I think I need to lose more weight

[AffIt]

I'm 46, 172cm and about 74kg just now, so 'on the cusp' from a BMI PoV, but on track to reach 70kg by early December, which is fine, as it should take me down to about 22 BMI.

The thing that concerns me is my waist measurement, which is currently 84cm, which puts me into the 'high risk' category.

However, I'm (slightly) taller than average and of an athletic build - I'm quite up and down and have never had much of a waist, even at my thinnest (I was an amateur jump jockey!).

I'm long-limbed but short-torsoed and carry a lot of muscle.

What do I give more credence to? Should I actually be aiming for closer to 65kg?

I don't understand your post, or what you are asking, sorry. I also don't understand kgs or CMS, sorry that is my age. BMI 19 to 25 is healthy tho so 22 is mid range.

You're on the tall side for a woman.
I'd get to your first goal (70kg) and see how you feel when you get there.

After all, a BMI of 22 is very healthy.

Apologies, I should have explained myself better.

I'm a bit taller than average at almost 5'8", but also slightly fatter than I'd like, so working on that with calorie-counting and on track to hit about 11st by early December.

However, my waist measurement is 33.5", which is NOT GOOD according to the NHS calculator.

But I've never had a tiny waist, even when I was young and very light. Smallest waist size I've ever been is about 31" and I was under 10st at that point - I was about 20 then (I'm 46 now!) and I'm not sure how I'd either achieve or sustain that now.

You're unlikely to get a small waist at the age of 46, if you have never had one.

I've lost 8st 4lb and I'm 69, and although I'm pleased with myself, my tummy is still there. TBF I wasn't expecting it to go away!

Being realistic is helpful.

I wouldn't worry too much TBH if you are a normal BMI and healthy. Alot of middle aged women get thicker around the middle regardless of weight.
I'm 5'5 and now a size 8-10 but my waist still puts me in the high risk category (although IMO all the weight training, cardio and pilates I do more then makes up for it!).

As you know your waist should be half your height. If it isn't you should lose more weight. I'm in the same boat. A normal BMI but a waist just more than half my height. If I lose another probably half a stone I'll still be a normal BMI and I think my waist will be okay.

I don't really have a 'tummy' - I'm pretty strong around my core and don't carry fat there - it's the fact that the measurement around my 'true waist' is over 30" that concerns me, because the NHS tells me I should be concerned.

I'd really like to know what this actually means, given that I'm not massively overweight, taking steps to reduce my weight, and have never really had a waist measurement under 30", even when I was younger and very, VERY fit - as I say, I rode racehorses!

When I was race-riding, I used to aim to hit as close to 10'2" / 65kg as possible, but it was VERY hard work and I was 20 years younger then.

Edited to add imperial and metric weights.

The waist to height ratio recommendation comes from research done on a large number of people and is all about statistical probability. So it’s saying that there is a link between good health and a reasonable w-h ratio. However, what the statistics cannot do is predict YOUR particular chances of getting heart disease / cancer / whatever. So if you’re a person who’s always had a thicker waist even at a very healthy weight, I wouldn’t worry.

I’ve never been overweight, and at times I’ve been very slim, but I’ve never had a waist that goes in like it’s meant to with us ladies.

The waist size recommendation is based on the assumption that you carry more fat around your waist when the measurement is over a certain number. If you can see and feel that this is not true in your case, there’s nothing to worry about. The easiest way to check is the fold test - how many rolls/folds can you see when you sit curled up?

Muscles take space, especially obliques. If you have toned waist it’s going to be thicker than a slim waist with little muscle definition.

Are you measuring your waist at the smallest part or lower down where your waist band of jeans fit?
I was prediabetic and apple shaped all fat on my tummy, now gone down to bmi 23.5 from 32.4, and as someone who looked 3 months pregnant with IBS and insulin resistance at 18 years old, my waist is now 77cm and my waist to height is 0.48. I do measure at the smallest part though and my waist is smaller when I eat higher protein amd low carbs, I also have to drink lots of water or bloating kicks in.
You could also try body toning classes like pilates on youtube, they work well at toning the waist and glutes.

I would not worry, from your description you sound like you have a healthy and active lifestyle leading to a healthy body.
The waist measurement sounds like it is just your shape. I'm the same height as you and weigh 79kg. My waist is 75cm. I weight train, walk a lot, do HIIT and Pilates. I don't feel overweight even though the balance tells a different story. If you feel good and energetic in yourself, and there is little visible fat when you look in the mirror, then that all bodes well. The waist size is just one of the statistics and will not be meaningful to everyone.