is this right?

[bethrn]

I think I am 21% bf but I weigh 140lbs and am 5'2. I have always felt bigger than what I am and my husband says I am skinny. I try not to focus on the scales but I am having a hard time. Can I weigh that and my bf be that good? I have been lifting wts and I am about to start hiit this week instead of moderate cardio. I would like for my bf % to be lower but I was wondering how long it would take me to lower it say 3 or 4%? What should my calories be limited to if I am trying to build muscle and become leaner?

[Laurie]

Yes, you can.

It is a "mind" image you are facing and needing to reconstruct.

I am 5'6"/largebone and lost 75lbs (from 245 to 170) in three years from lifting. Been overweight for 30 of my 33 years of marriage. I feel fine where I am and really cannot "see" myself being 145 or lower according to whatever Insurance Charts you use. The last time I was anywhere near 150 was as a freshman in High school in 1964. But I was pretty fit even then from what I was doing (riding 10spd/sports).....and this is when Everyone wanted to be "Twiggy" or "Cher". So according to that time, I was grossly overweight.

Here is another thing to consider. Muscle weight vs fat weight. You can weigh more and yet not look it. Muscle is denser than fat and more compact. You can weigh that much and yet this is from muscle built....not fat. Why bodybuilders can weigh what they do, look the way they do and yet, according to any weight chart,....be "overweight".

Right now, after so many years, I am actually wearing clothing sizes I wore as a teen. But my scales show me weighing more. I figure this from the muscle I have gained from lifting moderately to heavy weights three days a week for so long. I did started this because my health was becoming worse from being 245 and more for so long before and after raising my kids. Then going through menopause in my early 40s. My diet was horrible and I saw myself going down a long road to looking like the hobbling snowbirds in my town.

So I did something about it when I turned 50. Now, my health has improved and so has my self image. Oh sure, I would like to get to 150 again...maybe. But right now, I lift to keep what I gained and keep off the loss.

Dont be mislead by any advertising hype about what you should look like. Yes, it is hard not to focus on that scale.

Sometimes you can be your own worse judge.

[moon girl]

I agree with Laurie. One thing you can do is take pictures and measurements. I know that neither is really great but it may be better than the scale (or at least you'll have something else to go by). I also find it very hard not to be disappointed by the number on the scale, but when I see that my measurements go down in the places where they should (for me: stomach, hips, thighs) and that I look leaner in the pictures I feel a little better. I find it a useful tool to track progress.

[bethrn]

Thanks for your advice. I really am trying to change the way I think but it is difficult. I took my measurements and I guess I'll hide the scale and recheck my measurments in a few weeks. I did try on a pair of size 7 pants and they fit so that makes me feel better. I have always worried about my weight and it is hard for me to imagine that I would not have to worry.You know,that I would look the way I want. I don't know maybe that's why it is so hard for me to stay on course with my eating and workouts- I have been slacking lately and need to get out of this slump. I have decided to go back to school for an accounting degree( I'm tired of nursing) so that will keep my mind off food.

[Pebbles]

beth, i noticed you mentioned you are/were in nursing. lvn or rn? what makes you so tired of it. I am looking to study to become an rn. any input would be greatly appreciated.

[bethrn]

I am a neonatal nurse-RN have been for five years. I am just tired of dealing with having to work holidays and weekends and not getting time off if me or my kids are sick. See at the hospital I work we get points every time we call in sick, so it's 2 points for the weekday (per day you are absent) 4 during the weekend and 6 for a holiday. If you recieve 18 you are automatically fired. So I'm just tired of being treated like I'm not respected. I have looked at changing to a different area of nsg but am not interested in anything but neonatal or plastic surgery. And if I work in a doctor's office I will get paid a lot less. I just have a chance to return to school and I am going to take advantage of it. I am 28 so I don't want to be wishing in ten or so years that I had went back. My husband works a Mon thru Fri job in an office so it would be great to work those hours one day and get paid more than I am now. I originally went to college to become an accountant but I partied too hard and flunked out of the university. My parents brought me home and said they would pay for me to get an associate degree at a comm college. (There is no difference as far as pay or knowledge with a adn or bsn). So nsg was actually not my first choice but I am glad I did it and have the knowledge and experience I have. So don't let me be a bad influence on you. Most people really enjoy it. Nursing is a great profession and you can go far with it. I have just learned it is not something I want to do forever. If you are interested in it then go for it, it pays well and you will always have a job which gives you some flexibility in where you want to work. There are so many areas you can specialize in which really makes you valuable in a workplace. Sorry if I rambled.

[Miranda]

[QUOTE=bethrn]Thanks for your advice. I really am trying to change the way I think but it is difficult. I took my measurements and I guess I'll hide the scale and recheck my measurments in a few weeks. I did try on a pair of size 7 pants and they fit so that makes me feel better. I have always worried about my weight and it is hard for me to imagine that I would not have to worry.

I rarely go on the scale. last time i did it was to get my stats here but that was a month ago. When i was anorexic (yawn) i only weighed myself once (110 lbs - damn!). This is because what you see in the mirror and how your clothes fit is more important than what you weigh.