No really... I AM big boned..?

This picture, while it's intended to promote being muscular and fit over starving yourself, actually very nicely illustrates the whole concept of frame size



the woman on the left is a crossfit champion (camille leblanc bazinet) and is 5'2" tall and 126lb, she's also about the one on the right is a fashion model (don't know her name, not sure of her height and weight either but they're rarely much less than 6ft tall, and I'd bet she ways less than the woman on the left who's nearly a foot shorter than her. These photos don't really convey the height difference so I want to point that out)

Look at the difference in the size of their torsos, that's not just muscle that's making the difference. the one on the left, if she were to starve herself to try to look like the one on the right (I'm sure she's never going to do that though!) she won't ever look like that, she'll have bones sticking out and will never be that thin. Conversely the one on the right, if she went to the gym, she would be able to develop bigger muscles up to a point, and maybe have more shapely arms and legs, but she'll never get her shoulders or torso to the size of Leblanc-Bazinet's. Her shoulders will never be that big, because her rib cage and shoulder bones are not big enough.

Also, it shows that having a large frame doesn't mean you look fatter, but you will be heavier at a healthy weight. these two women won't have the same BMI, even if the fashion model takes up crossfit and does all the same exercises and develops her muscles to their genetic potential.

ETA: stupid pic is too big, right click on the image to see it properly, i.e. both women together

D

(When I was your weight (I'm the same height) size 16 was too small for me. And now that I'm down to 166 am still a 14 and size 12 pants will not button. At 150 (my goal) I don't think I'll be below a 12 unless it's some kind of stretchy no-waist dress or something that is forgiving. So, yes, you may get into a 10. But not in all brands, not in all styles, not in all clothing types. A fitted waist will always be more of a challenge than stretch or elastic. A lot will depend on your body proportions and sizing may be different for dresses, blouses, slacks, jeans. You'll just have to shop carefully and remember to be sure that your clothes fit properly no matter the size - that always makes a person look better!)

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Looking for some motivation!

Anyone else out there have a large frame and able to share their story? I'm 5'8 and 220... generally wear a size 16. I was at a Doctor's office the other day and he told me I was NOT big boned, and that he's seen much bigger - he's kinda given me a complex now! So I went and looked online to see how I can judge this myself and the circumference of my wrist is 7"....and according to everything I read that's big boned! I am very broad and carry weight all over, anyways I'm trying to lose weight, and I really wish I can get down to a size 10, is this even possible? I don't even remember a time that I wore something outside of a size 14. About 3 years ago I dropped down to 180, and I was wearing a size 14 - and this was a healthy look for me.

Am I deluding myself into thinking my frame will prevent me from going down to a size 10?

If anyone has got some stories, please share! Thanks!
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Your frame will probably not prevent you from being a size 10. If you lose enough weight, you could be a 6 or less.

However, don't shoot for a size like. Aim to be healthy. If 180 and size 14 was healthy, that seems like a more realistic goal.

Your health is more important than your dress size.
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I'm 5'3" and the same weight. We are fortunate to both have bodies that carry weight evenly. If you want to reduce pant size, I would focus on a combination of calorie burning with repititions and weights. If you can, seek out some pilates classes. Toning the muscle will help you lose inches even if you have not lost weight.

Choose attainable goals. I've been on MFP for over a year and most of that time I was not losing weight and keeping it off because I did not pick small enough. Start with a 5lbs loss or 1/2 inch loss as a goal. When you reach that in 3-5 weeks, you can increast your goal and watch that ticker fly.

:drinker: :yawn: The things people fight over.
I think when people use the term 'big boned' they're referring more to how they carry their weight.

I was 280 pounds, 5'8'' and now I weigh 135 to 140 pounds, I'm wearing size 5-6 pants...big boned, big framed has nothing to do with losing weight...Good luck you can look at my profile and feel free to add me.

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5'6, currently 204. My wrist is BONEY (I have no fat on it at all so it wont get smaller unless somehow I lose skin) its over 7inches. I am big boned and I have BEEN size 10 so yes, it is possible. At my smallest (135 and sickly looking) I was a size 6/7. My goal will be 8/10 at about 145.

Ditto. Except my goal is 160 and that puts me at about a size 10 and some 8s depending on brand. Its amazing and so beautiful to me how people are built and shaped so differently.

ditto except I am 5 ft 7 currently 174 and wear a size 9/10 (some 8's). (just bought size 29 waist jeans actually) my goal will be a size 8 in all brands regardless of weight.

This picture, while it's intended to promote being muscular and fit over starving yourself, actually very nicely illustrates the whole concept of frame size



the woman on the left is a crossfit champion (camille leblanc bazinet) and is 5'2" tall and 126lb, she's also about the one on the right is a fashion model (don't know her name, not sure of her height and weight either but they're rarely much less than 6ft tall, and I'd bet she ways less than the woman on the left who's nearly a foot shorter than her. These photos don't really convey the height difference so I want to point that out)

Look at the difference in the size of their torsos, that's not just muscle that's making the difference. the one on the left, if she were to starve herself to try to look like the one on the right (I'm sure she's never going to do that though!) she won't ever look like that, she'll have bones sticking out and will never be that thin. Conversely the one on the right, if she went to the gym, she would be able to develop bigger muscles up to a point, and maybe have more shapely arms and legs, but she'll never get her shoulders or torso to the size of Leblanc-Bazinet's. Her shoulders will never be that big, because her rib cage and shoulder bones are not big enough.

Also, it shows that having a large frame doesn't mean you look fatter, but you will be heavier at a healthy weight. these two women won't have the same BMI, even if the fashion model takes up crossfit and does all the same exercises and develops her muscles to their genetic potential.

ETA: stupid pic is too big, right click on the image to see it properly, i.e. both women together

Exactly!

Not sure I buy this example. Google Matthew Mccaugnahy before and after from his latest movie. When he was ripped and muscular, he appeared to have a large frame. When he lost all the weight for a movie role where he played a cop who became ill, he was emaciated, and his frame looked small.

If people have EXACTLY THE SAME skeletons then how is it possible to identify male from female when fossils are discovered from ancient cultures?

Why are some women to 'narrow' for childbirth if the skeletons are EXACTLY the same? is the fat making their hips closer together?

If all skeletons are the same please explain Osteoporosis and the other skeletal disorders. By this thinking then it would be impossible to have any differences in structure at all.

Here's one from the American Journal of clinical nutrition : http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/75/6/1012.long which discusses frame sizes.

It is utterly ridiculous to say that everyone has the same size of skeleton.

I'm not saying everyone's skeleton is the same, but male and female skeletons can be distinguished by the pelvic region. There are probably other differences as well.

Always thought I was big boned and that I could never wear anything other than size large shirt. Well I was wrong. I've lost 60 pounds and I can wear a medium and sometimes a small. I wouldn't get hung up on what size bones you have.. Work towards your goal and think about how great you feel!!

I always thought I was big boned and figured the best pant size I would see would be a size 9/10 but now I'm in a size 6 and I can wear a 4...I can even do up a size 2 but I have a muffin top...not the look I'm going for!

Don't set limitations on your success based on the past or based on things like bone structure. Once you reduce the fat you will be able to work on sculpting your body through exercise and weight training. You are in control of your own success.

Edited to add "big" can mean a lot of things. In my case it means my pelvis is wide (hooray for easy childbirth!) not necessarily dense or thicker.

Eep, sorry that's a myth too! I have a wide pelvis. Did I have an easy labour, erm, no.... :flowerforyou:

I always thought I was big boned, and would still like to think I am - but I'm not, it just doesn't work that way. I am 230 lbs and 5"9 and wear size L / XL scrubs, and a size 14 denims. (Comparitively, I was 280 lbs wearing a skin tight size 48 denim and 4x clothing) This would make you think I could be big boned because how else, at my current weight, could I wear pants that size and weigh what I do? My answer - muscle tone, healthy foods, and equally distributed weight. When I weighed 280, I was sedentary, ate disgusting processed foods, and my weight was completely comprised of body fat. Now, after many years of having lost 50 pounds, and just beginning to work on my weight more, I have become a smaller person simply because I move. I am well proportioned for a bigger woman and am quite active, especially recently having been busy losing weight. Maybe your body isn't "big boned" but just in better shape for your weight than it naturally would be, or than another person with similar height and weight as you, but less active/healthy.

I am not big-boned but I do know that even when I was thin, I would never get smaller than 7/8 in pants....why because of my hip bones! You can lose the extra weight but you can't shrink bone size!