Why BMI is a waste of time (and what I REALLY use instead) | Liz Earle Wellbeing

Liz sets the record straight on BMI once and for all. Here, she explains why she doesn't think it's useful when it comes to understanding our health, and shares her tips for staying on track with her weight.
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[@jonow8121]

I think the conversation about set weight is not spoken about enough, trying to find information about it is quite hard, I firmly believe that your body has a set weight, it may not be the one you want or the one that’s best for you and trying to change it is I think is the key to permanent weight loss. Will definitely be checking your book out x

[@lizearlewellbeing]

Thanks for sharing - here's a link with all of our pre-order options, if you'd like too! bio.to/ABetterSecondHalf

[@sandralaurens5110]

I read s comment regarding the scales at a GP surgery which I found interesting,I read the comment to my husband and his reply"while working in the aviation industry as an aviation engineer the company had to send their scales away to have them recalibrated every year".❤

[@lizearlewellbeing]

Interesting!

[@fionareddick2572]

I had a major rant last year when asked to step on the scales at an NHS health check and was promptly told that I was in the obese category, then immediately had my blood pressure taken, which was way higher than my normal totally healthy one!! I said to the guy measuring, how can you tell I’m unhealthy from just one weight measurement, fully clothed, no physical fitness tests, no measurement of fat v muscle v water which would be of far more use. How can BMI still be used to assess people’s health risk in isolation?!!!

[@16Elless]

I had the same thing about 5 years ago. Then I was 9st 7lb, which was heavier than I should’ve been for my height but the nurse said I was over 10st! So BMI put me into the obese category. I put my trainers back on which involved bending over to tie the laces & she then took my BP immediately I sat up & said it was very high, both arms. I suggested to the nurse that maybe as I’d just had my head down by my feet that might be the reason as I’ve never had high blood pressure. Not sure she liked that! So she then went through the tick box exercise - smoking, alcohol etc (nothing about diet, stress or sleep!) then re-took my BP which was fine. So much of what they do is outdated protocol driven nonsense in a bid to get people on to medication. I’m now 8st 7lbs thanks to a diet overhaul & time restricted eating so no longer overweight & on no meds at 65. I’m expecting to be called for my “over 65” check up soon & as I feel I know a lot more than before I’ll be more vocal!

[@lizearlewellbeing]

Thanks for sharing your experience! ❤️

[@AS333uno]

Thank you Liz , I’ve always thought the BMI scale could not be accurate too , as like you explained , you can have different body compositions , and yet share the same BMI , personally even though mine is classed as healthy , I’ve never used it as a measuring stick for my health in general. I know you are an advocate for pushing your breakfast back a little later in the day , and you’ve felt the benefits for doing this . I too have been doing it consistently for the last 6 weeks for metabolic health reasons , and have felt many benefits , and the first noticeable change was my resting heart beat changed from the very next day and has consistently stayed within that scale for the whole of the 6 weeks , which before doing time restrictive eating it was very variable between 62-68 BPM , It is now 59-61 . So to see in the headlines yesterday that a so called study has been done , in America , that they found that the 16-8 eating window apparently puts you at a greater risks of cardiovascular disease? . When I read it in detail , it is very contradictory, and also has the hallmarks of a very similar type of study used , when talking about the so called risks of HRT on America women . I’d love to hear your views and evidence based research on this headline this week , as I know many women including myself have felt so many benefits from restricting our eating window .

[@lizearlewellbeing]

Thanks for sharing - we'll take a look into this! ❤️

[@AS333uno]

😄 Thank you !

[@Michelle-ro7rf]

How lovely a new book just pre ordered,love all your other books. 😊

[@lizearlewellbeing]

Yay, thank you!

[@juliemycock648]

Good morning Liz. Firstly just to let you know I have already pre ordered your book & looking forward to reading it. Secondly I agree with you on the BMI thing and also following diets. I'm 64 years of age, the last two years I've had quite a lot of stress going on with my mum, she was diagnosed with Dementia and it's been very tough for me. She is now in a Care home so at least she is being looked after by professionals. In the two years I lost weight, it was mainly muscle if I'm honest and even though myself and hubby eat healthy and everything in moderation I didn't feel my body was absorbing the nutrients because I was so stressed all the time. Since mum went into care last December I've been evaluating my health hence why I've been binge watching your KZbin videos. I'm incorporating more protein and supplements, I've also started doing some weights to try and build a little muscle especially on my arms but at 64 I know we ladies can struggle to gain muscle but I'm going to keep it up. It can be depressing when you don't feel you are getting very far but I know it will take time. I will keep watching your videos for inspiration and help. Kind regards Julie ❤

[@lizearlewellbeing]

Thanks for sharing ❤️

[@amac7476]

Book ordered, looking forward to reading!

[@lizearlewellbeing]

You'll love it 😍

[@sandralaurens5110]

As the saying goes,"everything in moderation".😊

[@lizearlewellbeing]

Very true!

[@jacquelinearcher1158]

What we need is some good advice about weight loss post menopause…because many of us can’t shift it at all now..yes following the real advice you give nothing shifts…I have a FB group of over 1000 ladies all the same…so what can we do ?

[@lizearlewellbeing]

There's lots of advice on our website too ❤️

[@lisam2510]

A few people have recently asked me if I've lost weight. I rarely weigh myself, but no,I haven't lost any. A year ago I started sea dipping/swimming. I think this has changed my body shape for the better. Maybe increased muscle too? I feel better for it,anyway 😊

[@lizearlewellbeing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@juliemercer1458]

I never stand on the scales I only go by my clothes size. I had an experience with an NHS nurse a good few years ago when I was very ill and was wearing tops for a 12/13 yr old...... I was painfully thin, there I was in the Drs being weighed by them (I dont get on the scales otherwise) and she told me my BMI was high....I wont tell you my response as this is a family show but needless to say Ive always thought BMI was absolute rubbish.

[@lizearlewellbeing]

Thanks for sharing ❤️

[@tanyaeve9498]

BMI like weight is a bit of a crude measurement. We do have scales that measure fat and muscle, that I use from time to time to track any changes. I weigh about 1 stone more than when I was younger, but can fit into the same clothes, as I'm much healthier and fitter.

[@lizearlewellbeing]

Thanks for sharing 😍

[@phantomthread4385]

My last over 50 test said my BMI meant i could put on some weight. Im desperately trying to lose skme as i have fat around my belly. The NHS still using this and not body fat scales is frankly ludicrous. The fact of prevention is maybe more important and saves money long term does not factor in. And the receptionist did not know whag a mammogram was 😮

[@lizearlewellbeing]

Thanks for sharing - we have lots of weight management advice on our website too ❤️

[@juliemanington2249]

It makes me soooo angry they use this…I am a woman with 8.5 inch wrists, very large ankles and knees, and I don’t move if pushed..I take after my beloved dad…but when I have bmi calculated I am off the chart…thank you Liz xx

[@lizearlewellbeing]

Thanks for sharing ❤️

[@16Elless]

Many years ago I worked as a receptionist in a GP surgery. There were 6 consulting rooms each with the same brand of top quality scales. When the doctors were out on rounds - yes it was a long time ago! - we had to restock their rooms, tidy up etc & we often got on the scales! Of the 6, only 2 read the same & there was half a stone difference one way & another between them, so BMI was dependent on which scales you were weighed on! Mad then, even more now! I think if you follow the 80/20 rule (have to have some treats!) your body finds it’s own level. At 65 I’m not going to stress about it!

[@lizearlewellbeing]

Oh dear! Thanks for sharing ❤️

[@Kevin-1969]

Joan Collins, is the best reference for well being and information, then Liz, they are on par to be fair

[@lizearlewellbeing]

❤️

[@susanhoward864]

Muscle doesn't weigh more than fat. 1lb of fat and 1lb of Muscle weigh the same. Muscle is denser than fat therefore smaller than the fat.

[@kavanobrien6547]

Morning girly, average anything is a myth, why are you getting your knickers in a twist over this = have you been standing on those scales again, chuck the scales out and just chill more , let’s have a song for the day = We have all the time in the world = Louis Armstrong , I know in your head you’re saying oh no it’s him again = good made you forget about your rant = easy , take care you = me.