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By Paige Waehner, About.com Guide to Exercise since 2000

Vote in This Week's Poll: What's Your Weight?

Monday December 18, 2006
According to the National Institutes of Health, one third of Americans are overweight, one third are obese and less than half are at a healthy weight. Now, the NIH uses BMI as a tool to measure overweight and obesity and, as you probably know, BMI doesn't work for everyone...if you're very muscular, your BMI could be off the charts even though you're healthy and fit.

Not everyone uses scale weight to measure their progress (and if you're interested in other ways, check out 4 Ways to Track your Weight Loss Progress), but most of us at least have a general idea of our weight and when it goes up or down. So, where do you fall in the weight continuum? Are you in a healthy range, or could you stand to lose a few pounds? Vote in this week's poll and tell us about it.

Poll: What's your weight?

1. I'm at a healthy weight and I'm happy with it
2. My weight is healthy, but I wouldn't mind losing a few pounds
3. I'm 10-20 pounds overweight
4. I'm 20-50 pounds overweight
5. I'm more than 50 pounds overweight
6. I'm more than 100 pounds overweight
7. I don't know how much I weigh
8. Other - please explain in comments

View Results

Comments

December 18, 2006 at 11:15 am
(1) S. says:

I’ve gained 40lbs in the last year after being put on steriods for a chronic health condition. I’ve tried to lose weight while on them but it’s very difficult despite exercising & eating right.

December 18, 2006 at 12:46 pm
(2) Carole says:

I gained 50 pounds when I quit smoking almost 3 years ago and can not seem to lose the weight. I lost 20 pounds this year but am stuck for the last 2 months.

December 18, 2006 at 2:23 pm
(3) cola says:

i have gained 20 pounds in ther last 2 in a half years. i weigh 135 pounds but im a tall person in 5-7 but my weight is the reason why i weigh 135.

December 18, 2006 at 4:34 pm
(4) mz. jackson says:

when is there ever any info for us over thirty somethings that have recently gave bith, breastfed and can’t gain or keep any wieght on … would love to have the womanly hips and rear that so many women these days feel is a curse… i hate that my 17 yr old daughter has a more voluptuous curves than mom..help for wieght gain.

December 18, 2006 at 5:19 pm
(5) HEATHER says:

I NEVER REALLY EXERCISE EXCEPT SIT UPS AND SQUATS… IT WORKS GOOD BUT AM I STILL HEALTHY

December 18, 2006 at 6:34 pm
(6) brooke says:

Im really under wieght cuz im 5′2 and weigh 94

December 18, 2006 at 6:46 pm
(7) Paula says:

I am at healthy weight but could be more toned.

December 18, 2006 at 6:53 pm
(8) Charlie says:

I’m a fit and trim 6′, 210lbs. in other words in great shape.

December 19, 2006 at 1:06 am
(9) sandie says:

when 20yrs. old, was 215 lbs at 5′10″.
Didn’t want to end up like my mom who was a yo-yo dieter. It took me 1.5 years but was down to 150 lbs. I always watched the scale back then,and when it said 156 I would watch closely for a week or two and get rid of the extra weight immediatly! Now I’m 45 years old, and still 150! LOOSE SLOW

December 19, 2006 at 5:30 am
(10) sueznewme says:

I am just 1 pound over my goal weight and eager to get to goal. I feel so great living a healthier and more fit lifestyle.

December 19, 2006 at 12:24 pm
(11) Lisa says:

I’m 41 and feel like I’m stuck. At 5′9″ and 230,which I always hear “You don’t look it” I don’t want to claim this weight. I have long days so the only thing I have some discipline in is not eating after 8pm.

December 19, 2006 at 1:08 pm
(12) ray says:

im a lil over weight i have gained a lot since i quit smoknin and drinkin im 5′6 and 140lbs thas a lot but im workin on it!!

December 19, 2006 at 1:08 pm
(13) jason says:

i’m 6′5″ and weigh 285 lbs down from 350. i work out and do yoga to stay in some sort of shape. but i still drink to much beer to be ripped. but i’m pretty happy with who i am. but i’m still working on it.

December 19, 2006 at 6:49 pm
(14) jonathen says:

I’m 5′9″ and 148 lbs

December 20, 2006 at 10:18 am
(15) Ashley says:

I am actually underweight. I weigh 102.3 pounds and I am only 5′1″. My doctor thinks I should gain about 10 pounds.

December 20, 2006 at 10:22 am
(16) Jason says:

I’m 6′5 and back up to 290 from 268 but still down from 360. Feeling okay but not as good as I did when I was in the upper 260s. Hardest part is staying motivated to exercise

December 20, 2006 at 2:40 pm
(17) jennjenn says:

i have weighed the same for four years and evry one says i lokk great but they dont know what i look like under my clothes which hide the discussting truth i am a mess.

December 20, 2006 at 2:45 pm
(18) Karen says:

I am 5′5″, weigh 115 & am 55 years old. I walk 6 miles EVERY day and lift light weights 3 times a week. I feel great. I also keep a food journal which really helps not to over eat.

December 20, 2006 at 6:15 pm
(19) Mrs. Plummer says:

i have lost at least 30lbs in the last year. i wish i had my weight back i only weight 85lbs now!!!!

December 20, 2006 at 6:37 pm
(20) Emily says:

5′ 3.5″ 116lbs
I run, lift wights, tumble, and dance. I can’t say I am pleased as punch w/ my body, but I am healthy and I love the feeling of working out.

December 26, 2006 at 6:38 am
(21) sheryl says:

It’s not that I want to loose weight, I want to loose body fat -which I am having a heck of a time doing!!

December 28, 2006 at 10:25 pm
(22) mark says:

i am a student and very underweight. My body fat percentage is really low and i am just muscle mass. My problem is that i don’t have enough muscle and i would like to gain at least 15 pounds in muscle weight.

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