Not sure about my weight

001bridget
001bridget Posts: 8 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
A lot of advice suggests that you should stay around <120 pounds, but I find that I generally feel more healthy and solid at a higher weight - maybe 155 or so. People (guys, haha) say my figure is much bigger/thicker there, but also more pleasant in shape.
So, finding a balance between health and body image is hard for me.. what advice could you give me around this? It's something I'm always worrying about, and it's hard to know what I should prioritise

Replies

  • piperdown44
    piperdown44 Posts: 958 Member
    Advise for who? Certain ages? Height?

    Go for the body you're comfortable with, not what someone else expects.
    If that is a weight around 155 great, ignore the rest of the static.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    edited December 2015
    I have big hands, wrists, feet, and head, and am actually shooting for higher than the top of the Normal BMI range for my height.

    I got teased about my big feet in school but am long over that. Plus, they are an asset in yoga :)
  • yesimpson
    yesimpson Posts: 1,372 Member
    I've never heard under 120lbs being a general goal for women to aim for regardless of height, shape, composition, age, etc. Where did you read that, out of curiosity?
    Work out your healthy BMI range and use that as a rough guide for where you want to be. If you're happy and healthy a little higher up that range, that sounds like what you should go for rather than this quite arbitrary 120 number.
    Also, take what these guys think with a pinch of salt. You're the one who has to live in your body; make sure you go for what you want, not simply what guys say is a more pleasing shape. Different men like different body shapes at different times on different women! No point trying to keep up with societal trends or the preferences of a particular individual. That way lies madness.
  • bigsicklittlesick
    bigsicklittlesick Posts: 55 Member
    I didn't read the previous comments, but you be who you want to be. Be strong, be healthy, be you. Screw anyone who tells you otherwise.
  • janjunie
    janjunie Posts: 1,200 Member
    001bridget wrote: »
    A lot of advice suggests that you should stay around <120 pounds, but I find that I generally feel more healthy and solid at a higher weight - maybe 155 or so. People (guys, haha) say my figure is much bigger/thicker there, but also more pleasant in shape.
    So, finding a balance between health and body image is hard for me.. what advice could you give me around this? It's something I'm always worrying about, and it's hard to know what I should prioritise

    Stop caring what other people say, you are the one that has to live with your body and health for the rest of your life
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    If you feel comfortable at 155, go with that. Depending on your height/build, 120 could be too low (it would be for me and it's still in a healthy BMI).
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    001bridget wrote: »
    A lot of advice suggests that you should stay around <120 pounds, but I find that I generally feel more healthy and solid at a higher weight - maybe 155 or so. People (guys, haha) say my figure is much bigger/thicker there, but also more pleasant in shape.
    So, finding a balance between health and body image is hard for me.. what advice could you give me around this? It's something I'm always worrying about, and it's hard to know what I should prioritise

    If you're 5'4" 120 might be a reasonable goal. A lot depends on your height and build, of course.

    I'm 5'6" and aim to be around 130-135.
    I started with the old formula of 100Lbs for 5feet, and 5Lbs an inch above 5feet. So 5'6" would give me 130Lbs.
    But again, there's a range for a reason.
  • Kim55555
    Kim55555 Posts: 987 Member
    Bump. Will reply later
  • amyk0202
    amyk0202 Posts: 666 Member
    You have to decide for yourself where you are comfortable. Definitely don't let the opinions of various men have any weight on your decision. I personally feel comfortable at 150, which at my height of 5' 2.5" is about 10 lbs into the overweight range. I'm a OK with that. I know other people like to be at the middle of their bmi range & others like to be at the bottom. Pick the weight where you are happy with what you see & with how you feel--there is no one number for that.
  • KathyApplebaum
    KathyApplebaum Posts: 188 Member
    001bridget wrote: »
    A lot of advice suggests that you should stay around <120 pounds
    That's going to totally depend on your height and build. I have more than 120 pounds of lean body mass, so 120 would be a horrible weight for me.

    The right weight for you is one where you're healthy and feel good about yourself. Body fat percentage is a good way to measure if you're healthy, but liking what you see in the mirror is also a great way.

  • misskarne
    misskarne Posts: 1,765 Member
    001bridget wrote: »
    A lot of advice suggests that you should stay around <120 pounds,

    For what height? I'm 5'8" and would look like a walking skeleton at <120lbs. Not to mention I would be dangerously underweight.
  • Kim55555
    Kim55555 Posts: 987 Member
    HappyCampr1 wrote: »
    Weight totally depends on your height, body shape/build and lean body mass.

    I'm 5'4.5". Normal BMI range for my height is from 117-147 pounds. Since I have 111 pounds of lean body mass and females need about 13% body fat for essential functions, my minimum weight should be 128 pounds. That is, unless I'm willing to lose muscle to get a lower weight...which I'm not. Female athletes bf% ranges from 14-20%. Fitness level is from 21-24%. Say I want to be 21% bodyfat.... In order to keep my current lean body mass, I shouldn't go below for is personal preference.

    Hi @HappyCampr1

    I'm after a little help

    Sorry if I'm hijacking thread. OP and others, If you want I can create a new topic, let me know.

    I found some old notes of mine from when I had my dexa scan. I was 129.1 pounds with 88.6 pounds of lean mass. I'm 5'2

    I worked out in my formula below that in order for me to get to 20 % body fat and retain my muscle mass I'd need to get down to 116.9 pounds. Does that sound right? Thanks :smiley:


    58.6 kilograms (129.1 pounds) body fat % 27.6
    40.1797 kilograms (88.6 pounds) Lean Mass
    42.4402 kilograms (93.5 pounds) Lean BMC (Bone mineral content)
    16.1424 kilograms (35.6 pounds) Fat Mass

    129.1 pounds
    93.5 pounds LBM + 35.6 pounds Fat Mass = 58.6 kg (129.1 pounds)


    This is the amount I need to weigh to be a certain body fat % and retain my LBM.

    Target body fat % - 25%
    1.0 - .25 = 0.75
    93.5/0.75 = 124.6 pounds 56.5 kg

    Target body fat % - 20%
    1.0 - .20 = 0.8
    93.5/0.8 = 116.9 pounds – 53 kg

  • Kim55555
    Kim55555 Posts: 987 Member
    001bridget wrote: »
    A lot of advice suggests that you should stay around <120 pounds, but I find that I generally feel more healthy and solid at a higher weight - maybe 155 or so. People (guys, haha) say my figure is much bigger/thicker there, but also more pleasant in shape.
    So, finding a balance between health and body image is hard for me.. what advice could you give me around this? It's something I'm always worrying about, and it's hard to know what I should prioritise

    Hi

    Get to a scale weight you are healthy at, feel and look good at. A weight you can maintain without too much trouble.

    I was just having this conversation yesterday. I'd rather end up at a goal weight a few kg heavier if it meant I could eat a few hundred more calories each day/live a little. 60 might be easier for me to live with than 57. I'll get to 57 and then decide. Ive also had enough of yo yoing up and down.
  • PinkPixiexox
    PinkPixiexox Posts: 4,142 Member
    I understand your situation.

    I'm 5 ft 2 (and have a seriously sedentary Mon-Fri job). I currently weigh around 119. The majority of posts on here from females with the same stats as me are around 115 and aiming for 105 or so. According to the BMI scale, I'd still be a nice healthy weight if I too were to go this low but for me - it's totally, totally unsustainable and unrealistic. Why? Because I like being able to eat, simply put. As my TDEE is low enough at 119 lbs - to go any lower would mean my calories would significantly drop too. I'm finding 119 hard enough to maintain as it is! Despite my weight loss, I still have a womanly shapely figure and I don't want to lose that either.

    Go with what works with you. Please disregard other people's expectations.
  • Therealobi1
    Therealobi1 Posts: 3,262 Member
    misskarne wrote: »
    001bridget wrote: »
    A lot of advice suggests that you should stay around <120 pounds,

    For what height? I'm 5'8" and would look like a walking skeleton at <120lbs. Not to mention I would be dangerously underweight.

    5,8" too. 120 wouldn't be a good look for me at all

    Op that advice has to have info missing it doesn't feel complete
    If you feel great at 155, then others will have to deal with it

  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    001bridget wrote: »
    A lot of advice suggests that you should stay around <120 pounds, but I find that I generally feel more healthy and solid at a higher weight - maybe 155 or so. People (guys, haha) say my figure is much bigger/thicker there, but also more pleasant in shape.
    So, finding a balance between health and body image is hard for me.. what advice could you give me around this? It's something I'm always worrying about, and it's hard to know what I should prioritise

    below 120 pounds, for what height?
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    001bridget wrote: »
    A lot of advice suggests that you should stay around <120 pounds, but I find that I generally feel more healthy and solid at a higher weight - maybe 155 or so. People (guys, haha) say my figure is much bigger/thicker there, but also more pleasant in shape.
    So, finding a balance between health and body image is hard for me.. what advice could you give me around this? It's something I'm always worrying about, and it's hard to know what I should prioritise

    That advice sounds dubious. How much weight is healthy and looks good depends on your height, frame size and personal preference. Choose a weight that seems right to you and ignore that weird advice. If you choose a higher weight and decide later that you want to go a bit lower you can. If 155 is a healthy weight for you and you look and feel good there why would you want to weigh less?
    I'm 5'4" and as an adult I have weighed between 100- 180 lbs. Less than 120 lbs was really too thin for me. I feel my best around 125 lbs but would still be at a healthy weight at 130 or 140 lbs. So I would say I am happiest with my weight in the middle to top of the healthy weight range for my height.

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