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  3. Body mass indexes (indices???): What a load of.... well, you know!

Body mass indexes (indices???): What a load of.... well, you know!

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  • E emartinho

    I've always thought that the common use of BMI for determining whether you're "normal" weight or not is a crock, but now I know it's true. In case you don't know, BMI "theory" states that if your height to weight BMI ratio is >=25 you're overweight, and if >= 30, you're obese. Today while reading an article on a hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs (will it be this year for poor Leaf fans to rejoice??? :) ), I noticed they listed his height and weight (6'-4", 243 lbs). I decided to plug this into a BMI calculator. Guess what? this guy is borderline obese! :wtf: :omg: :confused: So a career athlete, whose fitness level allows him to play and practise a high-intensity sport like ice hockey to a professional level, is actually a very high health risk?? Really? NOTE: Please, no comments on the Leafs talent, or lack of; this isn't a hockey rant. I'll save that for another post after season starts next week! ;P Just thought I'd share. Let the debate begin! :-D -EM

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    CalvinHobbies
    wrote on last edited by
    #8

    I agree on others, it's the substance. Keep in mind that BMI works when analysed by a Doctor, Neutcian, health practicianer.. Not by computer. Your arguement is valid IF we are just looking at the numbers only and not the over all. a computer would fail at this (unless they have ability to further analyse subject). I'm 6ft 1 and 230lbs (I've lost some pounds before I get teased), a shorter version of said hockey player in height and girth. I think one of us could run a block without passing out, and or left heavier style objects compared to the other.

    ///////////////// -Negative, I am a meat popsicle.

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    • E emartinho

      I've always thought that the common use of BMI for determining whether you're "normal" weight or not is a crock, but now I know it's true. In case you don't know, BMI "theory" states that if your height to weight BMI ratio is >=25 you're overweight, and if >= 30, you're obese. Today while reading an article on a hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs (will it be this year for poor Leaf fans to rejoice??? :) ), I noticed they listed his height and weight (6'-4", 243 lbs). I decided to plug this into a BMI calculator. Guess what? this guy is borderline obese! :wtf: :omg: :confused: So a career athlete, whose fitness level allows him to play and practise a high-intensity sport like ice hockey to a professional level, is actually a very high health risk?? Really? NOTE: Please, no comments on the Leafs talent, or lack of; this isn't a hockey rant. I'll save that for another post after season starts next week! ;P Just thought I'd share. Let the debate begin! :-D -EM

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      GuyThiebaut
      wrote on last edited by
      #9

      Have you ever seen what your typical cold-water long distance swimmer looks like? To most people's eyes they look overweight - yet they might be swimming for 14+hours in cold water --> now that is what I call that fit.

      Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential.(Winston Churchill)
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      • A Albert Holguin

        I agree... the BMI stuff puts me at the upper end of normal... yet, I'd say I'm thinner than most people my height... I run 8-10 miles once a week and work out up to 5 times per week, how the heck am I on the upper end of the scale? :doh:

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        S Houghtelin
        wrote on last edited by
        #10

        Albert Holguin wrote:

        how the heck am I on the upper end of the scale?

        That's because you're special Albert. :rolleyes: Embrace your specialness.

        It was broke, so I fixed it.

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        • E emartinho

          I've always thought that the common use of BMI for determining whether you're "normal" weight or not is a crock, but now I know it's true. In case you don't know, BMI "theory" states that if your height to weight BMI ratio is >=25 you're overweight, and if >= 30, you're obese. Today while reading an article on a hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs (will it be this year for poor Leaf fans to rejoice??? :) ), I noticed they listed his height and weight (6'-4", 243 lbs). I decided to plug this into a BMI calculator. Guess what? this guy is borderline obese! :wtf: :omg: :confused: So a career athlete, whose fitness level allows him to play and practise a high-intensity sport like ice hockey to a professional level, is actually a very high health risk?? Really? NOTE: Please, no comments on the Leafs talent, or lack of; this isn't a hockey rant. I'll save that for another post after season starts next week! ;P Just thought I'd share. Let the debate begin! :-D -EM

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          TheGreatAndPowerfulOz
          wrote on last edited by
          #11

          Taken alone, yeah, it's bollocks. BMI is a starting point, I'm 6'1" and weigh 210 lbs, so my BMI is just over 25. Which says I'm overweight, but if you were to meet me, that's not what you'd say. I think age is also a factor. I think the "tighten your abdomen and pinch your belly" measurement is probably a better indicator. If it's > 1" then you're probably overweight. The greater the "bulge" the more overweight. Again, age is a factor.

          If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." - John Quincy Adams
          You must accept one of two basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not alone in the universe. And either way, the implications are staggering” - Wernher von Braun

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          • Q QuiJohn

            Anything that goes purely on weight without taking fat vs. muscle into account has got to be largely meaningless. Isn't there some other method where you float in a tank to determine % fat? I'd expect that to contain more useful info.

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            Lost User
            wrote on last edited by
            #12

            I'm big boned :-D I know this because when I had to have a chest x-ray (pneumonia) the radiographer when the plate developed exclaimed "Holy shit, look at the size of those bones". Now according to BMI I am 6 to 7 stone overweight, I'm not going to try to claim that is all bone mass, I am not that delusional, but I am exceptionally broad shouldered, I am just big anyway, I'm fairly certain I would have to lose a leg to get down to my ideal BMI.

            Every man can tell how many goats or sheep he possesses, but not how many friends.

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            • E emartinho

              I've always thought that the common use of BMI for determining whether you're "normal" weight or not is a crock, but now I know it's true. In case you don't know, BMI "theory" states that if your height to weight BMI ratio is >=25 you're overweight, and if >= 30, you're obese. Today while reading an article on a hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs (will it be this year for poor Leaf fans to rejoice??? :) ), I noticed they listed his height and weight (6'-4", 243 lbs). I decided to plug this into a BMI calculator. Guess what? this guy is borderline obese! :wtf: :omg: :confused: So a career athlete, whose fitness level allows him to play and practise a high-intensity sport like ice hockey to a professional level, is actually a very high health risk?? Really? NOTE: Please, no comments on the Leafs talent, or lack of; this isn't a hockey rant. I'll save that for another post after season starts next week! ;P Just thought I'd share. Let the debate begin! :-D -EM

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              Lost User
              wrote on last edited by
              #13

              It's an indication - that can be wrong. I've been crossing the "extremely underweight / dead" line the past few years and I'm still here .. I think

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              • E emartinho

                I've always thought that the common use of BMI for determining whether you're "normal" weight or not is a crock, but now I know it's true. In case you don't know, BMI "theory" states that if your height to weight BMI ratio is >=25 you're overweight, and if >= 30, you're obese. Today while reading an article on a hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs (will it be this year for poor Leaf fans to rejoice??? :) ), I noticed they listed his height and weight (6'-4", 243 lbs). I decided to plug this into a BMI calculator. Guess what? this guy is borderline obese! :wtf: :omg: :confused: So a career athlete, whose fitness level allows him to play and practise a high-intensity sport like ice hockey to a professional level, is actually a very high health risk?? Really? NOTE: Please, no comments on the Leafs talent, or lack of; this isn't a hockey rant. I'll save that for another post after season starts next week! ;P Just thought I'd share. Let the debate begin! :-D -EM

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                Ennis Ray Lynch Jr
                wrote on last edited by
                #14

                Personally, I like the BMI as a fair indicator. Most people that are overweight or obese attack the BMI as inaccruate so I suggest to them the following test: If you can grab a big handful of fat anywhere on your body, the BMI is accurate for you. If you cannot, the BMI is not accurate. Too many people are overweight and claim to be normal and way to many people are obese and claim to be normal. BMI is an average indicator for average people, not outliers.

                Need custom software developed? I do custom programming based primarily on MS tools with an emphasis on C# development and consulting. I also do Android Programming as I find it a refreshing break from the MS. "And they, since they Were not the one dead, turned to their affairs" -- Robert Frost

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                • E emartinho

                  I've always thought that the common use of BMI for determining whether you're "normal" weight or not is a crock, but now I know it's true. In case you don't know, BMI "theory" states that if your height to weight BMI ratio is >=25 you're overweight, and if >= 30, you're obese. Today while reading an article on a hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs (will it be this year for poor Leaf fans to rejoice??? :) ), I noticed they listed his height and weight (6'-4", 243 lbs). I decided to plug this into a BMI calculator. Guess what? this guy is borderline obese! :wtf: :omg: :confused: So a career athlete, whose fitness level allows him to play and practise a high-intensity sport like ice hockey to a professional level, is actually a very high health risk?? Really? NOTE: Please, no comments on the Leafs talent, or lack of; this isn't a hockey rant. I'll save that for another post after season starts next week! ;P Just thought I'd share. Let the debate begin! :-D -EM

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                  Gregory Gadow
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #15

                  BMI is meant for average people: athletes are not average. As a tool, the body-mass index shows a direct correlation to a number of health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardio-vascular disease and hypertension. You cannot dismiss the norm based on a few outlyers.

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                  • E emartinho

                    I've always thought that the common use of BMI for determining whether you're "normal" weight or not is a crock, but now I know it's true. In case you don't know, BMI "theory" states that if your height to weight BMI ratio is >=25 you're overweight, and if >= 30, you're obese. Today while reading an article on a hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs (will it be this year for poor Leaf fans to rejoice??? :) ), I noticed they listed his height and weight (6'-4", 243 lbs). I decided to plug this into a BMI calculator. Guess what? this guy is borderline obese! :wtf: :omg: :confused: So a career athlete, whose fitness level allows him to play and practise a high-intensity sport like ice hockey to a professional level, is actually a very high health risk?? Really? NOTE: Please, no comments on the Leafs talent, or lack of; this isn't a hockey rant. I'll save that for another post after season starts next week! ;P Just thought I'd share. Let the debate begin! :-D -EM

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                    Xiangyang Liu
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #16

                    emartinho wrote:

                    So a career athlete, whose fitness level allows him to play and practise a high-intensity sport ...

                    Have you seen a sumo wrestler? :-D

                    My Younger Son & His "PET"

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                    • E emartinho

                      I've always thought that the common use of BMI for determining whether you're "normal" weight or not is a crock, but now I know it's true. In case you don't know, BMI "theory" states that if your height to weight BMI ratio is >=25 you're overweight, and if >= 30, you're obese. Today while reading an article on a hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs (will it be this year for poor Leaf fans to rejoice??? :) ), I noticed they listed his height and weight (6'-4", 243 lbs). I decided to plug this into a BMI calculator. Guess what? this guy is borderline obese! :wtf: :omg: :confused: So a career athlete, whose fitness level allows him to play and practise a high-intensity sport like ice hockey to a professional level, is actually a very high health risk?? Really? NOTE: Please, no comments on the Leafs talent, or lack of; this isn't a hockey rant. I'll save that for another post after season starts next week! ;P Just thought I'd share. Let the debate begin! :-D -EM

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                      Maximilien
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #17

                      Do not compare athletes with "regular" people when talking about "health" (and BMI).

                      Watched code never compiles.

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                      • M Maximilien

                        Do not compare athletes with "regular" people when talking about "health" (and BMI).

                        Watched code never compiles.

                        X Offline
                        X Offline
                        Xiangyang Liu
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #18

                        Yeah, especially when the athletes are in sumo or gymnastics.

                        My Younger Son & His "PET"

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                        • E emartinho

                          I've always thought that the common use of BMI for determining whether you're "normal" weight or not is a crock, but now I know it's true. In case you don't know, BMI "theory" states that if your height to weight BMI ratio is >=25 you're overweight, and if >= 30, you're obese. Today while reading an article on a hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs (will it be this year for poor Leaf fans to rejoice??? :) ), I noticed they listed his height and weight (6'-4", 243 lbs). I decided to plug this into a BMI calculator. Guess what? this guy is borderline obese! :wtf: :omg: :confused: So a career athlete, whose fitness level allows him to play and practise a high-intensity sport like ice hockey to a professional level, is actually a very high health risk?? Really? NOTE: Please, no comments on the Leafs talent, or lack of; this isn't a hockey rant. I'll save that for another post after season starts next week! ;P Just thought I'd share. Let the debate begin! :-D -EM

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                          Nathan D Cook
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #19

                          What about NFL Lineman? I realize some guys are plain just fat, but there are many more who are big and strong dudes but would be considered "unhealthy" by BMI standards. I don't really remember the categories/numbers of BMI, but my first "UGH" at BMI was when I was in high school. I was having basketball practice for 2.5 hours every day. I was 6'1" and probably about 150-160 lbs...and I was considered overweight. I was fairly skinny too. I was seriously like "Ok, this BMI thing is stupid." LOL.

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                          • N Nathan D Cook

                            What about NFL Lineman? I realize some guys are plain just fat, but there are many more who are big and strong dudes but would be considered "unhealthy" by BMI standards. I don't really remember the categories/numbers of BMI, but my first "UGH" at BMI was when I was in high school. I was having basketball practice for 2.5 hours every day. I was 6'1" and probably about 150-160 lbs...and I was considered overweight. I was fairly skinny too. I was seriously like "Ok, this BMI thing is stupid." LOL.

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                            Rajesh R Subramanian
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #20

                            5'9" and 185 lbs. I do plenty of physical workout and I'm healthy. But the BMI and other nonsense calculating machine in our gym tells me that I'm obese. But like a few people pointed out here, this calculation does not apply well to athletes and physical fitness freaks. :) However, I think it's usually a fairly decent indicator of fat level to normal people.

                            "Real men drive manual transmission" - Rajesh.

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                            • E emartinho

                              I've always thought that the common use of BMI for determining whether you're "normal" weight or not is a crock, but now I know it's true. In case you don't know, BMI "theory" states that if your height to weight BMI ratio is >=25 you're overweight, and if >= 30, you're obese. Today while reading an article on a hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs (will it be this year for poor Leaf fans to rejoice??? :) ), I noticed they listed his height and weight (6'-4", 243 lbs). I decided to plug this into a BMI calculator. Guess what? this guy is borderline obese! :wtf: :omg: :confused: So a career athlete, whose fitness level allows him to play and practise a high-intensity sport like ice hockey to a professional level, is actually a very high health risk?? Really? NOTE: Please, no comments on the Leafs talent, or lack of; this isn't a hockey rant. I'll save that for another post after season starts next week! ;P Just thought I'd share. Let the debate begin! :-D -EM

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                              DanHodgson88
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #21

                              I have done a bit of research into this and made a website for weight loss with an application in the process. BMI is useful but very limit as others have said it doesn't take into account enough information you need to know about fat %, muscle density, bone density etc. There is a reasonably easy formula to work out a "good" body fat % and it is used by the u.s. navy so it's got to be quite accurate! body fat calculator formula for man: 495/(1.0324-0.19077(LOG(waist-neck))+0.15456(LOG(height)))-450 body fat calculator formula for woman: 495/(1.29579-0.35004(LOG(waist+hip-neck))+0.22100(LOG(height)))-450 I have posted that for you for your information, also you need to take into account your BMR and ideal weight. This is not a plug I am just very interested in weight related problems, I have a close friend who is in a seriously bad state of health and needed the help so I made him a website and now I am letting others use it. www.caloriecounteruk.co.uk obviously look at it if you would like to use the calculators, it saves messing around with formulas like the above! Dan

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                              • D DanHodgson88

                                I have done a bit of research into this and made a website for weight loss with an application in the process. BMI is useful but very limit as others have said it doesn't take into account enough information you need to know about fat %, muscle density, bone density etc. There is a reasonably easy formula to work out a "good" body fat % and it is used by the u.s. navy so it's got to be quite accurate! body fat calculator formula for man: 495/(1.0324-0.19077(LOG(waist-neck))+0.15456(LOG(height)))-450 body fat calculator formula for woman: 495/(1.29579-0.35004(LOG(waist+hip-neck))+0.22100(LOG(height)))-450 I have posted that for you for your information, also you need to take into account your BMR and ideal weight. This is not a plug I am just very interested in weight related problems, I have a close friend who is in a seriously bad state of health and needed the help so I made him a website and now I am letting others use it. www.caloriecounteruk.co.uk obviously look at it if you would like to use the calculators, it saves messing around with formulas like the above! Dan

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                                C Offline
                                Chris Meech
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #22

                                Interesting site. I'll be doing some reading there from home, over the weekend. Thanks. :)

                                Chris Meech I am Canadian. [heard in a local bar] In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is. [Yogi Berra] posting about Crystal Reports here is like discussing gay marriage on a catholic church’s website.[Nishant Sivakumar]

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                                • E emartinho

                                  I've always thought that the common use of BMI for determining whether you're "normal" weight or not is a crock, but now I know it's true. In case you don't know, BMI "theory" states that if your height to weight BMI ratio is >=25 you're overweight, and if >= 30, you're obese. Today while reading an article on a hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs (will it be this year for poor Leaf fans to rejoice??? :) ), I noticed they listed his height and weight (6'-4", 243 lbs). I decided to plug this into a BMI calculator. Guess what? this guy is borderline obese! :wtf: :omg: :confused: So a career athlete, whose fitness level allows him to play and practise a high-intensity sport like ice hockey to a professional level, is actually a very high health risk?? Really? NOTE: Please, no comments on the Leafs talent, or lack of; this isn't a hockey rant. I'll save that for another post after season starts next week! ;P Just thought I'd share. Let the debate begin! :-D -EM

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                                  D Offline
                                  daniilzol
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #23

                                  BMI measures body mass, it's what it stands for. Despite common misconception it does not really measure fitness level. It measures how overweight you are, and as such it's a good indicator to predict a chance of various weight related deceases. Even if all that weight is in muscle, the heart still needs to work harder to pump blood through the system, so the person is at elevated risk. That's not to say there is no benefit to exercise, someone who weightlifts regularly and weighs 240# is in a better position than someone who is 240# and just fat, however an athletic person of a more reasonable weight, say 160-190# will have the least cardiovascular risk of all three. Furthermore, even if BMI is not a true measure of fitness, it can be used to predict fitness level of an average person. Extreme athletes and dystrophics are not the norm, they are outliers. The norm, or 90% of people do not exercise, so when they gain weight most of it goes into fat and not the muscle. So one can easily predict fitness level based on BMI with 90% success. So in spite of all the bad rep that BMI gets, it is a very good tool. You just need to understand its uses and limitations. P.S. I wanted to write more on the topic, but it won't win me any sympathy, so I'll just say I find it really sad, disturbing, and dangerous that being overweight is becoming more and more socially acceptable in the United States. IMO it should be shunned the same way as smoking cigarettes. Both are a huge risk to the health and a major contributor to health care costs.

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                                  • E emartinho

                                    I've always thought that the common use of BMI for determining whether you're "normal" weight or not is a crock, but now I know it's true. In case you don't know, BMI "theory" states that if your height to weight BMI ratio is >=25 you're overweight, and if >= 30, you're obese. Today while reading an article on a hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs (will it be this year for poor Leaf fans to rejoice??? :) ), I noticed they listed his height and weight (6'-4", 243 lbs). I decided to plug this into a BMI calculator. Guess what? this guy is borderline obese! :wtf: :omg: :confused: So a career athlete, whose fitness level allows him to play and practise a high-intensity sport like ice hockey to a professional level, is actually a very high health risk?? Really? NOTE: Please, no comments on the Leafs talent, or lack of; this isn't a hockey rant. I'll save that for another post after season starts next week! ;P Just thought I'd share. Let the debate begin! :-D -EM

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                                    David Crow
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #24

                                    The folks that created the BMI have stated many times, thus it's no surprise, that it does not take several things into account such as body type and build. It's merely one tool out of many.

                                    "One man's wage rise is another man's price increase." - Harold Wilson

                                    "Fireproof doesn't mean the fire will never come. It means when the fire comes that you will be able to withstand it." - Michael Simmons

                                    "Show me a community that obeys the Ten Commandments and I'll show you a less crowded prison system." - Anonymous

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                                    • C Chris Meech

                                      Interesting site. I'll be doing some reading there from home, over the weekend. Thanks. :)

                                      Chris Meech I am Canadian. [heard in a local bar] In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is. [Yogi Berra] posting about Crystal Reports here is like discussing gay marriage on a catholic church’s website.[Nishant Sivakumar]

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                                      D Offline
                                      DanHodgson88
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #25

                                      Awsome :-), also any input you have would be much appreciated i have pretty much designed it myself so its all researched and built by me. A critical eye is always welcome!

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                                      • S S Houghtelin

                                        Albert Holguin wrote:

                                        how the heck am I on the upper end of the scale?

                                        That's because you're special Albert. :rolleyes: Embrace your specialness.

                                        It was broke, so I fixed it.

                                        A Offline
                                        A Offline
                                        Albert Holguin
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #26

                                        :laugh:

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                                        • D DanHodgson88

                                          Awsome :-), also any input you have would be much appreciated i have pretty much designed it myself so its all researched and built by me. A critical eye is always welcome!

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                                          E Offline
                                          emartinho
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #27

                                          BOOO!!!! Self-promotion in the Lounge! BOOOOO!!!! And to think I gave your previous post a +5 for being the most useful reply to my post! BOOOOO I say, BOOOOOO!!! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: -EM

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