118 lbs good for 5'5''?

I feel like I look way bigger than 118 pounds. I think I might have body dysmorphic disorder because noone else seems to think im chubby. I'm NOT asking for attention, but I just want to know if you guys think this is a good weight for someone who is 5'5''??????? I think I would look better if I lost more weight, but I'm afraid I will look too thin to everyone else. I eat 1200+ calories a day and workout 5 times a week.
«1

Replies

  • alisont91
    alisont91 Posts: 54
    Oh my gosh. I would LOVE to be 118. I'm 5'5" and 140. It's at the low end of the healthy BMI chart for your height, so you might want to be careful. I would suggest, if you are unhappy with the way you look, trying to build muscle instead of just losing weight. I'm not sure what your workouts consist of, but it's possible you are "skinny fat" i.e. skinny but with little muscle mass. Building muscle can help you appear healthier and more fit to yourself while maintaining (possibly gaining) a few pounds so others won't think you are too skinny.
    In the end though, you have to do what makes you happy. And if you want to lose more weight the healthy way than by all means go for it.
  • wlaurel
    wlaurel Posts: 43
    Thanks for the advice. I have to admit, I have not been doing weights at all. I usually just run, but I'm going to start doing more strength training. (:
  • 12by311
    12by311 Posts: 1,716 Member
    First of all, you are absolutely beautiful. Stunning!

    Secondly, I would suggest NOT losing any more weight. If you want to change your body lift weights and eat more than 1200 calories. Fuel your body for working hard and it will thank you.
  • wlaurel
    wlaurel Posts: 43
    Thank you so much! (:
  • tialeanne
    tialeanne Posts: 186 Member
    You are absofreakinglutely BEAUTIFUL. I mean that seriously. 5'5" 118 is perfection, you're golden babe!
  • Pspetal
    Pspetal Posts: 426 Member
    Wow you ARE gorgeous! Like someone else said, you're on the lower end of the healthy weight range for your height. Toning up might make you feel better about your body... You might put on a pound or two but you'll look more compact and healthy.
  • suziecue66
    suziecue66 Posts: 1,312 Member
    Can u post a pic showing body like in jeans and t-shirt. But I think you probably do think you are bigger than you are.
  • pamelad77
    pamelad77 Posts: 292 Member
    Have a look at

    www.mybodygallery.com

    You can choose different heights, weights and body shape to see what real women look like in the varying scenarios
  • megleo818
    megleo818 Posts: 595 Member
    I'm 5'4" and 118-124 is perfect for me. Back in the day, when I'd stress over work or some stupid boyfriend and dip down around 115, my mother used to tell me I was too skinny -- and she worked hard to stay TINY, so you know she was being honest.

    If you're worried you might have issues with perceiving how your body looks, you might consider seeing a doctor. Getting an opinion from a medical professional could be helpful.

    :smile:
  • suziecue66
    suziecue66 Posts: 1,312 Member
    Have a look at

    www.mybodygallery.com

    You can choose different heights, weights and body shape to see what real women look like in the varying scenarios

    Thanks for that.
  • Tink_889
    Tink_889 Posts: 244 Member
    118lbs is a great weight for 5'5. X
  • kalynn06
    kalynn06 Posts: 368 Member
    I think you look great now, but if you aren't pleased with how you look/ want a leaner look, I'd agree that strength training is your best bet. We're the same height, and when I weighed around 117 I looked pretty good, but I looked better 5 lbs heavier after tightening up and adding some resistance training including weights. I actually wore a smaller size as well. This was a few years ago, and I remember being shocked that size 2 pants were getting loose even though I'd gained a few pounds.
  • evelyngrice
    evelyngrice Posts: 349 Member
    I am also 5'5, and my UGW is 135, I am a curvy girl though: big boobs, small waist, child bearing hips :laugh:

    I personally would never go lower than 130lb, but as I said, I enjoy my curves.

    :flowerforyou:
  • katismiles
    katismiles Posts: 96 Member
    That's my goal! And I'm the same height as you!!! It's a good goal, check out the BMI scale on here. :D
  • Discoveri
    Discoveri Posts: 435 Member
    Have a look at

    www.mybodygallery.com

    You can choose different heights, weights and body shape to see what real women look like in the varying scenarios

    Cool site. Thanks for posting that.
  • Rachlovesfitness
    Rachlovesfitness Posts: 219 Member
    I am 5'5 and 132..and you have my DREAM body..I cannot wait to get to where you are!
  • victoria4321
    victoria4321 Posts: 1,719 Member
    Around 18% body fat is good for any women, in my opinion.
  • cjmas
    cjmas Posts: 63
    When I was in high school, that was about what I weighed (and at that height.) I was pretty tiny, although I thought I needed to lose weight. Anyways, you look AMAZING. I'm with the other posters... I wouldn't worry about losing any more weight at this point, but incorporate some strength training. Be warned: at your size, weight training might make you GAIN weight, but if it's lean muscle mass, it will be positive weight. My freshman year of college, (ah, to be young and have a super active lifestyle!), I weighed around 125, and my body was phenomenal.

    I'm 5'6" now, and would frankly be happy at 140. (Although I'm aiming for 135.) I know my body, and for me, when I'm lean and muscled, there is no way I can get that low. It's just not how I'm built. (Also, I love wine too much. Haha.) You look great, though! You definitely have some image issues if you think you're big, but I it's probably safe to say most of us here do! Honestly, you look great; super fit and healthy.

    Keep at the running. You can even just incorporate some body-weight training... no need to pump iron if you're not into it. Thanks for inspiring me to keep up my own running! :)
  • wlaurel
    wlaurel Posts: 43
    I am 5'5 and 132..and you have my DREAM body..I cannot wait to get to where you are!

    You are sweet :) I started at 132, it took about 5 months for me to get down to 118. Good luck (: (:
  • albayin
    albayin Posts: 2,524 Member
    I am 5'5 and 132..and you have my DREAM body..I cannot wait to get to where you are!

    You are sweet :) I started at 132, it took about 5 months for me to get down to 118. Good luck (: (:

    sigh...I started 132, and working out hard and eating right...now I am 140...Cannot stop thinking I must be an idiot...I sometimes want to just quit everything and sit there for a good cry. :(
  • suziecue66
    suziecue66 Posts: 1,312 Member
    I can see from the body pic that you changed that you are definitely not chubby. Looking good.
  • DrMAvDPhD
    DrMAvDPhD Posts: 2,097 Member
    You don't seem chubby or underweight in your picture. Do you know what your body fat % is? I only ask because I am 5'5" and my lean body mass is 108, so I won't be able to get to your weight without being too low or losing muscle. If you are still unhappy with your body, maybe it's time to start gaining muscle!
  • I'm in the same boat- 5'4 and I go between 115-118 constantly (or maybe my scale has a sense of humor...) anyway you look great, if your bf% is higher than you would like do more weights, that's what I've been focusing on lately.
  • mes1119
    mes1119 Posts: 1,082 Member
    I'm 5'3" and I think I would look gross at 118. Like sickly skinny. I can only imagine how worse that would be if I was two inches taller. I have MY goal set to 124. IMO body fat percentage tells WAY more than the number on the scale. I have 105 pounds of lean mass, if I was 118, well that would make me only 11% body fat (which is about as impossible as it gets for females)

    If you're unhappy about your body, losing more weight won't help. Work on weight lifting and eating the proper amount of calories to build muscle and lose fat. You probably have a higher body fat percentage which is why you are unhappy with your body. It is possible that you cut calories too low and caused your body to burn your muscle along with your fat. That is why so many people hit their goal weights and are still unhappy with their bodies.

    Learn to love your body. If there is something you don't like, losing more weight won't help. Some women even GAIN weight and LOOK better when they lower their body fat percentage and raise their muscle mass.

    The scale lies.
  • tdigirl
    tdigirl Posts: 13 Member
    You are 19. I was about 120 at 5'4" at 19. That's thin enough to me. I couldn't lift a thing and thought I was fat also. I wasn't. I was too thin. I'm not saying you're me or anything but I think that we all go through times when we feel fat or what not but are totally NOT. Go lift some weights now and tone up pretty girl! Get skinny strong and fit! You will be glad you did when you're friends all gain the college 20. :bigsmile:
  • melissa_leah
    melissa_leah Posts: 107
    I bet you look amazing! I mean if you still want to improve just stop losing weight and start lifting weights! You'll probably look better AND weigh MORE than 118!!
  • chantels1
    chantels1 Posts: 391 Member
    I am 5'4" and my goal is 118 lbs. I think it is a great weight!!! I was the same way when I was your age though. You re-evaluate your body after having children and come to accept that a super model body is not what I really want. I like my curves! ;-)
  • islandnutshel
    islandnutshel Posts: 1,143 Member
    I am 5'4" and look starved at that weight (I was at that weight when very ill, and anorexic-not eating disorder but celiac.) but I come from a larger framed gene pool.
    Seems low to me, but it could be healthy if you are eating healthy amounts of good food and exercising moderately.
  • jsapninz
    jsapninz Posts: 909 Member
    The reccomended healthy weight for 5'5" is 111.2 - 150.2.

    If you are at 118 and think you are "chubby," you very well may have body dysmorphic disorder.

    Perhaps you should focus on gaining muscle and losing fat instead of losing weight. This can make a big difference in how you look because 1 lb muscle is more compact than 1 lb fat (about 1/3 of the size!). But even this you can't take to the extreme because you need a certain amount of fat on you to stay healthy (especially as women).

    Talk to a doctor. They will tell you what is healthy.
  • wlaurel
    wlaurel Posts: 43
    I am 5'5 and 132..and you have my DREAM body..I cannot wait to get to where you are!

    You are sweet :) I started at 132, it took about 5 months for me to get down to 118. Good luck (: (:

    sigh...I started 132, and working out hard and eating right...now I am 140...Cannot stop thinking I must be an idiot...I sometimes want to just quit everything and sit there for a good cry. :(

    Do you take hormonal birth control? I lost most of my weight when I got off of the pill.