The 2023 weight loss thread - all welcome
Discussion
is there a better method than bmi for deciding what weight "i should be"
ive lost 10KG so far from doing nothing except benefiting from the mrs being on WW and therefor watching more closely what we eat
the nhs bmi calc says i need to lose another 10kg with a healthy range of 62-83kg! dont think i can remember ever being below 83KG! honestly i dont remember being below 90!
ive lost 10KG so far from doing nothing except benefiting from the mrs being on WW and therefor watching more closely what we eat
the nhs bmi calc says i need to lose another 10kg with a healthy range of 62-83kg! dont think i can remember ever being below 83KG! honestly i dont remember being below 90!
I know lots of people say BMI is rubbish but even so
I'm 6ft 4 and 90kg so BMI is 24. This is still close to the very top end of normal weight at 25.
The lower limit is suggested as being 68kg or 10st 12
I'm slim build, 34in waist not excessively muscular. My gym stuff is aerobic not weights. I'm never going to look toned having been 100kg + for most of my adult life
I'd look ridiculous at under 11st!!
I'm 6ft 4 and 90kg so BMI is 24. This is still close to the very top end of normal weight at 25.
The lower limit is suggested as being 68kg or 10st 12
I'm slim build, 34in waist not excessively muscular. My gym stuff is aerobic not weights. I'm never going to look toned having been 100kg + for most of my adult life
I'd look ridiculous at under 11st!!
LastPoster said:
I know lots of people say BMI is rubbish but even so
I'm 6ft 4 and 90kg so BMI is 24. This is still close to the very top end of normal weight at 25.
The lower limit is suggested as being 68kg or 10st 12
I'm slim build, 34in waist not excessively muscular. My gym stuff is aerobic not weights. I'm never going to look toned having been 100kg + for most of my adult life
I'd look ridiculous at under 11st!!
I would tend to agree, the BMI thing is a reasonable-ish measure for most I suppose but I do take it with a pinch of salt as well. I don't think I know anyone who is 6'4" and is below 90 kg ! I'm 6ft 4 and 90kg so BMI is 24. This is still close to the very top end of normal weight at 25.
The lower limit is suggested as being 68kg or 10st 12
I'm slim build, 34in waist not excessively muscular. My gym stuff is aerobic not weights. I'm never going to look toned having been 100kg + for most of my adult life
I'd look ridiculous at under 11st!!
According to BMI I'm obese (just). Well, I'm certainly not slim but obese seems a little harsh as nobody really says I look massively fat, just a bit stocky. That's not to say I wouldn't like to lose a bit, of course I would, but looking back at my target of 76 kg, I'm not convinced now that I'll ever get to it.
I'll try and lose a few kgs for the rest of this year and will no doubt be back on the 2024 thread but certainly with a more realistic target this time around.
Trustmeimadoctor said:
Ooh I forgot my scales can do body fat so if says 25.4% and a body fat calc says 24% is the upper of average
1/4 of your body if fat....Is that a more motivation number to loss weight versus a high BMI 
.I'm at 17%, still high and no where near the 10% of 'athletes'
Water is in muscle so you won't get all figures adding up to 100%.
At 24% bodyfat, set a target. If you set it at say 12% that would just be silly. A target of 20% is more realistic. Hit that first then consider setting a new target. But you should see each percentage point as a small win to keep you motivated.
At 24% bodyfat, set a target. If you set it at say 12% that would just be silly. A target of 20% is more realistic. Hit that first then consider setting a new target. But you should see each percentage point as a small win to keep you motivated.
Always been involved in sport.
Played basketball competitively to a very high level from the age of 10 to 21. Could have had a professional career in the game.
6'5" height and at the time 89kg. Could easily dunk the basketball ...
Learned to ski at the age of 4. Normally ski off-piste/touring for at least 20 to 30 days a year.
I also MTB and race a sail boat two-handed in the Solent.
BUT...
I also have had a 22yrs career in the City which has included amongst other things sitting on one's backside in front of screens for 10hrs a day, stress, booze and good food. Have toyed with the idea of getting back to uber fit but kids, laziness, feeling of can always start tomorrow etc normally have taken over.
As the kids are growing up, I am doing more things properly with them and decided that it's now or never - will be 46 in 3 weeks time and I really need to drop some Kgs permanently if I want to be able to keep up with them in the Alps ...
So 10th Sept 2023 was the start...
6'5" and 118kg. Cannot dunk the basketball.
First thing I did is to start playing basketball again for a local team in SE London, joined a gym and started basic calorie counting, cutting most bad carbs, and concentrating on salads and proteins. Never been a snacker anyway, but chocolate is my downfall... And I mean, it really is... To the point my daughter used to hide the Nutella jar from me! Also massively cut down on the booze. No drinking Mon-Friday at all, and moderation on the weekends.
Training each week has been 1 Basketball practice with the team, 1 basketball practice with my son/ 20km Enduro MTB ride on Saturday and 3 gym visits of strictly 1hr each for basic weights...
25th October 2023
6'5" and 113.5kg. Still cannot dunk the basketball
However, stamina has began to make something of a come back. Feeling of being permanently tired has gone. MTB ride times have started to drop off and in general I feel much much better. Posture has improved and I feel lightness and there is a spring in my step.
Have a very long way to go towards my 100kg target and being able to dunk again... Mind you, if Dr J could do it at the age of 65, so should I
Wish me luck and excuse the ramblings...
Played basketball competitively to a very high level from the age of 10 to 21. Could have had a professional career in the game.
6'5" height and at the time 89kg. Could easily dunk the basketball
... Learned to ski at the age of 4. Normally ski off-piste/touring for at least 20 to 30 days a year.
I also MTB and race a sail boat two-handed in the Solent.
BUT...
I also have had a 22yrs career in the City which has included amongst other things sitting on one's backside in front of screens for 10hrs a day, stress, booze and good food. Have toyed with the idea of getting back to uber fit but kids, laziness, feeling of can always start tomorrow etc normally have taken over.
As the kids are growing up, I am doing more things properly with them and decided that it's now or never - will be 46 in 3 weeks time and I really need to drop some Kgs permanently if I want to be able to keep up with them in the Alps
...So 10th Sept 2023 was the start...
6'5" and 118kg. Cannot dunk the basketball.
First thing I did is to start playing basketball again for a local team in SE London, joined a gym and started basic calorie counting, cutting most bad carbs, and concentrating on salads and proteins. Never been a snacker anyway, but chocolate is my downfall... And I mean, it really is... To the point my daughter used to hide the Nutella jar from me! Also massively cut down on the booze. No drinking Mon-Friday at all, and moderation on the weekends.
Training each week has been 1 Basketball practice with the team, 1 basketball practice with my son/ 20km Enduro MTB ride on Saturday and 3 gym visits of strictly 1hr each for basic weights...
25th October 2023
6'5" and 113.5kg. Still cannot dunk the basketball
However, stamina has began to make something of a come back. Feeling of being permanently tired has gone. MTB ride times have started to drop off and in general I feel much much better. Posture has improved and I feel lightness and there is a spring in my step.
Have a very long way to go towards my 100kg target and being able to dunk again... Mind you, if Dr J could do it at the age of 65, so should I
Wish me luck and excuse the ramblings...
DaveE87 said:
Water is in muscle so you won't get all figures adding up to 100%.
At 24% bodyfat, set a target. If you set it at say 12% that would just be silly. A target of 20% is more realistic. Hit that first then consider setting a new target. But you should see each percentage point as a small win to keep you motivated.
In my experience of using my very unreliable smart watch and scales to measure body fat, a 4% drop in body fat will take massive effort and commitment, with changes in numbers almost certainly linked to a drop in body weight which will happen quicker.At 24% bodyfat, set a target. If you set it at say 12% that would just be silly. A target of 20% is more realistic. Hit that first then consider setting a new target. But you should see each percentage point as a small win to keep you motivated.
If people don't like BMI because they find the numbers demoralising, switching to using a number that's much much harder to measure and change isn't going to help.
My smart watch tells me my body fat% has gone UP, despite dropping weight, and doing more exercise recently!
We all have different ways to achieve motivation but pretending one metric doesn't apply to you because you're 'special' fools no one. Look in the mirror, grab the love handles and be brutally honest on if you think things are OK.
My BMI is 22.2, I do not look skinny and still carry decent amount of fat around (as my body fat% estimator shows). Unless you really are a true international rugby player, BMI is still a very good gauge of your body composition. Honestly is key, watching rugby doesn't make you a professional athlete
.
Edited by gangzoom on Saturday 28th October 07:13
This is a really good article on rugby player physique.
So if you have a body fat% of 10-15%, and can run 100 meters in around 12 seconds, than forget BMI, its not a good measure of your overall body composition........but I suspect most of us on this thread cannot run 100 meters in 15 seconds, let alone get near 10% body fat%.
It's also good to note, the conclusions of the paper is that faster, fitter (less body fat), more mobile rugby players now compared to 10-20 years ago, ISN"T necessarily a good thing for the players. Due to increased kinetic energy of impacts and therefore higher chances of injury.
So actually being, slower, and fatter maybe the right way to go after all?? :S
https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/8/1/e001235
So if you have a body fat% of 10-15%, and can run 100 meters in around 12 seconds, than forget BMI, its not a good measure of your overall body composition........but I suspect most of us on this thread cannot run 100 meters in 15 seconds, let alone get near 10% body fat%
.It's also good to note, the conclusions of the paper is that faster, fitter (less body fat), more mobile rugby players now compared to 10-20 years ago, ISN"T necessarily a good thing for the players. Due to increased kinetic energy of impacts and therefore higher chances of injury.
So actually being, slower, and fatter maybe the right way to go after all?? :S
https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/8/1/e001235
Edited by gangzoom on Saturday 28th October 07:27
biggbn said:
Put 3lb on after what I thought had been a good week. No ryhme or reason to this, I'll make it up next week.
Sitting at bang on 290lb which is almost the same as last week, again, after a good week. Have to watch weekend calories and up activity through the week. I'll get there. Well done folks.
I seem to struggle more with my diet as the nights draw in. Even an old boss called me 'seasonally plump' a while ago
I don't have a sweet tooth or drink so this should be easy, but savoury snacks and treats prove a challenge.
My 'proper' rowing machine programme has dwindled a little, but at least it's dwindled back to a steady 10k a day (rather than varying intensities etc.). My promise to myself that hitting 100kg would trigger me into action has been enforced after a bad week. Staying ~100kg is quite the battle, so I'll probably feature on next year's thread with a push to get a bit of clearance under 100kg. Maintain for now!
But determined to stay on the thread rather than disappear like most. Ups, downs, successes and excuses!
I seem to struggle more with my diet as the nights draw in. Even an old boss called me 'seasonally plump' a while ago
I don't have a sweet tooth or drink so this should be easy, but savoury snacks and treats prove a challenge. My 'proper' rowing machine programme has dwindled a little, but at least it's dwindled back to a steady 10k a day (rather than varying intensities etc.). My promise to myself that hitting 100kg would trigger me into action has been enforced after a bad week. Staying ~100kg is quite the battle, so I'll probably feature on next year's thread with a push to get a bit of clearance under 100kg. Maintain for now!
But determined to stay on the thread rather than disappear like most. Ups, downs, successes and excuses!
What scales do you guys use that measures bodyfat rather than just simply weight? I saw some Renpho scales for £20(ish) on Amazon that look good.
I'm about to start a 30 day challenge to really focus me - I generally do really well when I have metrics and set challenges like this. Part of this is that I want to:
I'm about to start a 30 day challenge to really focus me - I generally do really well when I have metrics and set challenges like this. Part of this is that I want to:
- lose as much weight as possible (not the best way to measure progress but that is why I am asking about scales)
- Get a bit stronger too (easily achieved as I've been inconsistent in strength training and I come from a Powerlifting background)
- Get fitter generally by raising my VO2 max
- Drop body fat % down
- Lose size from chest and waist (easy as I'm very fluffy and a bit overweight at present - I used a tape measure today and measured my chest/waist)
redrabbit29 said:
What scales do you guys use that measures bodyfat rather than just simply weight? I saw some Renpho scales for £20(ish) on Amazon that look good.
I'm about to start a 30 day challenge to really focus me - I generally do really well when I have metrics and set challenges like this. Part of this is that I want to:
Myself and one or two others on here are using these ones. I've had mine a few months now, easy to set up and the app works seamlessly with them. No complaints at all.I'm about to start a 30 day challenge to really focus me - I generally do really well when I have metrics and set challenges like this. Part of this is that I want to:
- lose as much weight as possible (not the best way to measure progress but that is why I am asking about scales)
- Get a bit stronger too (easily achieved as I've been inconsistent in strength training and I come from a Powerlifting background)
- Get fitter generally by raising my VO2 max
- Drop body fat % down
- Lose size from chest and waist (easy as I'm very fluffy and a bit overweight at present - I used a tape measure today and measured my chest/waist)
redrabbit29 said:
What scales do you guys use that measures bodyfat rather than just simply weight? I saw some Renpho scales for £20(ish) on Amazon that look good.
I'm about to start a 30 day challenge to really focus me - I generally do really well when I have metrics and set challenges like this. Part of this is that I want to:
The amazon scales will work fine, just don't question the accuracy of body fat measurement, rather use it as a general trend to see which way you are heading.I'm about to start a 30 day challenge to really focus me - I generally do really well when I have metrics and set challenges like this. Part of this is that I want to:
- lose as much weight as possible (not the best way to measure progress but that is why I am asking about scales)
- Get a bit stronger too (easily achieved as I've been inconsistent in strength training and I come from a Powerlifting background)
- Get fitter generally by raising my VO2 max
- Drop body fat % down
- Lose size from chest and waist (easy as I'm very fluffy and a bit overweight at present - I used a tape measure today and measured my chest/waist)
Good to see progress from everyone.
C5_Steve said:
Myself and one or two others on here are using these ones. I've had mine a few months now, easy to set up and the app works seamlessly with them. No complaints at all.
Thanks! I will check them out. I have seen the app and the scales themselves, they look really decent. Will try to buy some today for delivery tomorrow.Pete102 said:
The amazon scales will work fine, just don't question the accuracy of body fat measurement, rather use it as a general trend to see which way you are heading.
Thanks Pete. I never look at the numbers themselves as real metrics. As an example, the VO2 max through Garmin. It's very accurate in terms of showing progress but I don't take the numbers as having true meaning in VO2 max terms. If I see an improvement or decline, then I trust that indicates progress or a set back. Same with bodyfat % too, as long as it's consistent in measurements - as you alluded to - that's all good.
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