Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I am very muscular and fairly lean. Just my lean mass weighs almost as much as you do (DEXA measured). Size 2 pants start hanging on me when I drop below 140 and I would look extremely unhealthy and would have to lose muscle to drop below 130. How you are shaped also works into the size you wear. A woman with larger hips and much skinnier otherwise might need the same size pants as me even if she is 20lbs lighter, but on my legs the pants will be more fitted than on hers.

DP. You simply can't be size 2-4 weighting 147 lbs and 5'6 height. Unless we're talking about OldNavy stretch pants, as somebody else mentioned. For size 2, your waist should be around 25"- 26".

Yeah, people who don’t work out often don’t grasp the concept that lean muscular bodies weigh more. Want to come verify it in my closet? I don’t have a single pair of pants larger than a 4. Some of the blazers might be a 6 because my shoulders reflect that I can bench my body weight.

Anonymous wrote:You are overweight. You are not healthy. It’s very bad on your joints.

You can’t say this without more info. Height, bone structure, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I am very muscular and fairly lean. Just my lean mass weighs almost as much as you do (DEXA measured). Size 2 pants start hanging on me when I drop below 140 and I would look extremely unhealthy and would have to lose muscle to drop below 130. How you are shaped also works into the size you wear. A woman with larger hips and much skinnier otherwise might need the same size pants as me even if she is 20lbs lighter, but on my legs the pants will be more fitted than on hers.

DP. You simply can't be size 2-4 weighting 147 lbs and 5'6 height. Unless we're talking about OldNavy stretch pants, as somebody else mentioned. For size 2, your waist should be around 25"- 26".

I would not pick a size of clothing because sizing across brands is all over the place. Your goal should be health related stats or measurements. Or where you feel healthy.

Anonymous wrote:

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

to a point, though. if you become anorexic and your heart fails, or if you don't have strong bones and any padding and fracture a hip, that's not healthy.

This.

"Lean and strong" is good, but not skinny fat.

My aunt was skinny fat and died from heart complications. She starved herself thin for too many years.

OP, I have similar stats to you (5'4", 164lbs) including the curvy figure and fitness. I work with a trainer and we focus on strength: currently at 105lb bench press, 235lb squat, 235lb deadlift. At my heaviest, I was up to 167lbs during covid. Last summer I managed to get down to mid-150's, but the weight creeped up this winter. I'm aiming to get down to mid-140's but it's hard. Mostly cutting carbs, no desserts, focusing on water and protein. For me, I would say I'm definitely uncomfortable in my clothes at this weight, and I don't like how I look in pictures, so that is vanity for sure. But at age 45, I also carry a lot of the fat in my belly, I'm assuming due to perimenopause and I estimate my body fat is around 35% - https://ultimateperformance.com/your-goal/fat-loss/female-fat-loss/womens-body-fat-percentage-in-pictures/.

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 am a size 2, mid 40s, and I'm in good shape. I do pullups but do pushups on my knees most of the time. I don't do handstand holds. It's normal as you age to avoid certain exercises because they could exacerbate old injuries or just don't feel good on your body. Most people at middle age are not looking to be top performing athletes.

you can do an unassisted pull-up?

OP, strong is the new sexy. You are strong and healthy. No need to change that.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I am very muscular and fairly lean. Just my lean mass weighs almost as much as you do (DEXA measured). Size 2 pants start hanging on me when I drop below 140 and I would look extremely unhealthy and would have to lose muscle to drop below 130. How you are shaped also works into the size you wear. A woman with larger hips and much skinnier otherwise might need the same size pants as me even if she is 20lbs lighter, but on my legs the pants will be more fitted than on hers.

I agree with this. There is such a huge difference depending on your lean mass. I am 5’6 and 118 pounds but 34% body fat on my dexa scan so I still have extra fat. I could be 130 pounds and look thinner if I managed to convert my fat into muscles.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

to a point, though. if you become anorexic and your heart fails, or if you don't have strong bones and any padding and fracture a hip, that's not healthy.

My doc says very, very few people are too thin to be healthy whereas lots and lots of people are too overweight to be healthy.

How is health measured?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A slightly overweight BMI is actually the healthiest. I am also size 10 but quite fit and although I’d like to be a 6 I’m not sure it’s worth it.

This is OP. This is what I’m asking. I feel comfortable, healthy, fit; my labs and bloodwork are great. I take no prescription drugs and have no chronic health conditions. Do I really need to lose another 20-30 pounds? I remember not eating quite frequently to maintain a size 4/6 physique (pre-kids). Is that really healthier? Better? Why?

Size 10 and size 8 are not overweight.
Plus, if you get a serious illness, having a little extra meat on your bones is life preserving.

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.

Are you done with menopause already at age 45???

Anonymous wrote:I would much rather be size 10 and fit than a smaller body that is less strong and fit. Enjoy your good health.

Plus the low hanging fruit of building muscle isn't available for OP, it would be aaaall diet, and that's no fun.