Weighing more than you look

LavenderChamomile

DEFINITELY happens to me all the time. I put on 60 pounds within a couple of months and no one even noticed! People actually think I'm lying when I say how much I weigh. When someone guesses my weight, it's ALWAYS at least 30 pounds lighter than I am.

OfficialPR

At 5'8 & 181lbs I'm "overweight" yet I get alot of people surprised not only by my weight due to it's distribution or how I "wear it" but that it falls into category..in any event I have set goals and know where my body loses weight, etc. Thus I'll just customize as I see but just confirms each one of us is UNIQUE....

michelleck23

I am built the same way, I have always been told I have a "swimmers" body. Muscular legs, skinny waist, broader shoulders.

I think they need to make a BMI that shows where your weight should be if you are such n such body fat percentage. My body fat has always been good along with blood work!

qtiekiki

Found this calculator online...and the body fat percentage vs lean mass it gave was quite interesting... http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/cbbf/

I wouldn't blindly trust that - especially not if you have a proportionately small waist. It says I am at 18.6%, and although the last time I averaged mine out (measurements, calipers, scale - took the average of the three) was 23% and I wouldn't be at all surprised if it's a bit lower now since I've been doing lots of strength training, I highly doubt it has gone down 4.4% in the past month and a half.

I agree. I don't think using measurements can really let you know how much fat you have. Or maybe I am in denial that I am at least 24%, because that's the number I get on all the online calculators I've tried.

michelleck23

I'm 5'8" and 180lbs. A lot of people never believe me when I tell them that. But I have D's, and broad shoulders and thick muscular legs, so I assume that's the reason.

Woops meant to quote you in previous post!

HonkyTonks

I look slimmer than I am I think because I have a larger bottom half and a tiny upper half, so my face looks quite slender but I still carry a bit of weight around my butt and thighs.

embersfallen

Found this calculator online...and the body fat percentage vs lean mass it gave was quite interesting... http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/cbbf/

I wouldn't blindly trust that - especially not if you have a proportionately small waist. It says I am at 18.6%, and although the last time I averaged mine out (measurements, calipers, scale - took the average of the three) was 23% and I wouldn't be at all surprised if it's a bit lower now since I've been doing lots of strength training, I highly doubt it has gone down 4.4% in the past month and a half.

I agree. I don't think using measurements can really let you know how much fat you have. Or maybe I am in denial that I am at least 24%, because that's the number I get on all the online calculators I've tried.

Definately not * blindly* trusting it to be sure...I know there are MANY different methods of measuring...but I do think it offers some basic insight My omron hand held BF tester held says slightly more, about 6 pounds less lean mass...and that is the one I use most frequently and it has been also consistantly going down... Wish I could afford a BodPod or underwater test, but it's not feasable... i DO know that with not that huge of a number change on the scale... about 10 or more different people including one who can not usually really tell too much kept telling me within the past 2 months or so that I was * much smaller* and had lost a * lot* of weight...even though the scale was not really supporting that...and this during a time with a lot of weight training

dizsolvedgirl

I've always thought that people were being kind by being shocked by my actual wight number.
I've been blessed with a well proportioned body, but I also have a big bone structure (i.e. I cant wrap my fingers around my own wrist .... defined with wrist bones, no fat there).

I think the first time I really believed I weighed more thank I look was when I was going in for surgery and I was going through the pre-op check in the nurse took me back to the scale to weigh me because she was positive the number was wrong...and this was someone who weighs people all day long. She kept going on how much smaller I was compared to what the scale was reading.

because of this I really use a dress size as a goal and not what the scale reads. While I do weigh myself, i take more joy in seeing the tapemeasure numbers go down than the scale.

Much rather see my clothes are starting to fall off me, than 10lbs down on the scale. There is so much more validation in seeing the NSV.

laurastrait21

I have never got a DEXA or anything but I have been told I don't look like I weigh as much as I do. My uncle had gastric bypass and I jokingly mentioned that he weighed less than I do now (he does!) and I think because I am so tall I look thinner than I actually am. None of my fam believed I weighed over 200 lbs. It's annoying!!! I know "big boned" isn't really an excuse.. but I think I am!

michellebelle1

I think I am in a similar situation. My starting weight was 148 lbs (I'm 5'4") and wore a loose size 6/tight size 4 depending on the brand. Pants were always several inches too big in the waist, but quite a stretch in the hip/thigh area. My current weight is 130, and I am finding that I have become much slimmer in the hips. I always thought it was muscle mass making me heavier, as I do a lot of heavy lifting and running, but after watching my calorie intake more closely, I found that I did have room to lose a bit more weight and land solidly in the "healthy" range (though I don't think I was unhealthy before).

I liked that I looked smaller than my weight, but it was discouraging to think that I would always be heavier than I thought I should be. It turns out that's not necessarily the case.

pornstarzombie

People always give me weird looks when I tell them how much I weigh. When I was 165 I had people's mouth dropping open, literally. But I am 6', large frame, so I can carry quite a bit of weight very well. Doesn't mean I want to, however. Sometimes it hurts my feelings a bit when they go,"But you look so good!" because it shouldn't matter if my weight is high, I was a healthy weight range and looked good still.

Last time I weighed [over 2 weeks ago] I was 152, I still don't look like I weigh that much.

It can be a curse or a blessing. I used to use the excuse, "But I'm tall, I can eat more and weigh more..."

MamaDto7

I'm right there with you. I too am 5'3" and currently 138 (was 143 just two weeks ago). I am heavily muscled, I guess you would say. BMI puts me at almost being overweight - drives me crazy. I am a size 4 or 6 depending on the style. I carry a lot of muscle in my legs and glutes - hate shopping for pants. So know that you are not alone.

I am working on shedding a few pounds but only because my jeans were begginning to get a little too snug.

BklynMamacita

I am so glad I found this thread. Was feeling frustrated with the scale. I always gained muscle really easily and have muscular arms and legs when in shape. Most my friends think I have lost 15-20 lbs since I just started really watching my calories on MFP. Hmm try more like 5 which is frustrating because I am working so hard and sticking to my calories. But I remember a few years back the same thing happened. I lost tons of inches and then the weight on the scale came down. Not sure why but that's how it works for me. I have already went down 2 pants sizes and almost everyone around me comments that I have lost tons of weight.

My clothes also fit so much better and I am wearing smaller sizes. So I won't let is get me down and just chalk it up to what most are saying about some of us are just more muscular. I still need to lose 25-30 more lbs to get to my goal but most people tell me that is too much. But 5'7" at 150 would be a good weight for me. My size 9/10 pants are getting loose for me now too. So I wonder what size I will be when I hit my goal. I was about 145 and skinny and a size 4 or 6 when I ran track in HS and I had some killer legs and abs. LOL

IRun4Me_12

Found this calculator online...and the body fat percentage vs lean mass it gave was quite interesting... http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/cbbf/

Interesting - I just did rough measurements based on my last check in here at MFP and a quick measurement of a couple that I don't track. It pegged me at about where I thought it would % wise. Also, it pegged my goal weight pretty close to what I estimate it to be - 165 lbs.

I find this very encouraging since I, too am 5'3" and my "ideal" weight based on BMI alone has 140 as the high mark. I think I'd look anorexic at that weight. I struggle with ignoring the scale even though, I know I should. It's just too tempting to not jump on it since my whole life it has been about the number on the scale.

alweiski

It is nice to know that I'm not alone with the curse/blessing of holding my weight well. A friend of mine is easily 25 lbs lighter than me but we wear the same size pants. She didn't believe me when I told her how much I weighed...an advantage if your playing the guess your age/weight games at amusement parks.

nm212

I'm glad you posted this because I have the same issue. I'm 5'4 and weighed 158 lbs when I started . Now I weight 154.4 but that took months to lose and keep off and I am still not at my goal. According to BMI charts, I am pretty overweight! I should weight about 135...give or take. However, I have seen other women who are 150 lbs and they look twice my size! It's a blessing but also a curse because I hate that my weight doesn't reflect how I look. Granted, I gained about 20lbs in the last few years and that's why I want to lose it , but it still doesn't help with weight loss because it is confusing. I'm trying to be patient and lose weight slowly.

tfoxsail

That's me....I have always weighed more than I look. I've had doctors tell me everything from bone density to muscle mass (I used to lift a lot while in the military) as reasons for this.

Sarahndipity30

Same! At 6'1" i look about 40-50 lbs lighter than I really am(and im much heavier than you haha) I told a coworker recently of my weight loss goals and how much i weighed..she staired at me in disbelief. Most people i mention my weight too say I don't look that big. I guess if i were a few inches shorter though I may look my size. Im broad shouldered and all abdomin and legs. meh! small blessing? lol

Tracylynnhudson

Yes, my dear. You are not alone. I wear between a size 8 and 10 at 5'7" and 170-175 lbs. That is the size I like to be and have never had any complaints in a bikini at that weight..........so...........weight can be important pertaining to psi on your joints; especially being upwardly mobile creatures. However, mass must be accounted for. Take a 3# lean steak out of the meat counter and set it next to 3# of butter and then write back to me re: what you see. I am continually told about the BMI. However, even my doctor asks me to step on another scale from time to time for accuracy. When I went to a weight management group with weekly weigh ins...I was expected to drop to 134 lbs. UNTIL THEY SAW ME AT 165 LBS I have very large bones and am very muscular; although not as before injuring my back. I have added and lost so many pounds since, it's too difficult to count. Hang in there.

kk_140

Even at 5'4" and 163lbs people thought I weighed about 140. It is nice that now that I weigh about 140 people think I weigh 130 lol

SezxyStef

Same here I am 5 ft 7, weight 157 atm and wear a size 5/6 jean.

My shoes are an 8-8.5...am I larged framed...no. Parts of me are broad...like my feet, shoulders but my hips are tiny (only reason they measure at 38 inches is my butt) but people peg me at 36 inch hips...and about 130lbs...

I am good with that.

Not sure of my BF%...thinking betweeen 23-25% (waiting on an evaluation).

itsadogslife

I'm 5"3 and I weigh 156 lbs.. wouldn't ever guess it though! I leg press 300lb!

lookpretty

Im 5 3 and when I was 144 I was a size two as well, I wasn't firm and wanted to lose 20 but no one was saying I was overweight

wyattj99

I'm the opposite. 5'3" weighing in this morning at 120.7 but I look heavier.

JoRocka

I'm 5'8" and 180lbs. A lot of people never believe me when I tell them that. But I have D's, and broad shoulders and thick muscular legs, so I assume that's the reason.

yup- same here

I have cut down to high 150's- but at the top of my bulk- I was 180. No one really batted an eye- I still fit a size 10/12 dress (pants HAH- I just give up on those) but I'm significantly heavier than people think I am. It's almost comical.

123fizz

I'm currently 234 pounds, I have lost a stone and a half since Christmas, but seem to have built up a lot of leg muscle due to taking up an hours worth of walking every day. I realize muscle is going to weigh more than the fat, but the slender shape of my legs is noticeable now compared to how they were before. My only concern is if they stay looking this big whilst I lose weight off everywhere else!

slk_5555

I'm 5ft 7 and currently 188lb - people are usually surprised when I tell them what I weigh. I think I look slimmer than some of my friends, but they weight a lot less than me. I'd say I have an hourglass shape - so quite even proportions & when I do gain weight - I gain quite evenly over my whole body, rather than in one area. Because of my height & because I stay in proportion - I think I can gain quite a lot of weight before it becomes noticeable.

On the down side, now that I'm trying to loose weight - I think I will need to loose quite a bit, for me to look visibly different. My mum was quite surprised when I said I had 2-3 stone to loose - that just gets me into a healthy BMI range.

2dogzrule

I've always had the same issue. I'm just shy of 6 feet tall and my current weight is 150 but I'm wearing sizes 6-8.

jstout365

I'm in the same boat. 5'2" and currently bouncing between 137 and 140 with about 29% BF. I'm in a size 6 pants, but they are very comfy. I have broad shoulders and a good amount of lean mass so my body composition supports a higher weight. At my lowest I was 125 with about 20% BF and 4's were loose on me. So I'm probably about 10-15 lbs heavier than I look and I take that as a good thing since the only time my weight will be an issue is if I decide to box competitively and need to be in a specific weight class.

Fabnover40Kat

I for the most part have always been able to carry my weight well! Im 5'9" currently weight 169 and just fit back into my size 8's. I have broad shoulder, big hands and feet. Ive done the skin caliper test but it wasn't accurate because I was doing it myself! My doctor says I look fantastic but I really want to get down to 160 and maybe 155! I wont go lower than that !!

It does make me feel bad though because when I talk to my men friends they weight about 10 pounds more than me! So it makes me feel fat!

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