Exercise & Harsha's Ideal BMI

[Guest guest]

, "Gloria Lee" <glee@c...> wrote:

> I recently came across a confirming report re: exercise. It was the

>single most important indicator for health. being sedentary is worse than

>any other factor known to influence health.

> Being overweight AND active,

> is better than being slender and sedentary. Even smoking and being active is

> still better than a nonsmoker being sedentary.

 

Hi Glo,

 

While a sedentary lifestyle is deadly and perhaps more importantly, detrimental

to emotional & physical health, the bulk of the science suggests that the amount

of sickness caused from being overfat dwarfs all the disease caused by smoking,

alcohol abuse and nutritional deficiencies combined.

 

But since proper exercise is intimately tied to obtaining/maintaining optimal

body

fat, we may well be dancing circles.

 

Exercise *is* the most important contributor to health.

And overfat causes the most disease.

 

With respect to death from heart disease, non-smoking, couch slugs fare twice as

better than smoking exercisers, who are twice as likely to die from heart

disease.

 

And even though a smoker who exercises reduces the likelihood of death

from heart disease, it's a marginal reduction.

http://afgen.com/smoke6.html

 

With respect to cancer, 33% of all US cancer deaths are from smoking.

25% from being overfat.

 

In looking at the design of the study you referred to, one needs to look at

how much the folks in the study are smoking? How well were the smoker's

exercising? The non-smokers? What was the study's

definition of health? I'd go with mortality. (it's so final)

Anyhow, by using the parameter of overweight the study reveals nothing about the

status & degree of *overfat/optimalfat* of the people studied.

 

A meaningful parameter would be looking into the degree of

*overfat*. (world of difference).

 

Following through on Harsha's original question:

 

Body fat % is a far more meaningful parameter to look into rather than BMI

especially with regard to an individual. BMI is useful and conveniant for

applying

to large populations, but can yield wildly inaccurate insinuations for an

individual or smaller groups of people.

 

I'm 5' 8", 200 lb @ 5% body fat.

BMI indicates I should drop dead any second now.

 

A very low body fat % doesn't always indicate healthiness either.

(no single parameter can). Many anorexics are 5% body fat.

 

To demonstrate some dynamics (& limitations) of body fat % so one can apply it

meaningfully, imagine 2 people each weighing 100 lb @ 20% body fat.

 

Person #1 weight trains & does aerobics & gains 20 lb. of lean tissue & bone

(from weight-training) but loses no body fat. This person has reduced their

body fat % to about 16%.

 

Person #2 simply restricts caloric intake & loses 10 lb, half of which will be

lean tissue

& bone(unhealthy)and the other half will be fat. This person is now also 16%

body fat.

 

Person #1 is far healthier who has a body that can burn fat far more efficiently

& has

an improved immune system (from lean tissue) & higher bone density.

 

Person #2's metabolic rate is slowing down to preserve calories, is in fat

defense mode,

is extremely hungry & irritable, has decreased bone density, nutritional

deficiencies,

and a compromised immune system (muscle fuels the immune system). This person's

body is

primed to hold onto any calories they eat. This person eventually succumbs to

the

overpowering hunger and gains the 10 lb back plus more lickety split. Worse,

since this

person doesn't weight-train the 5 lb. of healthy lean tissue & bone lost from

caloric

restriction/aerobics does not return. : (

 

This person now weighs 105 lb (rebounding 5 lb. higher from start) and sports a

higher

body fat % from start of over 28%. This viscous cycle often repeats, each time

stealing

more health, emotional well-being & vitality.

 

Sound familiar? Know anyone like this?

 

Bottom line: Like Glo says, move it or lose it. Eat well

and *weight-train*. Simply restricting caloric intake and/or partaking in

aerobic

activity will cause about half the weight loss to be from bone & lean tissue.

Did I mention to do some weight-training to offset that?

 

Your mind, body & soul will thank you.

Guaranteed.

 

Blessings,

David

 

> Yep, body was designed for moving around. And again you are right

 

about the

> important feedback this provides. Severe dieting, like anorexia and

 

starvation will

> adversely impact all body systems, not just bone mass.

>

 

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[Guest guest]

 

David Bozzi [david.bozzi]

Monday, March 18, 2002 7:29 PM

Exercise & Harsha's Ideal BMI

Following through on Harsha's original question:

 

Body fat % is a far more meaningful parameter to look into rather than BMI

especially with regard to an individual. BMI is useful and conveniant for

applying

to large populations, but can yield wildly inaccurate insinuations for an

individual or smaller groups of people.

 

I'm 5' 8", 200 lb @ 5% body fat.

*************************************

 

Hi David,

Thanks for the detailed response. You seem like you are into serious body

building through weight lifting which I am sure requires a lot of time and

commitment. The BMI, as you said, would not apply to your case.

I agree with most things you said including the need to exercise and build

some muscles. You are probably aware that the only known scientific method

to extend life is through calorie reduction. They have proven that with mice

experiments.

Evidently a nutritious but a relatively low calorie diet leads to optimal

health. Combining what you say with what Jan says, a Raw Vegan or Fruit diet

combined with Omega 3 eggs and a little whey protein is best as long as you

also do some weight lifting.

Currently, I am developing and experimenting with my Raw Broccoli diet plan,

which suits the criteria for being nutritious as well as low calorie. My

current BMI is around 24 (coming down from 25). I have my "before and after

pictures" ready for the book.

I shall reveal many secrets.

Thanks again

Love to all

Harsha