Wellness Consultant, Momin H Ron talks about the adverse effects of the BMW Triangle
You are working out and maintaining a balanced diet but somehow you fall into a trap I’d like to call the BMW Triangle which is a triangular frame which fixates on the BMI, Measurement Tape and Weight Machine. Once you fall into this vicious trap, getting out of this framework becomes even more difficult
BMI
The BMI is defined as the body mass divided by the square of the body height and is universally expressed in units of kg/m2, resulting from the mass in kilogram and height in meter. Throughout the years, nutritionists and fitness experts have been relying on BMI to examine one’s physical condition.
Muscle weighs more than fat (it is denser; a cubic inch of muscle weighs more than a cubic inch of fat). Therefore, BMI will inevitably classify athletically built people as fatter than they really are.
A 6ft-tall Olympic 100-meter sprinter weighing 90kg (200lbs) may have the same BMI (26) as a couch potato of the same height and weight. A BMI calculation would deduce both of them as being overweight. The calculation is perhaps correct for the sedentary couch potato, but definitely not for the athlete.
A BMI calculation would deduce both of them as being overweight. The calculation is perhaps correct for the sedentary couch potato, but definitely not for the athlete
Measurement Tape
Using a measuring tape is great when you’re calculating body fat percentages and keeping track of your changing body shape as you get fit. When you burn fat and increase muscle mass, there may be times when you weigh a little more despite the fact that your body is getting smaller and tighter.
To get a complete picture of your progress when taking body measurements, measure yourself in 10 different places. Otherwise, for a quick approach, simply measure the chest, waist and hips, including either lower or upper body – depending on your problem areas (e.g. thighs, arms).
But the setback is that you can’t perfectly measure your own body and will need the help of another person. This process will take around 10 minutes to complete, and chances of human error are higher. Lastly, if you want to keep track of your progress, you have to calculate it manually.
Weight Machine
This is the most commonly used method to track progress. Simple and easy; step up on the scale and know your body weight. You can check whether your diet and workouts are progressing or not. But what if I tell you that it can’t give you the full picture?
Suppose you want to lose weight. After a few weeks, you measure yourself and find out that you have gained 2 kgs. The results might disappoint you, however, that might not be the real picture. You might have gained 2 kgs but you don’t know if this gain will benefit you or not? It is possible to gain lean mass and lose fat mass along with body fat percentage. So, don’t just bank on the weight scale to give you all the answers.
Do remember that there’s a world outside the BMW triangle and it’s time to explore other options to get your accurate measurement and track your progress. You can try InBody (body composition analyzer) to measure your body component. Or you can try latest technology, Fit3D ProScanner (3D Body Assessment Scanner) to track, measure & compare your body in 3D though online platform.