Weight and ageing? Is my 'high school weight' goal unrealistic?

trinabot19
trinabot19 Posts: 37 Member
in Motivation and Support
Hi everyone!!

I am 5'1 and 120 lbs at 26 years old Im looking into getting back to my 'high school' goal weight of around 105 lbs...but Im wondering if my body even wants to be that low anymore? It was so easy as a teenager because you dont really have to try but after Id say around 20 years old I started slowly gaining weight until now ...I have completely had it. I was closer to 125 lbs about a month ago and Ive slowly managed to lose a few lbs so now im closer to 120 but ugh this is a real struggle lol.

Is it just because my metabolism is getting slower as I age so its not as easy anymore like when I was a teenager?

I just feel so HUGE...I know it doesnt sound like much but Im very small/petite in body structure so even 10 pounds looks huge on me so this extra 15-20 is ridiculous..I have no confidence anymore. Im having a rough week this week and I feel like my goal is impossible because Its been a real struggle lately. I dont want to have to workout every day of my life and count calories every day of my life... Is this just how its going to be as I get older and older because losing weight will become more and more difficult??? Just what the heck is with my body and why does it want to hold onto this weight so bad!

«13

Replies

  • ouryve
    ouryve Posts: 572 Member
    If you were 36 or 46, I'd suggest you took it slowly and constantly re-evaluated in terms of both appearance, how you feel and the effort required. 26 is hardly old, though. Even if 105 is more work than you can muster, if, as you say, 10lb makes a very big difference, then try for 5lb off, with some effort to firm up as you go, then see what you think of the result vs the effort required.


    You look petite and curvy in your profile. Firming up without any weight loss might be the way to go.
  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    trinabot19 wrote: »
    Is my 'high school weight' goal unrealistic?

    Most likely.
  • JustMissTracy
    JustMissTracy Posts: 6,338 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    Your body changes when you enter adulthood...and I'm not talking about putting on fat...your body just changes...most likely this is completely unrealistic...you're a woman, not a little girl.

    This, exactly!
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    edited July 2016
    msalicia116 wrote: »
    JustMissTracy wrote: »
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    Your body changes when you enter adulthood...and I'm not talking about putting on fat...your body just changes...most likely this is completely unrealistic...you're a woman, not a little girl.

    This, exactly!

    ^I'm smaller than I was in high school. Our bodies change for various reasons, but it doesn't mean we can't (or that it's unlikely to) be the same weight or size.

    I've made it my goal to improve my health every year, fortunately my size was affected by that goal.

    That typo of thinking is defeating and makes one feel like, what's the point, or that it's all downhill from here. Not true at all and if you want your goal to be 19% body fat than it IS possible!

    Don't let age or any excuse define you :) I'm guessing you won't since you're here to be the best version of yourself!

    @msalicia116

    It depends on where you come from. For some being the same size or smaller than high school is possible. Not necessarily for everyone.
    I was very tiny in high school. I developed late. I was still very lean in my 20s bit bigger than high school.

    There is no way I'd get back to my high school weight or size.

    I'm familiar with anything is possible. Sometimes not even 19% BF is enough to get you back to high school weight. Not everything is possible nor does it have to be.
    dz7l9xiqoc5j.jpeg


    Still not even close to high school weight or size.
  • ttfnweight
    ttfnweight Posts: 202 Member
    I was 40 years old had 6 babies and was 175 lbs on my Sm frame. I'm 5'6" and that was the my heaviest. But with nutrition and excercise I lost 40 lbs. YOU CAN DO IT!! Dedicate yourself to you.
  • msalicia116
    msalicia116 Posts: 233 Member
    3dogsrunning wrote: »
    msalicia116 wrote: »
    JustMissTracy wrote: »
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    Your body changes when you enter adulthood...and I'm not talking about putting on fat...your body just changes...most likely this is completely unrealistic...you're a woman, not a little girl.

    This, exactly!

    ^I'm smaller than I was in high school. Our bodies change for various reasons, but it doesn't mean we can't (or that it's unlikely to) be the same weight or size.

    I've made it my goal to improve my health every year, fortunately my size was affected by that goal.

    That typo of thinking is defeating and makes one feel like, what's the point, or that it's all downhill from here. Not true at all and if you want your goal to be 19% body fat than it IS possible!

    Don't let age or any excuse define you :) I'm guessing you won't since you're here to be the best version of yourself!

    @msalicia116

    It depends on where you come from. For some being the same size or smaller than high school is possible. Not necessarily for everyone.
    I was very tiny in high school. I developed late. I was still very lean in my 20s bit bigger than high school.

    There is no way I'd get back to my high school weight or size.

    I'm familiar with anything is possible. Not everything is nor does it have to be.
    dz7l9xiqoc5j.jpeg


    Still not even close to high school weight or size.

    I agree that it depends. That's why I don't use the words "it's unlikely" regarding a population because that seems defeating to me.

    And being lean or in a lean bf % ( like yourself- you look amazing) at any age is possible (even if that means 23%bf for your body type).

    Sincere question for anyone, but is there a reason you wouldn't be able to be "close" to your senior year weight if you didn't put on an insane amount of muscle or grew several inches after high school? I don't see why it's "unlikely" at all, especially for women if that's what they want.
  • NaturalNancy
    NaturalNancy Posts: 1,093 Member
    Take it a pound at a time and do it day by day... I don't think it's unrealistic considering your height but you need to eat at a calorie deficit.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    msalicia116 wrote: »
    3dogsrunning wrote: »
    msalicia116 wrote: »
    JustMissTracy wrote: »
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    Your body changes when you enter adulthood...and I'm not talking about putting on fat...your body just changes...most likely this is completely unrealistic...you're a woman, not a little girl.

    This, exactly!

    ^I'm smaller than I was in high school. Our bodies change for various reasons, but it doesn't mean we can't (or that it's unlikely to) be the same weight or size.

    I've made it my goal to improve my health every year, fortunately my size was affected by that goal.

    That typo of thinking is defeating and makes one feel like, what's the point, or that it's all downhill from here. Not true at all and if you want your goal to be 19% body fat than it IS possible!

    Don't let age or any excuse define you :) I'm guessing you won't since you're here to be the best version of yourself!

    @msalicia116

    It depends on where you come from. For some being the same size or smaller than high school is possible. Not necessarily for everyone.
    I was very tiny in high school. I developed late. I was still very lean in my 20s bit bigger than high school.

    There is no way I'd get back to my high school weight or size.

    I'm familiar with anything is possible. Not everything is nor does it have to be.
    dz7l9xiqoc5j.jpeg


    Still not even close to high school weight or size.

    I agree that it depends. That's why I don't use the words "it's unlikely" regarding a population because that seems defeating to me.

    And being lean or in a lean bf % ( like yourself- you look amazing) at any age is possible (even if that means 23%bf for your body type).

    Sincere question for anyone, but is there a reason you wouldn't be able to be "close" to your senior year weight if you didn't put on an insane amount of muscle or grew several inches after high school? I don't see why it's "unlikely" at all, especially for women if that's what they want.

    I'm not a doctor, I don't have studies, I may be wrong. I only know that for me, I developed later. My body shape changed. I filled out. My understanding is that in teen years you can still be growing, not necessarily in height, but that is also a possibility. Plus you develop fat stores (which is normal and part of the reason why women have a higher BF % range then men). And to be honest, I don't know that i ever knew my height back then. I can't tell you how much muscle I put on, it was never something I specifically worked at although I did go to the gym for many years.

    Also, while I was "underweight". It wasn't a concern at the time because I was still growing. I was never diagnosed as underweight, nor was there a concern for my health. But as an adult, I would be considered underweight at my high school weight.

    I also work in a high school where I see many girls who are similar to how I was. I worry about encouraging young women to aspire to a body shape/type that isn't necessarily attainable to them, particularly if it is on where they are still developing.

    If you want someone wants to lose bodyfat, then go for it. I just think aiming for a specific number based on what you weighed at a time when you may or may not have still been developing could be problematic, particularly if you were especially lean.
  • DresdenSinn
    DresdenSinn Posts: 665 Member
    Well..it's possible but it's not easy! I weighed 135lbs my senior year, I'm 45yrs old now and I hit 136lbs last Wednesday after dieting down from 188lbs March 1st. Of course this weight can't be maintained but briefly, I was totally depleted, after I carbed back up I shot up to 147lbs (current). I can comfortably live at 145/150lbs for the remainder of Summer.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    edited July 2016
    DresdenSinn wrote: »
    Well..it's possible but it's not easy! I weighed 135lbs my senior year, I'm 45yrs old now and I hit 136lbs last Wednesday after dieting down from 188lbs March 1st. Of course this weight can't be maintained but briefly, I was totally depleted, after I carbed back up I shot up to 147lbs (current). I can comfortably live at 145/150lbs for the remainder of Summer.

    A temporary weight while carb depleted and dehydrated is not the same as weighing what you weighed in high school. Especially when we are talking a difference of 11 lbs.
    Not even close.
  • msalicia116
    msalicia116 Posts: 233 Member
    DresdenSinn wrote: »
    Well..it's possible but it's not easy! I weighed 135lbs my senior year, I'm 45yrs old now and I hit 136lbs last Wednesday after dieting down from 188lbs March 1st. Of course this weight can't be maintained but briefly, I was totally depleted, after I carbed back up I shot up to 147lbs (current). I can comfortably live at 145/150lbs for the remainder of Summer.

    I think men still develop quite a bit of muscle after high school, so I think it would be more difficult for men to be "around" their high school weight. I would say 145 is pretty close to your HS weight though, even with all that added mass! Many of them are still growing after high school as well. Most women have finished growing (height) in high school, I would even say it's fair to say once they reach puberty they're within at least an inch or 2, but let's just say close.
  • msalicia116
    msalicia116 Posts: 233 Member
    3dogsrunning wrote: »
    msalicia116 wrote: »
    3dogsrunning wrote: »
    msalicia116 wrote: »
    JustMissTracy wrote: »
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    Your body changes when you enter adulthood...and I'm not talking about putting on fat...your body just changes...most likely this is completely unrealistic...you're a woman, not a little girl.

    This, exactly!

    ^I'm smaller than I was in high school. Our bodies change for various reasons, but it doesn't mean we can't (or that it's unlikely to) be the same weight or size.

    I've made it my goal to improve my health every year, fortunately my size was affected by that goal.

    That typo of thinking is defeating and makes one feel like, what's the point, or that it's all downhill from here. Not true at all and if you want your goal to be 19% body fat than it IS possible!

    Don't let age or any excuse define you :) I'm guessing you won't since you're here to be the best version of yourself!

    @msalicia116

    It depends on where you come from. For some being the same size or smaller than high school is possible. Not necessarily for everyone.
    I was very tiny in high school. I developed late. I was still very lean in my 20s bit bigger than high school.

    There is no way I'd get back to my high school weight or size.

    I'm familiar with anything is possible. Not everything is nor does it have to be.
    dz7l9xiqoc5j.jpeg


    Still not even close to high school weight or size.

    I agree that it depends. That's why I don't use the words "it's unlikely" regarding a population because that seems defeating to me.

    And being lean or in a lean bf % ( like yourself- you look amazing) at any age is possible (even if that means 23%bf for your body type).

    Sincere question for anyone, but is there a reason you wouldn't be able to be "close" to your senior year weight if you didn't put on an insane amount of muscle or grew several inches after high school? I don't see why it's "unlikely" at all, especially for women if that's what they want.

    I'm not a doctor, I don't have studies, I may be wrong. I only know that for me, I developed later. My body shape changed. I filled out. My understanding is that in teen years you can still be growing, not necessarily in height, but that is also a possibility. Plus you develop fat stores (which is normal and part of the reason why women have a higher BF % range then men). And to be honest, I don't know that i ever knew my height back then. I can't tell you how much muscle I put on, it was never something I specifically worked at although I did go to the gym for many years.

    Also, while I was "underweight". It wasn't a concern at the time because I was still growing. I was never diagnosed as underweight, nor was there a concern for my health. But as an adult, I would be considered underweight at my high school weight.

    I also work in a high school where I see many girls who are similar to how I was. I worry about encouraging young women to aspire to a body shape/type that isn't necessarily attainable to them, particularly if it is on where they are still developing.

    If you want someone wants to lose bodyfat, then go for it. I just think aiming for a specific number based on what you weighed at a time when you may or may not have still been developing could be problematic, particularly if you were especially lean.

    No one here is encouraging young women to be under weight that's for sure. Most girls aren't under weight in high school anyway, if anything half if not more are over weight. And we're talking about being around the same size, as we all know the number on the scale can reflect a number of variables. Hopefully as you age your muscle mass increases, but not necessarily your bf % by too much (unless necessary for health).

    But if you are an average and healthy weight in high school and you're done growing, I still don't see how it would be impractical to be in the same range as you were when you were a senior. This seems to apply to women more than men.

    I think that's pretty practical unless there's a medical reason, you've put on a large amount of muscle mass, or you had a very late growth spurt.

    I'm certainly understanding of your pov and personal circumstances in being underweight. I'm glad you don't aspire to be that weight or size again.
  • vixtris
    vixtris Posts: 688 Member
    I personally do not think it is unrealistic given your height. I am also 26 and I weigh 105 at 5'4".
  • trinabot19
    trinabot19 Posts: 37 Member
    msalicia116 wrote: »
    3dogsrunning wrote: »
    msalicia116 wrote: »
    3dogsrunning wrote: »
    msalicia116 wrote: »
    JustMissTracy wrote: »
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    Your body changes when you enter adulthood...and I'm not talking about putting on fat...your body just changes...most likely this is completely unrealistic...you're a woman, not a little girl.

    This, exactly!

    ^I'm smaller than I was in high school. Our bodies change for various reasons, but it doesn't mean we can't (or that it's unlikely to) be the same weight or size.

    I've made it my goal to improve my health every year, fortunately my size was affected by that goal.

    That typo of thinking is defeating and makes one feel like, what's the point, or that it's all downhill from here. Not true at all and if you want your goal to be 19% body fat than it IS possible!

    Don't let age or any excuse define you :) I'm guessing you won't since you're here to be the best version of yourself!

    @msalicia116

    It depends on where you come from. For some being the same size or smaller than high school is possible. Not necessarily for everyone.
    I was very tiny in high school. I developed late. I was still very lean in my 20s bit bigger than high school.

    There is no way I'd get back to my high school weight or size.

    I'm familiar with anything is possible. Not everything is nor does it have to be.
    dz7l9xiqoc5j.jpeg


    Still not even close to high school weight or size.

    I agree that it depends. That's why I don't use the words "it's unlikely" regarding a population because that seems defeating to me.

    And being lean or in a lean bf % ( like yourself- you look amazing) at any age is possible (even if that means 23%bf for your body type).

    Sincere question for anyone, but is there a reason you wouldn't be able to be "close" to your senior year weight if you didn't put on an insane amount of muscle or grew several inches after high school? I don't see why it's "unlikely" at all, especially for women if that's what they want.

    I'm not a doctor, I don't have studies, I may be wrong. I only know that for me, I developed later. My body shape changed. I filled out. My understanding is that in teen years you can still be growing, not necessarily in height, but that is also a possibility. Plus you develop fat stores (which is normal and part of the reason why women have a higher BF % range then men). And to be honest, I don't know that i ever knew my height back then. I can't tell you how much muscle I put on, it was never something I specifically worked at although I did go to the gym for many years.

    Also, while I was "underweight". It wasn't a concern at the time because I was still growing. I was never diagnosed as underweight, nor was there a concern for my health. But as an adult, I would be considered underweight at my high school weight.

    I also work in a high school where I see many girls who are similar to how I was. I worry about encouraging young women to aspire to a body shape/type that isn't necessarily attainable to them, particularly if it is on where they are still developing.

    If you want someone wants to lose bodyfat, then go for it. I just think aiming for a specific number based on what you weighed at a time when you may or may not have still been developing could be problematic, particularly if you were especially lean.

    No one here is encouraging young women to be under weight that's for sure. Most girls aren't under weight in high school anyway, if anything half if not more are over weight. And we're talking about being around the same size, as we all know the number on the scale can reflect a number of variables. Hopefully as you age your muscle mass increases, but not necessarily your bf % by too much (unless necessary for health).

    But if you are an average and healthy weight in high school and you're done growing, I still don't see how it would be impractical to be in the same range as you were when you were a senior. This seems to apply to women more than men.

    I think that's pretty practical unless there's a medical reason, you've put on a large amount of muscle mass, or you had a very late growth spurt.

    I'm certainly understanding of your pov and personal circumstances in being underweight. I'm glad you don't aspire to be that weight or size again.

    I like your guy's discussion! I was done growing in high school though..actually Im pretty sure I reached my height of 5'1 in middle school and there I stopped growing haha. I dont think my body has changed much other than this added weight which is why im so disconcerted about it. I have no medical issues of any sort either. I just think I felt most comfortable with myself in the 105 range (not to say I HAVE to be 105 but somewhere close would be nice 105-110) My trouble is that I feel like its taking so much effort so I wonder if its really attainable in the long term? If I have to cut calories and exercise 6 times a week in order to lose this extra weight will that mean I will just have to do this forever or Ill gain it all back?? It just baffles me because when I was in high school I didnt even have to try (this includes a few years later after high school too guys as I didnt gain any extra weight until I was about 20-21 which I did mention! - (I got married at 20 so thats probably part of the weight gain hahaha).


  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    ouryve wrote: »
    If you were 36 or 46, I'd suggest you took it slowly and constantly re-evaluated in terms of both appearance, how you feel and the effort required. 26 is hardly old, though. Even if 105 is more work than you can muster, if, as you say, 10lb makes a very big difference, then try for 5lb off, with some effort to firm up as you go, then see what you think of the result vs the effort required.


    You look petite and curvy in your profile. Firming up without any weight loss might be the way to go.

    This^

    Your ultimate goal will be determined by how much effort maintenance will require. Just take it slow. Strength train if you do not already. Keeping (more) lean muscle will go a long way to make you look slim.

    Teenagers are active & growing. Lean muscle is a use it or lose it kind of thing. You want to use it because muscle burns (a few) calories at rest....fat doesn't.
  • chocolate_owl
    chocolate_owl Posts: 1,695 Member
    edited July 2016
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    Your body changes when you enter adulthood...and I'm not talking about putting on fat...your body just changes...most likely this is completely unrealistic...you're a woman, not a little girl.

    This seems like it would be dependent on when you go through puberty. I was done growing in middle school, got my period when I was 10, and have had the same bra cup size since 11. I don't see how my high school body would have been that of a "little girl," and it certainly hasn't been unrealistic for me to be the same size (or smaller) than I was in high school. I'm 5'5". I was 130 my senior year of high school. I'm 27 now and weigh ~125. I've been as low as 120 but found that hard to maintain.

    OP, 105 is a reasonable weight for your height. But rather than comparing yourself to high school, I think you should focus on being a healthy weight, a healthy BF%, and able to accomplish your fitness goals. What you're really after is a body composition you feel comfortable with - if you have that, the number on the scale won't matter.

    ETA that I think the most likely reason for your difficulty in losing weight/maintaining a lower weight is activity level. I know I was more active in high school - I was active in tech theatre rigging lighting, out walking the mall with friends, playing sports, walking between classes. As an adult with a desk job I have to make a conscious effort to get adequate activity in.
  • MJFSH
    MJFSH Posts: 7,252 Member
    I was always told that your teenage weight is to unrealistic to get back to, and i was told that in early 30's, well, I'm going to tell you that statement is a total BS. I'm 48, fittest that I have ever been, with lean muscles that I'm totally proud of, I got womanly curves, so not dying of hunger or anything(actually eating more freely than ever before to, since I know how to make food work for my goals) and I weigh much less than I weighted in my teenage years. I weight less, my waist is smaller, but the rest of the deal is where they need to be. I lift, and follow IIFYM and totally loving my looks.
  • csuhar
    csuhar Posts: 779 Member
    edited July 2016
    Technically, it may be possible. But I have to agree with others that there's also a possibility your body might not have finished all the changes it was going through when you were in High School (or at least when you logged 105 as your weight).

    So I'd concur with suggestions that focusing more on working with your current body, such as focusing on bodyfat percentage, may serve you better than focusing on a historical weight level.
  • sunnybeaches105
    sunnybeaches105 Posts: 2,831 Member
    I weighed the same at 40 as I did at 17. And yes, 5'1" at 105 is a reasonable goal.
  • AlisonH729
    AlisonH729 Posts: 558 Member
    edited July 2016
    I'll be 30 at the end of the month. Like OP, I weighed like 105 in HS (I'm 5'2). After college I was probably 112, and then when I moved in with my fiance got up to 118 before starting my wedding diet. I wasn't out of shape but just wasn't used to weighing that much or having to pay attention to it. I was able to get down to about 110 for my wedding (In Sept '15) but I had to be pretty strict, and I wasn't able to stay there. Fast forward to now and I've started a more aggressive lifting program & I weigh more now than ever, 120. (To break it down I lost 8 pounds in 8 months for my wedding and have gained it and more back just as fast.) But I feel strong and fit. Yes I have to pay attention to what I am eating, and work hard, but maintaining at what I weighed in HS does not fit into my lifestyle and I have come to terms with the fact that I will not have the body I had when I was a teenager because I am a woman. But its capable of different things now, and that's cool too.
  • michellemybelll
    michellemybelll Posts: 2,228 Member
    _Waffle_ wrote: »
    trinabot19 wrote: »
    Is my 'high school weight' goal unrealistic?

    Most likely.

    at 5'1", a goal weight of 105 is not at all unrealistic. I'm 5'1" and 31 y/o and that's around where i hover.
  • mpkanewske
    mpkanewske Posts: 28 Member
    rosebette wrote: »
    This is a depressing thread -- at 26, you're depressed because you're 120 lbs., feel HUGE, and your excess weight is due to the aging process? I'm 57, 5'1", and 120 lbs. I guess I should just waddle my grossly obese body over to the nursing home.

    So you're 57 and you still haven't learned that this thread is not all about you and how you feel? Have some respect for the OP. She is not here talking about your body; she is talking about her body. Don't make it about you.
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    I was an O-lineman in 9th grade and now in AARP-land I'm smaller than that.
  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,741 Member
    trinabot19 wrote: »
    msalicia116 wrote: »
    3dogsrunning wrote: »
    msalicia116 wrote: »
    3dogsrunning wrote: »
    msalicia116 wrote: »
    JustMissTracy wrote: »
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    Your body changes when you enter adulthood...and I'm not talking about putting on fat...your body just changes...most likely this is completely unrealistic...you're a woman, not a little girl.

    This, exactly!

    ^I'm smaller than I was in high school. Our bodies change for various reasons, but it doesn't mean we can't (or that it's unlikely to) be the same weight or size.

    I've made it my goal to improve my health every year, fortunately my size was affected by that goal.

    That typo of thinking is defeating and makes one feel like, what's the point, or that it's all downhill from here. Not true at all and if you want your goal to be 19% body fat than it IS possible!

    Don't let age or any excuse define you :) I'm guessing you won't since you're here to be the best version of yourself!

    @msalicia116

    It depends on where you come from. For some being the same size or smaller than high school is possible. Not necessarily for everyone.
    I was very tiny in high school. I developed late. I was still very lean in my 20s bit bigger than high school.

    There is no way I'd get back to my high school weight or size.

    I'm familiar with anything is possible. Not everything is nor does it have to be.
    dz7l9xiqoc5j.jpeg


    Still not even close to high school weight or size.

    I agree that it depends. That's why I don't use the words "it's unlikely" regarding a population because that seems defeating to me.

    And being lean or in a lean bf % ( like yourself- you look amazing) at any age is possible (even if that means 23%bf for your body type).

    Sincere question for anyone, but is there a reason you wouldn't be able to be "close" to your senior year weight if you didn't put on an insane amount of muscle or grew several inches after high school? I don't see why it's "unlikely" at all, especially for women if that's what they want.

    I'm not a doctor, I don't have studies, I may be wrong. I only know that for me, I developed later. My body shape changed. I filled out. My understanding is that in teen years you can still be growing, not necessarily in height, but that is also a possibility. Plus you develop fat stores (which is normal and part of the reason why women have a higher BF % range then men). And to be honest, I don't know that i ever knew my height back then. I can't tell you how much muscle I put on, it was never something I specifically worked at although I did go to the gym for many years.

    Also, while I was "underweight". It wasn't a concern at the time because I was still growing. I was never diagnosed as underweight, nor was there a concern for my health. But as an adult, I would be considered underweight at my high school weight.

    I also work in a high school where I see many girls who are similar to how I was. I worry about encouraging young women to aspire to a body shape/type that isn't necessarily attainable to them, particularly if it is on where they are still developing.

    If you want someone wants to lose bodyfat, then go for it. I just think aiming for a specific number based on what you weighed at a time when you may or may not have still been developing could be problematic, particularly if you were especially lean.

    No one here is encouraging young women to be under weight that's for sure. Most girls aren't under weight in high school anyway, if anything half if not more are over weight. And we're talking about being around the same size, as we all know the number on the scale can reflect a number of variables. Hopefully as you age your muscle mass increases, but not necessarily your bf % by too much (unless necessary for health).

    But if you are an average and healthy weight in high school and you're done growing, I still don't see how it would be impractical to be in the same range as you were when you were a senior. This seems to apply to women more than men.

    I think that's pretty practical unless there's a medical reason, you've put on a large amount of muscle mass, or you had a very late growth spurt.

    I'm certainly understanding of your pov and personal circumstances in being underweight. I'm glad you don't aspire to be that weight or size again.

    I like your guy's discussion! I was done growing in high school though..actually Im pretty sure I reached my height of 5'1 in middle school and there I stopped growing haha. I dont think my body has changed much other than this added weight which is why im so disconcerted about it. I have no medical issues of any sort either. I just think I felt most comfortable with myself in the 105 range (not to say I HAVE to be 105 but somewhere close would be nice 105-110) My trouble is that I feel like its taking so much effort so I wonder if its really attainable in the long term? If I have to cut calories and exercise 6 times a week in order to lose this extra weight will that mean I will just have to do this forever or Ill gain it all back?? It just baffles me because when I was in high school I didnt even have to try (this includes a few years later after high school too guys as I didnt gain any extra weight until I was about 20-21 which I did mention! - (I got married at 20 so thats probably part of the weight gain hahaha).


    No, you shouldn't have to exercise 6 days per week to lose weight. It's all about calorie intake. How many calories per day are you eating? Do you accurately weigh and measure your food and log it here? No need to over complicate it. All you need to do is start eating just a little less than you are now. No drastic changes, no crazy diets or elimination of food. Just have smaller portions. Exercise for health benefits and for the sake of being active.

    What does a normal day of eating look like for you currently? I'm the same as you in that I reached my full height of 5'1" in middle school. I had a bit of a weight gain my Sophomore year due to being less active and having more access to fast food, but fast forward 20+ years and 2 children later and I'm 20 lbs lighter than my high school weight.

Categories