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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want a BMI of 19?

66 replies

user3459859083590890 · 02/05/2017 14:42

I had a BMI of 19 all through my teens and twenties.

Am I wrong to want to get back to that in my 40s?

I can only try, right?

OP posts:
Rach6l · 02/05/2017 14:49

Anything is possible, if you're motivated Smile

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 02/05/2017 14:50

What are you hoping to gain from this? A bunch of strangers telling you to starve yourself to a BMI deemed as underweight? Or is it a stealth boast?

Most strange!

Original poster
user3459859083590890 · 02/05/2017 14:51

Stealth boast? My BMI is over 30! Confused

OP posts:
Original poster
user3459859083590890 · 02/05/2017 14:52

BMI 19 is not underweight. I don't want to be unhealthy!

OP posts:
BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 02/05/2017 14:54

So why make the road so long and look to getting an unachievable goal. Just look at it a few lbs or a time, or one notch off your BMI at a time - if you set yourself an unrealistic goal you are far more likey to fail, take small steps, don't make it too difficult.

TisapityshesaGeordie · 02/05/2017 14:55

You realise being very thin in your 40s looks very different to being very thin in your 20s? Nothing wrong with wanting to get down to a healthy weight, but maybe aim for the mid-point of the healthy range instead.

Original poster
user3459859083590890 · 02/05/2017 14:55

It might be too unrealistic at my age now. I will settle for getting out of obesity and overweight first, I guess.

OP posts:
knackeredinyorkshire · 02/05/2017 14:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
user3459859083590890 · 02/05/2017 14:55

Getting too thin will likely age me too. Can do without that.

OP posts:
Original poster
user3459859083590890 · 02/05/2017 14:56

Crikey. I ache already sometimes Shock.

OP posts:
ragz134 · 02/05/2017 14:56

A little weight after menopause is meant to be protective, so 19 is possibly a bit unreasonable. I'd aim for healthy range and see how you go.

HeadDreamer · 02/05/2017 14:56

What's your current BMI? Is it realistic to get to 19? Will it involve dieting? Or is it stopping the snacks and soft drinks and junk and exercise more?

And 19 isn't underweight and unhealthy. I have been 19-20 all my life and I'm over 40z

Original poster
user3459859083590890 · 02/05/2017 14:58

I suppose I am annoyed that I've let my weight get so high (depression) and I'm trying to get back to the woman I used to be, including the BMI that went with it. Daft, I suppose.

OP posts:
LaContessaDiPlump · 02/05/2017 14:58

Yes, after menopause you need a fat layer to make estrogen! If you don't have any fat then you would be losing a major source of estrogen. Something to consider - you may not be that healthy at a BMI of 19 when post-menopausal.

UppityHumpty · 02/05/2017 14:59

Aim for 24 first if you're in the obese range. Anything further than that should just be a bonus :)

Therealslimshady1 · 02/05/2017 15:08

Personally I am happy and confident and fit at bmi 23, I am all about fitness and strength now in my 40s which is much more fun than being thin in your 20s

You can really turn things around with exercise, for me exercise does so much more than dieting!

Start with trying to get to a fit bmi24, then take it from there.

mayhew · 02/05/2017 15:09

I had a BMI of 19 at the same age. I looked ace.
At 45 it was BMI 27. I lost weight, when it got below 22 as an older woman, I looked dreadful. My face collapsed!
Now I'm 56, if I keep it at 23-24, I'm at my ideal arse:face ratio.
So, OP, definitely lose weight for the health and morale benefits. But stop at some point south of 25 where it works for you at he age you are now.

Helloitsme88 · 02/05/2017 15:14

I don't think BMI is a healthy indication of weight.
I'm 9 stone. Size 8. BMI of 22.
If I lost more weight I wouldn't look healthy.
I would strive to tone and exercise and drink lots of water.
Muscle weighs more than fat...

crunched · 02/05/2017 15:18

ideal arse:face ratio Grin

PollyPerky · 02/05/2017 15:21

My BMI is 19 and my dr says it's perfect. I am over 60 which shows you don't have to turn to lard post menopause.

Boulshired · 02/05/2017 15:21

By giving yourself that low of a BMI it is going to be harder and more likely to fail which may then lead to you going back to where you began and the joy of the yo-yo of crashing and binging.

Zimmerzammerbangbang · 02/05/2017 15:25

OP I've been losing weight and started with a BMI of 32.8. All along my target has been to get to 25 and then see how I feel. Now that is actually realistically in sight (current BMI 27), I've revaluated and reckon I should be about 22/23. Maybe work on something like that? If you're over 30 at the moment a BMI of 25 feels as unachievable as a SMI of 19. You need something in the middle to aim for (and I'd suggest thinking more about BMI of 27 as another point as under there is where you see the main health benefits).

Disclaimer - I know BMI is just one measure and it's not a particularly great one. I just like having different numbers to monitor.

IonaNE · 02/05/2017 15:29

YANBU. I'm late 40s, bmi under 23 but would love a 19.

ToastDemon · 02/05/2017 15:30

I think for someone naturally slight a BMI of 19 over 40 would be fine. Jane Fonda looks amazing at nearly 80!
But if you've got that much to lose, it may be over-ambitious, not necessarily that good for you and make you look significantly older.
I second aiming for 24 and taking it from there. Also I'd recommend lots of exercise especially resistance training to help maintain firmness as obviously skin doesn't necessarily snap back with quite the same elasticity....

HerBluebiro · 02/05/2017 15:30

Ideal arse:face ratio is a perfect description!

You are not unreasonable to want it. It is not unhealthy weight per se. But if your bmi is currently 30, then at 19 you are likely to have loose skin etc, which coupled with a slightly hollow cheeked look may make you miss some of your padding.

Aim for a healthy bmi first. And then see if you are happy or if you want more.

My bmi is 28. I'm over 40. I look OK, but want to get to a bmi of 24. I'm down from 33 but there are some tell tale signs of weight loss. And I do not look as good/healthy as if I'd never been fat to begin with.