[LiannaKole]

For me, my ideal is the lowest fat percentage my body will support healthily. Most people I know would freak if I said that, at which point I would reiterate and emphasize the "HEALTHILY" point, which is non-negotiable for me. I just don't have the willpower to not eat and exercise all the time.

I think the OP raised an interesting point - people in the USA especially don't like hearing that thin people want to get even thinner, even if it's still healthy. I'm planning even now on how to deal with my family & friends on this - it WILL be an issue.

I'm not sure what is considered a "featherweight" here, but with me wanting to lose another 40+ lbs, I don't think I'm one. Hope it's okay if I post here.

About the big bones thing - I still think I have a large frame. Maybe not, but at this point it's likely. I've lost about half an inch on my wrist, but it still says my frame is large. ~sigh~ I also have big ankles and feet (though not unattractive, which is nice).

And RubyGuggenheim, I'm with you guys! I'm down to 164 from 207 and barely lost 2 sizes. So frustrating... I'm hoping when I hit a lower weight I'll really start shrinking. Glad to know I'm not alone on that!

[Magrat]

Originally Posted by thesame7lbs

THIS IS SO TRUE! (sorry for the all caps but YEAH!) For so long I said, "I'm a big girl, I've got broad shoulders, big bones, big quad muscles, big butt muscles etc, I don't think I could ever get below 130." Well, guess what? Not true. I saw something the other day about judging the size of your frame based on the circumference of your wrist (not just putting your hand around it, but measuring with a tape) -- guess what -- my wrists say I'm small!

I really do have a large frame (wrist 6 1/4", elbow width 3") and I hate it because it means I'll probably never get to my goal weight. Why does frame size have to make such a difference anyway? Bones don't weigh that much.

[ValRock]

Originally Posted by Magrat

I really do have a large frame (wrist 6 1/4", elbow width 3") and I hate it because it means I'll probably never get to my goal weight. Why does frame size have to make such a difference anyway? Bones don't weigh that much.

It's not so much that your bones are heavy - they are just a good indicator of the size of the rest of you. IE your organs and muscles. Your bone size may indicate your frame size. Just like a person who is 5'0" would not have the same size shoulders or pelvis as a person who is 6'0". Make sense? With larger bones also comes larger everything else.

[Magrat]

Originally Posted by ValRock

It's not so much that your bones are heavy - they are just a good indicator of the size of the rest of you. IE your organs and muscles. Your bone size may indicate your frame size. Just like a person who is 5'0" would not have the same size shoulders or pelvis as a person who is 6'0". Make sense? With larger bones also comes larger everything else.

Well I'm only five one so I'm a short person with a large frame. What this means is that even though I'm at a weight most folks would consider low I don't look thin. I look like a chunky twelve year old.

[highcidity]

According to my wrist measurements I'm considered small frame, but I've always known that!

I agree with LiannaKole, people in the US don't like to hear about "skinny" people wanting to lose weight. It pisses me off. However,I've come to realize that you will never be able to make everyone happy. You have to do whats best for you and makes you feel good.

[krampus]

The irony of course is that the naysayers will read their magazines and curse the powers that be that they don't look good in slouchy boyfriend jeans. Being catty about already healthy people's efforts to lose weight is just one of many forms of jealousy, at least in a lot of cases.

[just keep swimming]

I'm just lurking here, because I find a lot of the featherweights discussions really interesting, although I don't think I'm quite ready to join your group! I just had to say that when I read your post, krampus, I thought, man, I can't WAIT until people are catty about my efforts to lose more!