if all I do is make everyone around me gain weight.)
Today, I've behaved a little differently than at past work "Goodie Days" where I go up for food an average of 17 times.
I've thought a little bit more about what I really want to eat and when. I ate some yummy stuffed shells as my lunch. (Thanks Dennis!) On my end, I brought in a big bowl of strawberries for everyone, although I think I've eaten half of it.
Now I know there's a lot of you out there who face down the free treats at work all the time, whether it's cake for a co-worker's birthday or the cookies customers bring in to say thank you. How do you do it? Do you indulge in just a bite or not at all?
And I will have a piece of chocolate before this day ends! It is Valentine's Day after all!
On Monday, I got a package of Valentine's Day candy. On Tuesday, Girl Scout cookies I forgot I purchased arrived. And today, of course, is Valentine's Day and an official "Goodie Day" here in the newsroom.
Brownies, cupcakes, candy, chips. They're all there, just a few cubicles down.
On Monday and Tuesday, I gave the candy and cookies to my co-workers. (As one of our photographers pointed out, it doesn't count as weight loss if all I do is make everyone around me gain weight.)
Today, I've behaved a little differently than at past work "Goodie Days" where I go up for food an average of 17 times.
I've thought a little bit more about what I really want to eat and when. I ate some yummy stuffed shells as my lunch. (Thanks Dennis!) On my end, I brought in a big bowl of strawberries for everyone, although I think I've eaten half of it.
Now I know there's a lot of you out there who face down the free treats at work all the time, whether it's cake for a co-worker's birthday or the cookies customers bring in to say thank you. How do you do it? Do you indulge in just a bite or not at all?
And I will have a piece of chocolate before this day ends! It is Valentine's Day after all!
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Today's tip ...
... Comes from a voicemail from a Germantown woman who read yesterday's story:
"I have a great free way to lose weight for you. Volunteer three times a week at a horse stable. Trust me. You'll lose weight, have fun and build muscle. Horses are better than gyms and they listen to all you secrets and never give them away."
"I have a great free way to lose weight for you. Volunteer three times a week at a horse stable. Trust me. You'll lose weight, have fun and build muscle. Horses are better than gyms and they listen to all you secrets and never give them away."
Rage against the machines
Today my plan was to get on the elliptical machine.
But I chickened out.
I did the bike for 10 minutes and then used the indoor track to do a combination of running and walking.
I'm not sure why but I'm really intimidated by a lot of the equipment at the gym. I've used a lot of it before, but I'm reluctant to use them.
It's probably that I don't want to look like a moron falling off the machines.
I know I'll get there eventually. I plan on having someone take me through and show me how everything works so I feel more comfortable.
Still, I hate that I'm being such a wimp about it.
But I chickened out.
I did the bike for 10 minutes and then used the indoor track to do a combination of running and walking.
I'm not sure why but I'm really intimidated by a lot of the equipment at the gym. I've used a lot of it before, but I'm reluctant to use them.
It's probably that I don't want to look like a moron falling off the machines.
I know I'll get there eventually. I plan on having someone take me through and show me how everything works so I feel more comfortable.
Still, I hate that I'm being such a wimp about it.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Weekends
So maybe my problem isn't Super Bowl Sunday.
Maybe it's the weekends.
As I try to get into a routine of exercising during the week, I was surprised this weekend to find that one of my bigger obstacles may be to get healthy on the weekends.
On the plus side, I did go for a long hike again on Saturday morning. But I also like to go out on the weekends. Many times that involves dinner out. It also may involve some wine or beer. Now I know those calories add up. It's not something I'm willing to give up just yet. Maybe by the end of this 10 weeks I'll find out that I should. We'll see.
In the meantime, here are some good troubleshooting tips from a Greensboro trainer and nutritional consultant, Leigh Peele.
Maybe it's the weekends.
As I try to get into a routine of exercising during the week, I was surprised this weekend to find that one of my bigger obstacles may be to get healthy on the weekends.
On the plus side, I did go for a long hike again on Saturday morning. But I also like to go out on the weekends. Many times that involves dinner out. It also may involve some wine or beer. Now I know those calories add up. It's not something I'm willing to give up just yet. Maybe by the end of this 10 weeks I'll find out that I should. We'll see.
In the meantime, here are some good troubleshooting tips from a Greensboro trainer and nutritional consultant, Leigh Peele.
Today's story
Here's today's story on my attempt to lose 10 pounds from the News & Record:
The board lit up and ordered me to pick a level between one and 20.
A nice and comfortable Level 5 seemed about right for my first time on a stationary bike in awhile.
Almost immediately, I grew smug. Level 5 is clearly for weaklings. Level 10 is where I should be at.
Then the evil machine taunted me in big, red letters: WARM-UP OVER.
The resistance kicked in. My legs went weak. The guy on the bike next to me probably thought I was having a heart attack.
The bike had more buttons on it than Mission Control.
I started pressing every one I could to get it to stop before accidentally turning it off.
And there was my evidence, as if I needed any proof: I am not in good shape.
Click here for full story.
The board lit up and ordered me to pick a level between one and 20.
A nice and comfortable Level 5 seemed about right for my first time on a stationary bike in awhile.
Almost immediately, I grew smug. Level 5 is clearly for weaklings. Level 10 is where I should be at.
Then the evil machine taunted me in big, red letters: WARM-UP OVER.
The resistance kicked in. My legs went weak. The guy on the bike next to me probably thought I was having a heart attack.
The bike had more buttons on it than Mission Control.
I started pressing every one I could to get it to stop before accidentally turning it off.
And there was my evidence, as if I needed any proof: I am not in good shape.
Click here for full story.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
