Opinion on "set points", "big boned" and body size
torytrom
Posts: 6 Member
Hi!
I'm a 20 year old girl who (since I was 17) have lost about 34 lbs. In the process, I have run a half-marathon, experimented with lifting heavy, and adopted a vegan diet (going on a year and a half!) I feel better than I ever have, and generally view myself as a very healthy person.
However, I am still hovering in the "heavier" end of the BMI chart (even though I know it is irrelevant sometimes). I am 5'5 and 140 lbs, with a pretty muscular build. I would like to lose 10-15 lbs to be at an ideal weight for my life. I'm having such a hard time getting there though!
I have started tracking my eating and have eliminated snacking (just for two weeks so far) and I have dropped 5 stubborn pounds (145 to 140). However, I am confused about what to do now.
What is your opinion on my ability to reach 125-130 lbs? Is it achievable for everyone with accurate calorie counting and hard work? Or are some of us just doomed to be slightly heavier than others?
Thank you
I'm a 20 year old girl who (since I was 17) have lost about 34 lbs. In the process, I have run a half-marathon, experimented with lifting heavy, and adopted a vegan diet (going on a year and a half!) I feel better than I ever have, and generally view myself as a very healthy person.
However, I am still hovering in the "heavier" end of the BMI chart (even though I know it is irrelevant sometimes). I am 5'5 and 140 lbs, with a pretty muscular build. I would like to lose 10-15 lbs to be at an ideal weight for my life. I'm having such a hard time getting there though!
I have started tracking my eating and have eliminated snacking (just for two weeks so far) and I have dropped 5 stubborn pounds (145 to 140). However, I am confused about what to do now.
What is your opinion on my ability to reach 125-130 lbs? Is it achievable for everyone with accurate calorie counting and hard work? Or are some of us just doomed to be slightly heavier than others?
Thank you
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Replies
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Why does it have to be that number on the scale?
I just posted this in another thread, but I think it fits in here as well:
oh and:
***This isn't me. I just stumbled across it after searching " throw out the scale ". ***0 -
You can reach any weight you want to (within reason) with enough knowledge, discipline, and time.
How difficult it is for you to get there, and how easy it is to maintain is highly dependent on genetics.0 -
If you are muscular you will naturally weigh more than someone who is not. Same as having a large skeletal frame over someone with a small one.
Do you like the way you look? You sound like you do. Do you want to change your body composition or the way your muscles look ...
If so what difference does the number on the scale make?
I suppose I'm wondering if you are talking about dropping body fat% or just the number you weigh0 -
Depends. What is your body fat percentage?
I have a large frame. I'll always be on the high end of "healthy".0 -
I totally agree with Chief_Rocka. I am 5'6. I originally wanted to get to 135, but when I got there, I wanted to continue. It has taken a long time, but I finally made it to 120 (and not with that much discipline. lol). I dont mind getting down to 115 without trying. I like being slender. But I am very muscular (ignore those silly pics about fat and muscle; I call bs on the muscular weighing more). I don't believe in big-boned, etc.0
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I agree why does it have to be a number on the scale? I am 5'5 also and my goal is to weigh 145. I have played sports my entire life though and always weigh more than anyone thinks. To me it's more about knowing what my number should be not what a cookie cutter "range" says it should be. Just something to think about. 0
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What is your opinion on my ability to reach 125-130 lbs? Is it achievable for everyone with accurate calorie counting and hard work? Or are some of us just doomed to be slightly heavier than others?
I do think we naturally come in different shapes and sizes, so it takes some patience and self-compassion to figure out what size and shape is right for you. If your goal is unrealistic for you then you will either be continually dissatisfied or you will need to take drastic measures that can really impair the quality of your life. Is that worth it to you? Think about the impact over the course of your life? Do you want to be the grandma some day who still worries she is 10 lbs over some arbitrary ideal?
Keep eating healthfully and investing in physical activity that you love. You may stay about the same size you are now or you may go down a bit.
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shadow2soul wrote: »
I may never look at my butt the same again!0 -
Why do you want to be 125-130? Is it because you just want to be in the middle to lower end of the BMI range?
If so, I think you should keep in mind that the normal BMI range is basically a range of weight where, all else equal, an average person would be assumed to not have an excessive body fat percentage. If you know you have a muscular build, I see no reason to worry about being in the higher part of what is the normal range. You are what the higher ranges would be for. Indeed, even people who measure "overweight" could be fine if you look at BF%, and plenty of others may have lower BMIs but higher BF%. So if I were you I'd ignore the scale weight other than to compare yourself with yourself, and keep doing what you are doing with respect to pursuing fitness.0 -
Thank you for the wonderful replies, everyone 0
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I agree, focus on body fat % instead of the number on the scale. It makes for a much happier life.0
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I totally agree with Chief_Rocka. I am 5'6. I originally wanted to get to 135, but when I got there, I wanted to continue. It has taken a long time, but I finally made it to 120 (and not with that much discipline. lol). I dont mind getting down to 115 without trying. I like being slender. But I am very muscular (ignore those silly pics about fat and muscle; I call bs on the muscular weighing more). I don't believe in big-boned, etc.
Congrats on your loss, but muscle is denser than fat, that's simply a fact. Someone with the exact same weight but lower body fat % will be thinner. You probably just can see the muscles you always had now whereas before they had more fat on top which masked them.
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I totally agree with Chief_Rocka. I am 5'6. I originally wanted to get to 135, but when I got there, I wanted to continue. It has taken a long time, but I finally made it to 120 (and not with that much discipline. lol). I dont mind getting down to 115 without trying. I like being slender. But I am very muscular (ignore those silly pics about fat and muscle; I call bs on the muscular weighing more). I don't believe in big-boned, etc.
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There is such thing as big boned, as we all have different body frames. I have a medium/large frame (my waist is never going smaller than 28 inches, I think), so I don't think I could really go down to 120 pounds though (I'm 5'5") without looking way too skinny... while some women my height rock the 115 pounds look.0
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I totally agree with Chief_Rocka. I am 5'6. I originally wanted to get to 135, but when I got there, I wanted to continue. It has taken a long time, but I finally made it to 120 (and not with that much discipline. lol). I dont mind getting down to 115 without trying. I like being slender. But I am very muscular (ignore those silly pics about fat and muscle; I call bs on the muscular weighing more). I don't believe in big-boned, etc.
Seriously. A lb of muscle weighs the same as a lb of fat. They both weigh a lb. Sick of that crap answer about muscle weighing more than fat. At 120, I am ripped almost everywhere (still working on 1 trouble area). Why do I have to weigh more because I'm muscular?
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I totally agree with Chief_Rocka. I am 5'6. I originally wanted to get to 135, but when I got there, I wanted to continue. It has taken a long time, but I finally made it to 120 (and not with that much discipline. lol). I dont mind getting down to 115 without trying. I like being slender. But I am very muscular (ignore those silly pics about fat and muscle; I call bs on the muscular weighing more). I don't believe in big-boned, etc.
Seriously. A lb of muscle weighs the same as a lb of fat. They both weigh a lb. Sick of that crap answer about muscle weighing more than fat. At 120, I am ripped almost everywhere (still working on 1 trouble area). Why do I have to weigh more because I'm muscular?
Muscle is more dense than fat, therefore, that same pound of muscle is going to be a lot smaller in size.
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Seriously. A lb of muscle weighs the same as a lb of fat. They both weigh a lb. Sick of that crap answer about muscle weighing more than fat. At 120, I am ripped almost everywhere (still working on 1 trouble area). Why do I have to weigh more because I'm muscular?
The same volume of muscle weighs more than fat. Like the way a styrofoam cup weighs less than a glass cup that is exactly the same size. Be sick of it all you want but it's the nature of things.
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I totally agree with Chief_Rocka. I am 5'6. I originally wanted to get to 135, but when I got there, I wanted to continue. It has taken a long time, but I finally made it to 120 (and not with that much discipline. lol). I dont mind getting down to 115 without trying. I like being slender. But I am very muscular (ignore those silly pics about fat and muscle; I call bs on the muscular weighing more). I don't believe in big-boned, etc.
Seriously. A lb of muscle weighs the same as a lb of fat. They both weigh a lb. Sick of that crap answer about muscle weighing more than fat. At 120, I am ripped almost everywhere (still working on 1 trouble area). Why do I have to weigh more because I'm muscular?
First of all, you're misconceiving the misconception. Muscle is more dense than fat (a misconception of muscle weighing more than fat), which is true so I don't see how that is a "crap answer"
Second, you're seeing yourself more "ripped" because your you lost fat and your muscles became more visible. You didn't GAIN more muscle going from 135 to 120.0
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Seriously. A lb of muscle weighs the same as a lb of fat. They both weigh a lb. Sick of that crap answer about muscle weighing more than fat. At 120, I am ripped almost everywhere (still working on 1 trouble area). Why do I have to weigh more because I'm muscular?
A pound of feathers weigh the same as a pound of lead. Would you say that feathers weigh the same as lead?
And FYI, just because you are ripped does not mean that you are muscular. It means that you are lean.
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disasterman wrote: »Seriously. A lb of muscle weighs the same as a lb of fat. They both weigh a lb. Sick of that crap answer about muscle weighing more than fat. At 120, I am ripped almost everywhere (still working on 1 trouble area). Why do I have to weigh more because I'm muscular?
The same volume of muscle weighs more than fat. Like the way a styrofoam cup weighs less than a glass cup that is exactly the same size. Be sick of it all you want but it's the nature of things.
That is different from saying 1 lb of muscle weighs more than 1 lb of fat, which is what people say all the time who don't know the difference. The styrofoam cup does not weigh the same as the glass. Very different argument.0 -
I agree why does it have to be a number on the scale? I am 5'5 also and my goal is to weigh 145. I have played sports my entire life though and always weigh more than anyone thinks. To me it's more about knowing what my number should be not what a cookie cutter "range" says it should be. Just something to think about.
This.
I don't know about 'big boned', but 'well-muscled' is definitely a thing. Focus on looking and feeling how you want to look and feel and throw the scale out the window. I use weight to chart progress because I am weak and toneless. You are strong and toned and therefore don't have to
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OP, 125-130 is probably achievable for you, but that doesn't mean anything. I'm 125 now and have been as low as 112, but it was not a good look for me. Forget about the scale number -- what do you want to look like, and what do you want your body to be able to do?0
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disasterman wrote: »Seriously. A lb of muscle weighs the same as a lb of fat. They both weigh a lb. Sick of that crap answer about muscle weighing more than fat. At 120, I am ripped almost everywhere (still working on 1 trouble area). Why do I have to weigh more because I'm muscular?
The same volume of muscle weighs more than fat. Like the way a styrofoam cup weighs less than a glass cup that is exactly the same size. Be sick of it all you want but it's the nature of things.
I think people get this--but get hung up on the muscle weighs more than fat (when comparing 5 lbs fat to 5 lbs muscle). Muscle is more dense, so 5 lbs of fat is BIGGER in SIZE than 5 lbs of muscle because muscle is heavier per cubic centimeter than fat.
Now sitting back to hear all the arguments about this.0 -
Seriously. A lb of muscle weighs the same as a lb of fat. They both weigh a lb. Sick of that crap answer about muscle weighing more than fat. At 120, I am ripped almost everywhere (still working on 1 trouble area). Why do I have to weigh more because I'm muscular?
A pound of feathers weigh the same as a pound of lead. Would you say that feathers weigh the same as lead?
And FYI, just because you are ripped does not mean that you are muscular. It means that you are lean.
A lb is a lb is a lb. Some people really need to understand what they are arguing and be more precise in their speech.
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BMI isn't a good measure for individuals per se. it's for populations. throw that idea out to figure out your "ideal weight" with the BMI. there are better individualized measures that can be used as a help. Just not the BMI0
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disasterman wrote: »Seriously. A lb of muscle weighs the same as a lb of fat. They both weigh a lb. Sick of that crap answer about muscle weighing more than fat. At 120, I am ripped almost everywhere (still working on 1 trouble area). Why do I have to weigh more because I'm muscular?
The same volume of muscle weighs more than fat. Like the way a styrofoam cup weighs less than a glass cup that is exactly the same size. Be sick of it all you want but it's the nature of things.
I think people get this--but get hung up on the muscle weighs more than fat (when comparing 5 lbs fat to 5 lbs muscle). Muscle is more dense, so 5 lbs of fat is BIGGER in SIZE than 5 lbs of muscle because muscle is heavier per cubic centimeter than fat.
Now sitting back to hear all the arguments about this.
I get why people find the phrase annoying, but I have to wonder if anyone actually thinks that a pound can ever not weigh a pound (on the same place on Earth, science bro)? Or if anyone actually thinks that anyone actually thinks that?
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disasterman wrote: »Seriously. A lb of muscle weighs the same as a lb of fat. They both weigh a lb. Sick of that crap answer about muscle weighing more than fat. At 120, I am ripped almost everywhere (still working on 1 trouble area). Why do I have to weigh more because I'm muscular?
The same volume of muscle weighs more than fat. Like the way a styrofoam cup weighs less than a glass cup that is exactly the same size. Be sick of it all you want but it's the nature of things.
That is different from saying 1 lb of muscle weighs more than 1 lb of fat, which is what people say all the time who don't know the difference. The styrofoam cup does not weigh the same as the glass. Very different argument.
Nobody in this thread said that. The point is the density is different. And, the picture that you said earlier should be ignored illustrates the same weight fat versus the same weight muscle.
You personally dieted down to 120. In that process, you lost both fat and some muscle. It is possible for you to build muscle, weigh more but still be the same size (or smaller) than you are now. You don't HAVE to. If you like your weight and your size, that's great. But other people can benefit from knowing that they can get the look they want without necessarily losing a lot of weight on the scale.
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disasterman wrote: »Seriously. A lb of muscle weighs the same as a lb of fat. They both weigh a lb. Sick of that crap answer about muscle weighing more than fat. At 120, I am ripped almost everywhere (still working on 1 trouble area). Why do I have to weigh more because I'm muscular?
The same volume of muscle weighs more than fat. Like the way a styrofoam cup weighs less than a glass cup that is exactly the same size. Be sick of it all you want but it's the nature of things.
That is different from saying 1 lb of muscle weighs more than 1 lb of fat, which is what people say all the time who don't know the difference. The styrofoam cup does not weigh the same as the glass. Very different argument.
Nobody in this thread said that. The point is the density is different. And, the picture that you said earlier should be ignored illustrates the same weight fat versus the same weight muscle.
You personally dieted down to 120. In that process, you lost both fat and some muscle. It is possible for you to build muscle, weigh more but still be the same size (or smaller) than you are now. You don't HAVE to. If you like your weight and your size, that's great. But other people can benefit from knowing that they can get the look they want without necessarily losing a lot of weight on the scale.
I don't think I've ever heard anyone say "a pound of muscle weighs more than a pound of fat" so I'm calling straw man on that one. Everyone over the age of 5 knows that 1 pound = 1 pound. I often hear people say "muscle weighs more than fat" and then this ridiculousness starts and people get all up in arms about it. The language is a little imprecise, I'll admit, but if you just add a little "..."for the same volume" at the end of it then everything makes quite perfect sense and we can stop arguing about this silly thing and argue about something Important like whether a calorie is really a calorie.
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