Aa
is this a correct weight for me?
I want to know if my weight is correct for my age and height. (Male, 54, 5ft 5in, 145 pounds, Asian Indian). I'm a marginal diabetic (excellent control with 1/2 tablet of 1 mg metformin at night). I walk 40-60 min every single day (3.5 mph), do 30 min of pranayama and 30 min of yoga asanas on alternate days and 30 min of dumbbell weight training on the other three days.
Yet, my weight won't go down.
I'm a vegetarian, and am reducing the carb intake a lot, relying mostly on salads and veg smoothies. My dietician says 130 pounds should be my ideal weight; my endocrinologist and cardiologist say that given my age and otherwise what he describes as a healthy condition, 145 is ok. Whom do I believe?
Yet, my weight won't go down.
I'm a vegetarian, and am reducing the carb intake a lot, relying mostly on salads and veg smoothies. My dietician says 130 pounds should be my ideal weight; my endocrinologist and cardiologist say that given my age and otherwise what he describes as a healthy condition, 145 is ok. Whom do I believe?
thanks, elaine1961 and soggymoggy for your helpful comments. Both the doctors weren't dismissive about the weight biz; just said don't get too worked up about it and count calories and get all worried. More important to be healthy and fit. And they both said I was doing well (esp the cardiologist, after treadmill, echo and other tests). What triggered this note esp was a point the endocrinologist said: when u lose weight, often the drug dose has to be cut. In marginal diabetics like me, there's even a good chance of not needing medication -- which is my main goal (I hate any medication). So, I thought, why not try to lose some weight?
I also met an ayurvedic doctor and according to him, my body constitution is a kapha type, a roly-poly type who cannot lose much weight no matter what. I am happy with the way I look overall (although I'd like to get rid of this small paunch) and look trim. But, more important, go off this stupid metformin.
I also met an ayurvedic doctor and according to him, my body constitution is a kapha type, a roly-poly type who cannot lose much weight no matter what. I am happy with the way I look overall (although I'd like to get rid of this small paunch) and look trim. But, more important, go off this stupid metformin.
Hi there.
People always get so hung up on their weight! BMI is based on incredibly broad averages, and doesn't work for anyone who is at all athletic. For example, my partner has a BMI of around 29 (well into the obese category) because he has a lot of muscle mass and is therefore heavy for his height - he's actually at the low end of healthy when it comes to body fat, and is exceptionally fit. Conversely, it is also possible (more commonly in women than in men) to do no exercise, have no muscle mass, stay skinny by not eating - and come out healthy on BMI despite having no muscle and an unhealthy amount of fat.
A far better guage of physical condition is body fat percentage. Get someone to measure your fat using callipers on at least eight points - the scales that claim to measure body fat are worse than useless, and the basic 3 - 5 point calliper test doesn't account for body type.
A male of your age should come in somewhere from 12% to 22% body-fat, depending on condition and body type.
To lose body fat while maintaining muscle (and hence metabolic rate), you need to be taking on lots of protein. This can be difficult if you're a vegetarian, but I would suggest that you buy a good-quality protein supplement shake - look for one with a blend of whey, milk and egg protein. You should take this after you exercise (especially after weights), and since you're not eating meat I would aim to have at least two shakes/day on top of the ones after exercise. You'll also need a good vitamin supplement, and if you can take omegas 3, 6 and 9 (I don't know why you're a veggie, so you may not be able to take them) then they're a very effective fat-burning aid.
The best way to be healthy and look good is to forget weight and forget calories. Weight alone can't tell you your body composition and is affected by water-loss too, so its is very easy to "lose weight" while not actually burning any fat - or, even worse, breaking down muscle instead. People also fall flat with calorie-counting; my base metabolic rate is around 1,600 calories/day without substantial exercise, based on my height, weight and fitness level. But if I took all my daily calories in lean meat and vegetables, I would burn fat; by the same token, if I took all my daily calories in white bread, pasta, chocolate, crisps and other carby, sugary crap, I would burn muscle (there's nothing in that diet to support them) and gain fat. It's all about the quality of your nutrition, and tailoring it to what you want your body to achieve.
Do check with your doctors before radically altering your diet, because I don't know enough about diabetes to safely give advice there. But honestly, don't get hung up on the arbitrary figure on the scales - it says so little about you!
Best of luck.
People always get so hung up on their weight! BMI is based on incredibly broad averages, and doesn't work for anyone who is at all athletic. For example, my partner has a BMI of around 29 (well into the obese category) because he has a lot of muscle mass and is therefore heavy for his height - he's actually at the low end of healthy when it comes to body fat, and is exceptionally fit. Conversely, it is also possible (more commonly in women than in men) to do no exercise, have no muscle mass, stay skinny by not eating - and come out healthy on BMI despite having no muscle and an unhealthy amount of fat.
A far better guage of physical condition is body fat percentage. Get someone to measure your fat using callipers on at least eight points - the scales that claim to measure body fat are worse than useless, and the basic 3 - 5 point calliper test doesn't account for body type.
A male of your age should come in somewhere from 12% to 22% body-fat, depending on condition and body type.
To lose body fat while maintaining muscle (and hence metabolic rate), you need to be taking on lots of protein. This can be difficult if you're a vegetarian, but I would suggest that you buy a good-quality protein supplement shake - look for one with a blend of whey, milk and egg protein. You should take this after you exercise (especially after weights), and since you're not eating meat I would aim to have at least two shakes/day on top of the ones after exercise. You'll also need a good vitamin supplement, and if you can take omegas 3, 6 and 9 (I don't know why you're a veggie, so you may not be able to take them) then they're a very effective fat-burning aid.
The best way to be healthy and look good is to forget weight and forget calories. Weight alone can't tell you your body composition and is affected by water-loss too, so its is very easy to "lose weight" while not actually burning any fat - or, even worse, breaking down muscle instead. People also fall flat with calorie-counting; my base metabolic rate is around 1,600 calories/day without substantial exercise, based on my height, weight and fitness level. But if I took all my daily calories in lean meat and vegetables, I would burn fat; by the same token, if I took all my daily calories in white bread, pasta, chocolate, crisps and other carby, sugary crap, I would burn muscle (there's nothing in that diet to support them) and gain fat. It's all about the quality of your nutrition, and tailoring it to what you want your body to achieve.
Do check with your doctors before radically altering your diet, because I don't know enough about diabetes to safely give advice there. But honestly, don't get hung up on the arbitrary figure on the scales - it says so little about you!
Best of luck.
From what i can find out you are at the top end of the healthy weight range for your age and height, the 130 lbs would put you right in the middle of the Ideal weight line so they are both correct,
Current Weight: 145
Healthy Weight Range: 114 - 149
You should aim to fall within a healthy weight range.
Current BMI: 24.1 Healthy BMI range: 18.5 - 24.9
Daily calorie level...
to maintain current weight: 2206 to lose weight: 1706
I to was on metformin i started on 2 tablets then went to 1 and now i dont take any,just diet controlled,
I was concerned when you said you are cutting back on carbs Have you discussed this with the dietician? carbs are so important if you are diabetic,and should make up at least 40% of each meal,
I am also wondering if you are getting enough calories, there is a food tracker on here you can use it will let you record everything you eat then tell you how many calories you have each day,as you can see above you need 1706,
If you are having less than this your body will store fat,
good luck and let us know if we can help some more
Current Weight: 145
Healthy Weight Range: 114 - 149
You should aim to fall within a healthy weight range.
Current BMI: 24.1 Healthy BMI range: 18.5 - 24.9
Daily calorie level...
to maintain current weight: 2206 to lose weight: 1706
I to was on metformin i started on 2 tablets then went to 1 and now i dont take any,just diet controlled,
I was concerned when you said you are cutting back on carbs Have you discussed this with the dietician? carbs are so important if you are diabetic,and should make up at least 40% of each meal,
I am also wondering if you are getting enough calories, there is a food tracker on here you can use it will let you record everything you eat then tell you how many calories you have each day,as you can see above you need 1706,
If you are having less than this your body will store fat,
good luck and let us know if we can help some more
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