Chitown_Mike

I had something similar but from my doctor at my physical a week ago. I am 220 (well 224 at the visit) and 71.75" tall, so technically my BMI weight is 185 or something around there. Of which I have NO intentions of ever getting that light since I have a gargantuan noggin and would look like an orange on a toothpick (to quote a classic).

My doctor said I should continue to lose weight, I am down 20 from last year's visit (weight wise) but I know I am a lot strong than that. I asked should I rely on a BMI scale or my fitness level, she said BMI is the best indicator of fitness, I smiled to hide my chuckle.

My blood pressure was 112/62 and my resting heart rate was 54 bpm. I rode at an 18 mph pace a week earlier on a 50 mile solo ride, and last night I ran 4 1/4 miles because I felt like running more than the 3 miles I set out to do. She was basically surprised at my stats despite my weight and tried to put it as such. I asked if they did the body % estimate using calipers and she said that the BMI scale is very accurate.

So, OP I know the feeling.

tl;dr - my doc said I was fat based on an archaic chart that is full of inaccuracies, despite my fitness and health outside that.

FLEXjs

Actually given those stats your BMI would be around 30.6 (see here: Calculate Your BMI - Standard BMI Calculator) which would put you in the "Obese" category (BMI >30) but you are correct. BMI is meaningless. I would find another doctor.

My BMI right now is 37.5 (LOL) and I'm a US nationally ranked and record-holding powerlifter.

Penny4

I do think he meant it as a compliment, but it's too bad he didn't just say "You are a strong rider!" and leave it at that!

Pakiwi

Just venting.
Just drives me to knuckle down over winter and focus on some weight loss through food choice and riding on the trainer.
Allan

Null66

Can you get a new doctor?

Wilfred Laurier

???

it was a compliment
you are being overly sensitive
unless he said it with a nasty tone

rumrunn6

some ppl have no filter and don't realize what they are saying. I had a great corporate job and part of the initial training included sexual harassment training but also other related training. basically, at that company, we were not allowed to comment on how ppl looked, good or bad. since then, I've worked at other companies and have heard the most outrageous juvenile comments come out of ppl's mouths. sad

Chitown_Mike

This wasn't my normal doctor since I didn't want to take the day off. This is a large practice and was one of the associate doctors there that I talked with/saw. When I tell people what I weigh they are all usually surprised because I don't look it. Either way the unfortunate thing is the vast majority of doctors rely on the BMI chart and not on body fat %. I would guess I am probably sub 30% body fat because I weighed almost 20 lbs more than I did and was at 23-25% body fat, but at that time was doing more body weight exercises and light lifting.

I need to go back in 2 weeks to get a form signed for a physical fitness test I need to take so I am going to see my doctor then.

Null66

They are alloted too little time to think, instead they rely on stats...
Unfortunately, "normal" is actually quite ill.