5'9 ladies, does ANYONE want to be in the 120s?

2»

Replies

  • alligatorrawr
    alligatorrawr Posts: 144 Member
    just try it, and if you feel weak or aren;t happy with your results than change up :)
  • Graelwyn75
    Graelwyn75 Posts: 4,404 Member
    Yo are not remotely overweight, and nor are you naturally that sort of weight. If you are not naturally that weight, then it would be foolish, imo, to struggle to get down to it, given you are not at an unhealthy weight. I was 140 at 5'11 when I was 14, and decided 140 was too heavy and went on a diet as I wanted to weight the same sort of amount as other girls in my year, of shorter heights. I ended up severely anorexic and now, decades later, my weight still naturally settles back at that 140, unless I am training hard and being quite strict with my eating. If it is a weight you have to struggle to reach and maintain, it is likely you will not be able to sustain it longterm, and could even send yourself into a spiral of binge eating from trying to force your body into an unhealthy range.

    The lowest I go these days is around 131Ibs, and I am around a size 0-2 at that. I am currently a USA 2-4 at a higher weight because I do weights, and have a lower bodyfat. If it is the size that is most important to you, I suggest you forget the scale number, and work on your bodyfat via weight training or boxing fitness or somesuch.
  • squirrelzzrule22
    squirrelzzrule22 Posts: 640 Member
    A good rule of thumb is to calculate your lean body mass, figure out your goal body fat, and then figure out your ideal weight based on that. I am 5'8" and used to arbitrarily think that I needed to get into the 130s. But I also prefer how I look at about 22-23% body fat. Other prefer to be leaner which is great, but that's what works for me. At that body fat percentage, I should be about 145 lbs. That is well within the normal BMI range, so for me it is a good goal.

    This goal may be underweight. Google search for images of BF percentages, pick the woman that looks best to you, and calculate a rough goal that way. Reevaluate when you get there.
  • Strange_magic
    Strange_magic Posts: 370 Member
    Concentrate on lifting. You may not feel like it but you are at a very healthy weight. Actually whether or not you feel like it you are actually thin at that weight.

    I'm at a very similar height and weight and its taken a lot
    Of work and soul searching to be ok with where I am.
    But I am now.
    Sometimes it's a head thing and not a body thing. That made me so angry to hear but it's true.
    Eat at a deficit, exercise..: and work on the issues in your head that make you feel inadequate.

    Just remember you are beautiful as you are. Don't forget that.
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    Yo are not remotely overweight, and nor are you naturally that sort of weight. If you are not naturally that weight, then it would be foolish, imo, to struggle to get down to it, given you are not at an unhealthy weight. I was 140 at 5'11 when I was 14, and decided 140 was too heavy and went on a diet as I wanted to weight the same sort of amount as other girls in my year, of shorter heights. I ended up severely anorexic and now, decades later, my weight still naturally settles back at that 140, unless I am training hard and being quite strict with my eating. If it is a weight you have to struggle to reach and maintain, it is likely you will not be able to sustain it longterm, and could even send yourself into a spiral of binge eating from trying to force your body into an unhealthy range.

    The lowest I go these days is around 131Ibs, and I am around a size 0-2 at that. I am currently a USA 2-4 at a higher weight because I do weights, and have a lower bodyfat. If it is the size that is most important to you, I suggest you forget the scale number, and work on your bodyfat via weight training or boxing fitness or somesuch.

    She's right you know…

    Work on body recomposition.

    Read these.
    Want to lift heavy things?
    http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

    Stronglifts Summary
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/560459-stronglifts-5x5-summary

    Stronglifts Womens Group
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/4601-stronglifts-5x5-for-women
  • Dragn77
    Dragn77 Posts: 810 Member
    Like others have said, it *really* depends on body composition. At our height (Im 5'10" myself here) weight is distributed in our bodies far different than someone who is shorter for one, and the variances between us even at the same height has a wild range.

    The smallest I have been in my adult life is 135, only for a short while (because my rear end completely disappeared, my jeans literally sagged in the butt and I was devastated, I love having a huge butt LoL) and I was a size 2. But I was also super fit just due to being as active as I was...if I didnt have all that muscle on me, I could easily have weighed 10-15lbs less due to less muscle density, and still not look sick.

    BUT!!! If I did weigh 10-15 lbs less without all that muscle, I would definitely have had the skinny fat thing going on and not looked anywhere near as good.. Level of fitness makes a huge impact on how the body looks...its not a matter of weighing less, its a matter of working on building definition. I love having curves, so my goal is in the 155-165 range...from there, if I dont look the way I want, then my focus will shift from losing weight to building muscle. If I wanted to go back to being all willowy though, then I would aim for 140-150 instead. But yeah, my butt, I love my butt LOL (Hey, I live in Miami and I am Caribbean, its required!!!!)

    Just go by what feels good to you, I mean...you havn't even weighed yourself so you dont know where you are starting from, so the 120 number is pretty arbitrary.
  • olivia_june
    olivia_june Posts: 111 Member
    You say that you are already highly muscular, that tells me that you're probably already in great shape. Especially as a size 4. Remember that we are our own worst critics.

    I'm 5'9" and my goal weight is 168, I've been 170 before and I looked great. But I'm built big, broad shoulders, big feet.

    I would talk to a personal trainer and a nutritionist to make sure that you're going about your goal in a healthy way. Body dysmorphia is a common side effect of weight loss efforts.
  • newdaydawning79
    newdaydawning79 Posts: 1,503 Member
    I want to get down to around 170-ish. I'm not 100% sure if that's where I'll end up because if my body fat % is down to a healthy place before that weight is hit than I'm okay with that too. I've been told by docs that I won't be below a size 14 no matter what I do (yay super large frame with dense bones), so that's more a focus than any number on the scale.

    No one believes I'm the weight I am though so at least there's that! haha
  • LeanButNotMean44
    LeanButNotMean44 Posts: 852 Member
    OP, I agree with the others who have suggested shooting for a body composition goal versus a certain number on the scale.

    10 years ago when I was really into distance running, I got down to 135lbs (and I am also 5'9") and was a size 4-6. Now, I lift 5x/week and do cardio 2x/week and weigh probably 10lbs more, but guess what? I am still a size 4-6! The big difference is that I have WAY more muscle now than I did then. I was what we call "skinny fat", and I can tell you it is not a good look.

    PS: If I were to get down to 120lbs, I can tell you that even with a medium frame, I would look sickly.

    ETA: You mentioned having plenty of fat on your stomach, thighs and arms. If that is true, you are probably not as muscular as you think. Sorry. :frown:
  • MsHarryWinston
    MsHarryWinston Posts: 1,027 Member
    I'm 5'7 with HUGE boobs and a sizeable bum. At 150 I look sliiiiiiim. Curvy but slender limbs and a pretty flat tummy. Seriously hot. But if I tried to get to 120 I would look like a gaunt sickly waif and it would TOTALLY freak people out. I would never be able to maintain it. I might actually have to hack off a limb to reach 120. I'm just built thicker than that. Where as my best friend is 5'8 and about 115 super slender with soft curves, but long and leggy like a colt. Absolutely gorgeous. Its nearly impossible for her to reach and stay at 120. She just can't gain and hold the weight. So i think she lives around 115 naturally but looks full and fresh and healthy.
  • Therese1975
    Therese1975 Posts: 5 Member
    Clare

    I know a post by a middle-aged chick is unlikely to make you feel any differently but I'll give it a shot....

    I am 5'8". I was always in the 150s when I was in high school and I thought I looked "obese." Seriously. Like "no one could possibly find me attractive" fat.

    I CRIED she I got my wedding pictures back because I thought I looked so terrible at 165.

    I look back at those photos of me now and I realize I looked.....normal. Even good sometimes.

    I hope you reach this revelation sooner than I did.
  • ElectricDame
    ElectricDame Posts: 43
    I'm almost 5'9", but my goal is 150. I was 125 in highschool but not for healthy reasons and it showed.
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    5'8.5" and goal is 125. I don't know that I'll get there. It's my high school weight. Back then, I was skinny, but not scary skinny. Healthy skinny.

    I'm not a kid anymore, though. I know I might not get there.

    Different people are different, though. Some have bigger bones and more muscle. Some are just happy with a few extra pounds. Whatever works for you! :)
  • fanceegirl75
    fanceegirl75 Posts: 620 Member
    I'm 5'9 and would love to see how I look in the 140s. I can't even begin to imagine the 120s tho. I have small wrist and ankles. I just feel that would be too small for me.
  • RedHotRunner
    RedHotRunner Posts: 850 Member
    It really depends on your build (frame and muscle). Some people look great at low weights, while others look gaunt. I'm 5'7, and I look frightening in the 120s (friends, family, everyone worried about me) because my frame is medium plus I've got a good amount of muscle mass.

    It's not just about losing fat. It's also about building and maintaining muscle in order to have that "toned" look. Pilates is great for that, for instance.

    You're really young. Check in with your doctor/dietitian for advice. Good luck!
    Same here. 'm 5'7 and recently got down to the mid 120's. I looked awful and my friends were also worried about me. Plus i'm older and the loss made my skin look very wrinkled. My sweet spot seems to be the low to mid 130's.
  • Some_Watery_Tart
    Some_Watery_Tart Posts: 2,250 Member
    I was in the low 120's when I was your age. People told me I was too skinny all the time, but that didn't stop me from playing volleyball for a pretty darn good Division I program. That is to say: I was healthy at that size because I took good care of myself. But I looked just as good later at 140 with a little more muscle added. So I would join the others who are telling you to go for body composition rather than just a goal weight.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    I do not. I am large framed with a good amount of lean mass. My by goal weight is 150.
  • Sharon_C
    Sharon_C Posts: 2,132 Member
    I'm 5'8" and the lowest I got down to was 129. At that weight people had stopped telling me I looked good and would pull my husband aside and ask him if I was sick. I looked horrible. My guess is that instead of losing weight you should be lifting weights and building muscle.
  • Amanda4change
    Amanda4change Posts: 620 Member
    I'm 5'9 1/2" and do not look healthy at all below 135, at 110 (I had a metabolism disorder when I was a teenager) I looked like a refugee and half starved. I actually was at my healthiest at 145, and my goal weight right now is 160 ( I will reevaluate when I reach it) depending on fat % and how I feel, more than what the scale says. I think you should focus on working out to burn the fat and build lean muscle more than hitting an "ideal" on a scale that may or may not be healthy for your frame.
  • dietcoke281
    dietcoke281 Posts: 226 Member
    I'm 5'10" and I'm 126lbs. I like it.
  • daterminedfatburnerX
    daterminedfatburnerX Posts: 346 Member
    You should lift heavy to get rid of the extra fat
  • swimmermama
    swimmermama Posts: 526 Member
    Thank you for posting this! I'm 5'8" or 5'9" and I struggle to get above 125. I lift heavy three times a week and do very little cardio (all walking and yoga). Everyone is different!
  • msbanana
    msbanana Posts: 793 Member
    Hey! I'm a little taller (nearly 5'10") but all the other ladies have it right- it all depends.

    Look back at my pics (they should be open) in the very fit pictures with very little body fat I was between 165-175 and in a size 6 jean.
    I haven't been in the 120's since the 6th grade and I wasn't fat then... I have to imagine that at 120lbs you'd have to mummify me. ;)

    My word of advice- lift weights, eat clean, be healthy, love your body.

    That number on the scale is just that- a number. Worry about your body composition instead and you'll be much much happier.:flowerforyou:
  • perseverance14
    perseverance14 Posts: 1,364 Member
    Lifting weights would help, no good losing weight when you still have the fat, as you have found.
  • housemamma
    housemamma Posts: 30 Member
    I'm 5'9" and weighed about 125 in my twenties and was healthy. Like you, I'm also very small boned and dr's never had a problem with my weight. Naturally the weight crept up as I aged, however I'm 49 and at 135 now and just need to firm up so I'm lifting weights. My only warning is watch out for the "skinny fat" where you are concerned with the number on a scale but do not have muscle. I seem to have a lot of upper back pain most likely due to lack of muscle.

    We are all different, I see the photos of women who are 5'9" who look amazing at higher weights.
  • ythannah
    ythannah Posts: 4,371 Member
    Thank you for posting this! I'm 5'8" or 5'9" and I struggle to get above 125. I lift heavy three times a week and do very little cardio (all walking and yoga). Everyone is different!

    Hey, I've found my twin!

    When I read your post, I had to check out your pics, and it's like looking in a mirror. Well, bodywise, lol.
  • jenfleur2014
    jenfleur2014 Posts: 6 Member
    I'm 5'8" with medium frame. 120 lbs would be super skinny to me, my goal is 140-145.

Categories