Hi all, this question is to inquire whether or not there is a preferred range for BMI just prior to starting HRT.  I am 5' 8" and weigh 172 lbs, according to the BMI calculator this puts me well into the overweight range.  In order to be in the upper range of 'normal' I should be  150 lbs (22.8 BMI) or middle range of 'normal' at 140 lbs (21.3 BMI).  Granted I do have a bit of extra weight around my waist, but losing 22 to 32 more lbs seems like alot (I just lost 30+ over the last 10 or 11 months).  I suppose a second part to this question is just how reliable is BMI?  I understand that to a large degree common sense should come into play, but I realize I sometimes can be opinionated about my own body image.  To help with this I will provide a link to a picture I took yesterday.  Thanks for any replies.  Dani  [img]http://[IMG]http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b563/tohellinabucket666/Pre-HRTWeight1_zpsfb3d57db.jpg

Quote from: Newgirl Dani on June 04, 2014, 02:03:07 PM
Hi all, this question is to inquire whether or not there is a preferred range for BMI just prior to starting HRT.  I am 5' 8" and weigh 172 lbs, according to the BMI calculator this puts me well into the overweight range.  In order to be in the upper range of 'normal' I should be  150 lbs (22.8 BMI) or middle range of 'normal' at 140 lbs (21.3 BMI).  Granted I do have a bit of extra weight around my waist, but losing 22 to 32 more lbs seems like alot (I just lost 30+ over the last 10 or 11 months).  I suppose a second part to this question is just how reliable is BMI?  I understand that to a large degree common sense should come into play, but I realize I sometimes can be opinionated about my own body image.  To help with this I will provide a link to a picture I took yesterday.  Thanks for any replies.  Dani  [/URL][/img]

According to BMI, most professional athletes are overweight or obese.  Some with little or negligible body fat.   Is A-Rod obese?

On the other hand I have a friend who is 6'3" and 195.  Small frame, used to be a beanpole with no muscle and now has 40 pounds of beer gut- same as Derek Jeter.  One is healthy and one is not.   BMI is a ridiculous, antiquated, one-size-fits-all approach with the same criteria for both men and women.  If a doctor can't see past your true body composition, maybe they are not worthy of an M.D.

Quote from: Newgirl Dani on June 04, 2014, 02:03:07 PM
Hi all, this question is to inquire whether or not there is a preferred range for BMI just prior to starting HRT.

Yes and no. I was told by my endo that if I was obese I should lose weight prior to starting HRT as the mix of obesity and estrogen was considered to be a bad thing. However since I was not obese then although I was overweight, he was not too bothered.

As I understand it, obesity is defined as a BMI > 30 and overweight as a BMI > 25.

Quote from: Newgirl Dani on June 04, 2014, 02:03:07 PMI am 5' 8" and weigh 172 lbs, according to the BMI calculator this puts me well into the overweight range.

I am also 5'8" and I am aiming for a BMI of 24.9 which according to my info is 11st 11lbs  (165lbs)

Quote from: Newgirl Dani on June 04, 2014, 02:03:07 PMGranted I do have a bit of extra weight around my waist,

A recent UK requirement is that the SRS surgeons want BMI < 30 and a waist measurement < 102cm (40"). Apparently, the heavier you are the more risky surgery becomes and the longer healing takes.

Hmmm thanks, this question did not evolve out of anything Dr realated, I first noticed this BMI thing here on these boards and up until now did not know what it was.  Sorry I dont know of A-Rod or Derek Jeter (if these are sports players, I have never watched a sports event, live or on TV).  I think probably 160 sounds fairly reasonable to me.  Thanks to you both.  Dani

My GP (who is also looking after my HRT requirements) wants me at a BMI of 25, no less.  In other words, if you aim for any number in the normal range, you are good to go.  I am 5'11 and have a BMI of 25.  My GP gets grumpy if I lose more.  For me to get to say 22, I would have to go down to the weight I was at 16 which was very skinny.

Remember that as useful as BMI can be, it is just a generalised average thing and can't take into account build, muscle mass or how fit you are which is why athletes "fail" at it.

If you have a BMI in the normal range (and definitely under 30 - just keep the doctors happy with a lowish number), stop worrying about the weight so much as fitness, wellness and self-acceptance.  Much more rewarding than weight to height ratio.

Looking at the Body Mass Index on its own can be wrong. As it only takes in a persons weight and not any other data (what body type are you,[ectomorph, endomorph, mesomorph]  skin folds). Yes most of us can afford to lose a little bit of weight through diet and exercise.  But to find out if you are at a healthy range to start HRT best to take your concerns to a doctor first.

Thanks again for the last two responses    I am 62 years of age and health is not really something that I worry about or even been concerned with for that matter.  It is jusst that when learning of this the other day on Susan's board I got curious because a person never knows unless something is investigated.  My health is very good because I have enough grass mowing that it takes me about 4 full days morning till evening (push mower, too complicated levels for a rider).  When that is done I have about two acres of brush and weeds to clear out, I do both of these jobs every month in Spring.  Every other year I bring in 14 cords of firewood as wood is my only source of heat.  Yesterday I went to what I hope was the next to last Doctor appointment prior to HRT and all blood panels, EKG, BP etc was perfect.  If indeed I was to get the opinion from this question that yeah I should be at a much lower BMI then I would have taken that to my Dr. next week.  Thanks again, all responses welcome.  Dani

Jeez nothing like looking at a statement with the cold light of reason.  Upon reflection of just how much work is involved in rural life and as a homeowner not to mention a very active ornamental garden project, the enormity of my situation is now realized.  This brings to mind the posts I have read about muscle loss, increased weakness etc., so I am going to need an improved method of getting my work done.  Dividing up work into small parcels and most likely looking at the prospect of buying my firewood and having it delivered is probably in my future, because staying burly does not sound like a good thing.  Food for thought for sure.    Dani

P.S. This makes me wonder, there must be others who have large work loads as a part of their everyday life, so how did you adapt?  I know that on the surface this sounds kind of dumb, (do it or dont do it) but I am also interested to hear from any and all country gals.   

You need to use different muscles. It is not quite the same as you but I race on sailing yachts and I can no longer simply pull on a line. Previously I just grabbed it and used my arms and shoulders, but now I reach forward, grab it and then use my legs and back to pull me backwards bring the line with me.

For other "around the house/property" work, power tools are a girl's best friend. I guess I have discovered why women work in pairs for physical labour.

You need to use different muscles. It is not quite the same as you but I race on sailing yachts and I can no longer simply pull on a line. Previously I just grabbed it and used my arms and shoulders, but now I reach forward, grab it and then use my legs and back to pull me backwards bring the line with me.

For other "around the house/property" work, power tools are a girl's best friend. I guess I have discovered why women work in pairs for physical labour.


Now that's interesting, thanks.  Yeah my favorite tools are my brushcutter (largest one Stihl makes) and my Stihl chainsaw).  So if I'm reading this correctly I need to find a couple pairs of women .

I'm 5'7" 172 with a mild 6 pack and a 30" waist. At ~160 it's incredibly pronounced and around 28". BMI doesn't account for frame or body type. I'm primarily mesomorphic, so I carry weight well.

Hey Erin, we are very much the same then, (I had to look them up though, I didnt know about body types) but I would say I fall somewhere between meso and ecto (for some reason that sounds kind of funny )  I am learning alot here, thanks for your input.  I still kinda think another 10 lb loss would be just about right, and I think I can do that before my last doctor's appointment prior to getting hrt meds, just one last blood test to rule out a potential problem.  Bye for now.  Dani

P.S. I have'nt had a six pack since I used to drink.