5'6" larger frame females... Higher goal weight?!?!

tommygirl15

This thread is such a breath of fresh air for me, because last posts I have been reading on 5'6"ers was ladies who were trying to get down to as little as 103lbs! I'm not supportive of that at all, I don't care how small their frame is.
WTG girls, for wanting to be in the healthy range of our height class, even if it is the higher side. Good for you for setting realistic and healthy goals for yourselves!

Kauaiartist

5'6" here - I'm very happy at 150/155 - I have been smaller - but hard for me to maintain a weight of 135/140 - and at 150/155 I can wear a size 8/10 and that's fine with me - I am curvy - small waist and I have hips - you can change a lot with weight training, but not hip bones - embrace your curves - if you feel comfortable in your skin - no reason you have to be at the lower range of your healthy weight - I say yes, exercise - and do some weight training to tone and tighten - oh - I wouldn't give up cardio - it's an important part of any healthy regime - - you look fab in your profile photo btw! Don't get hung up on a number on the scale - if the numbers on your blood tests are in normal range - and you are at a healthy weight and feel fabulous that's all that matters! :flowerforyou:

Rikki007s

I'm 5'6" and currently 135lbs. My lowest weight was 129 right after I got back from studying abroad in China (everyone else seems to gain weight there, but I always lose). I thought I looked pretty good at that weight so I think that's my goal for now. May be looking at getting down to 125 eventually, but it really depends on how I look and feel after that.

kdcshesback

This thread is such a breath of fresh air for me, because last posts I have been reading on 5'6"ers was ladies who were trying to get down to as little as 103lbs! I'm not supportive of that at all, I don't care how small their frame is.
WTG girls, for wanting to be in the healthy range of our height class, even if it is the higher side. Good for you for setting realistic and healthy goals for yourselves!

So glad you guys were sharing the same sentiments. Not to knock anyone's personal progress or goals, I just don't see myself down that low in weight at 5'6"

You ladies have given me much to think about (i.e. worrying about my own goals, not comparing, focusing on my bf%, etc.). It is really appreciated! And for all the success stories... CONGRATS!!

joleenl

I'm 5'7" and I weigh 184.6lbs. I have a goal weight of 155lb. I might go lower. I'll decide when I get there. I know 2 summers ago, I didn't mind the the way I looked at between 170 and 175lbs. I think it really depends on how you are comfortable with your own body. Do you want to be lean and muscular or keep a little body fat to keep those curves? Its a personal preference for sure. Also, I don't necessarily agree with BMI. Weight and height isn't enough information to determine one's health in my opinion. My preference is to determine your health through a medical exam/tests, an accurate percent body fat test, and a fit test.

DawnieB1977

I'm the same height as you are, and also an hourglass shape. I'm currently 161lbs and looking to get to 150. 10 years ago I was 147 but I didn't do strength training then, just cardio, and I was probably eating less than 1200 calories a day. I look better now and I can wear all my old clothes from then. The difference now is my belly is not as good after having had kids!

If I got to 120 I know I'd look ill, it wouldn't suit me. Most people think I weigh less than I do anyway.

brassballa

I am 5'7" and right now 183(181 varies), BF is around 27% via calipers, 28.2% with handheld. That means for me to be 130lbs I would have negative bodyfat and might as well be dead, so nope that is no way my goal. I am aiming for 18-19% body fat and 160-165lbs. (134lbs LBM right now)

Avitar is me the other day at current weight.

Man I needed to see your post I have been wondering if I had set my goal to high ....I weigh the same as you and I am in the 28 percent range too...my goal is 160

JeneticTraining

During Winter 2012, I was 5' 6" and I was around 140 lbs. I was quite content with that weight. I think it's a healthy weight. I lost the top part of my hourglass when I went from 157lbs to 140lbs.

elle77

I didn't read all of the posts, but here is how you can determine your body frame size....

Measure around your wrist.

For a female that is 5'6":

Small Frame = Wrist size less than 6.25"
Medium Frame = Wrist size between 6.25" and 6.5"
Large Frame = Wrist size greater than 6.5"

Well this in nice to know!lol My wrist is 7"! I'm 5'7 & 200 lbs...size 12. My smallest was 140 size 1/2. Toooo thin...looked sick. At 175 I wear a 6-8....so for me 160 size 4 is good I am amazed at how different people can be....I guess I am truly big boned

HZ15

I always assumed I was bigger framed but as I've lost weight I'm reassessing.

I've never been slim so only had my "fat body" to judge on. I was one of those who carried their puppyfat a little longer than most but looking back was still quite slim. I didn't see it like that so decided in my warped little head that if I was going to be fat anyway I may as well eat what I want and so became genuinely fat by 17.

I still have 24lbs to lose to get to the top of my healthy BMI range but I'm wearing mostly UK size 10s (with some 12s still needed). And that doesn't seem to tie with being larger framed.

Nor do I put any faith in the wrist measurement thing. My wrists are much smaller now than this time last year. Evident in jewellery and watches and also in the 'finger and thumb' test. They were no where close to meeting this time last year (and boy did I try to stretch my little fingers round) and now there's a small overlap. Which would take me from having been large framed to being medium/small framed. Clearly my 'frame' hasn't actually changed at all rather just what's clinging on around it.

So, IMO, it's perhaps not wise to put yourself into a 'large frame' category too soon. Or indeed put any labels on your body type.

I also always assumed that I could only ever by a UK8 by starving myself and would look emaciated. Now, judging on how my body has changed so far, I'm probably going to be an 8 before even reaching the top of my healthy BMI range (which I find utterly bemusing).

I think if, like me, you were overweight for a long time you just need to focus on health and feeling comfortable in yourself. BMI is only a guide for averages (and not a very reliable one) so, to me, where you decide to stop on that range, or even if you're a couple of pounds either side, should be decided by how you feel, what works for your body and what is sustainable for your body rather than an arbitrary measurement or preconceived notion.

courtneywiens

I'm 5-5.5", nearly 5'6", I always thought I had a large frame but the more weight I lose, the more I realize it's not as large as I thought. My goal weight has been 145, but I'm thinking perhaps once I get there I'll reevaluate. The beauty of setting goals is that you can change them and you can have as many as you want. I've achieved many of my goals, my next one is to get to 154 (upper limit of healthy weight range for my height, currently I'm fluctuating between 157-159), then I want to get to 145 which is my "ultimate goal" but I have a contingency goal of possibly 136 due to a silly little quiz I took on self.com to find my "happy weight"...lol. So I say set the higher goal weight and then when you reach it, see if you want to set a new goal. good luck and feel free to add me if you want support!

sailawaykate

I'm 5'9" and am shooting for about 135-140 lbs. BUT, don't just look at your weight or BMI! Take the time to get your body fat percentage measured. It's a better marker of fitness, and your BMI is not always the best way to gauge your ideal weight level. If you lose a lot of muscle you'll lose weight, but be less fit overall. Remember, weight is just a number, and it fluctuates like crazy depending on hydration or whether you looked at cake during the last week (lol).

If you are near a university with health/fitness majors, they should offer something like a Microfit test for relatively low cost. And most gyms offer BF% tests. It's pinchy and a little humiliating, but the calipers are the best way to go for accurate results.

popsicklestar

I'm 5' 6.5" and I'm currently at 149. My goal weight is around 140 (I won't be totally sure till I see how I feel at that weight). My current body fat percentage is around 28% and I want to get down to 24%. 149 is a happy, healthy weight for me. I'm happy with how I look now, but I'm challenging myself to be more athletic and lower my body fat. Anything below 135 is definitely too skinny for my body frame. I would get your body fat measured if you want something to base your goal on besides weight.

jennifer_417

I'm 5' 6.5" and my goal weight is 140. It's in the middle range of what's considered healthy for my height, but since I have a larger frame, I think I will probably look quite slim at that weight.

jsjp

I am 5'5" and started at 159 lbs. I am currently 152 lbs. I consider myself med to large frame. Hourglass figure. My goal is 135. I know from being 135 before i dont want to go smaller. It makes me look too thin.

ashharris424

I'm 5'7" and my goal weight is 145 which is on the higher end of my healthy BMI. Being "bigger" runs in my family so I have the pear shaped body but with big boobs. I have a feeling those aren't going anywhere which is why I don't think anything lower than 140-145 would be realistic for me.

Dragon67

Hi, 5ft 6inch tall, large frame and I do want to be "skinny" just comfortable in being ME, I would be happy to get down to about 170-175lbs and see how I feel., them move on from there if I felt I would be happier, I have always been on the large framed side, even as a tenenager i was by no means fat, but have a large bust and a broad back & shoulders !, currently at 185 ( will know tonight when I weigh in at fat class! :blushing: )

baileybiddles

Hey there!

I am 5'6" And my ultimate goal is 140. I started at 203 pounds, and my current weight is 191.4. Inching there, inching there! Slow progress is better than no progress. I've been on this journey for six months and started with weight watchers... Quit that last weekend as my results were continually plateuing and decided to try a different approach. Calorie counting is definitely a change but I enjoy it.

jj1973

I didn't read all of the posts, but here is how you can determine your body frame size....

Measure around your wrist.

For a female that is 5'6":

Small Frame = Wrist size less than 6.25"
Medium Frame = Wrist size between 6.25" and 6.5"
Large Frame = Wrist size greater than 6.5"

For the record, I didn't make this up. Do the research for yourself and decide if it is reliable. Each person undoubtably carries their weight differently. I don't carry mine around my wrists so this measurement seems reliable for my situation.

dixiewhiskey

I forgot about that wrist thing.. I am definitely a "small" frame.. but I'm already at 25%BF.. even if I got down between 16-20%BF, I would still be thick and would weigh atleast 150lbs

BakerRunnerBadass

I have always assumed or felt like I was big boned (come from a group of husky German's). My original goal is to get to 150 and see how I look and feel then evaluate from there.

I started at 221 and am currently at 182.

Fit147

I am 5'6.5" and look and feel best when in the high 140s. If I get down to the high 120s, my period drops so I know that is too light for my medium/large fame.

Aleta7

I'm 5'6" and would be looking really good at 145...I have a large chest..so allowing for the top 140 is perfect for me.:happy:

Fit147

I didn't read all of the posts, but here is how you can determine your body frame size....

Measure around your wrist.

For a female that is 5'6":

Small Frame = Wrist size less than 6.25"
Medium Frame = Wrist size between 6.25" and 6.5"
Large Frame = Wrist size greater than 6.5"

My husband got me a nice watch that I had fitted to my wrist at the time by having a link removed. I was 162 at the time. It is too tight for me right now at 193....so beware ladies of this wive's tale.. You gain weight everywhere, wrists and fingers included. Don't conclude that you are a large frame if your wrist is more than 6.5"... If you check down the road you may find you are smaller.

vickilynch946

Well I am 5'6 and I now weigh 154-headed-I hope to 147. I am now a size 8 so it may be unrealistic for you to hope to be a size 6 at that weight! Sorry-wrong person-the way these replys work is nuts!

MikaMojito

In 2011 I estimate I weighed in around 75kg / 165lbs and wore size 12, which I was perfectly happy with.

When I was 16 I weighed about 63kg, was size 10 and I didn't like my ribs sticking out.

chellycakes

Oh yes. I'm a large frame pear shaped woman! I love my curves and want to get more toned. Currently I am 165, and pretty okay with it. I'd like to lost maybe ten pounds and I'd be the weight I was in high school.

hararayne

I have a large frame (based on wrist measurement and my insanely wide hips). My goal weight is 157, the top of the BMI range, because I weighed 165 in high school and was just a little pudgy. I had pretty good muscles back then, but not great, so I figure 157 with decent muscles would be perfect. Plus it's an even 200 pounds lost. I think I actually need to get to 154 to be considered "healthy".

I was actually quite happy between 165-175. I knew I needed to firm up a bit, but I didn't feel grossly fat, and I could still do anything I wanted, like roller coasters, zip lines, comfortable on an airplane, etc. Right now, I'd be happy to get under 200. It's not that I'm settling, but once I'm under 200 and can do all of that stuff again, any more weight loss is just a bonus.

I'm a lot like you. I decided my goal is 163 because I was measured at the gym and the said my lean muscle mass was 142 lbs. For me to get down to the weights I'd been obsessing about, I'd HAVE to lose muscle mass. Or an arm or something else vital.

DawnieB1977

I'm 5'6 and in my profile pic I am 154lbs. I have always weighed more than I look like I do. I think I could probably have got down to 145, but definitely no lower.

I'm currently 17 weeks pregnant with my 3rd and will be very happy to get back to 154 after!

bjshields

I'm 5'6" also and looked fantastic at 138. My current goal is 135, and I have NO IDEA what I weigh now, bc I'm scared of the scale! Every time I got on it 3-4 months ago, it was 161. I've significantly changed my eating (lots of veggies, fruits & whole grains, no animal foods) and am feeling and seeing a change, but I still won't get on the scale. Going to the doc this week, so I'll see how much I am. I try to go by clothes. When I'm a size 7-8, I look & feel my best. Good luck to you!