Question for "Athletic Build" ladies

JoJo__Fit · January 2014

It just really depends on you

I'm 5'3 , 140 lbs 16% bodyfat. Size 4, In tops im always an XS but my stats are 34, 26, 40 . People can't believe I weigh 140 they say I look like I'm 120lbs. I'm just toned and fit.

teddiebare · January 2014

I am athletic and stocky. In highschool, when I was also in ROTC, I was 150lbs and 36"/24"/36". I am 5'5". My LEAN mass is 140 lbs now, so at 20% body fat, that's like 168 lbs. I don't think I'll ever be less than 160 lbs again while lifting. My waist is 12-18" smaller than my booty (depending) and I have very broad shoulders. I'm also around a size 8/10 at 150-160 lbs, and just can't get smaller than that with my hip width.

amybg1 · January 2014

My first goal would be to reach 175 and go from there - I'm 5'8 and have medium-sized bones thoguh apaprently people tell me I have small hands, if only my feet were smaller...

My legs are pretty heavily muscled naturally, it runs in the family so after I manage to lose a bit more fat I'll see if I'd like to change my goal or not but 175 seems a good number for me at the moment

ifyouknew · January 2014

Since this is the maintenance thread, I am at my goal weight. I'm 168cm (I think that's about 5'6") and 59kg (130 lbs). I lift weights every second day, alternating between deadlift (245 lbs) and overhead press (75 lbs). My goal has always been to be fit and strong, not skinny.

I have visible abs (thanks to the deadlifting and counting calories) and sculpted arms (thanks to the overhead press), as well as muscular thighs (mainly from cycling). You can see some muscles on me, but I don't look anything like those women in the weightlifting magazines (nor would I want to!). I think I look good in a tank top, but I have to say, if I put on a sleeveless dress, I look like a drag queen! I think as your body changes, you need to change the way you dress, to find things that flatter your new shape. For me, that means if I want to wear something dressy and feminine, it needs sleeves (even if they're just little cap sleeves). But if I'm going out for a bike ride, I don't mind if my muscular shoulders show, and I throw on a tank top instead.

stealthq · January 2014

I'm 5'9" and 160lbs, size U.S. 8. Goal is 150. I have a decent amount of muscles, big hips, big rib cage, broad shoulders, long limbs, big head, etc.

Also a cubic foot of muscle is heavier than a cubic foot of fat. When someone says "muscle is heavier than fat" usually they mean by volume. Just like someone might say a rock is heavier than a feather.

Volume is totally different than weight. A pound equals a pound. Muscle is more dense. Even a pond of rocks weighs the samovars a pound of feathers.

We all know a pound is a pound, nobody has questioned that. What the OP said was that muscle weighs more than fat, which is accurate. A handful of muscle weighs more than a handful of fat.

It is not accurate unless you specify that the volumes are the same. Period.

This site is the only place where if someone says X weighs more than Y, some people (who have been here and read the arguments over and over) automatically assume you're talking about the same volume of X and Y. Elsewhere, not so much, which is why so many new people are confused when they see these kinds of posts.

The correct terminology is that muscle is more dense than fat. Or, that X volume of muscle weighs more than X volume of fat. Argue all you like, that is a fact.

And before anyone jumps in with "that's just semantics" ... Semantics is everything. Semantics is the meaning of words. If we can't agree on the meaning of the words we're typing, then we can't have a meaningful discussion.

Marcia315 · January 2014

I have the same issue. I'm also 5'4" and very stocky build.

When I was in great shape in college, 150 seemed to be best.

I'm aiming for 165 now, and I'll adjust from there.

just35lbstogo · January 2014

I'm 5'4 with a "natural" Athletic/Medium build. Broader shoulders, smaller waist, muscular legs. When I was younger (and not working out) I was 120 and I really just looked too skinny then. I have set my goal weight for 120 but being that I workout more now than I did then I think I will probably adjust my weight up by 5lbs or so once I get a little closer. We'll see... but for now I'm saying 120.

tsubaki4 · January 2014

I'm 5'4, 121lbs and an athlete. It really depends on you personally but I would say go for 125-130lbs. Also depends on your goals and what feels good on you.

JoRocka · January 2014

It is not accurate unless you specify that the volumes are the same. Period.

This site is the only place where if someone says X weighs more than Y, some people (who have been here and read the arguments over and over) automatically assume you're talking about the same volume of X and Y. Elsewhere, not so much, which is why so many new people are confused when they see these kinds of posts.

The correct terminology is that muscle is more dense than fat. Or, that X volume of muscle weighs more than X volume of fat. Argue all you like, that is a fact.

And before anyone jumps in with "that's just semantics" ... Semantics is everything. Semantics is the meaning of words. If we can't agree on the meaning of the words we're typing, then we can't have a meaningful discussion.

I think I love you.

my goal weight at the moment is 164, which should get me to my size 6 express jeans goal (i'm currently 221 and size 14 express jeans

That's impressively well evened out then- because I was 165/170 and rocking a size 12 express. now of course none of them fit -and I gave them all away

When I'm low 160's I'm pushing an 8-ish- 6 in certain sizes- but that whole butt/waist issue causes me grief.

I hate pants.

MizPassion · February 2014

I'm 5'5", and I've always had a natural athletic build. My GW is approximately 160 lbs. I'm an hourglass, and most of my weight is in my thick thighs, hips, and melon booty. I swear most of my weight is in my melon booty lol. I start to look sick if I go too low.

I can relate to those who have trouble finding pants that fit. I hate shopping for pants! Although, I do burn a lot of calories trying on a cart full of pants. If I can get my thighs in a pair of pants, it's usually way too big in the waist or the waistline is just sitting at midpoint on my booty lol. It looks like I'm sagging. Sometimes I can't even get the pants past my thighs but going a higher size would make the pants way too big at the waist to even take in. I had to learn how to take in pants at the waist. I do love my shape, but it's just a headache when trying on pants.

SezxyStef · February 2014

I have always had an athletic build...to the point that I joined the military in a male dominated trade and did well.

I am 5ft 7, currently weigh 162...at my smallest in the military I was 158 and not as "tight" as I am now...I could lift more then, run farther but I am getting there.

My goals are simple...20-23% BF....7 chin ups...bench body weight, DL 2x BW....you know the norm

MelissaPhippsFeagins · February 2014

I am 5' 6.5" and was at my goal weight of 155 yesterday morning. (My official weigh in day is Sunday, so we'll see if I'm still 155 then I guess.) I am definitely a stocky girl, all of the girls on my mom's side of the family are and most of the ones on my dad's side. Most of them are much taller than me, but there is nothing to be done about the 4-5 inches that I didn't grow as a kid, if I were taller, I would be skeletal at my current weight. I know because I was skeletal at 138 when I was struggling with an eating disorder and BF% in the single digits. My current BF% is close to 27% and my goal is to get that to 24%, but I'm not really in a hurry about it.

lannasster · February 2014

I'm 5'2"...played sports my entire life...always had hips, boobs and a butt. At my lowest and my now "goal" weight, I weighed about 125. Right now I'm aiming to get back to my pre-college weight which was about 130. If I make it there and decide I'd like to lean out more, I will.

lizafava2 · February 2014

I am 5'5 with an extremely large frame (according to those old charts) - big muscles, big bones. When I was thin and fit I weighed around 160. Any lighter was the result of eating disorders with massive muscle loss.

dixiewhiskey · February 2014

@ 5'6" 160lbs I was at 19% body fat and wearing a bikini last year. Went from a size 13 to 6 in 5 1/2 months. I struggled with alcohol dependency in the latter part of the year and gained back 20lbs. Everyone is different, I realized finally after many years of fad diets that I will always have a good amount of muscle mass and getting under 150lbs at the most isn't realistic or healthy.

crossfitmommy79 · February 2014

I'm 5'6 and I lift heavy. I'm shooting for 165-170.

echoslug · February 2014

Goal: 5'8" - 130lbs with 22% body fat. Last time I was at 22% BF was when I was a competitive swimmer and in a pool 12 hours a week + 4-6 hours of soccer a week.

Frustratingly when I weighted that I was still a size 8 (stupid broad shoulders and wide hips). Could get a 6 over my hips but would have ripped the seams if I tried to take a step and it definitely wouldn't zip up.

Fittreelol · February 2014

5'6" I have a naturally athletic build (I had little quad shelf cuts in elementary school :laugh: ) I also pick things up and put them down. My current goal is 165 with around 20% bf. I'll adjust as necessary.

hzliiz · February 2014

I am 5'6" and have a fairly athletic build in that I'm pretty lean, not very curvy and I develop muscle and definition pretty easily with weight training. My weight hovers around 128-129 and I wear size 4/6. When I was heavier I was up to a size 12 and about 157 lbs and but I never got curvy, just soft and pudgy mostly around the hips and thighs. I don't let my weight get lower than it is now, I start to look gaunt in my face. I wouldn't really care if I gained a few pounds more from weight training as long as I stay lean.

KateK8LoseW8 · February 2014

I am 5'5", 125 lb, and a size 4/XS. Most people guess I am closer to 115 pounds. If you are more muscular, you will look "lighter" than you really are.

SLLRunner · February 2014

If you lift heavy or were born with a more athletic/"stocky" build, what is your height and goal weight?

As a 5'4" woman, I am trying to figure out where I should set my goal weight...I'd like to be realistic, since I have always had very muscular legs and a trainer told me I had a more athletic body type (under all the fat, haha). I plan to start lifting and want to know a reasonable size to shoot for. Where are *you* at, or where are you headed?

Btw, I KNOW that lifting won't make me huge...but I am aware that muscle does weigh more than fat.

I am 5 ft 4 1/2 and have an athletic build and a larger frame, meaning my wrist measures 6.5 at the boniest portion. My goal weight was 150, but even trying to maintain I am now 145-146. I never thought I would be this small (the weight number, if you will, is not that small, but I often get complimented by others that I look fit and trim), and I am loving it. I feel good, like how I look in my clothes, and am continuing to work hard so that I can maintain this weight.

What is your goal weight? Do you believe that you have a muscular build?

It's all about what weight you feel best at.

ShoeGal78 · February 2014

Hi,

I'm 5'6 and consider myself a fairly athletic build but I have a small frame - I'm maintaining between 122 - 124lbs and I have assessed my bodyfat % at around 17ish%. I lift heavy 3 times a week with the occasional bout of HIIT.

I'm a UK size 8 - 10 and have a lot of trouble finding trousers that fit due to my muscular quads and small waist!

3dogsrunning · February 2014

I am 5'5 (and a half) and I am most comfortable around between 140 (very lean) and 150lbs (lean). I used to take bets on my weight, no one ever believed me I was 150.

johloz · February 2014

I am also 5'4 with an athletic build. I have broad shoulders, wide hips, and am naturally quite muscular. Frame size charts tell me I have a large frame.

I currently weigh 139lbs and look absolutely fantastic. I'm at about 23% body fat, which is what I like - muscular and strong with enough fat to have curves that make me feel feminine. I've been as little as 128lbs, but I looked sickly. I do not like to be under 135lbs, and once I hit 145 or more I think I look a little too heavy.

If you're frame is the same size as mine, given we're the same height, I would shoot for around 140lbs. Minimum 135, max 148 or so. If you look up height and weight charts, this is the high end of a healthy weight for a woman who is 5'4, which is where you should fall if you have a large frame or "athletic" build.

kelly_e_montana · February 2014

I am a really strangely put together woman. I am 5'5" 175, 29% body fat and wear a size 9/10. I would like to get down to 23%ish body fat, which means I need to lose 14 pounds of fat to put me at 161. However, my goal weights are more of the barbell type as well! Hitting lifting goals is a big priority of mine (strength, not body building) so I am not willing to sacrifice muscle for aesthetics. I feel I look best when I wear the size I am in or a 7/8. I don't really like a smaller look--for me. When I was 135-140 but less muscular, I feel I was smaller than how I would like to look as a 40 year old woman. I'm at the point in my life where I'm especially physically active and looking like a model is not as important as my athletic pursuits (which are primarily power lifting and open water swimming, both of which can handle a little extra body fat). I am large framed by measurements as well. Moreover, I have a ton of lean mass. I can't be 125 without losing muscle or I would be dead.

Trishsimon · February 2014

I'm 5'3 and my aim is to get to 154lbs ( 11 stone ) I have a stocky build with legs that are so full of muscle as I used to exercise alot and the muscle never went away someone said to me my legs are like iron !!
I don't want to be super skinny just slim so I have 4 stone 11lbs to lose to get to my goal.
People always guess my weight as about 2 stone lighter then I am but I think be healthy and happy.

Sarauk2sf · February 2014

5 6".
Sub 20% BF at about 150lb,
Size 6 in US (occasionally a size 4, but these are vanity sizing though as I have a large donk and I doubt I really am a size 4).

Jennisin1 · February 2014

I am 5'10 and a size 6/8. I weight 160. My mom is my height and weighed 118... and I am not that far off from fitting into her wedding dress. Maybe 15lbs.... just the difference in our body composition.

JaelynSmith89 · February 2014

I'm 5'9 and when i'm lifting a lot and active 145 is my healthy weight. I'm working on being thinner instead of athletic now so my goal weight is 135 (been there before) my point is, no matter your build you can be wherever you want ti be. don't label yourself and stay healthy

seh43 · February 2014

Hi! I'm 5'6, 146 lb. I also lift heavy weights. I would like to put on more muscle, since I'm on the slimmer side of athletic. The reason for why I signed up here was to work out how much protein I'm eating. Turns out, not quite enough.

Oh, and by the way, I find charting body weight is not very useful when you are getting into weights. At the start of a new weights programme my weight always goes up significantly. Don't worry! Just go with how your body feels and how your clothes fit.

Question for "Athletic Build" ladies

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