northernmusician's Journal, 27 Jan 16

I'm will in the overweight category. At my last physical my Dr. was going down his checklist and about to give his speech on BMI and weight. "Take off your shirt"...looked at me...looked at the chart...."never mind about that nonsense....moving on" :-)  

Nice drop! Must feel good to finally see a drop. I'm much more focused on body composition than weight. As long as you keep packing on the pounds of muscle you're doing great. 

@Herder. That's how I'm feeling to. Recomp is the plan for me. Goal is to drop about 10 pounds and then go with the stasis, over feeding 5 days a week and then fasting or partial fasting on two. Each time I fast I notice it less. In fact, fast days are almost a relief because I have virtually no decisions to make dietarily. Physically, I'm just as strong for general activity and do not feel like I need the fuel. Heavy lifting is a bit different issue, though I've heard people say that lift harder on their fast days and it took about 5 session for the body to be okay with it. I'll have to think about that one. @Majohn. My doctor came into the business where I work and asked me questions about various products and processes and suddenly said, "Bruce! I didn't recognize you." This was the doctor who said I wouldn't be able to lose 20 pounds. It was at my lowest (too low) weight, where I was down just over 50 pounds. Made me feel pretty good. 

My Brother in law is in the military and they give him all kinds of grief about his BMI at every single check-up. He is 185 at 5' 6" (sub-10% body fat) yet he still has to get a pinch test every year in order to pass his physical. 

BMI is a joke. Men with any muscles at all blow right past that number. I'm just about back to my high school weight, and still 7 pounds over the BMI for "Normal." My goal weight is seven pounds from now -- I'm just curious to see how it feels to be Normal.  

Normal is just the currently accepted level of insanity. Are you JM the writer? 

I totally agree about BMI vs. body composition. I am still obese by those standards...but my bodyfat for my age is in the "ideal" zone 

You are doing just fine, I wouldn't worry about those number which were probably put together by some Doctor who looks like a Somalian refugee. As long as you like the image in the mirror, thatis what matters. 

Depending on what is in that vegan chili, you should get a good amount of protein. Especially if you pair it with rice. If lentils are used plus rice, you get a same reaction as eating a steak. Vegan chili is OK. :)  

Is there a James Magruder who writes professionally? I'm James Magruder the Boiler Mechanic. And semi-amateur guitar player. 

wow my maintenance is about 1700 

HA! I get the same thing. I OLY lift, am 5'7" and 156lbs and when they check those numbers off, on paper I have been told on occasion that I'm borderline heavily overweight. stupid charts. 

Regarding vegan chili: it's probably going to be made with at least 2 kinds of beans and soy protein, so I'm sure you'll be fine on the protein front. Most people seem to think that mega-doses of it are necessary, but I've never found that to be the case. Keep body fat low and lift weights. 

I'm another for whom BMI charts are a joke. I'd have to be rail-skinny to not be considered obese using those charts. 

If cooked right vegan food is the most delicious :)