What does it take to get a BMI of 18?

[victoriaxoxo]

I've never been very heavy, the heaviest I've gotten is about 23 in BMI. However, at the same time I have never dropped below 20.5 regardless of how hard I tried. I previously went to the extremes of weight loss, dieting so to eat 700 calories AVG. a day (I tracked everything I ate, weighted it etc.) and exercised about 30mins every other day (usually running outside or gym). Was doing yoga and tai chi classes and walking 10k/15k steps a day on top of that but my weight loss stagnated at 56kg. I had to abandon this because it was interfering with my life and studying.

6 months and my weight was back to 67kg. Once I was done with studies I started re-attempting my goal of 52kg. This time I am keeping calorie intake to 1.2k so to not feel so weak and lightheaded but my exercise went up to 40mins vicarious exercise every other day (approx 4 days of cardio and 1 day of weights or 3:2 ratio) but my weight loss stagnated at 57.5kg for a month and hasn't budged.

For anyone who intentionally managed to achieve a BMI for around 18, how much work did that take you? Am I doing too little or being impatient? What do you think the reason for my plateau could be, too high calorie intake or not enough vigorous exercise, not enough moving around during the day? Just trying to understand what I'm doing wrong.

[Effably]

First things first, do not use BMI.

BMI is only meant as a rough indicator for people with a very average build. Even then it is at best somewhat accurate. It would list near every guy, and many girls, who hit the gym regularly as borderline obese.

That out of the way, instead I'd suggest measuring body fat as a similar but much healthier and realistic alternative.

As for reaching 18? Some people can't do that while reasonably healthy. You are after all aiming for a measurement that borders on underweight. So step one is realizing maybe it isn't for you. Eating well and exercising, especially endurance and prolonged activity, are all great ways to lose fat.

And while you never asked this, just from a regular guy perspective: A woman who is in shape is generally more attractive to us than one who makes you wonder if you need to stuff food down her throat as well as whatever else.

I realize this might not have been that useful as I skirted the question but I will repeat: Please use a better measurement. BMI is only a vague indicator, not something to structure your activites around.

[SomeGuyCalledTom]

The body always aims for homeostasis, your "optimal" weight is just the weight you end up as when you do moderate regular exercise and eat good foods and minimise sugary crap. If you're going to these unusual extremes for weight loss and STILL not hitting your desired "target weight", then it's likely you're just aiming at the wrong target. 20% bodyfat is perfectly healthy and attractive for most people, you don't need to kill yourself trying to shave down that extra few percentage points. Who's keeping score anyway? If you're even halfway cute in your overall appearance and have a kind heart then men will line up either way. This obsession some men and women have with extreme dieting to hit an arbitrary BMI reading is insane, it's sick, it's not healthy or attractive, it's a sign of a sick society, and you don't need to participate in the sickness. Free yourself. Eat well, train like you mean business, but then let nature figure out the rest. Ultimately your body's homeostatic mechanisms will correct for the short term "successes" of weight loss brought on by extreme and unsustainable habits.

[Steamnir]

Why the hell would u want to get that range?
Its most important to be healthy more than to be bones.
Even when books and scientists say the normal range is 18, it isn't for you.
Going super low weight makes u tired, unattractive and developing depression and anxiety problems with central nervous system problems, the normal amount of fat protects the nerves and trust me, u want to protect your nerves with everything u have.
Live a happy life please and take care of yourself and find someone who loves you for the way you are, and learn to love yourself and dont force it into hurting it in order to impress anyone.

[Julie_TS]

My current BMI is usually between 20.2-20.5. While I've never really tried to achieve being under 18, I was for awhile around 17 when I was going through some stuff and I was having a bit of an eating disorder. But, that was a few years back now & is pretty much under control for the most part.

#muchhealthiernow

[Julie_TS]

Thanks for the MHO!!!

[WindAtMyBack]

A range of 20.5 - 23 is a healthy range. You are not losing weight below that range even with a low cal diet. It seems like you are at the weight your body wants to be at. You are trying to force your body to do something it doesn't want to do. You are at a perfectly good weight for both health and appearance. Why mess with it?

Just get good exercise (more than you get now) and eat right. Your body will take care of itself. Don't become obsessed with your weight when there is nothing wrong with it. Don't cross into the realm of an eating disorder.

[whiskeyontherocks]

BMI is the worst indicator of health I could think of
Just don’t

[Anonymous]

Diet and exercise, but get a doctors opinion too.

[Guardian45]

BMI of 18 is unhealthy.

[PainusNdeeAnus]

CONSISTENCY