Weight is such a personal matter, we often don’t discuss it outside of a Dr’s office or slimming club walls. For what it is worth I think that whatever weight you are, if you are happy then it is your choice and don’t let anyone tell you any different! If you want to feel different or look different it is important to do it for the right reasons. If you want to lose weight because someone else thinks you should then you are far less likely to succeed.

There is a lot of information out there about weight and obesity and we are fed a constant diet of skinny celebs and miracle weight loss cures. One of the most quoted and medically used measures for weight is BMI – Body Mass Index. The BMI measure uses your height and weight to calculate your BMI score and tell you whether you are obese or underweight.

However, the BMI score has many flaws that are acknowledged by medical professionals. For example, it does not take into account body composition. So, you can look like a bodybuilder and still be classed as obese by the BMI scale. This is why in my opinion weight is one of the last measures you should take into account when deciding whether you are happy with how you look.

Ask yourself this, if you could drop 2 dress sizes and look slimmer but still weigh the same weight, would you want that? Or would you still insist on your happiness being dictated by the number on the scale?

According to a number of sources (listed at the end) waist SIZE is a MUCH more important indicator of overall health than BMI. This is because even if you are classed as average on the BMI you might still have weight distributed in different places and if you have abdominal fat then you are at much higher risk for type 2 diabetes , cardiovascular disease and death than those whose weight is distributed in other areas more evenly.

A very well known fitness trainer personality even refers to the scales as the ‘sad step’ this is because you can work really hard all week at achieving your weight ‘loss’ goal and it either doesn’t show on the scales or worse you are heavier than when you started. However, if you use size as a measure instead you might have found you lost inches round your waist or hips or chest or all of the above and surely this is more important overall.

Don’t be dictated to by a number on the scales, measure yourself, waist, hips, thighs, chest, biceps – take those measurements as a guide. Also how do you feel? Do you feel healthier? Do you feel lighter, are your clothes feeling looser? These are all much better measures. 

There is a better way

If you want help with getting in shape and finding your ideal size, then get in touch. I can work with you on a programme that will help you restore your bodies natural eating rhythms and lose the focus on counting calories and lbs. No more restrictive diets, no more weigh In’s. 

Waist size sources

Harvard School of public Health, 2021

NHS 2019

British Heart Foundation

Mayo Clinic