Is My Goal Weight Too Low?

Johlawrence
Johlawrence Posts: 236 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I am 5'4.5" and started at 170. I am now at 160. I saw my doctor today who is helping me along this journey and is pleased with the progress I have made. However, when she asked me what my goal was and I replied with 135, she immediately told me that was too thin. REALLY? My current BMI is a 27. She said that is healthy, however, from what I have read, that is still considered overweight. A goal of 135 would make my BMI about 22.5. Wouldn't that be HEALTHIER? I tried to argue, because I know what I have read on many different BMI charts, but how do you argue with a doctor? According to the BMI calculator I used, a healthy weight for me is between 110 - 148. 135 is right in the middle. I am confused. Any suggestions? Along with trying to lose weight, I am exercising and trying to tone and tighten everything, so maybe if I continue with that, my weight may be higher...just not sure. I guess maybe I need to wait and see how I feel at 145. If I am happy with how I look and feel, I guess I will stop.
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Replies

  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,222 Member
    Body composition beats overall body weight every time. When you happy with the way you look in the mirror, your done, then check your weight.
  • holothuroidea
    holothuroidea Posts: 772 Member
    I think once you get closer to your goal, you'll find that measurements and BF% mean more than the number on the scale.

    However, as far as picking a ball park goal, the middle of the healthy BMI range for your height is a wise choice as long as you are flexible with it.

    I don't know why your doctor didn't agree unless you have some underlying medical condition that would make getting to a lower weight difficult or unhealthy.
  • Etienne54
    Etienne54 Posts: 88 Member
    Really? I read that for women, BF of 27%+ is considered overweight. Not sure where she got her information from but hey, she's a doctor right? hmm..

    And you're right, anywhere between BF of 18%-22% IS healthy.
  • Seajolly
    Seajolly Posts: 1,435 Member
    I am confused as to why your doctor would tell you that's too thin? I am also 5'4 and am currently at 140 lbs. 135 would be a good weight for me, even 120 wouldn't be too skinny. I've been in maintenance for about a year at my current weight and find that this weight is very healthy and practical for me, and my body naturally thrives at this weight, however I do want to tone up a little more and get down to around 125-128. I say get down some more weight and see how you feel. :smile:
  • lauramcconnell7535
    lauramcconnell7535 Posts: 33 Member
    I am the same height as you, I set my goal at 140 but I have been considering changing it to 135 too. I am going to wait and see how I look and feel at 140 and decide from then. The only real thing I can say is that muscle weighs more than fat, so where you end up being healthy and comfortable will depend on how muscular you are. Your doctor probably knows your health history best and it would be wise to follow her directions.
  • nucgirl13
    nucgirl13 Posts: 56 Member
    I wouldn't let that put you off of your goal. You will know when your body is at a comfortable and happy place. For what its worth my ultimate goal is to be between 135-145 and I am 5-9, and would say I have a medium to large frame (large hips and shoulders). I weighed 140 as a teenager and although I was slim I certainly wasn't too thin. It'll be interesting now that I am ten years older and plan on putting on a lot more muscle than I had back then. Right now I am at 168 and 27% body fat, so if I can get my bf% low enough I might be happy at 150-155, but mainly I am just going to see how I feel when I get closer. Congrats on the 10 lbs!
  • skinnydreams19
    skinnydreams19 Posts: 282 Member
    It depends on your individual build, body composition, and growth history. If your doctor recommends a higher goal, it's for a reason - I'd go with that. Who knows? The mirror might show you what you want to see at a higher BMI than you think!
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    I'm also 5'4" and I have a goal weight of 135lbs. I personally don't think it is too low. I've been that weight before and loved the way I looked (have a picture on my profile from then). I'm not sure why your doctor would tell you that is too thin.
  • summery79
    summery79 Posts: 116 Member
    Your dr might be worried that if you aim too low, you will not be able to maintain. I had a dr who told me to try to get to/maintain at 160, after I dropped from 180 to 170. (I am 5'7.) I told her I wanted to get lower, and she said a 20 lb loss is really great, and I might have a hard time maintaining lower than that.

    I am currently at 125 (I think my BMI is around 20), and I fully plan on proving her wrong :) 160 really did not look great on my small frame, so I'm glad I kept going. Good luck!
  • A_Fit_Mom
    A_Fit_Mom Posts: 602 Member
    Hmm, that is interesting. When I was 135. I was thin, but a healthy thin and I am 5'8.


    You will know when you get around the 140's if you want to keep going.
  • 3foldchord
    3foldchord Posts: 2,918 Member
    Really? I read that for women, BF of 27%+ is considered overweight. Not sure where she got her information from but hey, she's a doctor right? hmm..

    And you're right, anywhere between BF of 18%-22% IS healthy.

    I didn't think BMI and Bodyfat were the same thing. (But I don,t know overweight numbers for either)
  • Inshape13
    Inshape13 Posts: 680 Member
    I was thinking the same thing about aiming for a body fat percentage rather than a number on the scale. Being below 165 was my initial goal, but I got there and then kept going because I wanted to have more muscle and be below 22% body fat. Go with what feels right for you as long as you are not under weight. Drs are not always right about everything and in the end of the day if you are healthy that is what matters.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    Maybe look at aiming for a body fat % goal over a scale # goal.
  • A_Fit_Mom
    A_Fit_Mom Posts: 602 Member
    Your dr might be worried that if you aim too low, you will not be able to maintain. I had a dr who told me to try to get to/maintain at 160, after I dropped from 180 to 170. (I am 5'7.) I told her I wanted to get lower, and she said a 20 lb loss is really great, and I might have a hard time maintaining lower than that.

    I am currently at 125 (I think my BMI is around 20), and I fully plan on proving her wrong :) 160 really did not look great on my small frame, so I'm glad I kept going. Good luck!

    Wow! You have done a great job.
  • yallcallmedeb
    yallcallmedeb Posts: 294
    Are you very muscular? You are correct in thinking that 135 would be a good goal weight. However, body builders can have quite high BMIs and very low body fat. If you have a lot of muscle and very little fat, then I could understand your doctor's comment. Otherwise, I don't get it.
  • GiddyNZ
    GiddyNZ Posts: 136 Member
    Hmm, that is interesting. When I was 135. I was thin, but a healthy thin and I am 5'8.


    You will know when you get around the 140's if you want to keep going.

    I find this interesting as I am also 5'8, at 160 (about 14 years ago) I had abs and bones poking out all over the place.. my Mum thought I had an eating disorder.. yeah right!!
  • A_Fit_Mom
    A_Fit_Mom Posts: 602 Member
    Hmm, that is interesting. When I was 135. I was thin, but a healthy thin and I am 5'8.


    You will know when you get around the 140's if you want to keep going.

    I find this interesting as I am also 5'8, at 160 (about 14 years ago) I had abs and bones poking out all over the place.. my Mum thought I had an eating disorder.. yeah right!!


    I am 10 pounds from 160 and I am no where near abs ;). It is so strange how women are so different with their body frames and be the same weight and height..but look completely different.
  • Johlawrence
    Johlawrence Posts: 236 Member
    Are you very muscular? You are correct in thinking that 135 would be a good goal weight. However, body builders can have quite high BMIs and very low body fat. If you have a lot of muscle and very little fat, then I could understand your doctor's comment. Otherwise, I don't get it.

    Heck no, I'm not muscular, at least I don't look like it! LOL! But I am always told that I do not look like I weigh what I weigh, or that I carry my weight well. I wear a size 8/10 pants and a M/L shirt. But I have a good friend who has lost a lot of weight and is now at 140 and we share clothes. So, I don't know...Maybe all my muscle is well hidden under a nice layer of fat. I hope to help it find its way out!!!

    Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. It's interesting to me to get other people's perspectives.
  • agirlscamaro
    agirlscamaro Posts: 175 Member
    I personally don't think it's too thin. My goal weight is 135-140 and i'm 5'8". I think it depends on how your body feels and looks. If you've got some muscles that weight might not work.

    I realize to get the muscle tone I want 150 is probably more accurate but that's just me.
  • metacognition
    metacognition Posts: 626 Member
    When my BMI was 27 I was 30 pounds over my current weight. I had a huge pot belly, large upper thighs and back rolls.
    Clothes didn't fit well and my cholesterol was borderline.

    If you like what you see in the mirror and your blood tests are normal, then maybe that BMI is fine for you.
    But at least for me, a BMI of 27 and even 25 looked high - and my health wasn't great, even with exercise.

    My doctor recommended a BMI of 20.
  • laele75
    laele75 Posts: 283 Member
    Never, EVER hesitate to question your doctor if something doesn't sound right. It is their job to explain things to YOUR satisfaction. If something sounds hinky, ask. Your doctor probably has a good reason, or alternately, they don't.

    Regardless, blind faith in ANY medical professional is a bad idea. There are good, bad and mediocre doctors out there, just like every other profession. Always do your research and if what you find doesn't match up with what your doctor is saying, ask.

    If you don't like the answer, it might be time for a new doctor.

    /former NICU mom rant

    PS This is the best advice I was ever given by veteran NICU nurses.
  • MysticRealm
    MysticRealm Posts: 1,264 Member
    I am a fairly muscular female and I am 5'4 and currently weigh 139 and I have at LEAST 10 pounds of fat on me. Going for 128 but may need to lose more when I get there.
  • supergirl6
    supergirl6 Posts: 224 Member
    Everyone's bodies are different and those charts and calculators don't take any of that into consideration. Those charts are very average. My doctor warned me to be careful that when I get closer to my goal weight I may not actually match up with them and my goal weight should be determined by how I feel when I get in the ballpark area.

    If you are worried you can always seek a second opinion or just ask your doctor why she/he picked a different goal for you then what you thought. It is ok to question them. I work in a hospital and it is strongly encouraged for patients to question their doctors if they honestly don't agree or understand. They'll either give you a good explanation or they won't and you can decide what to do from there.
  • christied829
    christied829 Posts: 42
    I'm the same height as you and my goal is also 135. I definitely know its not too low for me. 135 is a comfortable, healthy weight for my body.
  • Viva81Diva
    Viva81Diva Posts: 148
    Healthy weight is based on your body size, structure and how you respond internally. Doctors can argue about which weight is healthier, but it should be more focused on the individual rather than generalized, which is what most charts intend. Many people want to be at a specific weight, but is it right for you? Instead of focusing on weight, it is best to focus on toning and conditioning your body and then see how you feel. You may be a smaller size than you think at a higher weight. Weight training can help slim down the female body, but not necessarily make you lose weight. Of course some weight may come off because fat is decreasing, but when you work out for a period of time, muscle builds and can add weight to your body all the while toning. That's why some people shrink but don't lose on the scale.
  • christianteach
    christianteach Posts: 595 Member
    Not at all. I'm about 5'9"-5'10". I was happiest at 145. That was a long time ago and I would be happy with 160 now, but that doesn't sound too small for your height.
  • sarahz1442
    sarahz1442 Posts: 136 Member
    Your doctor sounds dumb to me. Find a new doctor. 135 wouldn't be too thin at 5'4.5" for the majority of women.
  • onyxgirl17
    onyxgirl17 Posts: 1,722 Member
    I'm an inch taller than you... and 140 pounds. But I have a small bone structure so there is still plenty of excess fat on me... I think I'm gonna settle around 130 and tone from there.
  • beaudrydasha
    beaudrydasha Posts: 17 Member
    Of course there's always a healthy range. I am 5'5" (and probably another 1/2) and am at 125. That's a good weight for me, I feel great, it isn't that hard to maintain. I could tone down to 120. My regular doctor is my oncologist. He has been tracking my weight loss closely and says that I am fine, losing a few more pounds also would be fine.
  • sarahz1442
    sarahz1442 Posts: 136 Member
    Unless you are a bodybuilder, there seems to be no way to me that 160 pounds and 5'4.5" would not be overweight. I'm half an inch shorter than you and was overweight at 140. I wasn't really comfortable with my weight until I was under 120 and stopped losing weight at 110. I think that 110 is good for me.

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