Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Joyce on March 25, 2014, 11:57:13 AM
-
For years they've told us a normal BMI is around 25. Ok, mine is a bit higher, but not excessively so. GP was ok with it, but said weight loss would be beneficial. This I understand.
Now they want to to base what is healthy on our waist size, 31.5 inches for us ladies. Now due to 2 x C section & other ops on my tummy area, muscles are all to pot & I have a very noticeable incisional hernia which makes my total waist size much larger. In order to fulfil the waist size criteria I would have to lose a ridiculous amount of weight. Yes exercise helps. Even when I was much thinner & younger, before babies, I was always thick waisted. They showed them measuring people in the street. Some were over the measurement, but looked perfectly slim. Now this might be true for Apple shapes, but Pears can be very slim waisted. If my GP gets out a measuring tape, he/she may well get it wrapped around their necks!
-
Your waist measurement is loss of muscle! shouldn't affect the BMI which I believe criteria has altered on recently ........ I go by whether my jeans fit/not ;)
My BP is slightly raised but I 'do' everything I ought to, perhaps I should exercise a bit more but :bed: - is that exercise :-X
-
I had a tiny waist until after my hysterectomy, even though my surgeon cut very low, eventually I began to put on weight below the belly button and my waist has increased :'(
The one things that made it disappear and I got my waist back a few years ago was the Atkins diet, but I could not keep it up.
Before menopause my waist was 23- 25, after menopause we do lose the definition, so using the waist measurement for older women is not ideal.
Eating sensibly, watching portions and getting exercise is the sensible way what ever your body shape.
-
I am reasonably slim for my height - 10 stones 5lbs and 5 feet 6 inches tall but I have a fat waist and tummy which refuses to budge. Its my most hated part of my body :(
Ariadne xx
-
My BMI is only 22 but still have a tummy. :(
-
I have not got a clue what my BMI is and I don't care. I try to eat healthily and I am not over weight but after three C sections my muscles are shot and no matter what I have done over the years has made no difference. I weigh much the same as I weighed 25 years ago but my body shape has changed.
You are what shape you are. I also hate my tummy. Stretch marks and slack muscles....very sexy ::)
Honeyb
x
-
The BMI guidelines are 18.5 to 25 for 'normal' weight, but 25 is at the top end and most drs say aim for the lower end of the normal range.
It's worth knowing your BMI but more so your waist size, which is an indication of abdominal visceral fat.
Fat around the thighs, bottom and below the waist is considered more healthy distribution than fat around the waist which is often an indication of internal fat around the major organs too. Fat distribution in women post meno changes to that of men- ie more around the belly- but there is no reason why it can't be lost as part of being a healthy weight ( and shape!)
-
Try telling my tummy that. No matter what I do I have no muscle tone around my waist. I am 5ft1 and weigh about 8 st 3. I am not fat but if I try to loose stomach fat of which there is not a lot of, more like loose skin, then I loose weight all over which is not a good look for me.
Sometimes it's just not possible to be a perfect shape.
Honeyb
x
-
If my BMI was between 18- 25 at my age and post menopause people would be asking me if I was ill. I would lose it all in my face.
When my BMI was 18, men were always offering to take me out for a good meal and women would say "aren't you tiny there is nothing of you"
A few year ago in the Atkins diet I did lose it, and I was told don't lose any more and once again I was told there is nothing of you.
I would like to lose a few ponds but only on my lower tummy and I know I could achieve that by starting walking again.