Swimming to lose weight?

Originally posted by aquageek You certainly look fantastic but it doesn't have a bit to do with self perception. Obviously, the BMI thing isn't applicable to every single person but it is applicable to the vast majority of people and suggests a healthy weight range. Just because you don't feel or look fat doesn't mean you aren't carrying too much weight and have the potential for all the health concerns it may bring. What you're talking about are people who carry too much FAT, and I mean way too much fat, for their height. As an EMT-B and a pre-nursing student (with a nurse for a mother :) ), I have experience dealing with people of completely different statures all the time. Some people are genetically predisposed to carry more weight than other people of the same height. They'll never be able to lose the weight. But because of genetics, their bodies compensate for this in many ways. For instance, bigger bones will allow for the extra weight. It can be carried very well with no detriment. Now, if you're a petite 5'3 and you're weighing in at 250lbs, that's unhealthy and has to be dealt with. Now we're talking about diabetes, heart strain, blood clots, cellulitis, faasciitis, necrosis, asthma, arthritis, joint problems up the wazoo. Those are the problems you're talking about. However, as long as you eat right, exercise regularly and keep in good health, you can very easily carry what you consider to be "unhealthy" body mass. As a brief example, my boyfriend is a 5'10, stocky 220lb askinezac (I think I spelled that right, sorry if not) Jew. He was told that he would be a virtual skeleton if he ever reached 180lbs. Another guy I dated was the same height, and he weighed in at 160lbs. Bear in mind, both guys are black belts (in different arts), and my current boyfriend works out 3-4 times a week and has a resting heart rate of 56. How many people here can say that?

Originally posted by aquageek You certainly look fantastic but it doesn't have a bit to do with self perception. Obviously, the BMI thing isn't applicable to every single person but it is applicable to the vast majority of people and suggests a healthy weight range. Just because you don't feel or look fat doesn't mean you aren't carrying too much weight and have the potential for all the health concerns it may bring. What you're talking about are people who carry too much FAT, and I mean way too much fat, for their height. As an EMT-B and a pre-nursing student (with a nurse for a mother :) ), I have experience dealing with people of completely different statures all the time. Some people are genetically predisposed to carry more weight than other people of the same height. They'll never be able to lose the weight. But because of genetics, their bodies compensate for this in many ways. For instance, bigger bones will allow for the extra weight. It can be carried very well with no detriment. Now, if you're a petite 5'3 and you're weighing in at 250lbs, that's unhealthy and has to be dealt with. Now we're talking about diabetes, heart strain, blood clots, cellulitis, faasciitis, necrosis, asthma, arthritis, joint problems up the wazoo. Those are the problems you're talking about. However, as long as you eat right, exercise regularly and keep in good health, you can very easily carry what you consider to be "unhealthy" body mass. As a brief example, my boyfriend is a 5'10, stocky 220lb askinezac (I think I spelled that right, sorry if not) Jew. He was told that he would be a virtual skeleton if he ever reached 180lbs. Another guy I dated was the same height, and he weighed in at 160lbs. Bear in mind, both guys are black belts (in different arts), and my current boyfriend works out 3-4 times a week and has a resting heart rate of 56. How many people here can say that?