The Number Between the Toes
I gotta be honest; the whole obsession with weight has been known to drive me nuts over the years. As have some of the obsession “owners”. I have worked with more people than I care to remember who have been totally pre-occupied with their weight to the point where they are completely obsessed, irrational and dysfunctional. Paranoid even. I have known many people whose day was typically made or broken based on a number that would appear between their toes each morning. Imagine allowing a set of scales to determine the quality of your day. And your emotional state. Talk about handing over your power. What a sad and unnecessary existence. Especially when (1) weight can and does fluctuate so easily (2) weight gain or loss does not necessarily have anything to do with fat gain or loss (3) I can gain two kilos (on the scales anyway) in five minutes by drinking two litres of water and (4) body-weight has less of an impact on overall health (for good or bad) than does overall body-fat level.
Fat Craig
I just weighed myself five minutes ago (to obtain some data for this article) and right now I am tipping the scales at 101 kg. This weight puts me in the morbidly obese category; interesting for a person who has a lower-than-average body-fat percentage (14%). Why am I classified as morbidly obese? Because the science that pigeon holes people in such a manner is flawed – but that’s a chat for another day. Yes, weight can be an indicator but it’s not necessarily a determinant of an individual’s overall (current) health status or level of risk. That’s why we could have a 101 kg (222 lb) Craig who is at lower risk than an 85 kg (187 lb) Craig – because lighter Craig is less active, has less muscle and more fat. So if a leaner, more athletic body is one of your objectives, then perhaps (some of) you should throw your scales away and simply have your body-fat tested (accurately) every four to eight weeks. This week on the 9AM Show (Channel Ten, Australia), I tested Kim’s (one of the hosts) body-fat percentage. Take a peek at the segment by clicking on the following link: Craig on 9AM with David & Kim
See you next time… ( )
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{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Craig,
I had a look at that yesterday now that I have a computer that actually wants to be friends with the channel 10 site. I even tried to put it on my blog as I made reference to having it done at the weekend, but alas I am challenged there! I will investigate getting the test done again in about 8 weeks to see how I am going. I weigh once a week with Weight Watchers but try not to get too hung up about it all. I like the clothes getting looser reference as well.
hugs
Chelle xxxx
Hi Craig – I saw the segment yesterday (yes, it does air in Tas!). Did Kim make you buy her some new stockings?
I’ve just returned home from my weekly PT session. I took in my fitness test and body composition results so that we could work out a way for me to get into the healthy zone. They don’t do the body composition testing at my gym, so I’m now on the hunt to find somewhere that does, so that I can measure how I’m going.
Nell ( ) xxxx
Hi Craig,
Oh my goodness. 14% body fat percentage? I own handbags with a higher body fat percentage than that!
Don’t worry, I’m just jealous. I was horrified when I found out what mine was at RYL but at least I know it’s very accurate so I can’t fool myself any longer (bummer). My gym doesn’t have that fancypants machine either so I think I’ll just have to fly down to Harpers in six months’ time for an update (see you there, Nell?).
Feeling much better today. Sorry I was such a sook yesterday. The ‘I’ve been run over by a bus feeling’ is starting to subside and I’m becoming very excited about the changes that are already starting to happen.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Christina xxx
I do agree about the body fat percentage as a good guide. I compete in alot of athletic sports like triathlon and kickboxing. The best way to get your weight down is cardio such as boxing, cycling and running. I know alot of bodybuilders who are very fit who are well over the 100kg mark. Best case is one of my female friends who kept weighing herself only to find she was always floating beteween 108 – 110kgs. I soon found out she was doing a heavy weight program. So she was losing weight but gaining muscle!
I agree Craig!
Scales are crapola! I try not to weigh myself often, I prefer to judge by my clothes (size 10 jeans, yeah baby!!)
I found your segment super interesting – Kim and I are of similar build (same height, similar weight) and our BF% was the same!! Very cool.
What you say is absolutely right – scale weight can be so deceiving. It’s best not to get hung up on that number!
Have a nice long weekend!
Em ( ) x
I Craig,
I just watched the link to chanel ten and read your blog, and am so glad I did. It is incredible how many of us get so hung up on the scales and BMI. So many people out there believe in the BMI.
Any Gym, diet program (weight watchers as well as all the others go by the BMI which is ridiculous as you have pointed out so many times. It is sad that we get obcessed with what number comes up on the scales and if it is not what we like, we can let it ruin our day, like I have let it ruing my days. Well as of today I refuse to let it happen. I am not a constant yo yo with my weight and as of today and going to give the scales the flick and let my clothes and measurements be my judge. Where on the Gold Coast can we have the same test done that you did for Kym o Channel 10.
Cheers
AMEN brother!
Being a heavy 90′s girl, I actually dont look it & have never been called fat. I call myself blubbery…..but I am working on it. I still want to see the numbers on the scales come down but now I’m realistic about it. My supposed healthy weight range is something like 69 – 79. If I got to 79, people would ask me if I was sick I reckon. So for now, I’m heading for 85 & see how that sits. For me its about clothing size & I want to walk into a surf shop & have more of a range, rather than go to the big end & hope the 14′s (big make!!) or 16′s fit.
Cheers Craigo
Pet
xoxo
PS Is the Perth RYL still going ahead?
Hi Craig,
I was lucky enough to be given tickets to last night’s performance of “Dralion” (Cirque du Soleil). I’m sure ALL the performers would rate as morbidly obese on the BMI scale. What those guys and girls can do is mind blowing. Buff Boy, eat your heart out!
I also took my RYL fitness test with me to my PT session, and have set some new fitness goals. It all becomes so clear when it’s on paper…(my trainer even took a copy for my file!) Anyway, I missed out on the BF% measuring at RYL, but I think a trip to Harper’s is now on the agenda.
Cheers,
Sandra
Thanks for this info Craig,
I had the body composition test done on Saturday night and what a huge difference it has made to my outlook. It was a surprise to learn that I only need to loose 6kg of fat, and not the 20+ kg that I had set myself to reach the BMI standard. Before doing the test I had been disheartened and was ready to give up my workouts because the scales were not moving despite the effort I was putting in. It has now been put in to perspective.
Good work Chelle x
Hi Nell
They have TV inTassie? Wow
No new stockings for Kim but I will buy her some footy socks.
PS – Growing up I lived in Howrah, Lindisfarne and Bellerive
x
Thanks Craig. Just what I needed to read. I’m one of those stupid people whose emotions can be dictated by the scales. I find it a hard balance because if I don’t weigh myself semi-regularly, I do put on weight. I obviously haven’t yet found that right balance for food vs exercise etc because I put on weight without thinking about it (so kind of constantly have to think about it).
I do get very discouraged by some of the calculations (like BMI and healthy weight range etc). My body fat percentage still needs to come down a bit but I really don’t think my health is quite as bad as some of those seem to indicate (then again, maybe I’m not being realistic?).
Hello Ex-Sook Christina
No need to be jealous… just proactive!
x
Thanks for dropping by Justin
You too Em – super editor…
x
Hi Cathy – good decision by you.
Not sure about where you can get it done on the Gold Coast. Some (not all) gyms use the same or similar machine. Make a few calls and ask how they test body-composition..
Cheers
Hi Pet
RYL Perth has been put on hold. The people who were going to run it, cancelled the booking. Heavy sigh.
Soon. I hope
Stop calling yourself stupid Lightening. That’s an order!
Enjoy your weekend
If only I had something to edit ….
haha YOUR FAT!
Absolulately agree when I come in on scales apparently at a low BMI I should be 57 kilos, I ask 57 of what… skin and bone ..give me the muscle at 65 pls.. THANKS FOR THE DEMO .. work in motion!
Hi Craig,
Wow – that’s awesome what that little machine can calculate. Kind of changes your perspective on the ‘fat’ thing altogether when you think of all that your amazing body is actually made up of. Obviously, I missed out on all that RYL had to offer (this time) but will keep the body composition thing in mind to do for myself, if I can find someone here in Bris that does it. Thanks for posting the 9am segment – very edumactional !!!
Have an awesome loooong weekend,
cheers,
Mon ( )
PS Like the smiley’s !
Will book self in for another body comp test on July 25 (8 weeks from May 30). Very generous of Rona and Mikey to do those body comp tests – thanks tons (in a strange way!).
And Craig – see you when I’m 68kg