I am 70 years old, 152# x 68″ — ‘My Numbers’ declare that that my BMI is ‘normal’ and my weight is ‘healthy’. This is not the case. These declarations do not take into account the fact that at my age the loss of lean muscle mass is below healthy normal levels. The ‘normal’ BMI does not account for the fact that I have abdominal fat (both visceral & superficial) that more closely resemble a women that has been pregnant for 3 to 4 months. The truth is that I need to lose at least 20# of fat, and add another 10# of muscle. My present physical state in no way can be considered ‘normal’ or ‘healthy’. I feel much more youthful than my years, and I have been physically strong and muscular all of my life — until the last two years.
Better Together
Healthy?
Updated on September 17, 2016 in
Weight Loss
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Indeed, BMI is only a partial piece of the puzzle that is our complete health. Unfortunately, there are many people who fall into the “healthy’ range on all kinds of scales, and are not internally, or externally, at their optimal level of health. I am glad you see beyond one piece of the measurements we use to assess health. It is a complex series of factors for sure, and many need to be taken into account. Glad you are here and part of the conversation!
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Here is a related question – I am a 64 year old woman, trying to maintain a healthy weight while taking off the fat and putting on muscle. I am at what I believe is a healthy weight (126 lbs at 5 ft 6 inches) but my muscle mass is declining although I lift weights 3 days a week. Any advice as to how to keep my weight where it is but shift the fat to muscle? My body fat percent is 29%. I just started taking amino acids along with food after each heavy work out. Is there more I should be doing? My husband says this decline in muscle mass is to be expected with age, but I don’t want to believe it!
I too am concerned about maintaining muscle mass. My body weight is a little low. I would like to weigh more and have both more fat and muscle, but I feel great and strong. I eat a lot and am very active. Anything I can do dietwise?
Coach
Your percentage of body fat is actually considered in the “ideal” range for your age. If you want to feel stronger, or decrease body fat further, you may have to adjust your workout routine to increase repetitions and/or how much weight you are lifting. Using amino acids can be helpful in addition to getting adequate protein throughout the day, which tends to decline as people age due to myriad factors. Maintaining proper protein levels, and keeping the “junk” foods out of your diet completely are essential complements to the workouts you are doing. Keep up the great work!
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