Do people think your goal weight is too skinny?
scottbrown78
Posts: 142 Member
I'm 5'9" tall, I weighed 251 when I started this new lifestyle and have lost right at 20lbs in 3 and half weeks. People have noticed (which makes me smile) and when they ask I tell them I am watching what I eat and exercising more. I always get the same question, in some form or another, "What is your goal weight?" when I tell them 180lbs I get the same response every time. "That's too skinny, you'll look bad being that skinny, you'll never make it." I usually try to smile at them and explain to them that it wasn't very long ago that I was 170lbs (and even then had a pudgy belly) and that medically I should be 170 at max. I usually get the "You're too big boned to be 170lbs." Are we as a society become so accustomed to people being fat that we think that being a "fit" weight is too skinny?
Ugh, ok I'm going to get off my soap box now.
Ugh, ok I'm going to get off my soap box now.
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Replies
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When you say your "medical" max is 170, are you refering to BMI, fat % or some other scale? If it's BMI, you may want to do a secondary evaluation - get your bodyfat percentage calculated. You said you had a pudgy belly at 170 - this may have been "skinny fat" where you were at an acceptable weight, but your fat was still high.
I'd trust bodyfat % above BMI - I'm 340 lbs right now, and about 21-22% bodyfat (caliper measured). That means that if I just lose fat, I have about 30 lbs left. BMI says I should be much, much lower.
Just saying that you may end up heavier than you expected (especially if you do weight training - you'll keep more muscle).0 -
Yes, I am speaking of BMI when I say medically. And I know it is not a one size fits all determination, hence the reason to put my goal weight at 180, I have more muscle now than I did when I weighed 170. And quite frankly maybe I just need to tell them I don't have a goal weight, just a goal, to NOT be fat, to turn heads in a good way when I pull my shirt off next year at the beach. I really don't care about the number the scale says, just so long as I don't have this gut hanging off of me. Thanks for your reply.0
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My doctor says for my height I should be 175-190. I think he is nuts. Granted he is basing his opinon off of the BMI chart, which I believe is antiquated and doesn't account for frame size. I am 6'3 and have a large frame. I think 200-220 would be a better goal range for me.
Oh and forgot to add, friends and family that see me everyday think I am at a good weight now. They are used to seeing me much bigger. When I tell them what I am shooting for they encourage and support me.0 -
I'm 5'9 myself, and I weigh 149 currently.. and there is no way I am too skinny.
When I started I was 180, and that to me, was too fat. Like you described, I had the pudgy belly, some fat rolls here and there and I was just not happy.
Now that I've lost the weight, most people don't tell me I'm too skinny.. but I sort of think I am and am trying to not lose much more.0 -
Well the same here but its only because people have gotten use to us being on the biggish side. they cant visualize us being on the skinny side but hey we see that vision....wink wink. People can be both our motivators or de-motivators. They entitled to their opinion but at the end of the day its all about us,whats better and healthier for us. I am voting for u so keep up with the good work!!0
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Yes! When I tell people I still have 22lbs to go, they look at me like I'm crazy and I get all sort of remarks.
My stats are:
5'1" - Starting weight 205, current weight - 155.4
Goal weight - 135
Technically speaking 135 for my height is still considered quite overweight. My trainer agrees with my goal, but is pushing for END goal to be 125. I know I would be VERY comfortable at 135. I know looking at me now I don't look like I'm 155, but I've always carried my weight proportionately.0 -
I am 5'9" with what is considered a medium to large frame. I started in the 180's and I want to get to 155. I have the same problem you have and I voiced it to MFP and they are so supportive. Get to weight that feels good to you. I've been 170 and I don't like my belly at that weight. At 160 I feel comfortable in a bikini. I no longer tell my people my goal weight or my current weight. I act like I don't know what my weight is and if they still bug me I say a higher weight than what I actually am. It's easier to make it seem like I don't weight myself. I just tell people I want to be healthy and that I try to eat right and I leave it at that. I'm currently 168.0
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I don't tell anyone my goal weight. I just tell them I will know when I get there
I have really had more of a size goal in mind-I wanted to be a size 8. I can fit in that now, but I could easily stand to lose some more weight.
I think folks get used to seeing us a certain size, so their brain needs to be retrained on how we should look.0 -
I don't tell people my goal weight. Truthfully, I tell them my goal is to remain upright and mobile as long as possible.0
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ALL THE TIME. I'm 22, and my parents freak out when I tell them I'd like to be at least 130. I'm 5'3 and my highest was 223. I'm now 160. I'm super tiny compared to what I was before, but I have so much to go. They're not used to seeing me this "small". It's quite annoying.0
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Unfortunately, I think you're right. My goal (& medical ideal) is around 130. Everyone says my face will look really bad at 130, since I don't have the traditional "fat girl face". When I am around 200, I have a very sharp jaw & good cheek bones, which leads them to think I will be shrunken in when go way lower than that.0
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no dude is gonna look too skinny at 180 unless he is 9 feet tall
when i was down to 166 i had some overweight people tell me i needed to gain weight0 -
My goal weight was too skinny before. I am 5"2" and 120 now but I wanted to be 105. I recently found a picture from 3 years ago that was me at 110 and I was borderline anorexic. That made me realize that I don't really need to lose weight. I just need to tone up.0
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I'm 5'7" & here are my stats
SW- 171 lbs
CW- 145 lbs
GW- 130 lbs
UGW- 125 lbs
At my height I don't want to be toned, or flabby at all... I want to be thin structure as model has (without being overly thin).0 -
Sometimes, but many people have lost all sense of what a normal weight is. I've read a few articles to that effect.
In addition, if you know nothing about someone's weight and health history and their build, it's highly presumptuous to tell someone that they're aiming too low.
And guess what, the only people who do that are overweight and apparently have a need to be "helpful" by projecting their issues on you. You never get a thin person (and I mean healthily thin) making silly comments.0 -
I catch crap from my friend's all the time about it when I give them numbers. I just stopped giving them weight numbers and starting saying "I need to lose 1/2 an inch off my waist" or "I would like to be able to lift xyz pounds" or "I want to be able to run 5 miles". The second and third statements make sense to me because they are health based not weight based goals. However, somehow 1/2 and inch is okay by my friends too. It's really weird.
Ignore them for now unless they have an MD or are physical fitness experts (certified trainers). Unless you have issues like passing out, trouble breathing, heart problems, headaches etc or are below the BMI then you're probably fine. Let people who are qualified to judge your health.0 -
yes, im 5'7 and 144lbs. id like to lose 9lbs more, if i dare tell anyone that i get this is a response "9lbs!!! from where?!!" ...like really?...from anywhere i can, haha. i want muscle gain and fat loss, so even if i stay at this weight, but change my body comp itd be happy, but i think for the 'look' i want, id be too big. i think people see it like that because theyre used to seeing me bigger-like no less than 180lbs. i work the F out 5 days a weeks at least and im doing things right, this weight didnt come off in 1.5months, its taken 1.5yrs...meanwhile my friends do do F all and want to give me advice on how i should keep/care for my body. NOT.0
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My goal weight was too skinny before. I am 5"2" and 120 now but I wanted to be 105. I recently found a picture from 3 years ago that was me at 110 and I was borderline anorexic. That made me realize that I don't really need to lose weight. I just need to tone up.
People are different. I'm 5'2", my highest weight, caused by a medication, was 112, and 105 is still a fairly high weight for me. I consider it a gateway to becoming overweight. I'm 101.5 today and I don't look anorexic. In my 20s and 30s I weighed in the low- to mid-90s. I'm not trying to get back down that low, but I was not made to be 120 pounds.
As I'm the only member of my family who is normal weight I know whereof I speak.0 -
I would leave weight out of it! Besides, weight doesn't tell you much, specifically of you are weight training!
I would say....I'm done when I can fit into a size 8....or whatever that may be. 0 -
Oh....I'm 5'8.5 and I'm currently 167. I weight train and I fit into my jeans way better then I did at 160! I just want to be a size 6-8 and wear short shorts next summer and then I would feel perfect!!!0
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My father-in-law told me if I get too skin I'd lose my DD's lmao. My goal is 140 I'm at 190 so 50 more to go!0
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I'm at my goal weight right now, which is 120 (okay, 121) at 5'5, and people tell me I'm too skinny. I am pretty petite, and I used to more of an average size, so I think that's why it's jarring for some people. It's weird, because if someone is just naturally thin, they don't seem to get as many comments as someone who works hard to get themselves there. I guess people assume you can only get skinny through negative means.
I also think that a lot of people just react badly to weight loss, hence the "big boned" comments you're getting. I think people want to make excuses for not being in shape or fit, so when someone around them actually takes the initiative and gets themselves there without being naturally built that way, it kind of shakes them up. That's been my experience, anyway!0 -
I started at 294 (21st) and the plan was to get down to 224-230 (16-16.5st) this year. Then maintain over Christmas. Then re-*kitten* in the New Year. The reason for this is that I don't know where I want to be yet. I have to have time to get used to being thinner and see where I want to be. I am lucky that everybody has been very supportive. I am just at the point that people I have not seen in a while are doing a big double take.
Hoping that the pause over Christmas will give people time to adjust to a smaller me as well. Still not sure that I will ever get too skinny!0 -
Yes...more and more people are telling me that.
But...
I did the research, I charted the facts, I made sure that my goal weight was reasonable for my age and my height. I also researched foods to help me get to where I am now, and I've researched techniques on how to stay at my goal weight once I reach it. I'm doing the leg work, the mental work, and paying attention to the one thing that gets us "sane" during and after weight loss--I'm listening to my body and how my body feels.
I feel great, I am looking better and better, I'm toning and meeting my exercise challenges. I'm always nice to the nay-sayers, and speak with them in warm tones, thanking them for their concerns, but really this is one area of my life that if you haven't picked up a pair of my too large shoes and walked a mile in them, you do not have the perspective that I have.
I'm 5'5" tall, starting weight 245, current weight 136, goal weight 130. I have a small frame and an outgoing personality. I'm happy with my forever size of 4-6, and I'm looking forward to the remaining jiggles to firm up in the next year. If I never reach 130, it will be okay with me. I have come this far, I have accomplished amazing results, and I am truly satisfied beyond words.
BTW---130 was what my doctor said I should weigh at the last complete physical I had. He will be amazed and very happy about the outcome. And that is a fact!0 -
People don't understand that at a certain point it's not just weight - it's nutrition, it's maybe about tightening up certain areas (like my tummy). And they are probably used to you looking a certain way so it's weird for them or something.
Some people I care about very much are also afraid I will be too skinny - but I try to tell them it's not really weight in itself - it's more I want to "lean up" - and that means increasing muscle and losing fat - which is a gradual process.
I have lost about 25 pounds and I am in a good place -- and just recently joined this site - I am trying to break that "plateau" not just on weight but on toning, and really creating results that will last. And also do it with a SUSTAINABLE way of living, not starving or something that will result in binges. Body Fat Percentage to me is more important than weight.
I really like the poster who said "I'll know when I get there" - because I think that is very much true.
Good luck on your journey! Don't let the naysayers sway you if what you are doing is healthy and you feel good and see a difference then I think that should be your guide. Just make sure you're getting the nutrients you need and still finding a way to enjoy life - that's been my ongoing journey.
GW 163 (toned and strong)
CW 169 (was also this weight 13 months ago but that was without strength training)
HW 196 (April 2012, Dec 2010)0 -
Yes...more and more people are telling me that.
But...
I did the research, I charted the facts, I made sure that my goal weight was reasonable for my age and my height. I also researched foods to help me get to where I am now, and I've researched techniques on how to stay at my goal weight once I reach it. I'm doing the leg work, the mental work, and paying attention to the one thing that gets us "sane" during and after weight loss--I'm listening to my body and how my body feels.
I feel great, I am looking better and better, I'm toning and meeting my exercise challenges. I'm always nice to the nay-sayers, and speak with them in warm tones, thanking them for their concerns, but really this is one area of my life that if you haven't picked up a pair of my too large shoes and walked a mile in them, you do not have the perspective that I have.
I'm 5'5" tall, starting weight 245, current weight 136, goal weight 130. I have a small frame and an outgoing personality. I'm happy with my forever size of 4-6, and I'm looking forward to the remaining jiggles to firm up in the next year. If I never reach 130, it will be okay with me. I have come this far, I have accomplished amazing results, and I am truly satisfied beyond words.
BTW---130 was what my doctor said I should weigh at the last complete physical I had. He will be amazed and very happy about the outcome. And that is a fact!
Wow, congratulations! That's a great accomplishment!0 -
YES! All the time.
I'm 5'8, and I started out at 190, so I've always been seen as a bigger person. I'm at 156 lbs right now, and I want to be anywhere between 140 and 150 (I'll find out when I get there). And my roommate's always like: "But you're so tall, you'll look so gross at at 140!"
Well, guess what? I weigh 156 now and you should see the amount of as* and thighs that prevents me from fitting into a US size 8.0 -
I'm 5'9" and 160 and I'm DEFINITELY not too skinny. Could stand to lose at least 10-20 more pounds for sure. People are haters who get mad at people who can lose weight because they don't have the determination to do it themselves. Don't listen to them. Keep going as long as you want.0
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I am 5ft 10" and weigh 175lb. According to the BMI chart, I am still a few pounds overweight. My profile pic is a week old, but I am wearing a size jeans which I used to only be able to wear when I weighed 140 lbs. My friends and family refer to me as skinny, and I think they may be right.
BMI does not take into account body fat percentage, which is why it still lists me as being overweight (I have had other fit friends with this issue with the BMI chart). I do a lot of strength training, which I never used to do, which has resulted in my being smaller but weighing more. I also have a relatively flat stomach :happy:0 -
My goal weight to get down to is 100 and according to my frame and height it's perfect, there's people i know who think it's too much for me loose but im fine with it, really im gonna wait till im half way in the 130 mark and see how i feel.0
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