Why should I go from a 10 to a 6?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Overweight is hard on joints and also contributes to avoidance of certain exercises. For instance, if I'm overweight, I may feel like I'm running and lifting fine, but I probably avoid pullups, handstand holds, etc. I therefore miss out on a whole range of movement and it becomes a vicious circle.

Also, your reference group ("the best of them") might not really be what you want it to be.

I’m a size 2 and never do handstand holds. It’s not necessary for optimal health. What a strange thing to focus on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Overweight is hard on joints and also contributes to avoidance of certain exercises. For instance, if I'm overweight, I may feel like I'm running and lifting fine, but I probably avoid pullups, handstand holds, etc. I therefore miss out on a whole range of movement and it becomes a vicious circle.

Also, your reference group ("the best of them") might not really be what you want it to be.

I’m a size 2 and never do handstand holds. It’s not necessary for optimal health. What a strange thing to focus on.

Most people have weak shoulders. And then they wonder why they end up having shoulder surgery in their 40s and 50s. "I don't need to do shoulder exercises" is one of the reasons. Handstand holds was just one example, obviously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m late thirties, three kids, very fit (do circuit workouts 3-4 times a week) but still slightly overweight. Originally I wanted to get back down to a size six before my 40th birthday at the end of this year but now am questioning my motivation. Is there any reason - aside from vanity - why it’s better to be a size 6 than a size 10? Bloodwork is perfect and as mentioned I’m in great shape: can run and lift with the best of them, I have a ton of energy and I’m very active.

As one of the people on this thread that gets called anorexic because of my size/weight I will say there is absolutely no reason for you to be a 6 instead of a 10 if you feel healthy and strong and you like your body as it is

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would focus on nutrients more than weight or size. Are you drinking enough water? reducing/eliminating alcohol? Getting enough protein, fiber, and calcium, and not too much salt or added sugar? If so, and you're happy with your size and what your body can do, then great! But if you could add some water and veggies and lentils and stuff, or cut back a little on ice cream or wine, that's probably worthwhile.

+1 people aren't all going to be the same sizes, even if they are very healthy.

[Anonymous]

BMI was never meant to be used at the individual level. Everyone's body is different. I am the opposite of OP - only recently got into strength training and have a small frame. I am not technically overweight (BMI is just under 25) but I do not believe I am at a healthy weight. I am carrying a fair amount of weight in my belly.

I think if OP is very muscular she is probably healthier than I am.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind, it will be much harder to lose the weight in 5 years than now. Late 30s, I was a bit smaller than your size and didn’t do much about it. I felt fit enough, ate a balanced but not restrictive diet, exercised, etc. 10 years later, I’m 20 pounds heavier even though I eat better and exercise more. It’s impossible for me to drop any weight.

If I could, I’d go back to 38 and work on my fitness and lose that bit of baby weight (last kid at 37).

I am 5 years older than OP and losing weight now (just 10lbs worth of vanity pounds). It is coming off the same way it always was. Calories in vs calories out will always work, before, during and after menopause.

Not necessarily true. I am 55 and trying to lose 15 lbs via weight watchers and the weight is coming off at a snail’s pace. Vs 6 years ago I lost 15 lbs via WW (so ate exactly the same as I am now to lose weight) and I lost 1-2 lbs a week on average.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind, it will be much harder to lose the weight in 5 years than now. Late 30s, I was a bit smaller than your size and didn’t do much about it. I felt fit enough, ate a balanced but not restrictive diet, exercised, etc. 10 years later, I’m 20 pounds heavier even though I eat better and exercise more. It’s impossible for me to drop any weight.

If I could, I’d go back to 38 and work on my fitness and lose that bit of baby weight (last kid at 37).

I am 5 years older than OP and losing weight now (just 10lbs worth of vanity pounds). It is coming off the same way it always was. Calories in vs calories out will always work, before, during and after menopause.

Not necessarily true. I am 55 and trying to lose 15 lbs via weight watchers and the weight is coming off at a snail’s pace. Vs 6 years ago I lost 15 lbs via WW (so ate exactly the same as I am now to lose weight) and I lost 1-2 lbs a week on average.

With WW you are not tracking calories so you do not really have an exact comparison. You might be moving less and your body composition might have deteriorated if you were not lifting during the last six years. So while it might be harder now it is not just because you got older.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Something doesn’t add up. I am a size 10, 5’10 and 145. I’m not thin, I’m a healthy weight but you aren’t a size 10 just because you can force yourself into clothing. It should fit nicely.

People are built different. I am 5’6” 147lbs and size 2-4 in non-stretchy clothes. How you are shaped and how much fat vs muscle you carry will affect the size of your clothes. We can’t really judge whether OP should lose weight without seeing how she looks and knowing her body fat %.

How are you a 2-4 at 147lbs? I am 5'6 also, weigh 125lbs. and wear a 2-4. I don't see how you and I wear the same size, with a 22 lbs. difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Something doesn’t add up. I am a size 10, 5’10 and 145. I’m not thin, I’m a healthy weight but you aren’t a size 10 just because you can force yourself into clothing. It should fit nicely.

People are built different. I am 5’6” 147lbs and size 2-4 in non-stretchy clothes. How you are shaped and how much fat vs muscle you carry will affect the size of your clothes. We can’t really judge whether OP should lose weight without seeing how she looks and knowing her body fat %.

How are you a 2-4 at 147lbs? I am 5'6 also, weigh 125lbs. and wear a 2-4. I don't see how you and I wear the same size, with a 22 lbs. difference.

DP. Different brands. Different body fat percentage. Different shapes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind, it will be much harder to lose the weight in 5 years than now. Late 30s, I was a bit smaller than your size and didn’t do much about it. I felt fit enough, ate a balanced but not restrictive diet, exercised, etc. 10 years later, I’m 20 pounds heavier even though I eat better and exercise more. It’s impossible for me to drop any weight.

If I could, I’d go back to 38 and work on my fitness and lose that bit of baby weight (last kid at 37).

I am 5 years older than OP and losing weight now (just 10lbs worth of vanity pounds). It is coming off the same way it always was. Calories in vs calories out will always work, before, during and after menopause.

Not necessarily true. I am 55 and trying to lose 15 lbs via weight watchers and the weight is coming off at a snail’s pace. Vs 6 years ago I lost 15 lbs via WW (so ate exactly the same as I am now to lose weight) and I lost 1-2 lbs a week on average.

With WW you are not tracking calories so you do not really have an exact comparison. You might be moving less and your body composition might have deteriorated if you were not lifting during the last six years. So while it might be harder now it is not just because you got older.

I’m the WW poster and I hear you on the calorie piece but per WW’s calculations I should be losing weight so long as I stick to their point calculations, and I am, but I’m barely losing. I’ve never lifted weights, and I exercise the same as I always have for probably 10 years - walking 3 miles 5 days/week and yoga 2/week. I mentioned this to my doctor and she chalked it up to aging metabolism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Something doesn’t add up. I am a size 10, 5’10 and 145. I’m not thin, I’m a healthy weight but you aren’t a size 10 just because you can force yourself into clothing. It should fit nicely.

People are built different. I am 5’6” 147lbs and size 2-4 in non-stretchy clothes. How you are shaped and how much fat vs muscle you carry will affect the size of your clothes. We can’t really judge whether OP should lose weight without seeing how she looks and knowing her body fat %.

How are you a 2-4 at 147lbs? I am 5'6 also, weigh 125lbs. and wear a 2-4. I don't see how you and I wear the same size, with a 22 lbs. difference.

Different poster, but I’m 5’4” and about 143-145 and wear a 4 or a 6. I’m 46 and lost about 15 lbs and a TON of inches this year after getting back into exercise. It’s all body shape (I’m pretty straight shaped) and muscle quantity/density.

I’m pretty muscular, but OP crushes me with the heavy weights. OP, the point is to be strong and have great functional fitness and you are a model to emulate. As long as your fiber and protein are good, I wouldn’t change anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Overweight is hard on joints and also contributes to avoidance of certain exercises. For instance, if I'm overweight, I may feel like I'm running and lifting fine, but I probably avoid pullups, handstand holds, etc. I therefore miss out on a whole range of movement and it becomes a vicious circle.

Also, your reference group ("the best of them") might not really be what you want it to be.

I’m a size 2 and never do handstand holds. It’s not necessary for optimal health. What a strange thing to focus on.

We know nothing about your muscles. Being a size 2 means nothing here and if anything I would not think you’d have strength.

[Anonymous]

My doctor says being as lean as possible with as little body fat as possible is the healthiest overall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Overweight is hard on joints and also contributes to avoidance of certain exercises. For instance, if I'm overweight, I may feel like I'm running and lifting fine, but I probably avoid pullups, handstand holds, etc. I therefore miss out on a whole range of movement and it becomes a vicious circle.

Also, your reference group ("the best of them") might not really be what you want it to be.

I’m a size 2 and never do handstand holds. It’s not necessary for optimal health. What a strange thing to focus on.

Most people have weak shoulders. And then they wonder why they end up having shoulder surgery in their 40s and 50s. "I don't need to do shoulder exercises" is one of the reasons. Handstand holds was just one example, obviously.

Okay, but that is one of the more extreme ways to build shoulder strength. There’s this thing called shoulder presses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Overweight is hard on joints and also contributes to avoidance of certain exercises. For instance, if I'm overweight, I may feel like I'm running and lifting fine, but I probably avoid pullups, handstand holds, etc. I therefore miss out on a whole range of movement and it becomes a vicious circle.

Also, your reference group ("the best of them") might not really be what you want it to be.

I’m a size 2 and never do handstand holds. It’s not necessary for optimal health. What a strange thing to focus on.

We know nothing about your muscles. Being a size 2 means nothing here and if anything I would not think you’d have strength.

That’s dumb. You can be strong at any size.