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maddyd93
maddyd93 Posts: 9 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi everyone,

I had to have a medical done for my job today and was told by the Doctor not to lose any more weight as I will become unhealthy.

The thing is, while I know that I am in the healthy weight range I am not happy with how I look. I am 22, 5'9, currently 148 pounds and of medium frame size.

I would like to be closer to 135 before beginning to recomp as I felt good at that weight. It is still within the range for my height.

The scales (I know they aren't perfectly accurate) put me at 26% body fat, which I feel is too high but I do not want to begin recomp just yet and become heavier despite being leaner.

Over the last 9 months I have lost 45lb of the weight I had put on and my aim has been to get back to where I was so what the Dr said is a little disheartening.

I guess I would just like others input and thoughts, especially those of a similar height. My health is very important to me.

Please be kind, thanks.

Replies

  • MondayJune22nd2015
    MondayJune22nd2015 Posts: 876 Member
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    The healthy weight range for your height is 125.3 to 169.3 Pounds.
  • maddyd93
    maddyd93 Posts: 9 Member
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    Thank you, I know what the healthy range is which is why I cannot understand the Doctors issue with me losing more.
  • PixelPuff
    PixelPuff Posts: 901 Member
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    maddyd93 wrote: »
    Thank you, I know what the healthy range is which is why I cannot understand the Doctors issue with me losing more.

    To be perfectly honest, some doctors are idiots when it comes to this type of thing. I'm not sure if they are trained on BMI's and the such, or just general numbers for genders. Can someone elaborate?
  • MondayJune22nd2015
    MondayJune22nd2015 Posts: 876 Member
    edited September 2015
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    maddyd93 wrote: »
    Thank you, I know what the healthy range is which is why I cannot understand the Doctors issue with me losing more.

    Your welcome, it might be because of your frame size being medium. So if I were to divide that range of 44 Pounds by 3 (small, medium & large frame size), it's about a 14.7 Pound difference between each; which if you minus that from both the lowest an highest range/you should be 140.0 - 154.6 Pounds. Therefore I'd aim for no less, than 140.0 Pounds.
  • CurlyCockney
    CurlyCockney Posts: 1,394 Member
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    Assuming this was a company doctor, do you think it's worth seeing your own doctor to get more input and find out where you should be?
  • maddyd93
    maddyd93 Posts: 9 Member
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    Thanks :)
    As we are in a small town it was done through my usual Doctor who I have been using for the last 2 years, otherwise I would say yes. I think I will look at getting another opinion anyway.
  • CurlyCockney
    CurlyCockney Posts: 1,394 Member
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    Best of luck :-)
  • Clarewho
    Clarewho Posts: 494 Member
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    Hi Maddy our stats are alike - I'm 5'8", 148.8lbs and my scale (which yes aren't accurate) gives me 26.3% bf. I'm 45 years old :neutral:

    Similarly to you, I have people (close friends) telling me not to lose any more but I think that is because they know the 'fat me' and so they think I'm wasting away. Personally I still feel I'm carrying too much weight in my hip/thighs and like you, I think my bf% is too high.

    My initial target was 140lb but I now think that might be a bit low for me. A few weeks ago, I decided to up my calories to try for only a very small deficit and basically to try recomp. I'm having a bit of trouble adjusting to the right level, so I've still been losing about 1lb a week over the last couple of weeks but I suppose eventually I'll get the balance right. My aim is 3-6 months recomping and then to reassess - I'm patient!

    I'm not suggesting you follow my lead - I just thought you'd appreciate comment from someone with very similar stats. Ultimately you know how you look in the mirror and what you're aiming for. But don't forget you can always maintain for a bit and then reconsider later.

    And don't be disheartened by the doctor's comments - they have an obligation to make sure you don't overdo it! And as others have said, they don't have specialised training in this area so will make generalisations. You've done really well losing 45lbs, that is a fantastic loss. Be proud of what you've achieved so far! And good luck :smile:

  • maddyd93
    maddyd93 Posts: 9 Member
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    Thank you for your kind and very helpful reply! It's nice to hear from someone with similar stats. For me, it helps to be able to relate my stats to others and see that they are in a good place and I should be too. Good on you for beginning to recomp and being okay with taking your time.

    I have to watch myself to ensure I don't take it too far but I know where I have felt good and have been healthy so for me, this is where I want to be again. I'll keep assessing as I get closer and maybe maintain for a bit to see how I feel.

    I completely agree, I do think people get used to seeing you a certain way and have trouble adjusting. I know I myself have had trouble re-adjusting and recognising that I'm nearly back to my normal weight.

    I can't help but think that if the Doctor hadn't known me at a heavier weight and I had been my original weight all the time he has known me, that number wouldn't have worried him.

    My thighs and hips are also where I carry the weight I would still like to loose. I know that I need to begin strength training again to tone and shape but, for me, I need to lose a little more before I start this.

    Ultimately I have lost this weight for me and I want to be back at a size where I was most comfortable and healthy.

    Thank you again for your reply. Best of luck with your recomp :smile:




  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
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    Hi Maddy, I'm 5'8 - 135 lbs. I would suggest a progressive lifting program for you . I know you said you aren't ready to recomp yet, but starting a program now still wont hurt :) look up stronglifts or nrol maybe, i like them both
  • maddyd93
    maddyd93 Posts: 9 Member
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    Thank you :smile: I will have a look at both of them.
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
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    maddyd93 wrote: »
    Thank you :smile: I will have a look at both of them.
    I've done both at a deficit and also have done stronglifts at maintenance, I saw good progress with both. So even if your not ready for recomp, you can still run one of these while on a deficit :)
  • maddyd93
    maddyd93 Posts: 9 Member
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    That's great to know :smile: it gives me somewhere to start and then build upon once I'm ready to recomp.
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
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    maddyd93 wrote: »
    That's great to know :smile: it gives me somewhere to start and then build upon once I'm ready to recomp.

    That's what I did and had great results. Search through the threads here and learn about the different weight lifting programs , pick one that you like. I found that stronglifts suited me personally, but you might find one that you like even more. It definitely won't hurt to start now. In fact, later on you'll be happy you did. You will see many awesome changes by starting a weight lifting program .
  • maddyd93
    maddyd93 Posts: 9 Member
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    Thanks :smile: I'll have a look and see what I can come up with. Lean and strong is certainly my aim.

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