Why do I look skinnier than I weigh?
Replies
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Noreenmarie1234 wrote: »Also I think most people in real life are HORRIBLE when it comes to guessing people's weight. Most people always say oh wow I would have guess you weight _____ (always wayyyyyy less than they actually do). Also if I were to guess someones weight I would politely guess a lot less and act surprised when they weight more to be honest, lol.
I have noticed for very thin people as well. People always tell me I must be 90lbs when I am far from that.
This is definitely true in my experience too!
I know at my heaviest I was a little over 300 lb and sometimes people who were talking about weight would say something like, "not plus-sized like YOU, this lady was about 300 lb" and I didn't take it personally as I knew they didn't think I weighed 300 lb.
People now hear that I weigh 175-180 and they say "What!? You can't be more than 150" and I know they're just terrible judges of that stuff. No big deal.4 -
Personally think overweight/obesity have become the "new normal". This causes people to underestimate weight.21
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Lol, it's somewhat different with many guys who work out. People look at me and say "dude you look like you weigh about 200lbs". And of course I smile full well knowing I weigh less. If you're muscular, when people tell you you look like more than you actually weigh, it's a compliment to your physique.
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Theoldguy1 wrote: »Personally think overweight/obesity have become the "new normal". This causes people to underestimate weight.
Just a follow on my earlier post:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321003#:~:text=American women aged 20 years,not a measure of health.
The average woman in the USA is a bit under 5;4" and weighs 171 (very top end of normal BMI). A woman a couple inches taller and 20 pounds heavier looks very average (adjusting the weight for height), although 5'6", 190 puts one in the very low end of obese range per BMI.
Few people would think a an average woman in the US is 171 lbs.
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And the women's clothing line are good at manipulating "sizes" to help women feel good about what they are purchasing. A size 12 I believe is what a 14 was a few years ago.Theoldguy1 wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »Personally think overweight/obesity have become the "new normal". This causes people to underestimate weight.
Just a follow on my earlier post:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321003#:~:text=American women aged 20 years,not a measure of health.
The average woman in the USA is a bit under 5;4" and weighs 171 (very top end of normal BMI). A woman a couple inches taller and 20 pounds heavier looks very average (adjusting the weight for height), although 5'6", 190 puts one in the very low end of obese range per BMI.
Few people would think a an average woman in the US is 171 lbs.
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springlering62 wrote: »Makes me think of the quote that “comparison is the thief of joy”. You just do you, honey.
Unless living in a vacuum results in one getting a false sense that all is well when it might not be (just a general comment).2 -
Op... It looks like you have an hourglass figure, which means that extra padding is likely distributed into booty and bust gains, with some abdominal extra (which is hard to see).
When you lose weight, its possible that how you lose it makes you look or feel like it's not a good look.
You mention that you don't have a lot of muscle mass and you do rather like your shape... So might I recommend that you consider weight resistant training as opposed to dieting? Keep your calories at or close to maintenance and do some weight bearing activities. (and it's great for bone density and helping with overall health).
You might find you are happier with the results more than just losing weight / fat.
No matter what... The most important thing is that you are happy with yourself. If you like your current shape the best, then what is motivating you to change?2 -
And the women's clothing line are good at manipulating "sizes" to help women feel good about what they are purchasing. A size 12 I believe is what a 14 was a few years ago.Theoldguy1 wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »Personally think overweight/obesity have become the "new normal". This causes people to underestimate weight.
Just a follow on my earlier post:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321003#:~:text=American women aged 20 years,not a measure of health.
The average woman in the USA is a bit under 5;4" and weighs 171 (very top end of normal BMI). A woman a couple inches taller and 20 pounds heavier looks very average (adjusting the weight for height), although 5'6", 190 puts one in the very low end of obese range per BMI.
Few people would think a an average woman in the US is 171 lbs.
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And to expand on that, I wear 1940s/50s style vintage dresses. I'm in that average category (5'6", 171 lb)...modern sizing puts me in sizes 8/10 for women. My vintage dresses are 14/16.2 -
And the women's clothing line are good at manipulating "sizes" to help women feel good about what they are purchasing. A size 12 I believe is what a 14 was a few years ago.
This is happening with Men's clothes too. When I first got down to a healthy weight in high school I wore medium t-shirts and 32 x 34 jeans. I was relatively the same size ages 17-25 and got my suits in 38R. I started lifting at 26 and have improved my body composition quite a bit. My chest and shoulders are much broader, legs are more muscular, and waist measures about the same. I now wear smalls in short sleeve Ts but need mediums for sleeve length due to my delts. I got a new pair of UA golf pants at Christmas and my wife comments that they're noticably baggier than my other UA pants despite being the same 32x34. In jeans I'd prefer a 31x34 but those are nearly impossible to find and those numbers are no longer representative of a inches as I measure at 33" most of the time.1 -
Yeah I hear you. I rarely wear any other clothing but gym clothing since my life and job just revolve around it. I still buy large in everything because it still fits well. I have one suit and it's a 42R, but I had to get the pants altered for the waist size because it was way too big.And the women's clothing line are good at manipulating "sizes" to help women feel good about what they are purchasing. A size 12 I believe is what a 14 was a few years ago.
This is happening with Men's clothes too. When I first got down to a healthy weight in high school I wore medium t-shirts and 32 x 34 jeans. I was relatively the same size ages 17-25 and got my suits in 38R. I started lifting at 26 and have improved my body composition quite a bit. My chest and shoulders are much broader, legs are more muscular, and waist measures about the same. I now wear smalls in short sleeve Ts but need mediums for sleeve length due to my delts. I got a new pair of UA golf pants at Christmas and my wife comments that they're noticably baggier than my other UA pants despite being the same 32x34. In jeans I'd prefer a 31x34 but those are nearly impossible to find and those numbers are no longer representative of a inches as I measure at 33" most of the time.
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Yeah I hear you. I rarely wear any other clothing but gym clothing since my life and job just revolve around it. I still buy large in everything because it still fits well. I have one suit and it's a 42R, but I had to get the pants altered for the waist size because it was way too big.And the women's clothing line are good at manipulating "sizes" to help women feel good about what they are purchasing. A size 12 I believe is what a 14 was a few years ago.
This is happening with Men's clothes too. When I first got down to a healthy weight in high school I wore medium t-shirts and 32 x 34 jeans. I was relatively the same size ages 17-25 and got my suits in 38R. I started lifting at 26 and have improved my body composition quite a bit. My chest and shoulders are much broader, legs are more muscular, and waist measures about the same. I now wear smalls in short sleeve Ts but need mediums for sleeve length due to my delts. I got a new pair of UA golf pants at Christmas and my wife comments that they're noticably baggier than my other UA pants despite being the same 32x34. In jeans I'd prefer a 31x34 but those are nearly impossible to find and those numbers are no longer representative of a inches as I measure at 33" most of the time.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Yeah, don't get me started on proportional sizing. Finding an off-the rack dress shirt that fits well is like the golden idol from Raiders of the Lost Ark. Anything that fits in the neck, chest and shoulders is a circus tent from the pits down... I'm not even that muscular.1 -
Weight is relative ... if you were on the moon you would weigh less than 32 lbs but that wouldn’t mean anything. It is relative to your bone structure, density and so forth. As the other poster mentioned you do you and be happy with who you are👍0
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I am just the opposite. Also hourglass, 178 right now at 5'8" and due to my wide hips I look WAY thinner from the side than head on. I think I look at least 20 lb heavier head on than in profile.1 -
kshama2001 wrote: »
I either have tiny wrists or large elbow. "Unfortunately, the wrist and elbow methods do not agree with each other. The wrist method says that you have a thin body frame while the elbow method says that you have a broad body frame." I'd have to go down a full half inch for it to consider me medium, and 1" for it to consider both thin. I know the measurement is probably off by a little trying to do it myself, but not that much.
Honestly, I'm probably somewhere in the middle, leaning broad. I just have tiny hands and wrists, which is confusing because the rest of me isn't tiny.
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MercuryForce wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »
I either have tiny wrists or large elbow. "Unfortunately, the wrist and elbow methods do not agree with each other. The wrist method says that you have a thin body frame while the elbow method says that you have a broad body frame." I'd have to go down a full half inch for it to consider me medium, and 1" for it to consider both thin. I know the measurement is probably off by a little trying to do it myself, but not that much.
Honestly, I'm probably somewhere in the middle, leaning broad. I just have tiny hands and wrists, which is confusing because the rest of me isn't tiny.
FWIW, I'm another person who doesn't find this kind of "calculator" very helpful. My elbows and wrists read as broad (at BMI around 20, 5'5", 125 pounds - let alone when I was obese). I just have big hands and arms: My ring size, when thin, is 10. Most women's rings don't even come that large.
However, my hips are narrow, and the amount of fat & meat it takes to wrap hips is much more relevant than wrist or elbow size. On top of that, I had small breasts even when obese, and now have none (post mastectomies for breast cancer, no reconstruction). Pelvic width and (for women) breast size is much more influential when it comes to body fat and body weight than wrists or elbows: At best they're a *possible* indication.
If someone has a very average body configuration, maybe these things can give some insight . . . but they can also seriously mislead.4 -
Regarding goal weight - who cares? If you look in the mirror, get on a scale or whatever and decide you need to lose weight, then lose some weight. Be done when you decide to be done, not when it just gets to be too tiresome to continue.0
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My best friend and I weigh with-in 6 lbs of each other.
I am taller.. Me, 5' 7" at 162lbs. I wear a size 12 in pants, large or extra large in tops.
My friend, 5' 5" at 168 lbs. She wears a size 8 or 10 in pants and a medium, or sometimes a small in tops.
When we were shopping at the Gap recently, she kept handing me size medium tops to try on.
I had to remind her that her 36 A boobs and my 36 DD will not fit in the same sized tops.
Though she is shorter than me by 2 inches and out weighs me by 5-6lbs, we are not built the same.
She looks smaller, as if she weighs less and I look heavier. Go figure.
Going by weight alone is not the only indicator of how a person's body looks. Body composition is different for everyone.
We don't all fit in the same cookie mold.
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I'll somewhat disagree here. There are many people who look in the mirror and feel fine, till they may see pictures or videos of themselves.Regarding goal weight - who cares? If you look in the mirror, get on a scale or whatever and decide you need to lose weight, then lose some weight. Be done when you decide to be done, not when it just gets to be too tiresome to continue.
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I'll somewhat disagree here. There are many people who look in the mirror and feel fine, till they may see pictures or videos of themselves.Regarding goal weight - who cares? If you look in the mirror, get on a scale or whatever and decide you need to lose weight, then lose some weight. Be done when you decide to be done, not when it just gets to be too tiresome to continue.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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This is 100% me. I normally don't feel that bad until someone snaps a picture... then I'm like.. whos that?!5 -
Ok...but..... "whatever" encompasses quite a bit. Pictures, sports performances etc., etc.
Bottom line, if you think you need to lose weight, you probably do. (Eating orders aside)0 -
[/quote] For anyone (regardless of height or weight or gender) as long as you know you lean mass and the % of bodyfat you wish to be, you can find your target weight with this formula:
LEAN MASS divided by 1 minus desired body fat %
IE: Lean mass 100lbs desired body fat % is 20%
1- 20% or .20 = 80% or .80
Now apply formula
100 divided by .80 = 125lb
So target weight would be 125lbs if one wanted to be 20% body fat with a lean mass of 100lbs
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition[/quote]
There's also this.. Which I'm guessing just uses the same formula: fat2fittools.com/tools/ibw/
Edit: Me trying to quote you just really isn't working, sorry.0 -
I'm not buying new clothes at the moment since I'm optimistic that my currently fitting things won't in a short time, but that said I think if you look well put together and know how to dress for your shape and size, it's likely that people will underestimate your weight. Personally I'm not a fan of the "athleisure" look, except when actually exercising, because I just don't think it's very flattering on a lot of people. I know it's definitely not on me!
I think there's a lot of value in dressing well. I know for me, if I take the time to take care of myself as far as clothing, hair, etc (even if I'm not leaving the house), I'm much more likely to take care of myself as far as food, exercise, sleep. YMMV, of course.
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