My Doctor Said My BMI Is 'Borderline' and I Got Defensive
Annual physical. Dr. Henderson. My GP since I moved to Denver. Straight shooter.
"Your BMI is 25.3. Technically overweight."
I lost it. "But I run! I eat vegetables! I built a whole website about this stuff!"
He just nodded. "BMI is a screening tool. Not a diagnosis. But pay attention."
Left annoyed. Felt judged. Like all my tracking, weigh-ins, salads — meaningless because one number crossed a line.
Then I actually looked at my data.
Six months. Trend down. Not dramatic. Consistent. 183 to 176. Seven pounds. While building this site, working crazy hours, dealing with life.
Dr. Henderson wasn't wrong. BMI 25.3 is real. But he wasn't saying I'm unhealthy. He was saying "pay attention." Which I already do. Probably more than most.
The problem? Emotional reaction to the number.
I built this tool to OWN my data. Understand trends instead of one yearly snapshot. My doctor sees me 20 minutes a year. I see my data weekly. I know more than he does.
But I still need him. Blood work. Things I can't track. Truth I don't want to hear.
Not mad anymore. BMI 25.3. Trending down. Waist 33. Blood pressure fine. Cholesterol fine. Running 5Ks.
Borderline. Fine. Better than perfect and miserable.
— Alex
P.S. Logged the visit weight: 176.4. New low. Felt good.
P.P.S. Doctor anxiety is real. You're not alone.