Ideal Weight? How do you know?
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| Wed, 04-28-2004 - 7:15am |
I am 6 feet tall, and people tell me I am muscular, all my life I've been referred to as Sheerah, or Amazon, whatever, I take it in stride, but to me, I just feel big. According to those height and weight charts, I am totally obese. I was told my BMI and fat ratio should be below 25, which right now, on a good day, it is between 27 and 29.
My goal for the past 10 years, have been to get down to what I was 5 years prior to that, but I've only been able to lose 10 pounds at the most. Even when I lost those 10 pounds, I am still not near what the numbers should be, BMI and height and weight an all that. Although, I would be able to fit into size 8 jeans, which for me, is super skinny. ( I bounce between size 8 and 14, 8 being my goal I guess)
So my question is this. How do you know when to shut out what the numbers say, (you are fat!!) and not be kidding yourself. How am I really suppose to know if I AM really lean and muscular, and that it is OK to be "obese" on the height and weight scale.
Any suggestions?
I am kind of torn. A part of me likes myself a little bigger, (I look awesome in boob tops, but hate my belly) but then, a part of me wants to be skinny, (when I am down to my skinny jeans, (which I can not seem to keep fitting in) I feel good skinny, but then, my I have no boobs. Cant win. I am not only up and down emotionally, but physically, my weight fluctuates A LOT! ( I am still trying to get a handle on that)
What is healthy? What measurements are considered a size 8 anyway. maybe that should be my measuring stick.

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I make mini goals, right now my goal is to get below 200. I'm sitting at 206, have been sitting at 206 for the last 3 weeks. Want to talk to me about frustration?? LOL
6 more lbs and I meet my goal and I can make a new one. I think in 20 lbs incriments are best, it seems like less and you meet them quicker than saying I'd like to lose 80 lbs, it would never happen, if I do 4 rounds of "20" lb losses I'll have victories and be less to drop it altogether.
I think you shouldn't look for a magic number on the scale, I think the "height/weight/BMI" charts are great but I have one of those scales that supposedly shoots a current into your body and measures your Body Fat Percentage. However, you still put in your height, and weight so I'm not sure how accurate it is. Its been at 49% body fat, YIKES I can't believe I'm admitting that and I'm so darn cute too. LOL anyhow, I've been working out 2 times a day, lost 22 lbs and 28 inches and I know I'm toning up and gaining more muscle yet the body fat % hasn't gone anywhere, doesn't that seem wrong?
*sigh* just more things to make you feel frustrated.
I think you should decide where you feel comfortable. Is it in a size 10?? 12?? 14??? If it is then be the healthiest food wise and exercise wise you can be at the size you are most comfortable. Don't go by some magical number someone out in the world says you should be. The charts say I'm obese, but to look at me, nobody believes I weight what I do. In fact I get most of the time they think I weigh about 160. When I did weigh 160 people estimated I weighed around 130. So who the heck knows, apparently I carry all my fat well. LOL
You know those
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I myself have been wondering the same things as you.
And as far as the ideal weight thing, I agree with not looking at all these stupid numbers. It is so discouraging though. Like, I have a fat percentage thing on my scale. I do not think that thing knows how to tell the truth, so why in the world do they put things on scales that are inaccurate anyway!!!
I was concerned at one point at the BMI thing, because I have every known ailment to run in my family, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and in addition, I was blessed with asthma!! Doctors are always telling me to get my numbers in line, or pay the price. Sometimes, I really dislike doctors.
I think I will try to go for measurements, and have that be the yardstick.
We need to find our individual ideal weights and not go by the charts.
Best wishes everyone.
Robyn
What a great question!!!
I just wanted to add. I think the numbers game is horrible. I mean, who puts these thigns out there? lol. I have no idea what my BMI is/was, but I do know at my ob/gyn a few years back, I saw the chart and according to it, I was "obese". But, It's not like I looked it. Like a few others, I carry my weight well.
Therefore. At your height. I would do what the other poster said, find a SIZE that you feel good in. It could be where your breasts are a bit smaller, but then again, so is your tummy. Also, you could always get your boobs done. Just thought I'd throw that out there.
I know when I lose weight, I'm goign to lose mine. Come on, in HS, I was like a 32A for like FOReVER. but than again, I weighed like 100lbs. At my height, 5'1" they say I should weigh anywhere between 106 and 140 depending on my frame. Okay. So, I'm probably medium frame, so I should be in the range of 115-129. I know 129 would be too high for me, but 115 may be too low. I'm aiming for 115, but in reality, I just want to be a size 6 comfy again. I don't care if I"m muscular and weigh 129 in my 6's, as long as I get into them.
BTW. in case your curious. this chart says, for a women who's 6'0" tall.
small frame: 138 - 151
medium frame: 148-162
large frame: 158-176
I say, see where your range is, but aim for the top. And if you feel good at that weight, great! if it's too hard to keep your weight down that low, then let it go. I heard that your body will stop losing when it should. or you'll gain weight back when you should. assuming you're being healthy.
good luck. i too hate the numbers game.
~Cher
ohmigod. i'm dying LOL here about the hips/t.... bit. lol. THAT WAS WAYYYY TOO FUNNY!
I never thought about hanging upside down. maybe that will work. you think?
Kelly
P.S. I used to get the "how's the weather up there?!" stuff ...
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