Opinions please, body type vs. ideal weight

Hi All, I haven't posted in quite a while, I guess nursing school got the best of me lol anyways, here's my problem...

I'm only 5'1, and before I started watching what I ate I was 175 pounds at age 18. I stuck to it and eventually got down to the 115 area. I didn't know how to gradually up my calories so nevertheless I went back up to 145. I then went back down to 97 pounds where everyone was telling me I looked too skinny. But I thought I was fine because that was an appropriate weight for someone only 5'1 (according to the charts and formulas). I am now 112, and I read a discussion thread for shorter people and most all the goal weights were in the 97-105 range. That makes me think I need to lose weight again. But everyone said I looked too skinny at that weight, and even I think it was kind of iffy looking back. I just need some opinions. Can it vary that much depending on the person? Or were my parents just saying I was too skinny because they are my parents? Im 20 now and I think I want to be 108ish but Im not sure. I posted pics so you can look in my profile. Any honest opinions would mean a lot to me!

BTW- one big goal of weight loss was because I always thought I had a really round, chubby face and that losing extra weight would shrink it. But apparently I was just born with a big head because no matter what it stays the same LOL so If any of you have that also It would be great to know Im not alone :)

You'll probably find that most people's goal weights are quite low as many people find it helpful to "aim big".  At 5'1, you'd have to have very fine bone structure for 100 pounds not to look underweight - and if you have a round face, you're probably not fine boned enough. 

112 sounds like a very good healthy weight for your height, so please don't take other people's goals for your own.  If everyone was saying you were too skinny at 97 pounds, you may well have been.  Also, most women in their 20s can't reasonably weigh the same as they did in their teens because their hips/chest have developed since then.

Wow ! What a big defference between now and then ! To me you look great in all of those pictures .

First of all...way to go...you look amazing and lost a ton of weight already, I don't think that losing 4 more lbs. is really necessary but if it makes you feel better and you do it the healthy way then go for it.  Also I agree with Sondre, you look great in all the pics, I really couldn't tell a difference in 5-10 lbs.  So I think you should go with the weight that you feel the most comfortable, confident, healthy and happy with

Also in regards to the big head, I don't think you should worry about that, you are very pretty and that isn't something you can control!  My step-sister also has a big round head and she recently lost about 20 lbs. and still has that same head....she gets it from her dad!  However I still think she is beautiful regardless of the shape/size of her head!

I'm 5'1" as well and I'm having a similar probem...I just don't know what goal weight is right for my body. If people said you looked too skinny at 97 lbs, they were probably right. I know how good it feels to be at a low weight, but when it doesn't make you look as good as you'd like, you might as well go for the higher weight. I went through your pictures and I think you look great in the 110-115 range.

First let me say that you look good! And secondly, I disagree with you, your face does look skinnier . I think when you get right around your idea weight its hard to know where to stop. I think where ever you feel the best to stick there. If you feel like you have more energy with 5 more or less pounds then shoot for that. Try not to get too preoccupied by it as long as you aren't getting TOO thin. Do what feels best to you and try to take everyone else's opinions out of it. Good luck!

Thank you so much guys. I appreciate the input. 

I guess I need to just lose a few more like planned and go from there. I stopped weighing for a while and I think thats my best bet. That way I wont be tempted to keep aiming for lower and lower, thinking that's "better" and "better". 

I try to talk to my boyfriend about things like this, but coming from a guy who has been trying to GAIN weight forever, and has no clue on how females think, he's not very helpful. I know I can always come here and have people understand what I'm trying to say :)

I get confused about this too.  I'm 5'7" with a medium build, and it seems most people at my height consider 120/125 to be a good weight.  However, when I was 125 everyone told me I looked way too skinny, plus I was wearing a size 2.  So I think it really does depend on your body.  I think maybe in my case it's because I have longer than average arms, so I know that must add about 5 pounds or so. 

There's no such thing as an ideal weight.  Your healthiest weight will be somewhere in the middle of your healthy BMI range (see Tools)  Body shape has very little to do with weight as everyone is different.

I wouldn't dream of generalizing something so personal and individual. 

personally i base it completely on how i look in pictures and how i look in clothes and 0% on scale #

if you thought you were iffy then you were

that was your body's way of telling you

I am 5 even.  When I was 97 I thought I was too skinny.  Thats how little I had to weigh to wear a 2!  I envy the tall.  lol

Everyone is right - there is so much that we are made of the scale is a poor indicator.  Bones - differing bone structure and density, muscle mass or lack of it, And genetic order to where we store fat.  My biggest area happens to be my rear end.  So even when I was a 2 people often guessed my size to be an 8! 

Don't make too much of numbers.  Go by the WOW factor.

Haha I totally have the same problem with the round face/looking to thin at higher weights...my friend is four inches taller than me and weighs less, but I was the one people worried about, even though I was fine...I think it has something to do with my head just naturally being huge, so when I get to the lower range of a healthy BMI I look lollipop-esque haha.  I think you definitely look great where you are, and as tempting as it is, don't let other people's goal weights influence your own, everyone looks different at different weights.

Original Post by selenajolley:

I get confused about this too.  I'm 5'7" with a medium build, and it seems most people at my height consider 120/125 to be a good weight. 

That might be a function of age, rather than height - a teen might be 5'7" and 120, but as an adult would probably aim higher. In general, I've seen most 5'6" women (on CC) aiming for 130-140, depending on frame. Given that, I doubt "most people" an inch taller are looking to weight that much less.

if at one time you were heavy, and then you lose a lot of weight all of a sudden, then the people who are closest around you, such as your parents, tend to see you as unhealthy and too skinny because they were used to a heavy you. being a "healthy" weight usually looks fatter than most of us would like to be, and being "unhealthy" is what most of us aspire to look like (like a super model, for instance).

if you're happy, energetic, and like how you look, then being 100 pounds isnt a problem for someone like you.

Kelsey,  for starters your face is beautiful!

secondly, You look fantastic I wouldnt be concerned about a few lbs.  maintain a healthy diet and continue to exercise and you should be happy and healthy for a long time.

You look great; at 115 you looked great, so you could view it that you have a three pound buffer and just watch the scale for purposes of checking you aren't straying too far over the 115 mark.

Now if I could only practice what I preach...

If the pictures posted of you on June 30th are at 112, then I would say that's your ideal weight.  You look fantastic.  More importantly, you look healthy and happy. Congratulations!!  

The only word of caution I would have is with not stepping on the scales.  When I didn't, my weight crept up (and up and up and up... :( ).  Now I'm weighing daily, for encouragement 'cause it's inching down :)  Ideally, once a week is probably good.  Each person is different tho.  Do what works for _you_!

Again tho, congratulations on a tough job well done!!  You should be very proud of yourself :)

you look great in all your pics!... i don't know how to help you.. you look good no matter what  but just don't go below 100lbs it way too skinny