Helloa all,

It didn't take me very long to work out that with a BMI of 21.9, I don't NEED to lose weight at all.

So I logged off 3fatchicks and decided to leave it at that.

But I really, really, really want to get down to the target weight as written in my avatar.

I already work out at least 30 minutes a day (strength/cardio). I don't dare take my measurements as I feel huge. But I know I'm 140lbs.

I'm torn. OK, I can buy fashionable clothes, and noone thinks Im fat, I get compliments etc, but I feel BIG and WOBBLY.

But my body isnt keen to give up the weight...I have no idea how to proceed from here. I'm like to be 20lbs or so lighter, I used to be that thin and felt more comfortable there.

According to BMI sites, 130lbs is the lowest weight you can weigh, without being considered underweight.

This is a healthy, normal weight for your body, so maybe what you'd like to feel is more toned and muscular and less wobbly? "thin" doesn't necessarily mean "Fit".

Strength training, as well as something like pilates, can really help to firm things up. Making an appointment with a trainer, and determining body fat, and working toward building muscle and reducing overall fat can also help accomplish that goal and make you leaner, but not necessarily drastically reduce your weight.

It's also possible that something else entirely is going on. Is how you FEEL driving you, instead of the reality of your weight/height/BMI ? In other words - when you receive the compliments, do you see yourself the way those people see you?

If that's the case that's an entirely different issue, and the feeling won't change necessarily when the scale does. If that's the case, it may not be a bad idea to talk with someone about it.

Hi, CousinRockingChair

I thought I'd reply as I'm exactly the same height and weight as you (though a lot older), having just lost 6 lbs. I would like to lose a few more lbs. Most of my adult life I have been between 129lbs (9st 4 lb) and 137lbs (9st 10lb) and felt OK there, better when I was towards the lower end of the spectrum. For a while in my mid 20's I went down to 124 lbs (8st 12lb) - not purposely, but as a result of a very stressful period in my life. A lot of people would comment on how thin I looked, and it was really not a healthy time in my life.

I wonder what makes you choose 118lb as a goal? Is it a weight you have been at previously - if so, you may find that your body has changed as you mature. Or is it the weight of someone you admire I know that many celebraties seem to be incredibly thin - remember, their looks are how they earn their money - it still doesn't mean that they're healthy.

YuppieGirl has given you some good advice. Also, maybe you could think about including some aerobic exercise - walking, swimming, running or dancing all help tone the body, and can really help to lift your mood as well.

I do wish you well - and please keep posting. Everyone here is so supportive!

Yeah, they are

I chose 118lbs as it'd give me a BMI of 18.5, which is as low as I would like to go.

I've had pretty much every eating disorder going.

I highly resent celebrity culture, I NEVER buy tabloids, I NEVER watch MTV...etc.
So I don't think I'm influenced by that.

I just think thin, for me, looks better.

I do cycle as well.

CousinRockingChair, you are a perfectly healthy weight for your height, and I would hate to see you go below 130. As Yuppiegirlie pointed out, that is the lowest weight that could be considered healthy for someone of your height. No wonder your body is reluctant to give up the weight - it's trying to hold on to enough fat to stay healthy. This desire to achieve such a low weight looks and sounds like a huge red flag to me. Especially since, as you say, you've had "every eating disorder going".

I see in your profile that you are only 18. Take it from an old(er) girl, our bodies change as we move from the teeage years into adulthood. It is not realistic, or even desireable to try to stay the same weight that we were when we were 16. Boy, if I weighed what I weighed when I turned 16 (about 112-115 pounds, as I recall), I would look completely emaciated, even though my height really hasn't changed since then.

It's great that you work out - being fit, and maintaining a HEALTHY weight is always a good thing.

I'm not judging, but it really sounds like you could use some counselling, because I'm afraid that this super-low goal could lead you into trouble, and I'd hate for that to happen.

I resonate the advice to find some sort of counseling - professional, peer or at school. As you noted yourself, you are at a healthy BMI and you already get compliments already about how you look, yet you yourself feel "big and wobbly". I don't mean to judge either, but it's pretty obvious there's some sort of mental disconnect.

And yes, a 18.5 BMI is unhealthily underweight bordering on dangerous (and I believe that was absolute lowest BMI some cities have set for fashion models -- who themselves do NOT reflect healthy bodies.)

But thank you for the input

CousinRockingChair, my heart goes out to you. You're dealing with a lot. I'm not sure what you were hoping to hear when you started this thread, but I'm guessing that it wasn't for us all to tell you that you shouldn't lose that much weight. Then again, I imagine you knew that was the response you'd get, as you acknowledge yourself that in looking at the numbers, your weight is in the desirable range. I just hope you don't end up back on the eating disorder merry-go-round, or do anything that will affect your health. Good luck.

Thank you very very much.

I think I just wanted any kind of validation. Intellectually, I "know" what is right and what I should/not be doing, but its not how I feel.

Hey Gals

I agree with what most people are saying that you probably don't need to lose more weight, but I'm not in your body so I can't tell what's right for you. I do caution you with using BMI to judge your goal weight. It give a good idea of where someone should be at their height, but should only be used as a guideline. Muscle mass and bone mass can seriously skew your weight, and thus your place on the BMI scale.

I have a friend who's 5'3", fits into a size 2 and is 145 pounds. By the BMI standard, she's slightly overweight, yet there's not an ounce of fat on her. She's got 'heavy bones' as we like to joke, and a good solid muscle tone. For years she was so depressed about the number on the scale, then she realized it's just that, a number. She worked hard to redefine her body image, and now instead focuses on how she looks, feels and fits into her clothes. She looks slim and healthy, and that's what matters. On the other hand, I have a friend at 5'7 and 120lbs, but she has hips like a 12 year old girl. That weight is natural on her, she cannot gain weight if she tried. It wouldn't look right on everyone, however.

That is my advice to you. Don't worry about the number. 118lbs may never be a healthy attainable weight for you. If you hit, say, 128 and fit into a size 2, get rid of that muffin top and have slim, toned legs will that suffice? My goal is 130, which is probably "technically" too much for 5'3". But I'll see how my body looks at that weight, and decide future plans from there. Maybe I'll hit 135 and be happy.

Sorry, this got very long. The moral of my ramblings is that poundage is just a number. Perhaps a healthier way to define your goal "weight" is how you look and feel.

Exactly! I FEELlike I want to lose weight, so I'm trying to!

I'm a size 6 right now/UK size 10.

I was always a steady 115# back in high school, but i had gained about 10 pounds by the time I was 18 even though I only went from a size 3 to a size 5 (but could still wear alot of threes). After 10 years and three kids later, I got down to 132 a few years ago and was wearing 4s easy and some 2s. I think our bodies just change with age. My goal is to get to my pre-pregnancy weight of 127, but mostly so that if I gain a few, I'll still be around 130. I wouldn't even dream of trying for 115 ever again. If I was a almost 2 at 132, i can't imagine what size I would be at 115!!

Just keep it healthy. I've done the eating disorder thing before a few times, but isn't it gross? If you work out and tone your body, you'll look better, but muscle does weigh more than fat, so you probably won't be able to hit that certain weight. I would go more by size and tone than the scale!

Hi there,

I think there are two separate issues here. First is that your goal weight is on the low end and you report a history of eating disorders. I think that's where everyone's concern came from.

You have to decide if this is still an issue for you and do get help if it is.

The second issue is that you want to loose a few extra pounds. As long as you stay healthy there is nothing wrong with this.

Check out this link

http://joshsgarage.typepad.com/

Its aimed at people who only need to loose a few extra pounds and want to "look hot"

Warning...it is a bit sexist (all women want to look hot to impress guys...I mean there might be some other reasons to get fit). However his information is sound and I think good for someone with your goals.

Don't focus on the scale. If you are going to be a perfectionist go for building muscle and getting super fit. If you need to focus on a number go for body fat % and not lbs. Look at the ladies on his site they are lifting heavy and they really do look good IMO.

And if you do decide to get into weight training check out stumptuous.com Krista is the best!