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MyFitnessPal Community

"You're tall. You don't want to get too skinny."

happyheart15

Have any other tall women been told that since you're tall, you shouldn't try for a lower weight? I'm 5'9, and I've been told that I "shouldn't lose too much weight" or should "stop at a size 12" and that I "shouldn't get too skinny" since I'm so tall. But I don't see what's wrong with wanting to be around 150 or size 6. I don't think that's "too skinny" at all. Just because I'm tall, I have to stay slightly chubby? It's not like I'm trying to be 110 pounds or a size 0. But I think a size 6 is pretty reasonable. I want to be healthy, fit, strong, and slim, and be in the single digits in clothing sizes for the first time in my adult life. Well honestly, I wasn't even in the single digits in middle school. I see no reason to stop at a higher size.

Can any other tall women relate?

Replies

WendyLeigh1119

Yes and yes. My mother is totally unsupportive and has always made nasty comments about me being "too thin" just because she and my Dad have always been a bit overweight. I'm only 5'7 and back down to 144lbs (shooting for 135) and both my significant other and parents think that's "way too thin".

Except it's my normal weight at the high end. I'm currently wearing a Size 6 and would like to fit my old Size 3/5. I'd rather be a bit "too thin" (though I'm not and won't be) than have a larger bust and butt. I hated having both of those things with a passion at 172lbs...and society definitely seems to think that "slender with a proportionate bust and bum" are abnormal somehow.

I'm so tired of the jealousy... (my mom for sure and my significant other needs to lose at least 20 to 25 lbs but refuses to eat differently/less) so I think he's jealous, too. I was slim when I met him 4 years ago, so I don't know why he's so unsupportive about it now.

But they can both kiss my *kitten* because I'm proud and thrilled to be fit and slim again. No one is going to tell me what I should want to look like.

tomteboda

Ignore what others say, as long as you're in/aiming for the healthy range, have plenty of energy and stamina, aren't getting sick, and are eating a reasonable amount of food for your activity (i.e. you're not living on 1200 calories/day while running 10 miles).

If any of those things do apply, though, you should then re-evaluate what you're doing.

There's a range of healthy weight. For 5'9" that range is 125-169. Where you look and feel your best in that range will depend on your build.

duddysdad

Not a woman, but one of my best friends is 6'2" and she gets this all the time. She bounces around a lot with her weight, but I think she looks good when she is in the middle of a normal BMI.

dolcezza25

People are always going to be crappy and feel the need to comment on your weight. I'm 4'10.5" and when I was 104 a friend told me I looked too skinny. I was the healthiest and had the most tone in my life. My point? You, and maybe your doctor, know your body best, If you're getting the right nutrients and activity, and you can achieve that weight with those tools, then it IS healthy.

stanmann571

grinning_chick wrote: »

vespiquenn wrote: »

grinning_chick wrote: »

vespiquenn wrote: »

So yes, 5'8" and above for females is generally seen as tall.

Pshaw. I'm only 5'7" and have gotten "You're tall." (and have been rolling my eyes at the comment) ever since I sprung up to that height in the 7th grade. The US national average is 5'2" to 5'5" for women, depending on what population you are looking at. If a woman is even marginally taller than that, she seems to be considered tall by some people. Regardless if it's really true or not.

I'm not going to lie, when I think of "taller girl," I think back to my days of binge watching America's Next Top Model. The cut off to enter was typically 5'8" with a few 5'7" girls slipping by.. not that I tried to enter or anything.

Somehow my perception of height has forever been altered by my intrigue with fashion models back in the day. But obviously it boils down to perception.

When I think of tall women, it starts at 5'10"-5'11" and goes up from there. That's my point: A lot of women are told they are tall when, in fact, they are not. A least in the US.

Average height of women in the US is 5'4-5'5 depending on who you believe... STDEV is 3-4 inches. so 5'1=5'9"

So yes. 5'10" is where "tall" starts statistically.

Chef_Barbell

stanmann571 wrote: »

grinning_chick wrote: »

vespiquenn wrote: »

grinning_chick wrote: »

vespiquenn wrote: »

So yes, 5'8" and above for females is generally seen as tall.

Pshaw. I'm only 5'7" and have gotten "You're tall." (and have been rolling my eyes at the comment) ever since I sprung up to that height in the 7th grade. The US national average is 5'2" to 5'5" for women, depending on what population you are looking at. If a woman is even marginally taller than that, she seems to be considered tall by some people. Regardless if it's really true or not.

I'm not going to lie, when I think of "taller girl," I think back to my days of binge watching America's Next Top Model. The cut off to enter was typically 5'8" with a few 5'7" girls slipping by.. not that I tried to enter or anything.

Somehow my perception of height has forever been altered by my intrigue with fashion models back in the day. But obviously it boils down to perception.

When I think of tall women, it starts at 5'10"-5'11" and goes up from there. That's my point: A lot of women are told they are tall when, in fact, they are not. A least in the US.

Average height of women in the US is 5'4-5'5 depending on who you believe... STDEV is 3-4 inches. so 5'1=5'9"

So yes. 5'10" is where "tall" starts statistically.

Why does it matter? :huh:

happyheart15

I'm somewhere between 5'9 and 5'10, and I'm definitely tall, no matter what statistics say.

WendyLeigh1119

stanmann571 wrote: »

grinning_chick wrote: »

vespiquenn wrote: »

grinning_chick wrote: »

vespiquenn wrote: »

So yes, 5'8" and above for females is generally seen as tall.

Pshaw. I'm only 5'7" and have gotten "You're tall." (and have been rolling my eyes at the comment) ever since I sprung up to that height in the 7th grade. The US national average is 5'2" to 5'5" for women, depending on what population you are looking at. If a woman is even marginally taller than that, she seems to be considered tall by some people. Regardless if it's really true or not.

I'm not going to lie, when I think of "taller girl," I think back to my days of binge watching America's Next Top Model. The cut off to enter was typically 5'8" with a few 5'7" girls slipping by.. not that I tried to enter or anything.

Somehow my perception of height has forever been altered by my intrigue with fashion models back in the day. But obviously it boils down to perception.

When I think of tall women, it starts at 5'10"-5'11" and goes up from there. That's my point: A lot of women are told they are tall when, in fact, they are not. A least in the US.

Average height of women in the US is 5'4-5'5 depending on who you believe... STDEV is 3-4 inches. so 5'1=5'9"

So yes. 5'10" is where "tall" starts statistically.

Well.... clothing sizes disagree with you. At 5'7 I've needed "talls" my entire life.

macchiatto

I don't think I've gotten that but I'm 5'7". I feel tall since so many of my friends are 5'-5'2" and my husband is 5'8" but not really that tall.

RedheadedPrincess14

I'm 5"8, 133ish, and size 4 usually. I don't see what's wrong with that. I mean there was times where I was thin from unhealthy means, but right now I'm lean from a healthy diet. That's a good thing.

you're goal weight if perfectly fine.

Christine_72

WendyLeigh1119 wrote: »

stanmann571 wrote: »

grinning_chick wrote: »

vespiquenn wrote: »

grinning_chick wrote: »

vespiquenn wrote: »

So yes, 5'8" and above for females is generally seen as tall.

Pshaw. I'm only 5'7" and have gotten "You're tall." (and have been rolling my eyes at the comment) ever since I sprung up to that height in the 7th grade. The US national average is 5'2" to 5'5" for women, depending on what population you are looking at. If a woman is even marginally taller than that, she seems to be considered tall by some people. Regardless if it's really true or not.

I'm not going to lie, when I think of "taller girl," I think back to my days of binge watching America's Next Top Model. The cut off to enter was typically 5'8" with a few 5'7" girls slipping by.. not that I tried to enter or anything.

Somehow my perception of height has forever been altered by my intrigue with fashion models back in the day. But obviously it boils down to perception.

When I think of tall women, it starts at 5'10"-5'11" and goes up from there. That's my point: A lot of women are told they are tall when, in fact, they are not. A least in the US.

Average height of women in the US is 5'4-5'5 depending on who you believe... STDEV is 3-4 inches. so 5'1=5'9"

So yes. 5'10" is where "tall" starts statistically.

Well.... clothing sizes disagree with you. At 5'7 I've needed "talls" my entire life.

Same here, I'm 5"8. So many of my pants, especially track pants are ankle freezers on me. I don't know how really tall women find pants that are long enough.

dragon_girl26

I'm not tall (5'5.5"), started at 241 lbs, yet at my current 165 lbs, my friends and some of my family think I need to stop. My goal is 145 lbs, which I've never told any of them. I also have no plans to discuss my diet with them. My weight, my business.

StartingAgainAt48

I'm between 5'9 and 5'10 and down to 171 from a high of 284. Nowhere near "too skinny" but people sometimes tell me to stop or I will disappear. I am shooting for 150-155 to re-evaluate and I think of the comments as just "awkward compliments" because I think that's the intention!

Aerona85

5'9" here and according to the clothing industry am definitely tall. The "standard" 28-30 inch inseams are just way to short for me. I have had to wear talls to get 32-33 inch inseams ever since junior high (longer if I want to wear with heels). Otherwise...pants just look ridiculous. No one needs to see my ankles when I'm wearing jeans!

ContraryMaryMary

I'm a smidge under 5'8" and once took a trip to Europe via China - when in Shanghai I was a giant, way taller than all women and most men. 12 hours later I was in Germany and felt like a midget with almost everyone towering over me. It was a very odd sensation.

cmtigger

Aerona85 wrote: »

5'9" here and according to the clothing industry am definitely tall. The "standard" 28-30 inch inseams are just way to short for me. I have had to wear talls to get 32-33 inch inseams ever since junior high (longer if I want to wear with heels). Otherwise...pants just look ridiculous. No one needs to see my ankles when I'm wearing jeans!

My biggest problem is that I have a long torso and most companies don't offer long in shirts. I need the long pants too, but I've given up and make a lot of my shirts.

dammitjanet0161

cmtigger wrote: »

Aerona85 wrote: »

5'9" here and according to the clothing industry am definitely tall. The "standard" 28-30 inch inseams are just way to short for me. I have had to wear talls to get 32-33 inch inseams ever since junior high (longer if I want to wear with heels). Otherwise...pants just look ridiculous. No one needs to see my ankles when I'm wearing jeans!

My biggest problem is that I have a long torso and most companies don't offer long in shirts. I need the long pants too, but I've given up and make a lot of my shirts.

Me too. I'm 5'10 so tall anyway but longer in the torso and only 33.5" inside leg. Dresses are so difficult as even the tall ranges in shops tend to just add the extra length to the legs and don't think about body proportions. /rant.

Anyway, back to the OP - I would just say that being taller makes it harder to estimate how much weight will equate to a dress size on a taller frame. If you feel happy with your goal weight then that's your beusiness and not for anyone to comment on, but I know if it were me I don't even know what clothes size I would be if I lost x amount of pounds.

jlscherme

I can commiserate about the long torso. Ever try to find a one-piece bathing suit?

Everyone's body is different. I'm 5'11" and a size 10 @ 177lbs.

erienneb66

ContraryMaryMary wrote: »

I'm a smidge under 5'8" and once took a trip to Europe via China - when in Shanghai I was a giant, way taller than all women and most men. 12 hours later I was in Germany and felt like a midget with almost everyone towering over me. It was a very odd sensation.

I'm a 6' female and when I was in Shanghai people kept wanting to take pictures with me haha

Christine_72

erienneb66 wrote: »

ContraryMaryMary wrote: »

I'm a smidge under 5'8" and once took a trip to Europe via China - when in Shanghai I was a giant, way taller than all women and most men. 12 hours later I was in Germany and felt like a midget with almost everyone towering over me. It was a very odd sensation.

I'm a 6' female and when I was in Shanghai people kept wanting to take pictures with me haha

OMG that me LOL :laugh: They thought you were an Amazon woman!

glassofroses

I'm 5'11.5, a size 4-6, and weighing around 146 normally. But because I carry all my weight in my stomach/hips (true pear), no one would classify me as too skinny even though the rest of me is the definition of unable to pinch and inch.

I find that thinness tends to show up a lot quicker on tall women than it does shorter. Not sure how or why that is but that has been my experience (i.e. bigger visual change in me a tall woman at X pounds loss versus a shorter woman at the same point).

And yes, let us all commiserate about our long torsos and RIP the one pieces we'll never wear. Everyone is always saying I should feel comfortable in a bikini because I'm tall and thin but they can't see what I know is there: the large Sahara desert of skin between the top and bottoms of the bikini. It's just so long.

I even had a weird moment recently where I had a chest x-ray and the radiographer had to turn the board length ways because my lungs were so long. I didn't know whether to be proud or embarrassed. XD

mangrothian

I'm 186cm (6'1ish), and whilst I haven't had people telling me to stop yet, I still have people trying to tell me what they think my weight should be. Since I haven't been at a healthy weight since my pre-teens, I don't even know what I should be weighing, but when I get there I will. at 96kg (210lbs) I'm in an AU14/16 (US10/12?) pants, if I can find them long enough, and I still have a long way to go. Weight sits differently on us Amazonians, and sometimes I think people tend to forget that.

Provided you are happy, and your doctor is happy, then that's all that matters (my husband may get to weigh in with an opinion as well I guess

). The opinion of the rest of the world can go jump.

Ainadan

I'm 5'8.5 and since I am with all Chinese people, I feel very tall. But I have a short torso. Finding a dress is kind of hard because they look short on me, even if they look normal on other people. And it's not the "Show some leg and be sexy" kind of short, but rather the "Your clothes don't fit" kind.

hesn92

No I don't get that. Everyone has a different body type/frame. Some tall girls probably look better at a size 12. I'm 5'10" and size 6 is perfect for me.

jessicastanfill

People love to give a woman their opinion - especially about her weight! I've been fat and skinny, and heard it all on both ends. The only thing I will regret on my death bed is not telling enough people to shut up (some famous woman said that I can't remember who!) Hang in there!

ahealthyenthusiasm

I'm 6' 0.5"... and in my profile picture I was 190 pounds. There are a lot of factors that influence weight (muscle mass, boobage, booty, etc), so focusing on weight is a moot point. Everyone's going to be different. I know, for me, I have a larger bone structure, maintain a booty, and carry a lot a muscle. I'm a dense mo fo, and know I'm HAPPY and HEALTHY when I'm at that size.

Just focus on being happy with yourself and healthy. Disregard anyone's negative comments. Those opinions are their problem, not yours.

Nmarine1996

I love this post! I always get(I'm 5'8) you're tall you can't lose too much weight.

Chef_Barbell

erienneb66 wrote: »

ContraryMaryMary wrote: »

I'm a smidge under 5'8" and once took a trip to Europe via China - when in Shanghai I was a giant, way taller than all women and most men. 12 hours later I was in Germany and felt like a midget with almost everyone towering over me. It was a very odd sensation.

I'm a 6' female and when I was in Shanghai people kept wanting to take pictures with me haha

They wanted pictures of me 'cause I'm Black. *shrug*

ContraryMaryMary

Chef_Barbell wrote: »

erienneb66 wrote: »

ContraryMaryMary wrote: »

I'm a smidge under 5'8" and once took a trip to Europe via China - when in Shanghai I was a giant, way taller than all women and most men. 12 hours later I was in Germany and felt like a midget with almost everyone towering over me. It was a very odd sensation.

I'm a 6' female and when I was in Shanghai people kept wanting to take pictures with me haha

They wanted pictures of me 'cause I'm Black. *shrug*

And me, because I'm a red head. Most bizarre was when they'd give me their children to pose with - these people didn't speak any English, communication was all by gesture, and they were giving me babies that were only a few months old to hold.

The funniest of all was when I was made to pose in front of a tour bus full of tourists in Beijing. Me, the giant ginger woman, with about 50 tiny, elderly Chinese people.

unknown

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