Woman 5' 8" 40 ish, what's your goal weight please

keeponkickin

Hi,

A little background first. I started MFP on January 11, 2011 and by January 12, 2012 I had shed 112 pounds. I'm 5' 8", medium framed, age 45 and started with a high weight of 277 and I'm now sitting at a solid 165. I've been plateaued since December and decided about a month ago that my body was done and ready to move into maintenance. I eat healthy and put in 5 intense workouts a week. I thought I was coasting along just fine. So, I go and see a new primary care doctor this week. I'm giving him my medical background and I tell him I lost 112 pounds in a year. He asks my height, looks at my current weight and then proceeds to tell me to drop another 15 to 20 pounds. I think my chin hit the floor. BMI charts can be so bogus. I tell him for nearly 5 months I did EVERYTHING in my power to drop 10 pounds and finally decided to maintain and how did he expect me to drop up to 20. He sets me up to speak with a nutritionist. Are you kidding me?

Anyway, what are your goal weights. Anyone around my age feel being between 165 to 170 pounds, fit and toned goal for them?

Awkward30

I think you look great! If you want to prove that you are healthy, invest in a dexa scan or bodpod to find out your body fat percent. I have a large frame and in my profile pic I'm out of the healthy BMI range but anyone looking would think I was healthy, and body fat is fine.

girch_99

Weight Watchers sets their weight range for 5 ft 8 at a minimum of 132 and a maximum of 164. You look fabulous and fit in your pics and if you are eating well and exercising I think you are just fine! I also am your height, 37, and am aiming for 160 (8 pounds to lose). Cheers

keeponkickin

Weight Watchers sets their weight range for 5 ft 8 at a minimum of 132 and a maximum of 164. You look fabulous and fit in your pics and if you are eating well and exercising I think you are just fine! I also am your height, 37, and am aiming for 160 (8 pounds to lose). Cheers

Thanks. I'm sitting at a solid 165. Scale won't budge. He didn't even take into account muscle weight. Just said get between 145 and 150. UGH

loranch

I also have a bigger frame and am 47. So right now my goal is 170 and possibly 165 once I reach the first one. I've weighed less but right now I just want an attainable goal where I won't be discouraged.

Bekabooop88

keeponkickin, I've got to tell you, you look AMAZING! congrats on the weight loss!

lu136mickey

First I would look for a new DR.LOL with that said im 42 small frame 5' 71/2" and weigh as of wed. 152 lbs and my goal weight is 135, but you are taller and have a different size frame so that would prolly be to small for you acording to your pics you look great and fit so I would stick to what feels good on you!! great job on the huge loss

keeponkickin

First I would look for a new DR.LOL with that said im 42 small frame 5' 71/2" and weigh as of wed. 152 lbs and my goal weight is 135, but you are taller and have a different size frame so that would prolly be to small for you acording to your pics you look great and fit so I would stick to what feels good on you!! great job on the huge loss

LOL. He was a new doctor. I will see him a couple of times before jumping ship but he didn't get off to a good start with me. He didn't even say "great job" or anything about losing 112 pounds. Just looked at the BMI chart and tells me to go for me. UGH. I'm glad to hear that 165 isn't unreasonable.

dpoovey

You look wonderful. For your height, i see nothing wrong with that weight. I would not worry about losing more, just maintain. We are not all meant to be size 3 and 4's. I think if you lost much more you would look too skinny...just my opinion. Great job!!!

karen0214

First off, I just want to congratulate you on your awesome weight loss. Secondly, I think you look fabulous. You carry the 165 lbs very well. I am 49 yrs old and 5' 9". I always maintained around 155-165 until I had twins at age 40 and my thyroid issues started. I am now at 240. My goal weight is around 155, but if I plateaued at 165 I would not be disappointed. Also, just my opinion, I would not even think twice about what the doctor said. If you are healthy and comfortable, then I say you're good.

keeponkickin

First off, I just want to congratulate you on your awesome weight loss. Secondly, I think you look fabulous. You carry the 165 lbs very well. I am 49 yrs old and 5' 9". I always maintained around 155-165 until I had twins at age 40 and my thyroid issues started. I am now at 240. My goal weight is around 155, but if I plateaued at 165 I would not be disappointed. Also, just my opinion, I would not even think twice about what the doctor said. If you are healthy and comfortable, then I say you're good.

Thank you so much. I'm VERY healthy. Blood pressure is amazing, total cholesterol of 123, all lab tests are normal, I have tons of energy, I workout hard 5 days a week, running, intense cardio intervals and I lift heavy weights every other day. If he rags me about losing more weight on my next visit it will be my last visit.

karen0214

First off, I just want to congratulate you on your awesome weight loss. Secondly, I think you look fabulous. You carry the 165 lbs very well. I am 49 yrs old and 5' 9". I always maintained around 155-165 until I had twins at age 40 and my thyroid issues started. I am now at 240. My goal weight is around 155, but if I plateaued at 165 I would not be disappointed. Also, just my opinion, I would not even think twice about what the doctor said. If you are healthy and comfortable, then I say you're good.

Thank you so much. I'm VERY healthy. Blood pressure is amazing, total cholesterol of 123, all lab tests are normal, I have tons of energy, I workout hard 5 days a week, running, intense cardio intervals and I lift heavy weights every other day. If he rags me about losing more weight on my next visit it will be my last visit.

I think that doctors sometimes forget that everyone is not created equal. Just because someone else at 5' 8" weighs 150 lbs does not mean that is for everyone. He apparently didn't have eyes to see all the other great numbers that you're running (cholesterol, blood pressure, etc.) and just the fact that you are a Type I diabetic. I'm with you -- try him again and if he rags you, go elsewhere. Blessings to you.

keeponkickin

Thank you so much everyone. It's good to hear that I'm in a pretty good spot and don't really need to push for more.

caterpillardreams

You look amazing.
You know your body better than your doctor. He is a doctor he knows a lot medically, but you look amazing and if you are not overweight, and everything else is on point, then good for you. Unless there is some medical health reason for you to lose those 20lbs I would think you should be fine.
Its your choice.
If you want you can consult another doctor if it will ease your mind. We all have our own opinions, but most of us are not professional. I do not consult my doctor for everything, they are not always right.
I would not take offense to it.

Congratulations on your amazing weight loss.

slimsue28

You look wonderful.

I'm 5'8" and 50 and I'd be thrilled to be at your weight. I set my goal weight at 175 since I always felt most comfortable around that weight.

skybird455

you look awesome!!! I am just over 5 8, goal weight is 145 for me (im 38 yrs old) sitting in the 160s right now.

badgeratheart

I'm 5'7", age 38 and plateauing at 162 right now. Looks like this may be where I settle, but I have been thinking that I should be back between 150-153. I think you're in a a good spot. Keep up the great work!

cygnetpro

Oh, my gosh, you look AWESOME!

I'm 5'9, and my goal weight is 140-150. But I will be thin/slender at that point. I have a friend who is probably 5'8" and she is 165, and looks terrific. She has no interest in going lower. She's healthy, curvy (and I don't mean curvy the way it's sometimes used-- I mean nice womanly hourglassy thing going on), and strong. So if I get to 165 and think I am where I should be, then I'll shift my goal accordingly.

Congrats on your weight loss! Very inspiring.

terraskye

You look awesome!!! Bonk that doctor on the head for me!:bigsmile:


I'm 44 and 5'8 My final goal weight will be around 150-155-ish I am pretty sure I have a large frame so I'll hit that target and see how I look from there. I dont expect though that I'll aim for anything lower. Just work on heavy lifts and eating right

kristen6022

I think you might need to find a new doctor (Again). Even though 165 and 5'8 is on the heavy side of normal I think he should be have been happier than a clam that you dropped the 112 pounds. You look amazing and if you are comfortable and happy with what you've done, screw him. You obviously don't need a nutrionalist if you lost all the weight on your own. If you were unhappy and felt you needed to lose more weight I'd say either find a personal trainer or go to the nutrionalist and see what they have to say. But there's no shame for enjoying the size you are now!

sdow

You look beautiful. Do I see more confidence in your smile? Weight varies so much for each individual. I am 5'4" and my best weight is 125. I have a friend who is my height who weighs 110. We are both healthy. We both look good.

Your doctor should have said, "Nice job on losing 112 pounds." You have changed your lifestyle and who you are.

Nice job of remaking yourself. Love yourself.

fabafter5

I'm 39 5'8 athletic build and my goal weight is 160. I was there before and in a size 6/8 pants. I wouldn't want to be any smaller. Even at 160 people were telling me I was too skinny. I workout 5-6 days a weeks and am pretty solid.

claren1978

Hey There, I'm 5'7/8 ish and weigh 140-142lbs (depending if its a good day!)
I was similar to yourself a few years back and dropped 90lb+ and found it hard to shift the final bit.

I signed up to a trainer who recommended a High, Low, No carb cycle in conjuction to my exercise regime and the weight fell off. I'm now maintaining my 140-145 and really happy!

If you want me to send you the healthy eating plan let me know your email and and I'll send it to you. Still have it and use when I've been a bit over indulgent to get myself back on track.

On the flip side - if you are happy maintaining your current weight and are healthy there is no need to change! Doctors (especially in the UK) can be very blinkered!

Cx

keeponkickin

I'm 5'7", age 38 and plateauing at 162 right now. Looks like this may be where I settle, but I have been thinking that I should be back between 150-153. I think you're in a a good spot. Keep up the great work!

Thanks. This is exactly what I've done. I got to 165 and plateaued right there. No budging for 5 months. I figured I was where I need to be and then this doc tells me to lose more based on a BMI chart. Such a load of @%*#

Needmorewillpower

Oh ignore the doctor! You look fabulous and I don't think you need to lose any more. I am 5ft 8ins, aged 52 and my target weight is 154lbs. Due to a thyroid condition I lost a lot of weight a couple of years ago and went down to under 140lbs. I know I looked too thin, and I think it also aged me.

I put all the weight back on, and a little bit more. Which is what kick started me to start dieting. I am currently 180lbs and everyone keeps telling me I don't need to diet. I think being tall disguises extra fat wonderfully, but I know by the fit of my clothes that I could do with losing the weight!

beachlover718

I agree with everyone else. You look amazing. That Dr clearly doesnt know what he's talking about. BMI doesnt take into account your BF% or muscle mass. It's just a guide for heavens sake, he should know that. Great job losing the weight and keeping it off! You are an inspiration!

astrampe

5'8 and has been stuck at 176 for months now.... Would love to be 165 - goal is 163, but it does not look like I will ever see it.... Stupid doctor in my not so humble opinion! :bigsmile:

sbaldino29

I think u look beautiful. I am starting my weight loss journey (again!) and my goal is 160 - 165. I am 5' 8" and currently 229. I keep faith that I will have motivation to reach and maintain that goal. Congratulations on your amazing loss!

ShalisaClam

You look sooo fabuloso!!! Congrats on losing 112 lbs. New Doctor should have been impressed with that and commented on it. Not everyone can achieve that, and you should be proud. It sounds like he's trying to use a one-size-fits-all approach. Yeah, all things being equal, maybe that would be an ideal weight - for someone who's not exercising and just watching what they eat. I am guessing you probably have built some nice muscle to go along with it. I think you look great at 165, and if you feel good, stay there.

I am 41, 255, 5'8" and would like to get to 180. 165 might be a little too low for me. Good Luck.

i_miss_donuts

First off, congratulations on your amazing accomplishment! You have come incredibly far and should be so proud of taking and keeping off so much weight! I really think your Doc's bedside manner needs work!

That said, here comes the "but"... for your height, 165 is the threshold of a BMI in the overweight range. Yep, I know BMI can be skewed by lean body mass/muscle in very fit people. So what about height/weight charts? I am not sure what your frame size is, but if it is large, then 165lbs is also at the top of recommended range for a large framed person on a variety of charts. Importantly, these charts were developed because they reflect a range of weight associated with reduced mortality and incidence of preventable disease (see Army, Metlife or Weight Watchers charts to verify). I don't know your measurements, your waist size would be another thing to take into account. A waist over 35" for women is indicative of high levels of intra-abdominal fat and doubles your risk of dying (compared to those with waists measuring <35") in the next 10 years.

In defense of your Doc, most are afraid to say anything to patients for fear of offending. He/she may be taking the perspective that although you have come REALLY far already, you are on the margin for healthy weight and would reduce a number of risk factors by bringing it down a little bit more. Also, given that the average American over 40 gains between 5-8 lbs per year (see http://www.livestrong.com/article/142567-average-increase-weight-adults/ ), maybe he/she thinks losing a bit more would give you a better chance of remaining healthy? If you really feel like your Doc isn't seeing the whole picture and/or your waist is smaller than 35" and/or your think your lean body mass skews your BMI, then maybe get your body fat tested and reassess whether losing a little more weight is the best decision for your health. Clearly you are capable of losing the next few pounds if that is what you set your mind to doing!

:flowerforyou:

keeponkickin

I definitely have some lean muscle built up. It is clearly seen even when not exercise. My waist measures 31 inches. So under the 35 or even 32 inch range. I'm medium framed. My comment to the doctor was that I had been trying to ditch 10 more pound for over 5 months and have been stuck with zero movement. I've tried it all and nothing has worked. I've dropped a pant size, but not the scale. So this also shows muscle gain and fat loss. I'm just glad to see that other women my age are aiming for my weight range.