My BMI is 35.5 but I don't consider myself obese... do I not see myself clearly or can I just be heavy?

[Anonymous]

I just went to a scale and was quite shocked about my weight. I calculated my BMI and it was 35.5 which is very high and classified as obese. The thing is, I don't really think I'm obese. I know I'm chubby but I wouldn't consider myself even fat. I think most of my friends, family members etc. also think I'm just a little thick - at least that's what they say when I've asked them. Is it possible that I'm just heavy by nature and my BMI is so high because of that? I've always been quite heavy, though I've gained lately a lot more.

Updates

+1 y

Well... I added a photo. Sorry it's so tiny, I took it through the mirror and needed to crop my face off...
http://i62.tinypic.com/2dlrqcy.jpg

[Lauren2410]

BMI isn't accurate, there are many variables to take into consideration. My dad usually puts the weight around arms and maybe a bit on the belly and he is tehnically overweight or even obese and people's jaw drops when he tells them he weighs 209 lbs, they think it's not possible and that he weighs much less. I put the weight on thighs and belly, a friend of mine puts it on ass and belly, another one just on legs. It's all about how the weight is distributed. I can't really tell for the photo, but I'm not gonna lie, you are at least overweight, but I wouldn't consider you that bad. I think you should try and watch your weight for a while and try and lose it if you want to. For you. not for anybody else, or because others comment, for you to feel great. :)

[Anonymous]

Ah, you are just like me my friend! It's a tough tough world out there. I'm still trying to lose weight, but yeah, I have a high-ish BMI like you. I can't remember what mine is, but it's above 30. How tall are you and how much do you weigh if you don't mine me asking? I actually am a very big boned person… you can measure by wrist size. I'm taking things one day at a time. People say I look fine, but I want to feel like I look fine too. I used to be okay with having a high BMI, but I've recently realized that it is me who doesn't like it. Definitely in the same boat as you though!

[Asker]

Thanks! Out of curiosity, how is your wrist size? I just measured mine and it's about 7,2 inches. I don't know if it is a lot, but I do think I have quite thick wrists. And mm, sorry, I don't wanna share my exact weight details here...

[Opinion Owner]

No worries about not sharing! Sorry, I should have guessed that. I think mine are around 7 as well. Maybe 6.5. I couldn't find a measuring tape! How tall are you? I'm super duper short.

[Asker]

Okay! I'm also short, not super but quite.

[Opinion Owner]

I think it's harder to eat when you are short… so many unhealthy calories in so many foods and it's hard to burn off everything.

[Asker]

Yes, probably! I need to stay very active and watch really hard what I eat to keep my weight at some limits... And I've always been bigger. Never had any health problems related to overweight howsoever.

[Opinion Owner]

Same here! I feel like my only meal can be salad if I truly want to be healthy for every meal. So boring though...

[Asker]

Aha I feel you girl! I mostly eat salads and veggies plus some protein, any carbs make me bloat...

[Opinion Owner]

I don't think carbs make me bloat. Idk, what does that feel like?

[Asker]

Well my tummy sticks out and I get really swollen like over all... It feels kind of after overeating but I mean it happens to me like if I have one sandwich or a cup of pasta... It might be about the whey though more than carbs itself. Fruits and veggies do not cause it!

[Opinion Owner]

Hm yeah, definitely don't get that. Maybe if I did I wouldn't eat them!

[Asker]

That's good! Yeah I try to avoid, it's not nice. But doesn't leave too much options to eat

[Opinion Owner]

Hahaha right? I love sandwiches. So easy! I do feel a little more inspired to eat well after talking to you. You sound like you eat right! What is it that keeps us from having tiny little bodies when we eat well and exercise? So annoying.

[Asker]

Haha, well I do like chocolate so I get a few extra calories every now and then ;) I'm not an expert but I think different bodies and metabolisms react to different things. But yeah, sometimes it doesn't feel fair than my skinny friends eat more than me and don't count calories :D

[Opinion Owner]

hahaha yeah! That is exactly how I feel! I workout and do crossfit and still no luck at being skinny.

[Asker]

Aha tell me about it!! :D

[Opinion Owner]

hahaha so lame! totally unfair.

[Lrosa92]

BMI isn't always an accurate way of determing weight... particularly in athletes. Determine your body fat percentage and waist to hip ratio... that's what will tell you what you need to know

[DanAG]

The word "obese" is vague.

The BMI scale calls 30.0 obese. I would call that overweight but not obese. But for sure I would consider 35.5 getting into the obese range regardless of body type.

But does it matter what name you give it? You already said you were shocked when you looked at the scale, isn't that enough?

[Asker]

I was shocked by the number. It's just that when I look in the mirror I don't see a person who looks as big as the scale suggests...

[DanAG]

I suspect that's because the weight is distributed evenly so it's not as noticeable. If it was all in the stomach or thighs for example it would show more. As far as health, I don't know if it makes a difference how it's distributed. I've heard before that some types and locations of fat are worse than others, but I don't know how true that is. It's still a health risk either way though.

I sort of had the same thing happen when I quit smoking. I gained something like 25+ pounds in a couple months. I freaked when I looked at the scale. That was totally unacceptable to me. I made immediate changes to both my diet and exercise.

[BertMacklinFBI]

the thick bones saying could be your case. is that really classified as obese? I thought it was just overweight.

[Katy16]

Yeah over 29 is considered obese

[Asker]

Some websites even suggested that BMI over 35 is classified as morbidly obese!

[AdamThomas]

I'd say you're overweight. Your friends and family are bound to tell you that it's normal, and as others have mentioned thefact that there are so many more obese people around today you might be seen as normal just because you're not huge like many are, but that still doesn't mean you're not overweight. You clearly are. If you're comfortable with that then fine, but don't lie to yourself.

[Anonymous]

To start with BMI is a horrible way to measure people. People also don't know what obese is. The "obese" people the news shows on TV are normally morbidly obese, and not obese. People that are overweight on the BMI scale can sometimes be very skinny. Being a little pudgy is enough to be classified as obese according to the BMI.

[BrianG123]

BMI is bullshit. It takes nothing into account except for weight and height. There are way more variables than that.

As long as you're healthy (blood pressure, cholesterol, etc), don't worry about it.

[suchbucks]

You look fine. Some people just hold their weight well. My family are all really fit so we weigh more than others. But it's because we are all more muscular and muscle weighs 3 times more than fat.
Some people aren't muscular but still hold their weight better.

[Anonymous]

"I calculated my BMI and it was 35.5 which is very high and classified as obese. The thing is, I don't really think I'm obese."

Well, what you think isn't really relevant, here. If your BMI is 35.5, then you are obese.

If your perception of yourself says "I'm fine just the way I am" then that's fine. Just know that there are health risks that come from such a high body mass index.

[blue_sun]

The BMI scale has all sorts of problems. Alone, it is borderline useless. I mean, it wasn't even made by a physician, and the guy who made is said that IT WAS NOT TO BE USED TO MEASURE THE HEALTH OF AN INDIVIDUAL, BUT RATHER OF A LARGE POPULATION.

[Anonymous]

You look more overweight than obese.
Maybe try using a bmi calculator that includes frame size?

[Asker]

I didn't know they exist, but okay I'll try to find one! Thanks :)

[Opinion Owner]

tunza.com.au/.../BMICalculator-Index.htm
Here's one. :)

[Asker]

thanks! i was large body frame but it didn't change my bmi result as obese and over 35 :/

[yaddayaddayadda02]

You aren't heavy by nature. You are heavy by choice. You are quite overweight, IMO.

[kheserthorpe]

It's possible.

It's also possible your idea of 'a bit chubby' 'normal' and 'obese' are skewed upward by the rampant obesity in society.

[ihatethiswebsite]

BMi is a decent estimate. It's normally off for athletes and in shape people but for the regular person it's a decent guideline. We'd truly need a picture to tell for sure

[Asker]

Alright, I added a photo

[ihatethiswebsite]

i was expecting bigger. You definitely need weight to lose but i wouldn't consider you way overweight

[Katy16]

It could be, it depends on your height and also how much muscle you have

[BertMacklinFBI]

now is that for both genders? or is that number gender specific?

[Katy16]

Yeah it is for both

[Katy16]

Based on the pic I don't think you actually look obese

[Anonymous]

A photo would be helpful. Some people carry weight, surprisingly well :)

[Asker]

I added a photo now :)

[Opinion Owner]

You do really not look obese, like at all. Not a skeleton, but seriously I don't even think you look fat.

[Opinion Owner]

How tall are you, and what do you weight? (Dont answer if you don't wan't to, that completely okay :) )

[Asker]

Okay thanks for your opinion :) I know I could lose some weight but I still don't think I'm as fat as the scale says... Sorry, I don't wanna share my exact measurements, but I triple checked with different BMI calculators and all of them gave the same result. :( About 55 pounds overweight!

[Opinion Owner]

I get it, that completely fine. It's just that some people calculate it wrong, but it sounds like you did it right. If you have more muscle, then the BMI can't be used. And again, some people carry weight well. If it's on your bum and legs, then it's not nearly as dangerous, as if it was on your stomach :)

[Opinion Owner]

.. Just to mention it. I have been 88 lbs overweight. And my health has never been in danger, or anything.

[Asker]

Thank you for sharing that, it was very helpful :) Maybe I shouldn't focus on just the numbers.

[Anonymous]

bmi is bullshit it well tell a very heavy lean guy he's fat when he could be 8 body fat percent i say the best thing is body fat percentage way better than bmi and weighing your self but sadly you are abit on the obese side 35.5 is kinda bad the best time to go on a diet was few years ago the second best time is NOW

[BrunetteNYC]

You are NOT obese and please disregard this whole BMI nonsense... it's silly.

[ledfoot64]

I am 6 foot 1.5 inch tall weigh 252 pounds and my bmi is 32.79 so no you are not fat

[jointhepatriarchy]

My BMI is like 10 digits below yours, and I have a pretty big beer belly. You're obviously sucking it in in that picture. Either that, or it's not even you.

[Asker]

I guess everyone is different? I'm still wearing the same size than about 20 pounds ago, that's also why I'm wondering why I'm so heavy but not as big as I think my weight suggests...

[atsizat]

Are you sure your BMI was 35.5 when that photo was taken? You look like you were less than it when that photo was taken. You would be big if you were 35.5

[washize]

Because you don't look obese. Simply overweight.

[Klaatu51]

you're over 10 points than the average which is 25

[Anonymous]

Denial Denial Denial, hit the gym.

[ekathleen77]

thank you finally someone tell her straight up

[Anonymous]

Guess that a photo of you would be quite helpful.

[Opinion Owner]

I can't see your photo.

[Asker]

I don't know why, the link works for me at least.. :(

[Opinion Owner]

Nvm, I was able to open the link. Anyways, you don't seem to be obese at all. Overweight, yea, definitely.

[StickStickity13]

You're overweight. Maybe even obese.

[Anonymous]

Fat? Yes. You are fat.
Obese? I don't think so.

[Melisa321]

Show a pic of yours

[Asker]

Photo added

[Melisa321]

Overweight, but not even close to obese.