[robel12550]

(NOTICE: This is NOT in any way a "judgemental" message. It is based on what current American health care professionals have been talking about for the last several years. The writer can indeed talk because he is well within the "normal" range despite his embarking on a weight reduction program himself.)

There's a thing called "BMI" (Body Mass Index) which is the latest tool the health profession is using to calculate what your weight should be. Punching in a 45 yo male/220 lbs/5 ft 8 in, your BMI is 33.4 which is classifed as "Obese". The ranges for the index are:

Below 18.5 Underweight
18.5–24.9 Normal
25.0–29.9 Overweight
30.0 and Above Obese

(By the way, these calculators can be found by Googling or Yahooing "BMI". The CDC has one, which is where this infomation basically comes from.)

To get to the "Normal" range, you would need to lose 57 lbs to get to 163 lbs.

If you "feel" normal, then so be it, but effectively the health profession doesn't view your situation as normal and would advise on actions to circumvent the possibility of heart disease along with various other problems your physical state could put you at risk for. (Take into account the unmentioned possibility of either smoking or heavy alcohol or drug intake and matters could be viewed even worse.)

In a sense (and some consider a sad sense), you are "normal" since it's no secret that in America (and I don't know where the poster is from) has become a country of overweight citizens.

One thing I would like to quickly point out is that this measurement ideally should be taken when you are buck naked! If you have clothes on and another several pounds of junk in your pockets (like my wife always complains to be about), then the numbers can get skewed. Nevertheless, it wouldn't account for a 57 pound difference unless you got on the scale with your backpack loaded with laptop, bottled water, and several good books.

To put this in perspective, I'm now around 140 lbs at 5 ft 8 in. "I" don't feel "normal" because I know I have more stamina and pep when I'm weighing between 130 to 135 pounds. Yet I am classified as "normal". I went into an LA Weight Loss place and the lady behind the counter said I looked great and what the hell was I doing there. (They lost the deal on another issue, but I have started a modified SlimFast diet and have slowly lost around 7 to 10 pounds already with another 5 to 10 to go.)

Other people will see what they want to see. If they like you, you could be 300 pounds and it won't matter. If they don't, you could be 5 pounds over what would be classified as "normal" and they'd say you're not "HWP". As far as the party goes, ask them for an invite. An invite to a party doesn't automatically state you're going to have sex with everyone in attendance. Your personality and attitude might win over the couple folks who are borderline judgemental with regard to weight. The worst they could say is "No". They didn't kill you. If you decide that those are the type of people you want to be involved with, then you may need to do more to change your numbers.

On the other hand, personally for your own health, it would be advisable to contact a professional (doctor) to review your overall health status and determine whether a weight loss/toning regime is necessary. (From numbers alone, I wouldn't be the one to say one way or another.)

Best of luck to you!