Does frame size even matter?

If your doc set a goal weight for you, was your frame size taken into consideration?

I'm just shy of 5'9" and have a large frame (according to all of the 'tests' -- 7" inch wrist, size 11 shoe, ankle measurement, etc.). My doc says my goal weight is 144. I don't ever remember weighing that, so I can't wrap my brain around what I'll look or feel like if I got down to that weight.

Errr, 144?  I weigh 144 at 5'5" and a size 6/8.  I've been obese since puberty, so with my heavier bone density, I actually look (as I'm told) to be around 125.  You've got to take stuff like that into consideration. I would think at your height, that would put you at a size 2 or 4 and looking sickly.  I set my goal by the BMI charts with 5-10 lbs of wiggle room.  Normal range for 5'9 is 128-162, so don't kill yourself for that number.  What size would you like to be?  Ask around and see what clothing size looks attractive and healthy and use that as a reference.

I have been meaning to post to you--- You REALLY DO seem--just even from your picture--more like you weigh in the LOW 120's--I would never have guessed your true weight. I do not have people thinking that I am smaller than I weight necessarily-- But people have been referring to me as 'tiny'-- which I am NOT. I am still over-weight according to the charts.  And, quite truthfully, I do have quite a bit of fat in pockets all over my body-- BUT-- I do wear a smaller size (small-med tops, size 2 jeans--stretch American Eagle)--even tough I weigh a higher amount for my 5'2 frame--which is medium--not large.. So I am wondering about bone density.  You have referred to it and I know very little-- Is there a way to know if we have greater or lesser Bone density? Also, is it possible to figure out how this affects what our target weight ought to be? Thanks so much!! Katrina

Size 2 is tiny, but on 5'2, probably pretty normal looking.  I, too, have little "icky spots" around my body, but a little shaper garment creates the perfect illusion. If you've been obese the better part of your life, it's pretty much a given that your bones are denser to carry the heavy weight all of these years.  You can also get a bone density scan if you want exact numbers.  As for target weight, I would definitely take this into effect, but I looked at clothing sizes more to where I wanted to be.  It was much easier to envision for me.

seems to me to be an unrealistic goal for someone your height. How's about you get to the top edge of the normal bmi chart and then make the assessment, dont' try to do it now! I am a tiny woman (4'10) but even at my thinnest i was a 34DDD so i can't fathom weighing in at the 108 they want me to be so i'm going to keep on going and when i feel ok with myself i'll stop. I may have already stopped though that's a bit depressing. ANDI

Size frame does indeed matter.

So does muscle density.  I am 5'7", and if I weigh under 140, I start looking like I'm sick.  When I got down to 129, I was painfully thin, it hurt to sit on hard chairs, etc.  People were telling me I scared them.  My muscles are extremely thick and dense, a family trait my mother, brother and I share, making us unable to float in water (my brother is very athletic and played semi-pro ball, so it isn't that we just don't know how.  We sink).

When I weighed 211 (about like now), I had a nurse weigh me, look surprised, step back and look at me, and say, "Well, all I can say is that you carry it very well." 

My opinion -- we stop at a weight that looks good on us.  Usually that requires the input of other people.  I had to have a lot of feedback and encouragement to gain weight before I realized they were right.  I regained about 10-15 pounds from that all-time low of 129, and stayed at 145-ish for 8 years.

Im glad this topic was brought up! Im 4'10 and the drs are saying I should be between 95 & 115lbs. WHAT!!! I was thinking more like 120-135lbs. I know Im really short but to be 100lbs just seems gross.... What do you all think?  jennifer*

Hi Jennifer, I am 4' 11" and now weigh 134.  I take between an 8 and a 10 in clothes.  I'm pretty happy with my weight, although I know I could lose another 15 lbs. or so.  Luckily, my dr. doesn't really set a weight.  When I asked him at my last appt., he asked are you healthy and happy?  I said yup so he said " I guess you're there then".  However, he did add that he thought that I'd probably lose another 20 lbs.  For me, I didn't really focus to much on my goal weight because it just seemed overwhelming. Jen

Yes.  My PCP set a goal weight that took into account the fact that I am on the high side of a medium frame even though I am short (5' 3.5" -- everyone on my father's side is short and stocky) and the fact that I wore a "C" cup bra by the time I was in junior high school (and the breast size was not from being overweight!).  My PCP suggested a goal weight of 140 and when I pressed my surgeon for her input , she very reluctantly suggested 145. My lowest adult weight was 150, which was too heavy, so I set my own goal weight at 125 (befoer talking to either doctor).  Now, as I see how much of a difference 25 pounds can make once you get down to that weight (as opposed to 25 pounds making NO diffierence when you're twice that size!), I realize it probably ISN'T realisttic for me.  So I'm going to go with the 140 my PCP suggested... but we'll just see how it goes when I get down there! Lora

I know my surgeon considered it because when I said I would be happy at a  goal of 160 lbs he said no way, that I would be too under weight with a large frame at 6 feet tall.  So he doesnt want me under 175 lbs.

The Information provided by you are as follows
Sex	Female
Height	6'
Wrist Circumference	7'
From the above measurements as per our   calculation, your Frame Size is Large

At 5'9 Id think 144 would be way too small for you.  Here is a link to the table/calc. that I use. http://www.medindia.net/patients/calculators/framesize1.asp