MM Nutrition

FAQ: Is BMI valid?

Sometimes. BMI is a screening tool that estimates body fat relative to weight and height. In many cases, a high BMI corresponds with a high level of body fat, while a low BMI corresponds with a low level of body fat.

However, it is possible to present with a high BMI without high levels of body fat.

It is also possible to present with a low or normal BMI and have high levels of body fat.

Treat BMI as a screening tool, rather than a diagnostic tool, and consider following up with a DEXA measurement of body fat or similar, in addition to comprehensive blood panels, in order to confirm the presence or absence of any specific health condition.

Patient Perspectives: Dale’s Story.
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“I came to MM because my weight kept creeping up, even though I believed that I was exercising and eating well. The problem was that I had no accountability to myself.

I chose MM after trying an app system. I hated that the app wasn’t personal- it lacked any human interaction or trainer, so no one cared if I quit.

My biggest fear was that I would fail- yet again- at losing weight.

Worse, I was afraid that I would fail in front of someone else. I felt like there would be more shame and guilt in failing in front of another person, but I knew that I needed to try.

I really didn’t expect this process to click for me. Each day I would post my food to our shared log and Morgan would encourage me or add comments.

The initial adjustment was the hardest part. I felt deprived, and the only way that I got through it was with a lot of nutrition education, support, and accountability.

One of my first big obstacles was accepting that my pattern of sugary snacks and alcohol was sabotaging my success.

Each time I struggled, Morgan was there with questions and encouragement, which helped me learn more about myself and why I was sabotaging my goals.

Morgan taught me that hydration, basic nutrition, accountability, and a strict three meals a day schedule was the key to weight loss.

One of the things that has been most critical to my success is embracing this as a learning process, and truly treating the process like a classroom: I am the student, and I needed to learn what wasn’t working for me. I had to accept that my eating and drinking habits were the problem.

Then, I had to be motivated to change the quantity and quality of the foods that I was eating. It’s hard to stay motivated by yourself, and I had to accept that this wasn’t something that I couldn’t do alone.

It’s been really nice to receive validation and comments from other people, and I like that my old pants fit now.

I’m actually proud to tell people that I’m eating better, which is a good feeling.

If I was going to be successful, my attitude towards food and alcohol had to change: I had to learn to view food as nutrition for my body, and I’ve learned that I can occasionally eat some of the same meals as long as I practice portion control.

Alcohol in particular was a big factor, because I’ve always associated alcohol with fun. Through this process, I have had to learn how to have fun with or without alcohol.

One of my best decisions was to do dry January. That was tough on me, and I got some social pushback, but I’m glad that I did it because it helped me learn to manage my intake.

I still find myself thinking about ice cream and alcohol, and I still have my cupboard of emergency snacks. It would be a lie to say that the urges ever go away entirely.

Even though I still have cravings and probably always will, I have really embraced the idea that eating well is a positive thing. It’s not a punishment. This has been an empowering process, and as time has progressed, I have become excited about my ability to show up and be consistent.”