Not looking what I weigh!

BehindBlueEyes988

This has always driven me nuts! I weighed 141.5 as of 11/1, yet everyone claims I cannot simply weigh that much! Yet the scale claims such a weight! I just hate the BMI index because doctors always say "You don't seem too overweight, but this says you are!" Now, I'm no doctor, but if I don't look like I weigh 141, then why yell at me? Maybe it's muscle! My mother always got told by the Red Cross there was no way she weighed the min. 110 to give blood, and she was always 125 or more. I assume since I inherited her thyroid issues I more than likely got her body make-up, but it just irks me. I don't feel like I'm overweight, and I know BMI is not very trustworthy, but whyyy do doctors insist on following this so intently while telling me I look fine...

And FYI, I'm 5'2". I know 141 at that height is high, yet I get told I look like I weigh no more than 135-130

NCchar130

I've had the same problem. I'm 5' 6" and about 10 years ago got down to 135-140 and wore a US size 2-4 at that weight. I have female friends taller than me who were size 12-14 at that weight,whereas I wear those sizes around 180-190 pounds. We all carry it differently. I've never heard the reason for it other than explanations involving lean body mass vs body fat. I didn't workout back then so that never sounded right, but maybe that's all it is.

BehindBlueEyes988

I sure hope so! I get it all the time. People guess I'm at least 10 lbs less than I am. Granted I blessed to be able to contain muscle mass like that without trying, but it drives me nuts. The doctor should know better than I, not tell me "you look fine, but this scale and my old index says otherwise so I'm gonna insult you for an hour and call you nuts".

EnchantedEvening

I get that all the time, maybe because of my shape? My waist and shoulders are really small compared to my butt, and everyone has guessed me about 50 pounds under my weight from 200 on up.

nickyfm

The scale is crap. My weight has barely budged, yet I'm starting to fit back into clothes that I would normally wear when I'm 4 pounds lighter. Scale numbers are too ambiguous because of water retention and such!!

Just follow your inch loss, and how you look/feel in clothes I reckon

charelg

I understand where you are coming from. I don't feel I look like what I weigh. But some times it's water weight, sometimes more muscle. Everyone says you can't go by the scale, more by clothes and measurements. But I hate weighing myself, especially when I work hard to low the weight. So, I feel ya!

mackzaj

You know, I've been doing a lot of reading about frame size recently. I think the reason people look at me and can't IMAGINE that I need to lose 53 more pounds is that I have a large frame (by wrist measurement - the NIH has a good site to accurately measure your frame) and carry my weight well, and am proportionate. If you have a large frame, the rule is to add 10% of your BMI to your "normal" BMI and it's more reasonable. Try measuring your wrists and see if you fit into the large frame category. Perhaps that's why you look terrific!

BehindBlueEyes988

You know, I've been doing a lot of reading about frame size recently. I think the reason people look at me and can't IMAGINE that I need to lose 53 more pounds is that I have a large frame (by wrist measurement - the NIH has a good site to accurately measure your frame) and carry my weight well, and am proportionate. If you have a large frame, the rule is to add 10% of your BMI to your "normal" BMI and it's more reasonable. Try measuring your wrists and see if you fit into the large frame category. Perhaps that's why you look terrific!

I've never tried just measuring wrists. That sounds intersting since I've always done waist and hips. The only change I've noticed is my engagement ring (size 7) has gotten increasingly bigger on me. I assume I can't be too "overweight" if that's average sized and a tad big, but I dunno. My legs and calves have always been solid muscle, so perhaps that is where the weight has gone

roro1925

I get this all the time too....to the point where some family members are saying I'm getting too skinny. But I'm 143lbs and 5'8 and get told I look far less. It's definitely body frame and and also dependent on workouts and stuff like that. I weighed around 145 in 2006 when I got married but look wayyyyyyy thinner now yet only 2 pounds lighter. But I didn't exercise as much as I do now and I run every day so all those factors make a huge difference too.

NaturallyOlivia

May I just say that you are so beautiful, a number on the scale shouldn't make a bit of difference!

Colbyandsage

I am right there with ya. I did the NIH frame size and I am a large frame which is odd to me because I am 5'3 and don't think I am large in any aspect. I am 130 now and getting told I am too skinny. When I was heavier, a lot of my weight was in my belly and boobs, now that those are gone... I am getting told I am too skinny! Drives me nuts! I tell folks that I have lots 30 lbs and they look at me odd. My best friend doesn't believe me when u tell her my weight.

Oh, I also wear a size 7 ring, I always joke that I have big hands like a puppy

californiagirl2012

This has always driven me nuts! I weighed 141.5 as of 11/1, yet everyone claims I cannot simply weigh that much! Yet the scale claims such a weight! I just hate the BMI index because doctors always say "You don't seem too overweight, but this says you are!" Now, I'm no doctor, but if I don't look like I weigh 141, then why yell at me? Maybe it's muscle! My mother always got told by the Red Cross there was no way she weighed the min. 110 to give blood, and she was always 125 or more. I assume since I inherited her thyroid issues I more than likely got her body make-up, but it just irks me. I don't feel like I'm overweight, and I know BMI is not very trustworthy, but whyyy do doctors insist on following this so intently while telling me I look fine...

And FYI, I'm 5'2". I know 141 at that height is high, yet I get told I look like I weigh no more than 135-130

I'm 5'1" so I know how you feel as I used to weigh anywhere from 135-170lbs.

The only true medical procedure that can give you an accurate number is the DXA scan. You can have a hydrostatic body fat test done for around $25 and it is pretty accurate for body composition.

For your height 5’2” 101 – 131 Lbs is the healthy weight range.

Why not just decide where you want to be and go for it? As long as you are in the healthy range and if you worry about body fat get the hydrostatic test done or have your doctor check your blood and hormone levels.

You own your body, no one else. YOU decide what you want. Stop listening to everyone else (except your doctor at some point). If you want to lose some more weight go for it.

I had to get aggressive about what I wanted. So many people disagreed, but my doctor always said I was doing great and supported me. Even my husband finally came around. I had to sort of fight for what I wanted and constantly just say to myself "This is my body. I decide. I decide when and what I want to eat. No one else, just me. I decide how lean I want to get, how muscular and everything". Within reason of course, I always fell back on my doctor and it was awesome. I achieved what I never dreamed I would have.

Don't limit yourself. Go for what you want.

Aviva92

I've had the same problem. I'm 5' 6" and about 10 years ago got down to 135-140 and wore a US size 2-4 at that weight. I have female friends taller than me who were size 12-14 at that weight,whereas I wear those sizes around 180-190 pounds. We all carry it differently. I've never heard the reason for it other than explanations involving lean body mass vs body fat. I didn't workout back then so that never sounded right, but maybe that's all it is.

pants size difference could have to do with hip bone structure and have nothing to do with body fat.

BehindBlueEyes988

Thanks all! I just needed to hear a bit of support I guess. You're all right, and I feel like I'm within reasonable weight. Nothing over the top and I can get myself into normal range, even for one without such jacked legs

Heather1899

Everyone tells me that too. I've been told I look 145-150 at 185ish which is nice considering I wanted to weigh 150 at one time...
I don't know if it is muscle. I think that is wishful thinking? I am tall...5 feet 7 and my weight is distributed all over my body. Like not just my stomach. So I don't know if that helps it?

BehindBlueEyes988

Everyone tells me that too. I've been told I look 145-150 at 185ish which is nice considering I wanted to weigh 150 at one time...
I don't know if it is muscle. I think that is wishful thinking? I am tall...5 feet 7 and my weight is distributed all over my body. Like not just my stomach. So I don't know if that helps it?

Perhaps that's my deal as well. My weight has always somewhat evenly disturbed itself, yet still get the comment. Maybe it's just even distribution as well.

myogibbs

I have always weighed more & wore a bigger size than people I think look bigger than me. I think it depends a lot on body composition. I have most of my weight in my abdomen, which I hate because it is so unhealthy, but so did my dad. So, people with more of a pear shape (weight in hips) can wear a smaller size, especially the stretch stuff, b/c their waists are smaller. Plus, clothes sizes are so jacked these days. I refuse to weigh. I have no idea what I weigh but I have dropped up to 4 sizes in pants & lost 7 inches in my abs. That is what I go by. My calves are HUGE...I can't wear a lot of boots b/c of my calves. I think you are just more muscular than most & muscle is denser than fat. So...5 pounds of fat takes up more space than 5 pounds of muscle. I agree with those who say you are beautiful & don't stress over it...as long as you are healthy,it doesn't matter what anyone else says. Even doctors can make mistakes, or have outdated opinions if they don't keep up with current research...

jsdholland

Sadly, there are so many overweight people in this country that I don"t think people have a good idea anymore of what weight looks like. I know i don't! I totally agree that frame and muscle fitness make a huge difference. My sister and I have very similar frames, last year she worked really hard and dropped 15 lbs and got to 130-her "ideal" weight for 5'6"....not underweight, but right in the middle of her medically recommended range.. She had looked great at 145, and looked SO skinny at 130....it made me think that I didn't really know what weight looked like anymore!!!

tinagn

It's your Bf percentage that matters. The number on the scale isn't accurate all the time also...
Measure yourself and as long the bf percentage is going down, even if the number on the scale isn't budging, you are still doing it right!

BehindBlueEyes988

It's your Bf percentage that matters. The number on the scale isn't accurate all the time also...
Measure yourself and as long the bf percentage is going down, even if the number on the scale isn't budging, you are still doing it right!

That's what my fiance is thinking I should do since my weight is so different than how I look for my height. I need to find good calipers to take a BF% amount and go from there

k011185

I carry mine really well, obviously I look big, but even my own husband thought I was lying through my teeth when I told him what I really weighed at my highest.
I had to get on the scale and prove it to him, (and he's seen me naked, haha).
Sadly, it also means that as I lose weight, it takes a lot before you can see a difference.

I asked my dr about it when he estimated my weight to be 50 lbs less then it was, he said it's just has to do with body composition and how your body stores fat deposits. I also work two jobs, both quite physical, so I do have a decent amount os muscle, but certainly not 50 lbs worth! lol

BBehnke84

All I have to say is that the scale and everyone else is crazy cuz you look amazing

slkehl

Not a bad problem to have imo

seansquared

Most people have no idea what other people weigh, they just spout random numbers out for whatever social reason it is (wanting to agree, wanting to disagree, wanting to make the other person feel good/bad, etc).

Ignore the verbal comments and focus on two things: what the scale tells YOU (not what others say) and how well your clothes fit.

When you start dropping pants sizes, you know you are making progress - scale be damned.

BehindBlueEyes988

All I have to say is that the scale and everyone else is crazy cuz you look amazing

Thanks for this and words like it. I'm, on average, a size 6. My wedding dress is an 8, so I know I'm smaller than the average person at my weight. Guess I'm not the only one to suffer this issue so thanks every single one of you! And to those who share this frustration, least we all know we aren't alone! I've argued with people who've known me for years (including my own aunt) that I weight more than they think.

I mean, honestly, who claims to weight more than they actually do!?

BBehnke84

All I have to say is that the scale and everyone else is crazy cuz you look amazing

Thanks for this and words like it. I'm, on average, a size 6. My wedding dress is an 8, so I know I'm smaller than the average person at my weight. Guess I'm not the only one to suffer this issue so thanks every single one of you! And to those who share this frustration, least we all know we aren't alone! I've argued with people who've known me for years (including my own aunt) that I weight more than they think.

I mean, honestly, who claims to weight more than they actually do!?

Haha! Crazy people...and you're very welcome...I simply speak the truth

Arperjen

I'm 5'7, medium-framed, and I weight about 20 lb. more than I look. I freaked out a gym trainer once because of that. ;P

BehindBlueEyes988

All I have to say is that the scale and everyone else is crazy cuz you look amazing

Thanks for this and words like it. I'm, on average, a size 6. My wedding dress is an 8, so I know I'm smaller than the average person at my weight. Guess I'm not the only one to suffer this issue so thanks every single one of you! And to those who share this frustration, least we all know we aren't alone! I've argued with people who've known me for years (including my own aunt) that I weight more than they think.

I mean, honestly, who claims to weight more than they actually do!?

Haha! Crazy people...and you're very welcome...I simply speak the truth

Guess I'm not crazy! But seriously, thanks again! It's bugged me for pretty much my whole life I've been aware of weight and weight issues. Even when I was 160 people claimed I was merely 140

BehindBlueEyes988

I'm 5'7, medium-framed, and I weight about 20 lb. more than I look. I freaked out a gym trainer once because of that. ;P

It's always fun to freak out trainers! Blows their perception of normal out of the water a bit!

FitandFab33

BMI is notoriously incomprehensive. "Body frame size" (based on wrist size) is inaccurate. Waist to Hip ratio is another indicator, but there is no end-all be-all for determining the "right" size or weight for you. Body fat % is another measurement, but again, different people carry fat in different ways and different bodies look competely different at the same BF%. It's a crap shoot. You eat right, exercise, and do what FEELS right for you.

And yes, you look fantastic. :-)

BBehnke84

BMI is notoriously incomprehensive. "Body frame size" (based on wrist size) is inaccurate. Waist to Hip ratio is another indicator, but there is no end-all be-all for determining the "right" size or weight for you. Body fat % is another measurement, but again, different people carry fat in different ways and different bodies look competely different at the same BF%. It's a crap shoot. You eat right, exercise, and do what FEELS right for you.

And yes, you look fantastic. :-)

This!