How do I lose 5 pounds in 7 days?

[Maximus]

You wouldn't dare say that to my face.

[Grey Fox]

You wouldn't dare say that to my face.

That I'm bigger then your wife? I never thought anyone could consider that an insult.

[Maximus]

*sigh*

I was mocking your ad baculum while making a Paul Atreides reference.

[Grey Fox]

Ah. 

New answer : I would, I'll need a stool but I would!

[MadImmortalMan]

I am officially endorsing Syt's weight loss plan. 

[DGuller]

It's a really poor predictor when applied to the individual. It works for the insurance company because they are dealing with thousands of people. It sucks for the atypical individual because they are not.

So is every single other rating variable.

[Malthus]

It's a really poor predictor when applied to the individual. It works for the insurance company because they are dealing with thousands of people. It sucks for the atypical individual because they are not.

So is every single other rating variable.

Right, which is why if you want to be more fair to the individual, you need to collect lots of data. Which means having the insurer take a greater interest in your personal data, meaning more intrusion (and some higher costs).

Is the fairness worth it? Some people built like wrestlers will get a better deal it is true.

[merithyn]

You guys do understand that 90% of Meri's opposition to this is because the BMI is calling her obese? Is the BMI scale was more accurately designed it wouldn't do it & everything would be Super.

Since I completely disregard the BMI as being of any use on an individual basis, how can I give two fucks what it calls me? Given that I am likely more muscular than your little psuedo-French ass, I don't think you're really in a position to call me much of anything other than, "Ma'am". 










Said for the benefit of the show.

[MadImmortalMan]

If there is going to be a physical anyway, why not just have a rating the doctor can give that contains multiple predictors rather than just using one flawed number?

[merithyn]

It's a really poor predictor when applied to the individual. It works for the insurance company because they are dealing with thousands of people. It sucks for the atypical individual because they are not.

So is every single other rating variable.

Right, which is why if you want to be more fair to the individual, you need to collect lots of data. Which means having the insurer take a greater interest in your personal data, meaning more intrusion (and some higher costs).

Is the fairness worth it? Some people built like wrestlers will get a better worse deal it is true.

FYP since wrestlers are not likely to be in the "healthy" part of the BMI.

Actually, even using the old standard from the 1980s - don't remember what it was called, but the scale included height, weight, and body type - would be a HUGE step up from the BMI.

DGuller, you seem to be advocating to allow an imperfect measurement simply because, well, nothing's perfect. Just because nothing is perfect doesn't mean that there can't be a better means found. I'm advocating for that better means, not to disregard all data.

[merithyn]

If there is going to be a physical anyway, why not just have a rating the doctor can give that contains multiple predictors rather than just using one flawed number?

Exactly! I mean, my doctor has told me REPEATEDLY that I am to ignore the BMI, that it doesn't suit my body type, and that while I need to lose weight, I shouldn't try to lose as much as the silly chart suggests as it would be far too much for me. He looks at the complete picture, not a single number. ALL doctors should do that.

[DGuller]

DGuller, you seem to be advocating to allow an imperfect measurement simply because, well, nothing's perfect. Just because nothing is perfect doesn't mean that there can't be a better means found. I'm advocating for that better means, not to disregard all data.

I'm not advocating anything.  I'm just taking exception to calling something that's imperfect useless.  There is a world of difference between imperfect and useless, and lots of really stupid conclusions are being drawn when those two words are used interchangeably. 

Obviously something that's less imperfect is better than something that's more imperfect at predicting stuff, though as Malthus points out, other considerations need to be given weight as well.

[merithyn]

I'm not advocating anything.  I'm just taking exception to calling something that's imperfect useless.  There is a world of difference between imperfect and useless, and lots of really stupid conclusions are being drawn when those two words are used interchangeably. 

Obviously something that's less imperfect is better than something that's more imperfect at predicting stuff, though as Malthus points out, other considerations need to be given weight as well.

I believe that in this case - determining an individual's health - this means is, indeed, worthless for any number of individuals.

[Ed Anger]

Anybody said 'listen to your body' yet?

[Maximus]

No, no one but you is that witty or creative.