# Body image frozen in time

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-image-frozen-in-time/620047>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [April 26, 2012, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-image-frozen-in-time/620047 "2012-04-26T19:22:24Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\
**Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-image-frozen-in-time/620047/21 "2012-04-27T03:03:10Z")

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> [@Figaro](#):
>
> I can sympathize. I am 6’ 3’’ and currently weigh about 190 lbs., but for most of my adult life I weighed in at about 155-160 lbs – light enough for my height that I used to get questions about anorexia.

You used to be exactly my type. 🙂

As for me, I’ve always been somewhat overweight, but my belly has only recently grown because I’m on insulin. When I catch a view of myself in a reflection, I’m surprised at my belly. Cannot get used to it (and trying damn hard to get rid of it, in spite of the insulin).

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**Author:** ![Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrogance_ex_machina/32/192_2.png) [@Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrogance_Ex_Machina)\
**Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-image-frozen-in-time/620047/22 "2012-04-27T03:19:09Z")

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> [@Loach](#):
>
> BMI is pretty useless except as a ballpark estimate. It only measures height and weight. It does not take into account anything else including muscle mass. A healthy reasonably athletic 6-3 should easily carry 190 lbs and more. Just lift something heavy now and then.

It is exactly as useful as looking at the weight and height and then proclaiming somebody “skinny” when in fact they are at the upper end of normal weight for people with average amount of muscles.

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**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\
**Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-image-frozen-in-time/620047/23 "2012-04-27T03:47:13Z")

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I have a mirror, and it is pretty convincing. Add to that, other peoples’ reactions in areas where age and attractiveness are a factor, and it’s hard to maintain illusions.

I used to feel taller, and I don’t know if that’s because I’ve lost about 1-1/2" from my max height, or if other people are taller.

I used to feel like I walked faster than anyone, that doesn’t seem to be the case any more. Maybe I’ve stayed the same and other people are walking faster than before.

Emotionally, I feel more mature, which I think is a good thing. But it took a lot longer than it probably should have to get there.  
Roddy

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