Different body types and carrying your weight well?

rguzame

So I am wondering if there are other people out there like me that have trouble losing weight and carry their weight "well". People are always shocked when I tell my weight. I am 5'7, 28 years old and 218 lbs but I wear a size 12 pants. Is anyone else out there close to this and have you had success with weight loss? Years ago I ran for 4 months for an hour a day and tracked everything but ended up gaining weight! So I started doing yoga and lost a lot of weight not even watching what I was eating. I ended up being 160lbs and a size 6. Now years and 2 children later I find myself struggling again. I want to walk/run and lift weights but I can't lose weight like this! And yoga is getting harder to do it hurts my joints. Anyone with similar problems?

Sunshine_Girlie

Not sure if this would apply to your situation, but I have discovered that eating right has a higher impact on me. I walk and just try to keep things simple. When I follow through with this, I lose the weight. When I add in some crazy stuff, my weight does not decrease. I understand muscle has a say in this, but I'm not exactly sure how much.

usmcmp

I was nearly identical. 5'9" 217 pounds and people thought I looked great.

Eating is going to be the thing that really makes a difference. Setting your calorie goal appropriately and sticking to it. Weighing food is important. Getting quality fats into your diet and strength training will help with joints.

prettysoul1908

I carry my weight... Ok. I am 5'6 and was close to 190 and not many people could tell I gained weight. I could tell tho. Ugh.

I'm not getting how you gained weight running but lost weight doing yoga! It's the opposite for me. Was there anything else you did differently when you switched to yoga?

How are you currently tracking your food?

With some small tweaks I bet you could see some progress.

rguzame

Sunshine_Girlie wrote: »

Not sure if this would apply to your situation, but I have discovered that eating right has a higher impact on me. I walk and just try to keep things simple. When I follow through with this, I lose the weight. When I add in some crazy stuff, my weight does not decrease. I understand muscle has a say in this, but I'm not exactly sure how much.

Thanks it does help! I usually try to eat at home and organic but occasionally I go out and get what I like. I will just keep things simple and see how that goes.

rguzame

usmcmp wrote: »

I was nearly identical. 5'9" 217 pounds and people thought I looked great.

Eating is going to be the thing that really makes a difference. Setting your calorie goal appropriately and sticking to it. Weighing food is important. Getting quality fats into your diet and strength training will help with joints.

Thanks I do notice I go over my goal frequently and then I have to jog to get back to my goal.

rguzame

mhaskins08 wrote: »

I carry my weight... Ok. I am 5'6 and was close to 190 and not many people could tell I gained weight. I could tell tho. Ugh.

I'm not getting how you gained weight running but lost weight doing yoga! It's the opposite for me. Was there anything else you did differently when you switched to yoga?

How are you currently tracking your food?

With some small tweaks I bet you could see some progress.

The only thing I did differently was stop tracking food crazy! And I am tracking now but go over and then jog to get back in range I have a Fitbit to help now too.

shondaj70

I've been experiencing the same all my life and recently ran across an article about body types (Ectomorph, Mesomorph and Endomorph). I fall into the endomorph body type...i'm 5'11" tall and have always carried more weight than appears. This body type tends to build muscle fast and that could account for the weight gain when you were lifting. This body type is also quick to gain fat back fast! Very interesting and worth the read. Good luck on your journey! :-)

rguzame

shondaj70 wrote: »

I've been experiencing the same all my life and recently ran across an article about body types (Ectomorph, Mesomorph and Endomorph). I fall into the endomorph body type...i'm 5'11" tall and have always carried more weight than appears. This body type tends to build muscle fast and that could account for the weight gain when you were lifting. This body type is also quick to gain fat back fast! Very interesting and worth the read. Good luck on your journey! :-)

Thanks I will look into this!

usmcmp

shondaj70 wrote: »

I've been experiencing the same all my life and recently ran across an article about body types (Ectomorph, Mesomorph and Endomorph). I fall into the endomorph body type...i'm 5'11" tall and have always carried more weight than appears. This body type tends to build muscle fast and that could account for the weight gain when you were lifting. This body type is also quick to gain fat back fast! Very interesting and worth the read. Good luck on your journey! :-)

Endo/Ecto/Meso body types are not actual science. It was a suggestion published by a psychologist based on how different ways people look made him feel.

Endomorphs (which I thought I was) tend to eat more and move less than others.
Mesomorphs tend to eat appropriately and move enough.
Ectomorphs tend to have a low appetite, so they eat less and move a lot.

vismal

rguzame wrote: »

usmcmp wrote: »

I was nearly identical. 5'9" 217 pounds and people thought I looked great.

Eating is going to be the thing that really makes a difference. Setting your calorie goal appropriately and sticking to it. Weighing food is important. Getting quality fats into your diet and strength training will help with joints.

Thanks I do notice I go over my goal frequently and then I have to jog to get back to my goal.

This is probably part of the problem. Unfortunately, MFP tends to overestimate how much you burn doing physical activity. Even with a fitness device, your calories burned may be totally inaccurate. Also, humans tend to underestimate how much they eat, even when tracking diligently. Any time you are not losing fat over the long run, it is because calories in meet or exceed calories out. I'd work on increasing the accuracy of logging (http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1296011/calorie-counting-101) and not relying so much on exercise when you've gone over your calorie limit.

rguzame

vismal wrote: »

rguzame wrote: »

usmcmp wrote: »

I was nearly identical. 5'9" 217 pounds and people thought I looked great.

Eating is going to be the thing that really makes a difference. Setting your calorie goal appropriately and sticking to it. Weighing food is important. Getting quality fats into your diet and strength training will help with joints.

Thanks I do notice I go over my goal frequently and then I have to jog to get back to my goal.

This is probably part of the problem. Unfortunately, MFP tends to overestimate how much you burn doing physical activity. Even with a fitness device, your calories burned may be totally inaccurate. Also, humans tend to underestimate how much they eat, even when tracking diligently. Any time you are not losing fat over the long run, it is because calories in meet or exceed calories out. I'd work on increasing the accuracy of logging (http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1296011/calorie-counting-101) and not relying so much on exercise when you've gone over your calorie limit.

Thanks I will focus more on the diet first!

Sued0nim

rguzame wrote: »

So I am wondering if there are other people out there like me that have trouble losing weight and carry their weight "well". People are always shocked when I tell my weight. I am 5'7, 28 years old and 218 lbs but I wear a size 12 pants. Is anyone else out there close to this and have you had success with weight loss? Years ago I ran for 4 months for an hour a day and tracked everything but ended up gaining weight! So I started doing yoga and lost a lot of weight not even watching what I was eating. I ended up being 160lbs and a size 6. Now years and 2 children later I find myself struggling again. I want to walk/run and lift weights but I can't lose weight like this! And yoga is getting harder to do it hurts my joints. Anyone with similar problems?

You lose weigh by counting calories and eating at a defecit

I'm 5'8 and at goal at 160lbs but I'm around 23% BF which is lean for my age

My weight is a good 15- 20lbs over what many people target at my height but I've got a large frame by wrist and elbow and have decent musculature

I'm a UK 8-10 (US 4-6)

biodigit

First and foremost it's your diet and it always is.

theawill519

People tell me I carry my weight well, but nothing like you... I've never in my life heard of someone with your stats. I'm 5'10, 223 lbs, and I wear a size 16 or 18 depending on brand. Where in the world do you keep your weight??? LOL.

As others have said, diet is paramount.

rguzame

theawill519 wrote: »

People tell me I carry my weight well, but nothing like you... I've never in my life heard of someone with your stats. I'm 5'10, 223 lbs, and I wear a size 16 or 18 depending on brand. Where in the world do you keep your weight??? LOL.

As others have said, diet is paramount.

To be honest I think the weight is in my bra lol. I wear a 36 J US bra size in uk 36GG. I have Chronic back pain and it makes exercising a lot harder! When I was 160lbs I was down to a 36 DD.

theawill519

rguzame wrote: »

theawill519 wrote: »

People tell me I carry my weight well, but nothing like you... I've never in my life heard of someone with your stats. I'm 5'10, 223 lbs, and I wear a size 16 or 18 depending on brand. Where in the world do you keep your weight??? LOL.

As others have said, diet is paramount.

To be honest I think the weight is in my bra lol. I wear a 36 J US bra size in uk 36GG. I have Chronic back pain and it makes exercising a lot harder! When I was 160lbs I was down to a 36 DD.

Ahhh, gotcha. A blessing and a curse! At least you know they'll get smaller as your lose weight. Good luck with your journey!

Shanel0916

rguzame wrote: »

theawill519 wrote: »

To be honest I think the weight is in my bra lol. I wear a 36 J US bra size in uk 36GG. I have Chronic back pain and it makes exercising a lot harder! When I was 160lbs I was down to a 36 DD.

Um yea you're probably right, wow! I had a breast reduction years ago and everyone thought I had lost weight, well I guess I kinda did, lol.

rguzame

Shanel0916 wrote: »

rguzame wrote: »

theawill519 wrote: »

To be honest I think the weight is in my bra lol. I wear a 36 J US bra size in uk 36GG. I have Chronic back pain and it makes exercising a lot harder! When I was 160lbs I was down to a 36 DD.

Um yea you're probably right, wow! I had a breast reduction years ago and everyone thought I had lost weight, well I guess I kinda did, lol.

I wish I could afford a breast reduction are you happy with yours?

rguzame

theawill519 wrote: »

rguzame wrote: »

theawill519 wrote: »

People tell me I carry my weight well, but nothing like you... I've never in my life heard of someone with your stats. I'm 5'10, 223 lbs, and I wear a size 16 or 18 depending on brand. Where in the world do you keep your weight??? LOL.

As others have said, diet is paramount.

To be honest I think the weight is in my bra lol. I wear a 36 J US bra size in uk 36GG. I have Chronic back pain and it makes exercising a lot harder! When I was 160lbs I was down to a 36 DD.

Ahhh, gotcha. A blessing and a curse! At least you know they'll get smaller as your lose weight. Good luck with your journey!

Thank you!

FitCurves1818

I'm also one who "carries my weight well". My profile pic is around 220 and I'm 5'3". I can comfortably wear a 6 between 175-185 lbs which still puts me in the obese category. My body doesn't lose muscle easily, which is a good thing, but it makes weight loss more difficult since I lose far more inches than pounds. I agree with those who say to focus more on your diet and less on exercise.

kissedbythesunshine

Wow we have similar stats. I'm 5'7 209lbs now. I wear a size 16 pants and am a little jealous you wear a 12 lol. I know this doesn't answer your question but I thought I'd throw that out there:)

shadowfax_c11

rguzame wrote: »

To be honest I think the weight is in my bra lol. I wear a 36 J US bra size in uk 36GG. I have Chronic back pain and it makes exercising a lot harder! When I was 160lbs I was down to a 36 DD.

You need a better bra. I am a G and used to have a lot of lower back pain. We are talking about over 20 pounds of boobs. Of course we have back issues and need good support. Started wearing Enell sports bras a few years ago and that stopped. I won't wear any other bra now.

I also tend to not look as heavy as I am. I am very strong and have a lot of muscle which I think accounts for a lot of that. I would carefully consider whether you should worry so much about being a certain weight. If at size 12 you looked good and felt good why would it matter that much what the number on the scale is?

Bbeliever215

I am the same way OP! I am also 5'7 and have alays been told the same thing and at my highest weight which was 242 lbs I still only wore a size 16. Also at my lowest which was between 158-165 I wore a size 6 as well. I lift heavy and have always had a good amount of muscle mass and I also never gained a ton in my middle/waist. I do.find it more difficult to see the changes on the scale but I noticed almost instant results once I start lifting and doing cardio consistently. What I do find weird or frustrating is that I have to drop at least 15 pounds or more to go down in size.

Liftng4Lis

rguzame wrote: »

usmcmp wrote: »

I was nearly identical. 5'9" 217 pounds and people thought I looked great.

Eating is going to be the thing that really makes a difference. Setting your calorie goal appropriately and sticking to it. Weighing food is important. Getting quality fats into your diet and strength training will help with joints.

Thanks I do notice I go over my goal frequently and then I have to jog to get back to my goal.

Get on top of this and you'll start losing.

kristen6350

I thought I carried my weight well. I was 193, size 14, 5'11. That's until I lost 40lbs and realized I didn't...looking back on pictures lately I was only lying to myself.

dredremeg

I am 5'7" and was 210 lbs., I carried my weight well too. I am currently 160-162 lbs, US size 8. I have been maintaining for seven months now. I got my head and diet in check first and I started lifting heavy 4 days a week and lots of cardio. I still lift 4 days a week but only do cardio once or twice a week. I weighed (by grams) and logged everything I ate, I didn't need a cheat day or a cheat meal. I stayed within my calorie goal. I hit a plateau when I got closer to goal weight for about 4 weeks and then I had a woosh of 5.5 lbs. You can do it, I am rooting for you.

Jocampgrl

i agree with everyone on food but you could also try Pilates which is similar to yoga but, in my opinion, easier on the jounts. its lower impact than running and lifting so i tend not to eat as much and it uses your body weight so you still get resistance training.

brower47

I was almost 200 lbs, obese and didn't look great but in the overweight 160s people told me I looked great. It's not easy to lose weight but luckily there are a plethora of weight loss strategies out there and if you try 10 methods that don't work, there will be hundreds more for you to cycle through until you find the one that works for you. I've lost mine mainly though accurate logging and walking but that might not work for you.

Good luck!

nvmomketo

I have a fairly large frame (broade shoulders and large rib cage) so I carried my extra weight well, but not as well as you. I was up to 185-190 lbs at 5'8" and wearing size 14. I looked overweight (I was ) but most people would under guess my weight by 20 lbs.

I'm now 155lbs and a size 10, and people are still surprised that I weigh so much.

It's a nice problem to have.

krithsai

rguzame wrote: »

vismal wrote: »

rguzame wrote: »

usmcmp wrote: »

I was nearly identical. 5'9" 217 pounds and people thought I looked great.

Eating is going to be the thing that really makes a difference. Setting your calorie goal appropriately and sticking to it. Weighing food is important. Getting quality fats into your diet and strength training will help with joints.

Thanks I do notice I go over my goal frequently and then I have to jog to get back to my goal.

This is probably part of the problem. Unfortunately, MFP tends to overestimate how much you burn doing physical activity. Even with a fitness device, your calories burned may be totally inaccurate. Also, humans tend to underestimate how much they eat, even when tracking diligently. Any time you are not losing fat over the long run, it is because calories in meet or exceed calories out. I'd work on increasing the accuracy of logging (http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1296011/calorie-counting-101) and not relying so much on exercise when you've gone over your calorie limit.

Thanks I will focus more on the diet first!

Ah yes...the classic gaining weight while running. When you're unfit, even a slow jog can feel like a marathon. It's very likely that you congratulated yourself on doing such an amazing job and ate a nice big meal when in reality, you burned all of 120 calories. Been there, done that.