BMI, I'm a "newbie"

[neutronnorman]

First off, this is a great website! I'm a new at Atkins and have considerable body fat to lose. I was a bodybuilder for 12 years but I went back to university (I've been attending school for 9 years) and for the last 5 years, due to a heavy school load, I didn't do any exercise. Currently I'm working a 4 day push / pull weight training regime and exercising aerobically (low intensity) 4 times a week for 60 minutes each session.

I've retained quite a bit of muscle mass but it's obscured by layers of fat. I notice that many people are putting emphasis on BMI.

I use calipers to measure my body fat % and do not go by BMI tables that use height and weight. I'm six feet tall, weigh about 245 lb but I am at a 20-24% bodyfat currently. My goal is to achieve 9-12% bodyfat.

My question is why is there so much emphasis placed on BMI if people are exercising and putting on muscle, since muscle mass is denser than fat? Many people freak out because of this natural adaptation to exercise since their scales won't budge. You might weigh more but be, in fact, leaner.

Thanks and I'm certain that everybody out there that follows this diet to the "tee" will experience aesthetic gains way beyond their dreams. Also, I would suggest using food logs, online or written in a note book, to keep a fairly accurate track of the daily nutrional values ingested. Watch out for hidden carbs especially at fast food joints. Don't go too low in calories because you'll lose fat and drop your metabolism. I stagger my calories daily and try to eat 4-5 time per day, or simply when I'm hungry. On the go, I'll down a scoop of weigh protein followed by 2 tabl. spoons of olive oil and/or fish oil capsules.

AD is not new, it's been used by bodybuilders, especially precontest, for 60 years. Since I train heavy, I'm considering to carb load, after a month on induction, for 28-36 hours once a week. Possibly 75 % carb, low fat and medium protein for that time period until I start "smoothing out." The insulin spike my well prove to be anabolic. My body should remain fat burning while the carbs replace glycogen stores depleted.

Sincerely,
Norman

[boonie stomper]

In a rare twist, someone migrates to ADBB from a body building forum, instead of the other way around....

I'm not saying another word...

Oops.... lied.... back to ya...

BTW, we often use tracking tools, such as available from www.Fitday.com. We also exercise, take supplements, do not use carb loading, but advance through the stages of Atkins from Induction through O.W.L. through lifetime maintenance. We follow the Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution, 2002 Revised edition. (FYI)

[neutronnorman]

Yup, from what I read, OWL is the best way to go for life. It's very sensible and makes sense. Thanks. Fit day is the next best thing to sliced bread, err...shaved roast beef. It saves so much time. I reached my goal today: 65% fat, 30% protein and 5% carbs, thanks to fit day. What I noticed is that, although I'm stuffed to the gills, my calories were about 2100 or so. I'm never hungry on this diet. Amazing. No cravings for anything. I feel great.

I must admit, though, the first three days I was incapable of quantum mechanical mathematics manipulations. <grins>

Thanks for responding so soon. Take care.

Norman

[imagood1]

welcome Neutron! I'm glad you found your way to ADBB and are a part of our community family. I don't go by BMI - my doctor tells me what my percentage is but I care more about the way I feel, the inches I've lost and the weight I no longer carry.

We also don't worry that much about calories -- more our percentages of net carbs. Once you get use to using FitDay it's easier than sliced meat! Good luck on your journey!

[pagliaccia]

Yeah, I'd say it's pretty well-established that body builders are exempt from BMI classifications. Too bad I'm not a body builder, or I'd be set!