5'1" 103 lbs?

Okay, so I was reading the thread where everyone was posting their maintenance weight.  I am 5'1" and fluctuate between 101 and 104 lbs.  I have been at this weight for quite some time.  I noticed that alot of women have the same stats as me.

So here is my question...

Lately it has been getting warmer outside and I have been wearing short sleeves and tank tops.  This past week alot of people have been telling me my arms look "too skinny."  Now the problem is that my body is naturally pear-shaped, so to get my legs skinny, my arms have to be really skinny.  I hate thick thighs and since loosing about 12 lbs from my former weight of 115, I love my body for the first time in my life.  However, it is hard to trust my own opinion because I used to be anorexic, weighing in at 87 lbs.

To me it seems that 103 lbs is perfectly healthy for someone of my height.  I looked it up online and the healthy weight range was listed at 98-132 lbs for a 5'1" female.  Alot of other women seem to be this weight and height.  Do you think this is too thin?  I think we live in a country where fat is the norm, people these days always embracing "curves" and whatnot.  I don't want to have to gain weight and regain my fat thighs just because I was genetically cursed and my weight distributes itself unevenly.  I really do wish my arms were less skinny, but it seriously upsets me to think of gaining weight elsewhere. 

Does anyone else have this skinny arms problem?  Does anyone with my stats regularly get told they are too thin?  My dad saw me at the grocery store the other day and told me I looked like I was dying.  I literally started crying in the middle of the store.  I love my new skinny body, and I don't want to give it up.

There is a 'range' of healthy weights for a particular heights for a reason.   Frame-size and muscularity varies from person to person.  Two people exactly the same height and weight can look either scrawny or healthy as a result.

So even though you're in the healthy weight-range, 103lbs sounds like it's simply too low for your frame.  If you're only maintaining your 103lbs by eating less than you should then you've probably lost muscle tone as well.   Maybe gaining 10lbs would fill you out a little.   If you achieve the extra weight by not only eating more but by doing muscle-building exercise you'd probably find you kept the same shape.

When people tell you your arms are too thin, try to ignore them, even though it can be hard. I have the same problem with my calves: even though i ride a bike trainer and run my calves are barely more than bone, so I get comments like yours but only about my calves instead of my arms (my arms are actually where the fat seems to collect the most).

You said it, everyone's genetics are different, so if others can't realize that, then it is there fault.

Hmmm, with your Dad's comment, I am certain you felt awful.  You mention that you used to be anorexic ?  Perhaps seeing you look slim, he got afraid that you were slipping back ?  It doesn't look like you are (looked at your profile and pic).

Yep, words can cut like a knife.  None of us are "perfect" - I know I am not.  I accept the flaws and move on.  Yeah, I do bitch and moan, but not all the time; just when some people cannot shut up for longer than 5 minutes and then I need to vent - like you just did.

i'm 5'2 and naturally bigger on the bottom. at 103 i actually start getting chub face/big girl legs. so i guess its different for everyone.

I have been getting the exact same comments about my arms lately. Even when I was heavier, my arms were always smaller in proportion to the rest of my body. I lift weights and try to do toning exercies but I can't seem to improve the muscle quality in my arms. Nobody notices the fact that my legs and butt are very muscular and toned, they only notice my skinny arms. I am 5'3" and 115lbs with a small frame. I do not rigerously count calories, although I have an idea of how many calories are in the foods that I eat. I eat all the healthy food I want (plus treats!) in moderation, nothing is off limits. It upsets me when people think otherwise based on something they are assuming I love my body but also feel bad about the "skinny" comments that come my way. I would say everyones body is different, and if you are happy and healthy then screw what everybody else has to say.

Hope this helps!

I was Anorexic for a whack of a time, recovering now (hopefully maintining too) at around 6'10stone (in lbs, i'm not sure) But you'll find many people have different ways of seeing others..

eg, I wore a waist belt for the fist time in 2 years, thought I looked massive, and was told by my boyfriend I infact looked skinny, but a few days beforehand, I was told by my father when we went to lunch that I eventually looked 'healthy'.

Arms are always a **** to deal with, though. I doubt anyone see's their arms as they truly are. From your picture, you are gorgeous. But I agree, you may need to fill out a bit, train, and you might also find you would gain more curves in the process!

Maybe you should try weight training for your arms.  I'm 5'1" and around 101 lbs.  I weight train 3x a week and actually have some nice muscle definition.

I'm happy to hear you love your body.  It sounds like your in the ideal range for your height and it definitely sounds a lot healthier than your previous weight of 87 pounds. 

I hated my thick thighs too so congrats on getting down to a size where you're happy with them.  If your arms seem too skinny you could probably weight train to gain muscle mass in your arms.  I don't think you'd bulk up necessarily either.

The most important thing is that you love how you are and that you are healthy being there.

Thanks everyone for all the positive comments.

I actually talked to my dad.  He sent me an email saying he was concerned about me.  I told him I weight 103 and that I am eating.  He apologized for upseting me and said he was just overly concerned.  I really think my parents feel guilty about having ignored my eating disorder the first time.  I was 15 at the time, I'm 21 now.

I have been doing weight training for awhile now, but I think I will try to increase the amount of weight I am lifting and eat more protein.

Thank you all again for the support.  It really is encouraging.  Now I'm off to study for final exams.  Comprehensive finals..ugh...

-Kat

I don't think you are too skinny. I'm 5'1 and my weight fluctuates between 103-105.  I think they are so worried about you because you were anorexic once before, and they don't want it to happen again. And yes, you are skinny so it most likely makes them think that you have some type of disorder. Just let them know that they are a lot of girls that weigh the same as you and are the same height. Maybe you could write down a list of what you are eating and show them so they will know that you are doing okay.  If people are telling you that your arms are too skinny, they are probably honestly just jealous. When somebody is jealous they will try to point out any flaw that you have, even if it may not even be true. I used to be about 4'11 and I weighed almost 140 pounds. People used to make fun of me all the time, and sometimes people will say something bad about me because they are jealous that I'm thinner now. Just continue to do what you are doing, because in my opinion you are perfect at the weight you are at now. I hope this helped.

how about posting us a full body image of u? then it will make everything easier...

If you're healthy, then there's nothing to worry about. People can be judgmental about weights on both ends of the scale, and as long as you feel good, and are getting enough nutrition without overeating and enough exercise without doing it to excess, then it's bunk.

Kat,

If you want a straightforward 100% truthfull answer...

You're boobs are huge. And that's a good thing. But with great knockers you gotta fill out a at least a little. Some chunk in the thighs will come with it but it's not a bad thing. I'm 5'1 and about 98 lbs but my boobs are B's so basically I have NO CURVE AT ALL it's disgusting. It's the style these days to have some chunk in the thighs and big boobs. If you can gain, go for it! I wish I could gain weight. I guarantee you will hear compliments.