BMI or 57 pounds before I'm "normal"

I was reading the Freakonomics blog today on the issue of "the obesity epidemic" It's got a few experts giving their opinions on obesity and then lots of commenters ringing in. I don't have any deep analysis of it or strong opinions on the piece. What I do have are some interesting numbers. After reading the piece and some of the commenters take on BMI I decided to see where I currently fall on the BMI range and how far I've got to go to be considered normal.

Just so we're all on the same page: I'm 5'10" tall and I've lost just about 150 pounds. I am currently considered obese. There doesn't seem to be a BMI category for morbidly obese but I was clearly morbidly obese before. Now, 150 pounds lighter I'm considered obese. Just plain old obese. I'm not really surprised to be still considered obese I guess, but I think secretly I was hoping to now be in the overweight range. That's such a funny phrase "hoping to now be in the overweight range." Anyway.

I need to lose 21 more pounds before I'm considered just overweight. That would be me at about 171 lost. OK great. Hmm.

To be considered normal, weight wise anyway, I need to lose 57 more pounds. I haven't had very many moments of despair or real self-doubt during my whole weight loss/healthy lifestyle journey but for a second there I really had one after seeing that 57 pound figure. 57 more pounds just to break the overweight mark? Damn. Let me tell you, there is no way I'm losing 57 more pounds. Realistically I think I'm going to lose another 30-45 pounds. The 45 pound loss is like the pie in the sky figure that if I were to reach would be awesome but really it's ok if I don't. The 30 pound number is where I really want to reach no matter what. If I lose 35 more pounds I'll be really, really pleased and think that I'll look good and be at a healthy weight.

Believe me when I tell you that I would have to starve myself and work out like a mad, mad woman to lose 57 more pounds. It ain't happening.

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I'm getting ready to start training for a 5K. When I first started exercising I ran a tiny, tiny, tiny little bit. My massive body couldn't take anymore than that. B actually really didn't want me to run at all though because of all that weight pounding my joints. So I stopped running completely and we agreed that I could try running again when I got below 250 pounds. I'm well below 250 at this point but it's been really hot this summer and we don't currently have a treadmill so running has been on hold. Fall is coming (even though it's 102 here today I can feel fall coming) and I'm inspired by Kyle's 5K success. So training commencing shortly. I mention this in the BMI post because I wonder what my body will be like if running "takes" with me. If I become the kind of person that runs 30 miles a week (in addition to the 25-30 miles per walk I currently walk) on a regular basis what will my body be like? Will I be tall and skinny like my friend Chad? Will I be leaner than I imagine I can be? Or will I just have the same body type and general shape that I've had since I hit puberty? Will I be a fat chick who runs?

Chances are of course that running won't "take" with me but damn if I'm not ready and excited to try it.