I've been going to my doctor to get help on losing weight. I told him I want to get back down to 125 lbs, and he was shocked...

I didn't understand why, because that's what I used to weigh 2 years ago.

He said the max I should lose is 30 lbs because he thinks I am more muscle than anything, but my scale says I have 43% body fat. He said he will order calipers to measure my fat more accurately, but my skin is so taught, there's nothing to grab, so I don't know how accurate that's going to be.

My question to you guys: What do you think? Do you think I will be able to fit back into my size 5 jeans just by losing 30 lbs?

I'm currently 187 lbs, 5'5'' in height.

Here's a picture of my body, minus 7 lbs.

well, I'm not a doctor, but I don't think there is anything wrong with a goal of 125 for a 5'5" frame... I am 5'6.5", and my goal is 125-135...

I'd listen to the doctor more than I'd listen to the scale. There is no way you are at 43% body fat--not judging by that picture. All your scale (or any BMI measurement not taken with calipers or immersion) can give you is a rough approximation, and it gets wildly inaccurate for people with a lot of muscle.

To give you an idea of how far off those "average" BMI numbers can be, I plugged in some guys' numbers to see how they rated. Turns out Michael Vick and Drew Brees are both almost obese with BMIs of over 29%. Reggie Bush comes in at merely an overweight 28% (and if you don't follow football, Google Reggie Bush and you can see how 'fat' he is). Oh, and Ray Lewis? He comes up at 33% body fat--technically obese, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' online BMI calculator.

It's hard to tell if 30 pounds will get you in a size 5 because a lot depends on where you lose and how those jeans are cut, but I say go for the thirty-pound target first and then adjust if necessary. I'd bet that thirty will do it.

Just judging by that picture, it certainly doesn't look like you weigh 187 pounds at your height. Are you lifting a lot of weight?

BTW, the body fat percentage measurement on scales (that use a mild electric current) are woefully inaccurate. How much water you've had that day can cause the readings to vary drastically.

I don't think you should listen to anybody but yourself in terms of where you want to be weight wise.

I don't lift weights at all. And I'm a very weak person, so that's why I didn't understand how I could be that much muscle.

I sit or lay down most of the day.

I guess I could lose the 30 lbs and see where I'm at from there.

I feel like I won't lose many inches off my body until I lose a significant amount of weight.

I don't think that scales can measure body fat percentage accurately.

I wouldn't go by BMI necessarily, I think you do look more muscular. I would lose the 30lbs recommended by your doctor, and if you still don't like what you see in the mirror (or feel not as fit), then lose another 5, and go from there. And, another thing to consider, is to measure body fat percentage instead. 5lbs of muscle looks a lot smaller than 5lbs of fat. A person who weighs 150 lbs and has 15% body fat is going to look a lot smaller than a person who weighs the same and has 30% body fat. And, more muscle means that you burn fat more efficiently.

I wouldn't trust a scale that says it ways body fat percentage unless it's a really expensive scale and maybe not even then. I HIGHLY doubt you are 43% body fat, to be honest, because when I got mine professionally measured at 240ish pounds (I'm 5'3 but still) I was only 44%! I think your goal is actually pretty realistic, but see how you're doin (and feeling!!) around 125 and maybe see what is easiest to maintain. That's definitely an important factor! If you can reach 125 but can't maintain it reliably without killing yourself, what's the point?

Why don't you start with a goal of 30, and if you're not happy when you get there you can just keep going!

Scales absolutely cannot accurately measure body fat %. Don't go by that!

I'd say to just work on losing weight & getting fit and stop wherever you're comfortable and feel good.

yeah, scales cannot measure body fat accurately. Remember, different people handle weight differently and not everyone looks the same at the same height and weight. I don't look 200 pounds (I'm five foot two) and yet people five inches taller than me weigh less than I do and look much larger than I do. Personally, I think all you need is toning more than anything. I agree with your doctor that you don't need to lose more than 30 pounds. Just make sure you do cardio and weight and resistance training along the way and eat healthy foods.

I also don't think wanting to get down to 125 for a height on 5'5 is shock worthy. I want to be around 120 and I"m 5'6.5 and that is realistic for me.

I say do what is best for you and your body.

just adding my real life experience with how inaccurate scale body fat measurement is: I had a scale that measured hydration and body composition. It said I was 32% body fat. I bought another scale after the first was broken by my kids. The new one said I was 44% fat. No way did I gain 10% body fat in two days!