How about we go somewhere in the middle here and go for "light dusting of dirt"

Cyclists are oddly shaped??? Compared to the average fattie, maybe so. Out here in sunny California, I'd guess most of the serious cyclists I see on centuries are in the 22-24 BMI range.

FWIW, BMI is a reasonable surrogate for "fatness" for most folks (i.e., if your BMI is 30, it's probably not because you're built like The Rock ). That said, body fat percentage and waist-hip ratios are probably even more useful measures. The advantage of BMI is that it's easy and quick to calculate (and, statistically meaningful for most people).

What did your doc tell you would be a good weight for you? And, what did he base his answer on? (I'd bet his answer was your weight at BMI=25).

Skinny arms, skinny waist, huge butt and thighs? Yeah, kinda.

Do these shorts make my butt look big?

[QUOTE=SSP]FWIW, BMI is a reasonable surrogate for "fatness" for most folks (i.e., if you're BMI is 30, it's probably not because you're built like The Rock ). That said, body fat percentage and waist-hip ratios are probably even more useful measures. The advantage of BMI is that it's easy and quick to calculate (and, statistically meaningful for most people).

QUOTE]


I agree if you randomly take 100 Americans with BMIs over 30 chances are over 90 will be overweight and out of shape.

Bill

Exactly what caloso said.
Skinny torso. huge legs thighs. Big calves. Larger rear.
Or as I like to put it: "toothpick up top. Massive legs down below"

First he said "keep exercising like you are doing and when your weight levels out that is your perfect weight" -> I ride 200-250 miles a week at a moderate pace.
To tell you the truth I did not press him for how he came up with 160 as a good weight for me. However, he did not use anything. No BMI calculations just whatever was in his head.
My doc is a good man. I trust his judgment.

Anyhow, if you look at the standard bmi calculation it says something like 140-170 lbs for a person 5'9". I may not be exactly correct but can not be bothered to check at the moment. 140 is too dang skinny. 170 is too fat. 160 is just fine. Current weight: 158

how about in-n-out**********????

Then I guess I don't follow your assertion that BMI is worthless. 5'9" and 160 lbs = BMI of 23.6. That's clearly in the "normal/healthy" range. At 170 lbs, you'd be at BMI 25.1 (just barely "Overweight").

So, it looks like BMI is a reasonable tool for body weight goal setting, even with your "massive" legs.

I posted that comment because after a couple of years of riding everyday I had to take all my suits to the tailor to be taken in (except for the seats of the pants, which had to be let out). The tailor said "Most guys your age have to have everything let out."

In my field we are starting to stray away from BMI and are using waist to hip ratios. Sometimes the 2 are combined to make up for the shortfalls of one or the other when used on their own. I think BMI continues to be used because it makes an easy way to record someone’s stats when a health history is done. Of course, if BMI is higher than normal but the individual is well muscled, additional notes can indicate this.

I think BMI should be used as a guideline, or a starting point and not an absolute indication of health. Use it as part of the larger picture of the individual.

While your "opinion" is just that, I feel that the numbers BMI gives are either too low or too high. The mirror is a far better tool than BMI calculations. All in all, one should consult their physician before relying on advice from self appointed "experts" on internet forums.
Now as for your "massive" comment......

have you guys seen the nutional facts for starbucks drinks? A latte or mocha is a ton of calories, it makes soda look quite innocent. I was shocked when I saw those drinks are 300-500 cal., my friends and I joke that starbucks is actually an ice cream store with all the whip cream, syrups and chocolate flavors.

it's not just the calories (and i think you are being uber conservative with 300-500!) it's the FAT content! those are some UNHEALTHY drinks! makes me glad i don't like coffee... cuz if i did... i KNOW i'd be a stabucks fan!

I guess I don't understand why you're objecting to the use of BMI. In your case, the BMI range of "normal/healthy" provides a reasonable range of target weight values. In fact, your target range agrees quite nicely with your physician's recommendations. And yet you "feel" that the BMI numbers are both "too low" and "too high". Could you provide some "data" to back up this "opinion"?

Also, FWIW, you were the one who alleged "massive" thighs. If you're that proud of 'em, post a picture .

Bill Mahr commented on that last year...he said we should call them what they really are. They're not "triple carmel macchiatoes"...they're really "milk shakes with caffeine".

for me, personally... i'm at a healthy BMI according the "them"... but i'm still too big for my frame! i am a lot smaller than a LOT of americans.... but for ME..... i'm to weighty! (i'm not "allowed" to say i'm fat )

That was a flippin joke. Get a freaking sense of humor. Good lord.

Once again: 140 is too freaking low. 170 is too freaking high. Can you not read?
160 is not a BMI calculation. It does fall within the calculation range but I disagree with the max and min values. Do you understand that?
God....

Caligurl: Starbucks is a coffee shop for people who don't like coffee.

No, you are not. I am 23 and I feel exactly the same way. I don't want to have kids in general, but if I ever do, it's not going to be in North America. I just feel so sad for today's kids in this country... I'd hate a life like that. Oddly, most people, including those who enjoyed being free kids themselves, see nothing wrong with this; in fact, consider it the only way to bring up a kid.

The general "safety" paranoia and overregulated lives are a fact of life for adults around here to; I find it so stifling... Adults are afraid to go out and explore the world (an example relevant to these boards is a phrase we've all heard uttered many times: "Oh my God, you ride your bike in traffic??!!!" As a bike tourer, I also get a fair share of "Oh my God, you ride your bike through remote regions and camp outdoors??!!" And as a woman, I am often told: "Oh my God, you walk and bike around by yourself after dark!" (yeah, it's in frikkin' Canada too! )

And the car culture is definitely partly to blame for the obesity epidemic. When walking and biking are dangerous, unpleasant and impractical, people won't do them. Home-garage-cage-garage-office-garage-cage-garage-home: some people don't ever leave an enclosed, walled environment of some sort the whole day.

What especially saddens me is that just about everybody I know - including very smart and sensitive people - completely buy the whole car 'n suburb philosophy. It's so natural, they don't even imagine how anything can or should be different. Try to argue with them, they think you're joking; so incomprehensible to them is the thought that something might be wrong.

This is my first post here, and I thought this was a good thread to post in.
My friend Derek weighs around 300lbs now, and has already had a heart attack. He eats nothing but unhealthy food and doesn't exercise AT ALL. He played football last year and gained weight. I actually have to thank him, because if it wasn't for him and others like him, I wouldn't be losing weight like crazy. I was fat when I was a kid, too. Last December, I weighed 180lbs at 16 years old with absolutely no muscle on me. Cycling and fat people have saved my life.

White lining with catatonic and caligurl....

I'm like the same size except i started at 180 and now i'm at 183 I ride about 6 hours a week though... hopefully i'll get some results soon, this is the biggest i've ever been.

no.... it STILL has coffee flavor underneath all that good stuff! lol! i don't even like coffee candy or coffee ice cream! and do NOT spill coffee in my car on on my clothes! yuck! lol!

****************************** i don't get it? i don't do drugs

"Light dusting?"

Don't try to sneak your drug innuendo pass me.