No Matter What I Do, I Cannot Achieve a Normal BMI

A complaint that I often hear is, “I can’t achieve a normal BMI no matter what I do.” A lot of ladies have heard that the mid-range of the BMI chart is the healthiest, and are concerned that they’re not there.

If this has been a concern of yours, I want to let you know that there is another way, and the first step is to understand how your body works. It will change and enrich your life.

What BMI Is Before we decide how much attention and value we’re going to put on the BMI scale, we need to understand where it comes from. In the early 19th century, a Belgian mathematician - not a physician - created the BMI scale as a quick, easy way to measure the degree of obesity in a general population.

The chart came about as a jumping-off point for physicians, who see a lot of people, but when it comes to our health, it may be best to evaluate a little differently. The BMI Chart is Flawed See, falling in the normal range of the BMI chart does not guarantee health.

A 2016 study in the International Journal of Obesity showed that more than 30% of people in a normal BMI range were not healthy in terms of cardiovascular and metabolic health markers like cholesterol and hemoglobin A1C levels. On the flip side, 50% of overweight people and 30% of obese people were considered healthy in terms of their labs and studies.

Another major flaw of the BMI scale is that it doesn’t account for fat versus muscle. Many athletes with 8% body fat register as obese on the BMI chart. What this tells us that maybe we should be focusing less on the number on the scale or the BMI chart. Alternatives to BMI Because, sure, there is a place for BMI as a jumping-off point for the general population, but you have to decide what’s best for you, too. Because maybe you were never meant to be in the low-to-mid BMI range.

Once you can release that and realize that it is okay, you can open your eyes to opportunities for different goals. So what other types of goals can you set? First, there’s body composition. You can measure your body fat with a DEXA scan or calipers. Your result might surprise you. Many people in the mid or low BMI range, especially those who aren’t exercising, may have higher body fat.

Another option is waist-to-hip ratio. Studies show that women who hold their fat in their lower body tend to have better health. Waist circumference is another marker. For women, less than 35 inches is considered favorable, with studies showing that people in that range have better cardiovascular health.

Where Do We Go From Here? Letting go of BMI and weight doesn’t mean giving up. In fact, just the opposite. So what can you do instead? The first step is awareness. Knowing your body type will help you to set realistic goals. Realize that no one body type is better than another. When you take care of your health, any body type can find fitness and pure health and look amazing. When you embrace body acceptance, understanding how you are different and unique, that’s where the magic happens.

The next step is intuitive eating. All of us can arrive at a natural, healthy body weight when we learn to become intuitive eaters. If you can be patient and take the time to slowly become an intuitive eater, you’ll find a weight that is natural and healthy for you. Trusting yourself will allow you to know how to feed your body when it’s hungry and how to stop eating when it’s full.

Then, find an exercise routine that works for you. Because there are hundreds of proven benefits to exercise. Note that if you put on muscle easily, it’s possible that exercise may increase your weight. You may have to choose to sacrifice BMI for healthier body composition. But I urge you not to stop exercising, especially strength training. Many women avoid strength training for different reasons: we’re intimidated, overwhelmed, we don’t know what to do.

But even if you go with an easy, basic plan, strength training will keep you healthy and strong well into old age. When you take the time to exercise, you’re saying “I’m worth it.” You build an amazing relationship with your body. If you’ve shied away from it, now is the time to start. It’s never too late. None of this is elaborate or fancy or new. Maybe you’ve heard it all before. But now, it’s time to embrace yourself for your unique being and put it into practice.