Attention 5'8" (ish) WOMEN!!

5'8" 128 pounds
waist: 26 in
belly: 33 in


*when i gain it goes to my stomach and thighs

Maybe I can relate. I am 5'8 and I also gain mostly around my midsection. At 170, I measured 38" around the belly button. Haven't taken pics in a few months, but I am currently ~150lbs and measure 34.5" around the navel. Working on these last few pounds and tightening up. My love handles are being incredibly stubborn, lol.

Pics for reference:

Close to my highest weight of 200; Approx 170lbs here


Here at approx 160lb and 37" around navel; And a few months later in bikini at 155lbs.

5 ;9 started at 180, now I am at 147. Waist is 26.5 and hips are 36.5. I usually wear a size 6-7

I'm 5'9" and I weigh 165. No idea what my measurements are because I'm not the one who tracks my data.
Everyone will have much different results based on how much lean mass they have. Here's a picture of me.

^^^ Very true about the "lean mass". I have very LOW "lean body mass" for my height (had a DXA-scan on October 31, 2013....) and therefore, my bodyfat% remains relatively "high" given the shape I have.

boooooooooooooo

Is that "waist" size at your true waist or your navel?

. That would be the smallest part of my waist... Around an inch above belly button

5'8" 140 lbs (ish, in maintenance but fluctuate 5 lbs or so)

True waist 27.5 inches
I'm pear shape and bust = 33/34; hip =37/38

I'm 5'8, 133lbs

waist is 26 (why would we measure navel, again? this is the measurement I need for clothing)
hips 36.5
bust 34

I never paid much attention to weight/measurement proportion but I did have a size goal. I'm an athlete and I'm surprised at how much I weigh compared to what size I wear now. When I was 19, I weighed 110, and wore a zero. I'm 45 now and wear a 2 at 23lbs heavier. I'm assuming the difference is muscle weight, but I don't know. Anyway, there are so many things to take into consideration when deciding what's a healthy size for yourself. If you can have one of those comprehensive analysis of your body fat composition done, I recommend it. I think it could be a real eye opener, and help you adjust your goals to something just right for you.

I am an apple shape, so my navel is the widest part where all of my fat all lies. My true waist doesn't gain or lose or than an inch or two.

Yeah, I'm the same. My "waist" (smallest part) doesn't change much, but go down a few inches to the "naval" (belly button) and there's a lot more variation.

In to read more closely later.
Great thread.

People are all different....eat right, exercise, be healthy, lose a few pounds until you are happy with your body, regardless of what a scale or measuring tape says.

^
This

Also, I just want to add, if you are apple shaped, and tend to gain weight first around your midsection, you will tend to lose it there last. Wherever you gain first, is where you lose last, for me that is my thighs. That's the part of me that gains first if I start gaining, and the last part to lose when I'm losing.

So it is possible that your waist will shrink much more quickly the closer you get to your goal.

Now, I know that this doesn't actually reduce fat in the midsection, but a good core workout routine, one that works your abs, back, obliques, etc. will tone the muscles in that area which can give you a leaner appearance because it acts like a built in girdle.