Weight is a tricky thing. When you lose weight it's not always taken from the exact places you were hoping it would disappear from. When you gain weight your skin stretches and then when the weight is gone you are left with saggy bits. More frustrating, your face may look hollow and older while you may still have a bit of a muffin top or saddlebag. Not fair!
I mentioned underweight above. Before writing this post I made sure that I did my homework. According to Rush University Hospital (very reputable in Chicago) they say that a woman of 5'4" (Rachel's height) should weight between 108-132. And when I calculated her BMI @ 105 lbs she scored an 18. An underweight BMI is considered 18.5 and lower. America is right to be worried over the celebration of a woman who is technically malnourished.
All this said, we know it's going to be near impossible for her to maintain. She's been in an unrealistic situation with round the clock trainers, chefs providing her healthy foods, and not having to work or take care of any dependents. My hope for Rachel is that she doesn't swing back too far. The media has always chronicled show contestants, celebrities and regular folks who are constantly on the swing. The trick will be to never swing more than 5-15 lbs. Can she do it? I don't know.
In analyzing my own size, I did the math. At 111 I am within normal weight range (104-127) with a BMI of 19.7 also within the normal range (18.5-24.9). From an outsiders perspective I'm small. From my perspective I'm a bit too soft around the middle for my liking. I have a trip to Miami in a month and I'd like to lose 5 lbs. That would make we 106 and put me at the bottom of the normal range. Does that make me as crazy as the biggest loser? Hard to say since I'll be losing 5 lbs not 155 lbs. It's just a fact that I look better in a swim suit at 106 than 111. And if you are wondering the weight loss is always achieved with a balance of healthy eating and workouts. Starving myself and not enjoying food in not in my playbook.
Rachel is just human. Although the country has it right that she is underweight, she's just a gal trying to be healthy the best way she can. I hope for her that she gains a few pounds and that she has a strong support system to help her stay within the normal range. If anyone in the media every reads this, please be kind to her.
