The FastDay Forum

Nothing to do with John McEnroe but with 'ideal' weight

Now, I'm retired, heading for 60, have been physically active all my life. Used to train a lot, gym work, weights etc and played rugby, built like the proverbial brick outhouse, 6 ft tall and always big and powerful, still managed to lift a marble fireplace into position on my own not long ago.

Over the last few years I have put on a bit of weight and lost muscle, still have occasional problems these days with jackets, getting them to fit across the chest and shoulders particularly, which gives you a bit of an idea about my 'shape', the girls (especially MrsNog, have always liked snuggling into them big shoulders )

My weight had gone up 271 lbs, but heading down since hitting 5:2, but here's the frightening prospect, the 'experts' reckon my 'ideal' weight would be between 145 lbs and 178 lbs
Certainly never been down that sort of weight since I was in my early teens.

I have an annual medical and nurse has simply said in the past, "if you can shift some weight that would be a good idea, but just don't put any more on" so 'shifting some' is my intention, but shifting between 93 and 126 lbs hence the heading, 'you cannot be serious' !

To be honest I'm not going to worry about losing that sort of weight, not going to even try, have set myself a realistic target of losing a couple of stone for starters and see where I get to, as long as the shoulders don't shrink

I know what you mean Old Nog. I am in the same boat -just a bigger one!

Need to lose even more than you do. Have plugged in my goal but to be honest I will happy just to lose what I can knowing that anything has to be better for my body than the status quo.

Hi

I am 6foot 8inches tall and when I did this BMI test they told me my ideal weight would be 12st 10lbs - 15st 4lbs I can't believe I would ever be 12st 10lbs and to be honest I would never want to be as I think I would look terrible I am currently 16st 11 lbs after loosing 8lbs on the 5:2 and if I get down another 11 or 12lbs I will be delighted. I would take this with a pinch of salt as I don't think they take any consideration to body shape.

Good luck with the future

Good for you Old Nog!
I think this beautifully illustrates the difference between the sexes. You are clearly not going to be dictated to by some "ideal" weight (particularly if you run the risk of losing your manly shoulders in the process!). Lots of women are at a healthy weight, but strive to reach an "ideal shape" which very often involves a lifelong battle with their bodies.

Good for you Old Nog!
I think this beautifully illustrates the difference between the sexes. You are clearly not going to be dictated to by some "ideal" weight (particularly if you run the risk of losing your manly shoulders in the process!). Lots of women are at a healthy weight, but strive to reach an "ideal shape" which very often involves a lifelong battle with their bodies.

Hi old nog
Have a look at nanuo's post and there was another good one earlier today which discussed BMI being a bit low as we age as well when considering as the size of our body framework. Both threads had merit I thought especially when you know yourself when you have been at an earlier ideal weight which suits your body shape. I don't remember the other thread but someone will

Being a "child of the 60's" I tend to dismiss set standards. Surely it is all about how you feel in yourself. You're the one who decides your sense of well being. When I started to groan when bending over my belly to do up shoe laces, then I knew I wanted to take control. Same with the booze and smokes - you're in charge of your well-being. Go with your inner voice, in my experience, it's rarely wrong.