In this powerful episode of Her Best SELF podcast, we dismantle the widely misused BMI scale and reveal why this outdated measurement has no place in your recovery journey. Learn the problematic origins of BMI, the scientific evidence against its validity, and discover more meaningful ways to understand health and healing while navigating eating disorder recovery.
What You'll Learn:
- The surprising origin story of BMI (it wasn't created by health professionals!)
- Scientific studies proving BMI is an inaccurate measure of individual health
- Why BMI disproportionately harms certain populations and body types
- Better alternatives for understanding your body's health during recovery
- Practical tips for responding when healthcare providers focus on BMI
- How releasing attachment to numbers supports lasting recovery
Research Mentioned:
- International Journal of Obesity study on metabolic health markers
- Journal of the American Medical Association research on BMI and mortality rates
- University of Pennsylvania research on ethnic differences in body composition
Quotes from the Episode: "Your body is not a math problem to be solved. Your worth is not determined by where you fall on a chart created for 19th-century population statistics."
"True health is about how your body functions, not how you measure against an arbitrary mathematical formula."
Recovery Action Step: The next time someone tries to reduce your health to a BMI number, remember the science backing why this measurement is fundamentally flawed. Practice responding with confidence about your commitment to more meaningful health markers in your recovery.
I hope you enjoy today's show!
xo,
lindsey
Find All the Things -＞ wwww.herbestself.co
______
Coach with Me -＞Client Application
______
Email me directly -> info@lindseynichol.com
______
Join the free FB community -> www.herbestselfsociety.com
______ Need a helping hand guiding you girl!? You don’t have to do this alone! Step 1: Go all IN! Decide to commit to yourself & your future! Do it scared girlfriend. Just do it!
Step 2: Apply for limited 1:1 & let’s work together -> Client Application
Step 3: Leverage the FB community for support & stay tuned for all the resources up & coming to help serve you! YOU TOTALLY GOT THIS!
* While I am a certified health coach, anorexia survivor & eating disorder recovery coach, I do not intend the use of this message to serve as medical advice. Please refer to the disclaimer here in the show & be sure to contact a licensed clinical provider if you are
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Ridiculous History
History is beautiful, brutal and, often, ridiculous. Join Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown as they dive into some of the weirdest stories from across the span of human civilization in Ridiculous History, a podcast by iHeartRadio.