We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Born Big

get_it_gone2012
get_it_gone2012 Posts: 214
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I'm a 5'7" 187# 18 year old. I have been 'bigger' my entire life, not just weight-wise but size-wise as well. Now I'm determined to lose weight, and keep it off, and look like a healthy 18 year old should.
The problem arises when I look at the number on the scale. I feel like I should weigh around 150# because that's what other girls my age and body type weigh. Some weigh even less, like 130, but I KNOW that that will be too small for me as I am very curvy.
I am currently 187#. A friend of mine was guessing the weight of some other friends and was getting them bang-on, but when he guessed mine he said I looked like I was around 170#!!! When I told them the truth, they said I carried my weight very well. But when I told them that I was still looking to lose around 30#, they freaked! (They know that I have already lost 30#). And not in like a jealous "you don't need to lose anymore weight" way, but in a for real we-will-help-you-seek-therapy-if-you-seriously-think-you-need-to-lose-that-much way. *Whew! Story time over :smile:*
So I guess what I'm asking is - are some people simply meant to weigh more but look smaller? I mean, if I shouldn't be shootin' for 150# because I just happen to be "heavier" no matter what, then should I change my goal weight?
Or, even better, should I say "to-h**l" with the scale and go purely by image?
I'm really confused about all this. 150# will put me in the middle of my healthy-BMI range, and isn't that where I'm supposed to aim for? Or is anywhere in my healthy range fair game?

Replies

  • Pinkribbon_Doc
    Pinkribbon_Doc Posts: 45
    You can do a guesstimate of your body frame by using something like this: http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/fsz
    I always thought I was a big boned/big framed, but as it turns out, im actually considered small/medium framed and I was just using the "im big boned" phrase as an excuse :) You never know what's lurking under there :D
  • crystal10584
    crystal10584 Posts: 334
    sometimes it's not about the number on the scale, it's the way you feel and your actual size. I know people who don't care if the # on the scale changes, but they like being a size 6.

    It's about what makes you happy.
  • sassyg
    sassyg Posts: 393
    I'm naturally heavy too. I'm not paying any attention to BMI.
    60kg is the middle of my BMI range, well I was that weight once, and a size 2US was a tad loose...
    I'm currently "obese" and around a 8-9US

    I'm not going for any particular weight and don't pay much attention to my weight, but a general size goal.
  • SandyLee1961
    SandyLee1961 Posts: 133 Member
    You can do a guesstimate of your body frame by using something like this: http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/fsz
    I always thought I was a big boned/big framed, but as it turns out, im actually considered small/medium framed and I was just using the "im big boned" phrase as an excuse :) You never know what's lurking under there :D

    I just tried that site!! I've ALWAYS thought I was small framed because of my height and my arms are smallish? I just found out that I'm larged framed! Wow
  • jmhigg1020
    jmhigg1020 Posts: 51 Member
    Don't forget that muscle also weighs more than fat. I'm really curvy too, and at just under 5'3", I am supposed to be pretty small. However, at my smallest, I'm stlll at the upper end or just above the higher end of that supposed weight range because I also build a lot of muscle, particularly in my legs and upper arms. I agree - look at your overall size and how you feel. A straight BMI or weight range isn't appropriate for everyone. You can also talk to your doctor - they can look at different tests (blood pressure, blood work, etc) to let you know where you should be. Good luck! :)
  • get_it_gone2012
    get_it_gone2012 Posts: 214
    You can do a guesstimate of your body frame by using something like this: http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/fsz
    I always thought I was a big boned/big framed, but as it turns out, im actually considered small/medium framed and I was just using the "im big boned" phrase as an excuse :) You never know what's lurking under there :D

    Thanks so much for this site!
    Yep, I guessed it, I'm large framed. I did figure this though, because those are the genes I have (I also have genes that dictate I should be obese, but I'm fighting that with all I got! :bigsmile:).
    At least now I know that I probably shouldn't be aiming for the lower end of my BMI scale.
  • Brett_Alan
    Brett_Alan Posts: 63
    I'm going with how I feel even at my goal weight I'm going to be borderline obese so I don't pay to much mind to numbers
  • AnnaPixie
    AnnaPixie Posts: 7,439 Member
    I'm large frame too according to the site. Hmmm! Interesting!! I always thought I was small frame. But I've also always been above my recommended BMI. I dont take much notice of it, and usually measure my size with clothes.

    I think you can look totally different to what you weight, either in a good way or bad way. I usually look bigger than I am!! :grumble: Mainly becasue I'm vertically challenged!! :laugh:

    Just as long as you're happy with yourself. You're the only person you need please! :wink:
This discussion has been closed.

Categories