Anyone else weigh heavy?

jmgj27
jmgj27 Posts: 531 Member
edited November 13 in Motivation and Support
I've always weighed really heavy in comparison to how I look. Some examples:
- 154 at a size 8 (uk)
- 175 at a size 12 (uk)
- 225 at a size 16 (UK)
- 250 at a size 18 (uk)

I have always done a lot of exercise (both cardio and weights) and am 5'8" but everyone else I know at whatever size I am at that point seems to weigh at least 20lbs less, which makes me feel insecure. Anyone else relate to this?

Replies

  • lulufee317537
    lulufee317537 Posts: 50 Member
    I'm 5'10" and have always been size 14, even in high school (late 90's) when I weighted 160. The sizes for clothing have steadily undergone "size inflation". Last year I weighed 200 and still was size 14. Now I weigh 185 and am size 12 (my waist is 35 inches). Last time I weighed size 12 I had to be 155 lbs!

    In addition, taller people tend to weigh more, and the weight distributes differently.

    I don't really feel insecure about it, I think I look pretty good as is. But I'm still committed to losing more weight.
  • WaterBunnie
    WaterBunnie Posts: 1,371 Member
    No need for insecurity. Go to Boots and check your fat percentage instead. You could well be more muscular than your mates which is great news because having more muscle burns more calories even at rest!
  • DawnieB1977
    DawnieB1977 Posts: 4,248 Member
    I'm 5'6 and pre pregnancy I was a UK10/12 (US6/8) and 154lbs. I'm 185lbs now and a UK14 but can wear some 12s.

    I do a lot of strength training, so not sure if that's why I weigh so much.
  • mpeters1965
    mpeters1965 Posts: 370 Member
    I do relate. I have always been the same way. I've become much more comfortable with it over the years and no longer obsess about what everyone else weighs. On MFP, I avoid those "what is your goal weight?" posts because the numbers seem so low for people of a similar height.
  • scorpiophoenix
    scorpiophoenix Posts: 222 Member
    People are generally surprised when they find out how much I weigh because it's more than they would have guessed given my size/composition. Don't be insecure! Like newmeadow said, it's a blessing!

    I used to be insecure about my weight (5'6" and 135 in high school) and tried to get down to 120 (for some reason that was the magic number - never got there), but when I look back at pictures I was just this side of emaciated looking at that weight. Numbers are not finite for everybody.

    Think of it this way: Imagine the reverse. If you weighed 150 but LOOKED like you weighed 170. That would suck.
  • annette_15
    annette_15 Posts: 1,657 Member
    Its a good thing! It means ur BMR is higher and you can eat more to maintain than the ppl u know who are the same height and size as u :D
  • DawnieB1977
    DawnieB1977 Posts: 4,248 Member
    edited March 2015
    annette_15 wrote: »
    Its a good thing! It means ur BMR is higher and you can eat more to maintain than the ppl u know who are the same height and size as u :D

    I find that I can't though :(. I have to really go for it to lose weight, have quite a big deficit. My BMR is something like 1589 right now and I eat less than that some days, but never usually above 1700, and I'm only losing about 0.5lbs a week.

    I exercise pretty much every day and don't eat back exercise calories.
  • MoiAussi93
    MoiAussi93 Posts: 1,948 Member
    edited March 2015
    They weigh less than you are for two reasons: 1) muscle composition...you are probably more muscular so you will weigh more than someone who doesn't exercise but is the same physical size. 2) Height 5'8" is tall. I am tall and face this as well. The average American female is like 5'4". Most people are used to ranges of weights for people around that height. This has a hidden benefit. When you are several inches taller than most, mentally it is tough for people to remember to account for that...or if they do they underestimate it. So people will ALWAYS underestimate what you weigh.

    It's a good problem to have. Weighing heavy is MUCH better than looking like you weigh MORE than you do and having to wear a larger size! Be happy about it.
  • jmgj27
    jmgj27 Posts: 531 Member
    True to a lot of the above! When I was 154 and a size 8 my bf was around 16% so I'm pretty sure it was all muscle. I've always tended towards gaining muscle (and fat) pretty easily and actually have to avoid doing heavy weights (as I used to when I was younger) because I bulk up soooo easily. Unfortunately I don't find my metabolism runs fast without exercise and I absolutely don't lose weight without exercising except through crash diet which I obviously avoid. I guess I just wish I was a bit more lithe and petite but should learn to love what I've got a bit more. I'm on my way back down to 165 now after having twins and enjoying the exercise so that's all good!
  • Strongandscrappy
    Strongandscrappy Posts: 1,735 Member
    I am 5'3", 143lbs and am an American size 4. I have always been heavier than my size. Even in a group I participate in on MFP has a woman the same height and weight but is a size 10. It does make me feel insecure about my weight sometimes but you have to look at yourself and realize that it's just a number. Most people my size are 15-20 lbs lighter but I have a muscular, curvy, build and it's just the way I am. I have tried to diet too low because of it but now that I'm older I've realized it is my body type and I'm ok with it.

  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    mrscapri77 wrote: »
    I am 5'3", 143lbs and am an American size 4. I have always been heavier than my size. Even in a group I participate in on MFP has a woman the same height and weight but is a size 10. It does make me feel insecure about my weight sometimes but you have to look at yourself and realize that it's just a number. Most people my size are 15-20 lbs lighter but I have a muscular, curvy, build and it's just the way I am. I have tried to diet too low because of it but now that I'm older I've realized it is my body type and I'm ok with it.

    Nice. This is kind of a reminded/wake up call to me. I'm 5'4" as well and have been a little obsessed with the scale. I think I may look lighter than I am as well.
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