Hey mom-- I can't tell from your moniker if you gave birth to five kids or a 5k race... but if it's five kids then I "get" why your belly sticks out!!! (I have 4 and I'm afraid my belly would stick out even at 120...LOL)

I agree with Ubergirl, it just depends on your build as to what a good weight for you is, as well as your lifestyle. I know, based on my past experiences and my build, that expecting myself to ever mske it below 140 and into the 'normal' bmi category for my height is a pipedream. I have a very muscular build, broad and heavy skeletal structure, and enough babies that I will always have some apron fat or skin. That's okay! I want to be strong and healthy, not stick thin, you know? I figure if I am living comfortably with maintenance behaviors and my weight just happens to be a few pounds higher OR lower than my goal, that I will test my body of an arbitrary number. If I am meant to go lower those pounds will tend to float off on their own over the course of a few years.

For your height, I think you may well be at a comfortable spot. Check in with the maintainers for ideas, but with your nutrition and activity level I think this may be your sweet spot.

Do NOT give up!! I felt exactly how you did! When I got to about 145 - 150 I thought woo hoo it's all down hill from here! Took me 3 months to lose those last few lbs and got down to my goal. It does get frustrating but hang in there! It will happen!

ubergirl: Yes, that is 5 kids I have had....so I know my belly will never be "flat" without some surgical help (which is not in the cards for me). I am still "thick" there though...and I'm not sure if it is possible to make that go away without extremes.

I have always weighed more than I looked (even as a teen) so this may be as low as I should go. How to tell, though?

Thanks for all the replies! I am loving hearing everyone else's perspective as it's hard to maintain my own, KWIM ;)