Is 5’7 160 too skinny?!

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Replies

  • tcunbeliever
    tcunbeliever Posts: 8,219 Member
    I don't think you look too thin or frail...I like muscular guys, so would love to see you more muscular, but that's only necessary if you want to be more muscular...though it does build bone density and other fun stuff.

    That being said - here's a height/weight chart based on frame size and might help you determine where you want to be with your weight:

    https://thefreewindows.com/normal-weight/
  • unstableunicorn
    unstableunicorn Posts: 216 Member
    Very curious response from your doctor. Maybe he has very few patients who are at or under healthy bmi? Or he’s misinterpreting composition changes (I’m freaked out by my collar bone & pectorals even though I have 80-100lbs to go)? It could even be he’s concerned at the speed it was lost (which is understandable). In any case, NHLBI considers 160lbs @ 5’7” bordering on overweight (heck, I’m a 5’7” woman and my doc was thrilled when I told her my goal range caps at 170), and frankly you look fine weight-wise. I would recommend learning more about your individual needs and behaviours, and sit down and talk to him about *why* he thinks your weight is too low.
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    I'd say it's a pretty interesting response from your doctor. Honestly, it's hard to say and can be very individualized. I'm 5'7" and 160 was far too low for me. I got to 162-163 and was finding myself far too skinny and worked back up to about 167, where I did a recomp and landed comfortably at 172ish.
  • threewins
    threewins Posts: 1,455 Member
    Maybe he was in a grumpy mood, and said the wrong thing? It happens to all of us, even doctors.
  • aokoye
    aokoye Posts: 3,495 Member
    I don't know if anyone has mentioned this but I have a few thoughts/questions. Have you been able to ask your doctor for clarification - either the day of or after the fact? Given your rapid weight loss, it isn't out of the realm of logic to be concerned, but the way at which he went about expressing that seems a bit unwieldy at best. Secondly, have you gotten a second opinion by another doctor about this?

    I will admit that I probably wouldn't seek a second opinion if I were in your shoes. Rather I'd ask for clarification either online or over the phone with the doctor and then potentially drop them as a doctor and find a new one. That said, I also have a therapist so if I had any fears about maintenance that could contribute or lead to an eating disorder, those would be addressed/by someone who his more knowledgeable about the mental health piece than my GP.

    For what it's worth, I did once scare the crap out of my GP after he looked at the depression screening. That said, while his response was inappropriate in my opinion (given his amount of worry, he should have asked if I would sign a release so he could talk to my therapist), I ended up keeping him as a doctor and he has yet to have a similar response.
  • jakersneed1770
    jakersneed1770 Posts: 12 Member
    Thanks for all the comments!
    My doctor is 5’5 200 pounds. So I’m starting to think he is a bit bias. I’m seeing a nutritionist on Monday (next week) to get some advice.

    I’m not too concerned with the loose skin. It doesn’t actually bother me at all honestly... shocking I know. I think I look great in clothing which is what really mattered the most to me. For sure I will need to get into the gym at some point (2020 goal!).

    Perhaps it’s fair he was concerned with the rapid weight loss. I do weigh myself pretty much daily and have had a lot of trouble breaking past the 160 mark. I’ve floated at 160 for about two weeks @1300 calories a day.
  • jakersneed1770
    jakersneed1770 Posts: 12 Member
    sgt1372 wrote: »
    OP: Based on the photos you posted, you are still overweight and are definitely NOT "thin or frail" as is confirmed by your BMI.

    Your photos also confirm the presence of excess BF and a lack of muscular definition. So, you would definitely benefit from a wt lifting program as I suggested previously.

    Your goal of 155 is a good stating point for this effort but I think, as happened for me after I made progress, that you may want to lower your goal wt later.

    When I started my wt loss and stength development efforts at 196 down to 160, I've was losing wt on 1800 cals/day but as I lost fat and became more fit my cal consumption has dropped to an ave of about a 1600 cal/day at my current wt of 150 w/o any medical or physical issues arising as a result.

    However, everyone's cal intake needs differ and I'm not saying that you will be able to lose/maintain your wt at the same levels.

    What I am saying is that your cal intake needs will chg and vary depending on the chg in your wt and physique and will require constant adjustment as you progress.

    Just keep this in mind. Nothing in a wt loss/body building effort remains static.

    Good luck!
    Thanks! I’m more concerned with how I look in clothes. I’m more confused because at my weight I fit into small clothing, which my friends say is just strange for someone at my weight.

    I think 150 would be a good spot for me. Any lower than that and I might snap. While the weight loss has been great overall I really want to get back to eating normally at some point...
  • jakersneed1770
    jakersneed1770 Posts: 12 Member
    sijomial wrote: »
    Regarding your fear of gaining on 2000 cals which is a huge issue which perhaps prompted your Doctor to say something which in isolation sounds dumb.

    I'm 59 YO, 5'9", 165lbs and usually maintain on 3,000 - 3,500 cals depending on my exercise volume.

    2000 is often stated as an average maintenance calories for a mythical average female and 2500 for a mythical average male.

    My suggestion would be to focus on what really is an irrational (but understandable) fear of regaining weight on a very small allowance and work up your calories steadily, ignoring fluctuations, and learn what your true maintenance calories are over a period of months. After a very rapid loss of weight you might be surprised how high your maintenance calories end up.

    Meanwhile get yourself to the gym and lift some weights.

    At your young age you have a whole load of long term options open to you - don't think what you do now commits you for life.

    Thanks. After reading through the comments it seems I have a borderline eating disorder. I think most of it is due to losing 40 pounds and putting it on, and now I’ve convinced myself a few pounds could be the difference in my appearance.


    I suppose my doctor had a valid reason to be concerned, however I think his advice about gaining 10 was ill advised.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    jakersneed1770 wrote: »
    Thanks for all the comments!
    My doctor is 5’5 200 pounds. So I’m starting to think he is a bit bias. I’m seeing a nutritionist on Monday (next week) to get some advice.

    I’m not too concerned with the loose skin. It doesn’t actually bother me at all honestly... shocking I know. I think I look great in clothing which is what really mattered the most to me. For sure I will need to get into the gym at some point (2020 goal!).

    Perhaps it’s fair he was concerned with the rapid weight loss. I do weigh myself pretty much daily and have had a lot of trouble breaking past the 160 mark. I’ve floated at 160 for about two weeks @ 1300 calories a day.

    What's stopping you from getting in the gym now? At this point, I think recomposition is a better goal than losing more weight.

    While your doctor may indeed be biased, the fact that you 1. lost a lot of weight rapidly 2. are continuing to undereat (1300 calories) and 3. have other red flag thinking is a legit cause for concern.
  • fitmom4lifemfp
    fitmom4lifemfp Posts: 1,575 Member
    edited October 2019
    jakersneed1770 wrote: »
    5’7 male, 21 YO. SW: 286. CW: 160. In the last year i’ve lost over 100 pounds. Went for my physical today and my doctor said I’m too skinny and I look frail. I personally don’t think I look frail. I fit into Small clothing now but I’m also a small dude. My doctor said he would send me to an eating disorder clinic if I don’t put on 10 pounds. He said I was fine at 190 but I was incredibly unhappy and he was upset I decided to lose more. Here’s the issue. I’m happy at my current weight but I’m afraid of maintaining. If I just start eating 2000 calories a day will I be gaining? Will I just maintain? I’ve worked so hard to get here and don’t wanna go back. From XXXL to small, to actually having success with women. Any advice?

    My BF is 5'8' and 145 - he is very happy with where he is. I think your weight sounds good - and you look great!! Get a new doctor.

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