Much like ironing clothes, I don't get why we still use BMI as a measure of our health?!
Are we still listening to MP3 players? We still all on MSN chat...or are we IN THE FUTURE!!
The Body Mass Index is an arbitrary way of determining a person's overall health.
My problem with BMI is the way it casts a huge net + shoves you into one of the categories, despite the fact you're clearly a dolphin + they're fishing for cod...I digress!
All bodies are SO vastly different, we all have vastly different lives + health is a very subjective thing. The BMI index says f*ck that + tells everyone they're obese (including me).
Things it does take into consideration:
• Sex
• Age
• Height
• Weight
Things it doesn't take into consideration:
• Activity level
• Body shape/build
• Genetic heritage
• Certain health conditions
For example:
I'm 5'7 around 75kg, I train 4-5 times a week - I'm an actual personal trainer...Obese
If you know me, I like to think that, you know...I'm not obese (the child within me is).
Point being, when it comes to others, we know it's bullshit but when it comes to ourselves we seem to take it to heart?!
IF you simply must know your body fat % (for medical reasons or you're a fanatic body builder) I'd suggest using calipers (Google it) - but seriously...what's the point?
Same goes for BMI...unless you HAVE to know, what's the point? GO BY HOW YOU FEEL IN YOURSELF!
Ask these questions instead:
• Do I feel I am making good choices to be as healthy as I can?
• Do I have good energy levels on a daily basis?
• Can I do the things I want to in life?
• If I am so worried about my weight/body fat %...why? What's behind the need to know?
There is SO much more to life than letting a literal equation made up by some RANDO make us feel bad?!
Go outside, hug your cat + shout "F*CK YOU PATRIARCHY" ....Wait, wrong one...."F*CK YOU GUY (OR GAL) THAT INVENTED THE BMI INDEX" then apologise quietly + move on with your life!
If after all my sage advice you still want to see the numbers on the scale change then let's do it the right way, slowly + smartly through diet + exercise!
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