I've read lots about this, but just hoping someone can give me a bit of guidance.
Now I'm applying for a residence Visa - back on 27th March, was all set for my medical the next day, and then to submit my application as soon as everything was back from there. Then I wondered whether I might face an issue and I saw the BMI/Waist thing. Being honest, I was BMI 37 and waist 42. I feel healthy (I run twice a week and play football), but in reality wasn't.
I postponed the medical for 3 weeks until a week today, and have worked incredibly hard in the gym and eaten very healthily, and my BMI today moved under the magic 35 (to 34.9). By the time of the medical it will be slightly less. I'm confident I'm healthy, but my waist doesn't appear to be moving much - I suspect it may still be slightly over 40".
Given my other health and lower BMI (plus the fact that my diet and work must have reduced cholestoral/blood pressure etc.), is likely I'll be OK? Or will the slight 0.3 of an inch I suspect I'll be over lead to instant referral.
Have handed my notice in at work so leave end of June. I know it's not realistic (albeit not impossible) to get the resident visa back by then, and I don't mind waiting another month or so (probably go and stay in Scotland for a bit), but I know if I'm referred I'll lost at least another 6 weeks/2 months, so desperate for it not to happen!
I'm not worried about a referral as my healthy eating/working out etc. will definitely lower my waist under 40" by any referral (my target BMI is under 30 at least), it's more the time.
Btw, I'd hope this may be of some use to someone with a higher BMI who is desparing about how to get it down without "crash diets", pills, fad diets, milkshakes etc.
I have done it by working out each day for 30mins (I use the treadwalker, makes you sweat but not as hard on your legs/knees as the treadmill and swim), and eating 5 small meals a day and drinking only Water - special K for breakfast, banana mid morning, sushi, apple for lunch, yoghurt mid afternoon and chicken/fish with spicy sauce (low fat ,low calorie) and nice steamed veg (babycorn, asparagus, nice brocolli) with Kiwi Fruit for dinner. If I can do it (worst will power ever), then anyone can!!
Any help would be useful.