Am I Still Overweight?

I am a 5'9" male.  I currently weigh 182 pounds.  I am 32 years old. I am down from 210 pounds, and my goal weight was 180 pounds.  Obviously, I am very close.  I am currently losing about a pound a week.

However, everything I consult says that I am still overweight.  Online calculators and references (although not very accurate) say the maximum optimal weight for someone my height is 169 pounds.  I'm not sure if I'd consider myself musclular or stocky enough to make up for 11 extra pounds.  I definitely wouldn't consider my frame "atheletic", but I have gained a lot of tone through my workouts.  I guess I would consider my body frame to be fit.

I used an body fat machine at the gym recently, and it said I was still about 21% body fat, which is overweight.  But, that just seems high.  I have watched fat melt off my body, and I have watched my muscles grow. When I started, it recorded me at 25%.  I find it hard to believe that I lost that little fat while losing almost 30 pounds.  If that were so, I don't think my muscle developments would be as visible.  I also certainly wouldn't be able to continually up my weights during weighttraining, as I have.

There are still a couple of small fat stores on my body.  Under my armpits, small "love handles", and a small amount on my abdomen.  I would love to get rid of them, but I'm not sure it would even be possible (read: healthy).  There is virtually no fat remaining in my arms, face, or gluteous; there was certainly a decent amount before.

For historical reference, I once weighed as little as 140 pounds at this height.  As I grew more into adulthood, I weighed about 150 pounds.  I was very skinny at that weight, and had no notable muscle mass.  I quit smoking and decided to start exercising some years ago, and climbed up to 180 pounds within about a year.  At that time, I was in about the same shape as I am now, except I think I am actually a little leaner now.  I stopped working out and put on 30 pounds over the last 3 years.

So the question is, should I lose 10 more pounds?  It's certainly possible, as I've weighed so little before, but I'm not sure if its a good idea.  Most of the people around me are telling me I don't need to lose any more weight.  Many of them are overweight themselves. Also, some seem a little jealous of my weight loss.  I just want to do what's right for my body.

When I do decide to stop losing weight, my plan is to switch to maintainance calories, and I have been working on a sports fitness training program.  I'm not worried about gaining a little weight, per se, as long as it is muscle.  I will probably do less intense cardio, but I will still be practicing sports, which can be decent cardio.  My plan is that by getting involved in sports, I can keep my fitness going for a lifetime.

Can someone help point me in the right direction?

Yes you are.  A BMI of 25 is the cut-off for 'overweight' and yours is currently 26.9   Another 10lbs off and you'd have a BMI of 25.5..... not bad.   

Make sure, however, that you're eating well, getting the right kind of foods and being active so that you're fit and well rather than just thinner.  When people start saying 'you're looking too thin!!!' they can sometimes be reacting to a pale complexion or hollow cheeks...  rather than simply being jealous.

Wow I found my CC twin finally.

I'm 32, male and 5' 9". I was at 220 when I started and my first goal was laos 180. I figured since I would still be over weight I would get down to 168 to put me in the normal range. It's only a very hard 12 more pounds to lose. You can do it. Kick that BMI Scale's arse.

I'm down to 170 now with less than 2 pounds to go.

Edit:

Oh yeah. Many, MANY people tell me I need to stop losing weight cause I'm done. A few people here on CC have also sent me messages telling me I don't need to lose any more based on a picture I posted in my gallery.

I doubt it's jealousy from 95% of them but you have to remember to do what you think is best for yourself.

Just look at your waist area, when the gut is gone you're pretty much done with the weightloss. You're 175 cm tall  (I'm used to the metric system) and 82kgs (180pounds) is still to much, 160 sounds better.

If you're satisfied with yourself at 180 lbs. then you don't need to lose any more weight.  Just keep eating right and exercising.  Congrats on quitting smoking and your weight loss.

Others will disagree with me, but I think BF% is the best indicator of whether you're truly overweight or not. BMI doesn't take into account large builds or muscle. My brother is technically "overweight" according to the BMI, but his BF% is 10%. 

I don't know the ranges for guys, but if I were you I'd focus on getting down to the fitness range. 

Good luck!

It looks as if you may be satisfied with being on the high end of being fit...I reached that goal and personally  was not satisfied with my overall physique, although my fitness level was 10x better than when I first started out at the start of the year (212 lbs, and that's being kind)...I decided to shoot for a lower bf% and as a result am at 18% and as a result have dropped down to a weight of 159lbs and I also had a goal weight of 181 lbs.  I am much more pleased, even though I didn't plan on it, to be at 159 lbs...I would say keep doing what your doing and eventually you will decide if you want to keep droppin' and start maintaining...great job so far though, congrats.

Thanks for all the advice and support.  I think the consensus is clear: I could still stand to lose a little more weight.  160 is pushing it, I think.  I think I will shoot for 170 and reassess my goals when I get there.

Thanks again,

--J