FIGHTING FAT: My Scales

I got on my scales this morning and was 16 pound lighter than a couple of days ago. 16 POUNDS! I was excited … for about 10 seconds. Then that little voice, you know the one, the killjoy voice said, “Your scales are broken, idiot.” So I got off and on 2 more times, because weighing yourself on a broken scales is so productive. I came up 8 pounds and then 11 pound lighter. The good news is all 3 are lower. The bad news is lower on a broken scale is pretty worthless.




I was at the doctor’s yesterday to discuss my high blood pressure. Their scales were the same as mine - 195. I am assuming my batteries are dead. Why would scales really need batteries? They didn’t use to have them. It’s just so the numbers light up. So I’m not only overweight, but the numbers that tell me light up, so I can’t miss it. Why is this a good thing?



There is good news from the doctor. I only shrank 1 inch, not 2. So I am 5’7”. This means if I have a small frame, I should weigh 123 to 136. For a medium frame, it’s 133 to 147 and a large frame is 143 to 163. So of course, the next question is, how do I determine what size frame I have?



Calculating Your Frame Size from http://www.healthchecksystems.com/heightweightchart.htm

The following is the method the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company uses to calculate frame size:

• Extend your arm in front of your body bending your elbow at a ninety-degree angle to your body so that your forearm is parallel to your body.
• Keep your fingers straight and turn the inside of your wrist towards your body.
• Place your thumb and index finger on the two prominent bones on either side of your elbow, then measure the distance between the bones with a tape measure or calipers.
• Compare to the chart below. The chart lists elbow measurements for a medium frame - if your elbow measurement for that particular height is less than the number of inches listed, you are a small frame - if your elbow measurement for that particular height is more than the number of inches listed, your are a large frame.

Elbow Measurements for Medium Frame  - MEN

• Height = 5'2" - 5'3"      Elbow = 2-1/2" to 2-7/8"
• Height = 5'4" - 5'7"      Elbow = 2-5/8" to 2-7/8"
• Height = 5'8" - 5'11"    Elbow = 2-3/4" to 3" 
• Height = 6'0" - 6'3"      Elbow = 2-3/4" to 3-1/8" 
• Height = 6'4"               Elbow = 2-7/8" to 3-1/4" 

Elbow Measurements for Medium Frame - WOMEN

• Height = 4'10"-4'11"      Elbow = 2-1/4" to 2-1/2"
• Height =  5'0" - 5'3"       Elbow = 2-1/4" to 2-1/2"
• Height =  5'4" - 5'7"       Elbow = 2-3/8" to 2-5/8"
• Height =  5/8" - 5'11"     Elbow =  2-3/8" to 2-5/8"
• Height =  6'0"                Elbow = 2-1/2" to 2-3/4"

My elbow comes out at 3 inches, so my target weight is between 143 to 163. If I take my weight as what it was 2 days ago, I have between 34 and 54 more pound to lose. THE HOME STRETCH!!!