Are You Happy with the Number on the Tag?

Nothing on me is in single digits. Not my wedding ring. Not my shoes either. Im 5ft9. and would love to lose about 70 pounds. Weight charts say I should be less but I know Id be ok at that weight.

O I would love to be 145! Im fatter then I've ever been and I hate it yet I don't diet? My husband loves me however but when we get around his friends wives (5-10 yrs younger) than me im the only fat one. I hate me. I've always been heavy size 12-13 but im more like a tight 14 loose 16 now. Im short so yeah im over weight. But I don't buy the sizel I buy for fit. If I fit into a single digit I would be thrilled!

I am finding that the size on that tag is the most inconsistant and irritating thing in the world at this point! I am having the worst time finding pants that I like the fit of after my third was born. I have given up on what size they say nad just go by fit and I'm still not finding them! For example, I went to Old Navy. I tried on their "skinny" &"sweetheart" styles. The 10s fit me so nicely, until I sat down, and I was showing 2 inches of my bikini panties. I'd have to not wear panties at all and show off butt crack to wear those. So I try the "Diva" in a 10, they were so big on me that even sticking my stomach all the way out they would be so big that even a belt won't keep them on. So I try the 8 and there was no way on earth I could even get them buttoned or zipped. 1 size difference!! I've had 12s I can take off without undoing but the 10s are so tight I have a nasty muffintop and can barely button them. I've had things like this happen to me in several stores. Litterally 1 size difference and they go from huge sacks to being unable to button them. The difference from one style to the other is tremendous too! I've left fighting back tears from some places as it makes me feel like I'm not a size anyone wants sometimes. Then I put myself back together and realize it's not me, it's society and the fashion industry. They have no idea what a real person should look like. Also "vanity sizing" has become prevalant in the fashion industry. The number on the tag no longer reflects anything anymore.
Yes, I have a little bit extra I need/want to get rid of but I'm still within the healthy range. I'm right about 5'9" and about 160lbs at the moment. I am working on repairing major muscle damage from my third pregnancy that I did not have with my first or second and I'm breastfeeding which is making those last pounds stubborn. I'm 40 years old about to turn 41 soon.
I'm good enough with me but I'm beyond peeved with whoever comes up with clothes styles and sizes.

You sound like you are a perfect weight for your height. If your not happy, maybe just a little toning up with regular exercise (which everyone should do anyways).

But this doesnt sound like a weight issue. You have body imagine problems and self esteem problems. I bet you look great, now work on your mind.

no!!, when i was an 11 i thought i was pretty darn skinny, 11 in juniors , but still, now that i am a 12 in womens im happy about it, but only because i was a 16 4 months ago :)

why cant our pants be measured out like a mans?....doesnt that make more sense?

I laugh now when I see pictures from years ago and I thought I was "too heavy"! haha I was a twig!
Funny thing is, I think some body confidence comes with age and I probably feel more comfortable in my own skin now than I ever have. Although I'm definitely NOT at my lowest weight!
"Healthy" matters--"size" does not!

Yes. Once.

I'm 6'1. MY happy was 167. Rockin' body. 28 inch waist, 37 inch inseam. Size 9-12 (depending on manufacturer). 6 pack abs. Could run 3 miles (while smoking, ACTUALLY while smoking, I'd run and smoke and chat with my running partner who'd also smoke) in under 21 minutes. Could run 10 miles very easily (I don't get my "2nd wind" until I hit the 4 mile mark). Could hike 50 miles in less than 2 days. Could dance for 10 hours straight. Ate 4000 - 6000 calories meals 4 or 5 times a day. Could swim underwater without surfacing for 2+ minutes. Could have sex for HOURS. I was the *picture* of good health. (minus the smoking & drinking, I drank a LOT).

Then I got injured. Then I got broke. Kept up the activity, but ate a $1 whopper a week (as my ONLY nutrition), because being injured meant I lost my job. Completely tanked my metabolism. Then I started modeling (needed to eat, I swear I may be the only person on the planet who started modeling TO eat. Also, needed clothes. Worked that into my gigs that I could keep the clothes). Added party drugs. Kept up the activity. The sacred job of filling my belly became less sacred. Went back to barely eating.

Lost over 40lbs.

I've been as low as 123. STILL a size 9, my bones don't go lower. And you could see my hipsockets at 123.

Got out of modeling and party drugs. Even only eating 400 calories a day, and hiking at least 10mi a day, I packed on over 100lbs.

Through PAINFUL eating healthily and LOWERED activity level, I convinced my body to drop 20lbs over the next few YEARS.

Got pregnant.

DOUBLED my weight on 1800-2100 calories per day (designed by my nutritionist). That's when I was over 300 pounds.

Lost 100 of it in 2 years (healthily). Lost 50 the 3rd year (30 to go). Had to choose between A's in school and the gym. Chose A's. Held steady. Husband had an affair. Gained 30. Husband started getting really abusive. Gained another 30 over 3 years. (Depression is a marvelous thing). Both times from NOT eating, and upping my activity level (I have to really mind my intake/outgo, or my metabolism throws on the breaks).

Said 'screw my husband' last year. Lost 30. This year; Got injured badly enough to be couch bound (back). Sigh. Started again. Got injured again (shoulder, need surgery, haven't had it yet). Started (modified for shoulder) again. Kiddo got sick. Spent 3 months in and out of Children's Hosptial, weight stayed the same. Spent all of May in C.H., which makes these KILLER omelets from 1am-4am btw, and gained 15 in a month, I suspect from really, really good omelets.

I'm currently 65lbs over my "perfect" weight (but I'll never have a rockin body again, not without plastic surgery).

65lbs on ME (remember, I'm tall) is 2 sizes. (30lbs per size)

My weight has wildly fluctuated over the past 15 years. I've been happy once.

I KNOW I have "eye problems". I'll tell you why. Excluding the few years of 167... I LOOK THE SAME. To myself. I look the same at 123 & 323.

I've given up on wanting to look good. I concentrate instead, (mostly) on what my body can DO for me, rather than how it looks.

Don't know if any of this helps you, but it's my story.

I'm 5'9" and about 125lbs and I know I'm lucky. I can eat pretty much whatever I want. But - I'm pretty flat chested... It used to of course bother me when I was younger or before I was married. Now my husband says I have big boobs (he's seriously delusional but I'll take it) and I feel very lucky to not have to battle big thighs etc. And I always just focused on having good legs etc and reminded myself that men have different "types." I think as you get older, you'll get more comfortable. It's partly age I think. You just stop obsessing bc there are bigger (no puns intended) things to worry about. I'll see a woman with big boobs and be a bit jealous but now in my early 40s, usually that woman is a bit heavy on the bottom bc that's her build so I say it's rare for someone to have it all. I really think proportion is key. I'm sure you look great. I'm too skinny but at least balanced. But also embrace your shape. My daughters do not take after my side of the family so I plan to encourage them to embrace their curves (I think they'll have). A woman who is fit looks great no matter what. I honestly bet you look great but it seems to be a disatisfaction area with you that maybe reading some books would help. There seems to be a fine balance between being obsessed and letting yourself go. Not sure how to find it given I don't struggle but likely cognitive behavioral therapy would help. Not that you need to see someone but it's a way to reprogram how you think about certain things. It's worked for me in other areas. Try some books.

I'm 31, 5'5, size 18-22 and was between 235-245 for the last 6 years. I'm 8+ months pregnant and am 250lbs at the moment.

I don't hate or laothe myself, because I actually carry the weight alright and my pretty face really offsets the weight. Would I like to be thinner? YES... but a healthy thin, not a 147lb because BMI says so. With the muscle mass I carry and easily build up, 147 would be an unhealthy weight for me. I'd be happy with 165-170lbs.

I only gained 10lbs with this last baby (and have 3 more weeks to go) and I think I'll keep the habits I had during the pregnancy since I was able to curtail normal weight gain by eating very healthy with the basic amount of caloric intake needed.

Oh wow we are the same weight and size but I'm 5'5". I choose to look at myself as smokin' hot. Nothing less will do. I don't care if I'm a size 6, 8 or 24. In my own eyes I have to be the best looking woman walking the earth. I like the confidence that comes with feeling like I look good.

I have one son by birth and he totally rearranged the furniture that is my body. I got married for the first time almost 2 years ago and put on 25-30 pounds but I still must continue to look at myself in a positive light. If I don't like, love me how will I be able to teach others how to like and love me?

I treat myself real good. I'm encouraging to my own self and dreams and desires. I just think that is the way to be and I'm all the better for it and so are the people around me.

I even have women at my church asking me what my secret is. I really don't have one other than I have practiced teaching myself to be comfortable in my own skin. It's the only skin I have.

based on your data, I'd say you are perfect!

Learn to love yourself. Peace!

At my heaviest I was almost 400# (386 to be exact). I had gastric bypass and got to 250 and didn't lose a pound past that. (Before I had my surgery I kept saying "if I could just be 250..." well, I got it and stopped at that!). That was 7 years ago and now I weigh about 275. I'd like to get back to 225-250 but its not a real big priority for me. I've always been big and really other than being able to keep up with the kids as much as I wanted, didn't have a problem with it. I have always had boyfriends and 2 husbands so I didn't think I was not attractive. I live my life for me and my family and don't really care what anyone else "thinks". I think you may have some serious issues that maybe counceling may help with. I wish you the best...

If my tag size was bigger, I wouldn't have to buy juvenile clothing. I am happy to not struggle with weight (I'm just being honest), but envy those who can buy clothes made for adults.

I'm very petite, 5ft 2 in, and about 105 lbs... and I hate it. I want curves in the RIGHT places, not my belly. I feel like I can't complain about it because people always say 'R., YOU'RE TOO SKINNY! What are you talking about?!' yeah, I'm skinny, but I have skinny fat in the wrong places! Does that make sense?! I want bigger boobs like I used to have, and I want hips and more of a butt. I want sexy CURVES!! If I eat more, regardless of if I work out or not, it all goes to my belly. If I had a tummy tuck, the excess skin wouldn't stick out so much, and I'd be much happier being able to better control my curves. I want to gain a good 10 pounds.

As far as the number on the tag, no I'm not happy. I have to wear a full pants size up for the skin on my stomach! BUT, the number doesn't bother me, it's the way I fill it. I want to wear a size 7 because of my hips and butt, not because of my post baby belly. I want to wear larger t-shirts, not XS (I mean, my kids could wear this stuff!!)... I'm confident the way I am because my hubby likes it, but in a perfect world, I'd have those sexy, sexy curves... in all the right places ;)

For the most part yes. I don't really have a problem with my size or weight. It is just that after kids and age... my body is changing.

I am adjusting to things in different places and sagginess and having to change how I dress in order to accomodate these movements.

I am 41 years old. I think I look fine for my age. Can I compete with a 20 year old? Absolutely not.

Your stats sound perfect.

I'm 4 inches shorter than you, a size 10, and 140 lbs, and I'm just how I should be!! (OK I could use a little toning up but I'm perfectly fine and happy.) Stop obsessing!

I agree with Sue H.... learn to love yourself! :)

I used to obsess when I was younger. I did ballet and was always slim. When I was dancing, I stressed so much about losing a few more pounds...it was not healthy in anyway. Then I went to college and gained weight. Two babies later my body has changed but I eat healthy and try to stay active so I fluctuate between 123-127 pounds at 5'5'' and I am happy with that. I used to obsess about things I did not like about my body and then I had a health scare. Now I am truly grateful that my body works in all the ways that allow me to work and be a good mother and wife. It was a huge blessing that came from a very stressful time.

I did not have a good self esteem when I was in the teen years, but looking back on pictures I wish I had more confidence. When I was a young mom I was happy with where I was. After I had my second child I knew I should work harder to lose the extra weight but felt like I did not have the time...when my kids were about 5 and 10 I worked really hard to get in shape and loved the results and then BAM I got pregnant with the third baby = ) I was not a happy girl and let myself eat for comfort and did not stay as active as I should and now I am in a situation where I am at least 20 pounds over weight. I am not thrilled with where I am at but I know who is responsible and I am trying to do my best to get the weight back off. I do not really care what size I am...I am more interested in just being healthy.

you really can't go by size of pants. just last week, on 3 seperate days i wore a size 6 pants, a size 8, then a size 10 the next day. all fit me the same! crazy. i am 5'5 and 140lb, i could stand to lose about 10lbs or so but i'm ok with where i'm at right now :)

I was happy in high school for the most part. I didn't start getting unhappy until after high school, even though I had nothing to be unhappy about. I look back (before kids) and think wow, I used to not be happy with that body. I want to go back to that body. And 99% of the people I know tell me I look great and to be proud of this body....I just tell them I hide it well.

FYI: I also don't think you should have anything to be ashamed of.

My goodness, if I could get to 145 I would be so proud of myself and happy! 145 is pretty much right where you should be at 5'10". I am the same height, and my doctor told me she would be very happy with me if I got down to 160, which would put me at a sz 10. I haven't been that size since I did the Atkins Diet 10 years ago, which is when I met my hubby and was indeed when I felt best.

er.. I think you are perfect size 8, my gosh I wish I could squeeze back into my size 12 Jeans....

I am only 5' 3" and now a tight 14.. (175/180lbs) whenever I loose weight its about 3-5 pounds, and then tomorrow, well.. back to the same number on the scale.. I did loose 30 last year, on phentermine, diet and exercise, but it is slowly climbing back up..

I have a thyroid condition and on top of that I am gluten intolerant!! Ugh...

You have nothing to worry about. Be happy the way you are.