Question:
I am 5'3'', and weigh about 155, why does everyone tell me I'm skinny?
No one believes me that I weigh 155. when I want to lose 20-30 more pds. Is it bone density or what? Thanks in advance!!! Donna in AL — Donna S. C. (posted on October 16, 2001)
October 16, 2001
Donna, hmmmm I certainly wouldn't mind having your problem lol. But I think
that once you've been MO, to be within a normal weight range is such a vast
change that you may look thinner to people than if you had only lost say 20
lbs. Once I lost quite a bit of weight and got down to about 160, at 5'3
thats not what I consider to be thin, but I had many people tell me that I
was getting too thin. My face tends to lose weight quickly so maybe that
was it, but I knew I really could have lost another 30 lbs before I felt I
was in the 'thin' range. I put on 100 lbs instead so its been a long while
since anyone has told me I look too skinny. Oh well, something else to look
forward to. My advice is to follow your instincts and get some input from
your doctor on what your ideal weight should be. But enjoy in the meantime!
Congrats on your success.
— Donna L.
October 16, 2001
Just as below said, people are not used to seeing you like that. It would
be the same if you saw someone GAIN that much weight. You would notice, and
would be a little in shock. Just think, if you were in a strange place and
did not know anyone, THEY would not know the diff. You would be considered
"normal".It's what we get used to seeing. : )
— [Anonymous]
October 16, 2001
Hi, I am having the same thing happen to me. I am down 78 pounds since my
surgery on 5/25/01, and I now weigh 168 at 5'5. Everyone is telling me that
I can't possibly lose another pound or I will look too skinny. I beg to
differ when I know what is under the clothes. My belly is of course hanging
low and there is still a bit to lose on my arms, back and thighs, and I
guess it is just that people aren't used to me this way. I find it pretty
amusing and I try not to get into a whole explanation when they tell me not
to lose any more, I just say thank you and end it. I find this reaction
interesting because I figure it is the same people who used to secretly
wonder why I would let myself get so heavy. Alot of the people in my life
now have only known me heavy and I guess as the previous poster said they
are just not used to seeing me this way and see it as a good enough loss. I
will just continue to do what I am doing and enjoy the attention while it
lasts. The most important thing is that I am becoming healthy again and
have done the best thing for myself and my family, the rest is just gravy.
Enjoy your tremendous success and continue to do what you must to meet your
own personal goals, don't worry about anyone else's opinions. Best of luck!
— Vicki K.
October 17, 2001
I think some of us have heavier bones and more muscle (..which
weighs more than fat) than others. That's the only explanation I
can think of. I weigh 210 and when I tell people that I still have
to lose 30-40 pounds, they think I'm nuts. My friend and I are the same
height and I outweight her by 40lbs....but....I wear a size 18 and she
wears a size 16. My sister who is one inch shorter than I am insists that
when she was 210 she wore a size 22. It's weird. That's why so many
people
don't judge "success" by weight...they go by clothing size.
— [Anonymous]
October 17, 2001
In 1986, when I was 20, I gained to over 180 pounds for the first time.
The following year, I went on Weight Watchers and successfully lost back
down to 130 pounds, which was the upper end of optimal range for my age and
height. Anyway, when I was at about 140-145, I mentioned to a co-worker
that I wanted to lose at least ten pounds more. He got really quiet, then
a bit later he took me aside and told me that he was extremely worried
about my weight loss - he was afraid that I was anorexic and begged me to
see a therapist! I was touched that he was concerned for me, but I got
annoyed when he wouldn't listen to me when I told him how much I *did*
weigh and that an MD was monitoring my weight loss. He was convinced I was
in some kind of denial. It just goes to show how some people can get funny
ideas into their heads. To this day the only explanation I can come up for
his behavior is that he was so used to seeing me 50 pounds overweight he
couldn't accept me any other way.
— BlueGray
October 17, 2001
I am experiencing the same thing. I weigh 149 and a size 8-10 at 5'1".
My husband told me--very pointedly--that he didn't want me to lose any more
weight. Now, when I was 17 I weighed 115 pounds and couldn't have squeezed
my butt into a size 10 with a crowbar! The difference is that I have about
50 pounds more muscle so that is kind of like me only weighing 99 pounds
with the muscle I used to have. No wonder he wants me to stop! But I still
have about 7 pounds to go to get to the acceptable body fat percentage, so
I am still trying to lose the "last ten."
— ctyst
October 17, 2001
No, would not be bone density. SOME bone loss is inevitable with massive wt
loss. Part of it is that you probably do nto have much tone at this time.
We tend to look a bit gaunt AT FIRST and then the muscle tone comes back,
the skin plumps up a bit as the stabilization occurs. I looked pretty gaunt
at 110 when I first got there in 1995. But have been there for years now,
so I look much more proportioned at the same weight now than I did then.
There's some collagen under the skin again (mine), the color is normal
again, the initial sag has tightened up some. It is predictable that 30#
from goal, your freinds & loved ones start freaking out that you will
not stop on time. Take a deep breath. All you can do is just smile
broadly & say, "Thank you for your concern. My doc & I are in
this together." It doesn't negate their concern, nor have you agreed
to sabotage yourself.
— vitalady
October 17, 2001
Yes, WHAT is it about WLS operations that people tell us we're skinny. I
had the very same thing happen to me just this morning. OK, I have lost 90
lbs. & I was REALLY big for 5'3". I am still over weight (168) and
have about 40 lbs more to lose, but one guy told me not to lose any more
weight. Of course, I loved it, but I am still going to lose the next 40
lbs. But, don't we LOVE it when people tell us we're skinny now?! Where
before, even when we were really big, we were "invisible" ...
meaning, no one ever gave us a 2nd glance. Everyone keep up the good work
and don't let anyone discourage you!
— Betty Todd
October 18, 2001
Bone density loss isnt a overnight thing like the weight loss.... Neither
is decreased muscle mass for our lower body that was extra strong just to
move us around. So early on our weight from these sources is higher and
thus we might look thinner than we really are, when you figure people
seeing the big change we are making. Besides normal folks are typically
concerned we will continue to loose and evaporate or something. They are
worried for our safety.I me3an how many people other than from support
groups loose like we do?
— bob-haller
April 6, 2002
it maybe the cloths you wear Donna. If you are still wearing your old
cloths you might be skinny but all the fabric wont let it show. go and buy
a nice litle tight outfit, do your hair and show everyone! that's what I
would do.
— [Deactivated Member]
Click Here to Return