Body Max Index (BMI) is a measure of healthiness based on one’s height and weight. Calculators are easy to find online. The main categories are underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obese. At around 6 feet tall and weighing 190, my BMI is 25.8, a little bit into the overweight category.
If I lost 7 pounds and weighed 183, I would be just within the healthy weight range. I believe it, I have a belly on me. The healthy weight range for someone who is 6 feet tall is 136 to 183. People who run long distances may weigh less and be healthy, and weight lifters may be healthy at higher weights. I want to get in shape, but 183 is probably not my ideal weight. My goal is to have the same BMI as Bruce Lee.
Bruce Lee was 5 feet 8 and weighed 145 pounds. That would give him a BMI of 22. That is in the middle of the healthy weight range. Many people may have a similar BMI and not look like Bruce Lee. Muscle weighs more than fat, and Bruce Lee had an amazing amount of lean muscle mass. He had a body fat percentage of 6, which most probably couldn’t get unless they were professional athletes of some kind.
In 1994, when I was 17 and had my first psychotic episode, I went from 135 to 200 over that summer. I looked horrible because I had almost no muscle mass. After 2024, I weighed nearly 200 for a while. I lost about 10 pounds by quitting soda and cutting back on sugar. I did have a large belly, but it looked much better than after I got sick in 1994. Over the years, I’ve done push-ups sporadically, so I think I do have some strength and muscle mass now.
In my early to mid twenties, I was a long-distance runner and weighed around 150 pounds for a few years. I only ran and skated, so getting that light may be a challenge. I want to start jogging, but not long-distance. I plan to do calisthenics too. Maybe in the fall I’ll join the Y and get a personal trainer.
The BMI of 22 for someone who is 6 feet tall is 162. To get there, I really need to get moving and continue to eat better. In the meantime, I’m not expecting to drop 28 pounds quickly; the timeline is to be beach-ready for next summer. The more important step is to achieve a healthy BMI. This summer, I’ll skate as much as I can and try to start jogging and doing calisthenics again. And this is a loose goal. If I weigh 175 and feel good when exercising and skating with a flat stomach with abs, I’ll be content.
Also, I’m in the process of changing my antipsychotics. The one I’ve been on since 2024 is among the most sedating available. The one I’m changing to does not have fatigue and similar side effects. I already feel better and more energetic. Since I’m in the process of changing meds, I am going to abstain from weed, alcohol, and nicotine for a long time. Might as well focus on skating, exercising, art, and writing.
Hopefully, the heat wave will stop soon so I can get out there.