When is thin too thin?

Fee · 08-07-2005, 12:00 PM

Hi,

I'm 5'9" and weigh about 130lbs. I've always been thin, and def. the skinniest in school,(many moons ago.) When I was 18 I spent a year in NYC (I'm from UK) and discovered Haagen Daz, pizza and Dunkin Donuts. Relatively speaking, I exploded and put on a good 20 pounds, and be honest, looked better for it. Over the years, I averaged out at about 140 Lbs but when I came off the pill, 3 years ago I noticed a definite putting on of weight. (again, all relative cos I reached about 150lbs max.) I am def. IR but i think I have a fast metabolism.

Anyway. After Pill, AF stopped altogether (always had been unreliable before pill) and was diagnosed PCOS with IR, and very high androgen levels. As I'm ttc i was put on Met with which I'm quite happy, and stopped drinking fizzy drinks. I've gotta say, I was quite shocked when 6 mths after met, I weighed myself and found I'd dropped about 20lbs. Now I'm back to where I was 20 years ago with people telling me I look skinny which I didn't appreciate then, nor now, really. I've run out of belt holes, I've tightened my watch-strap and my wedding ring falls off if I'm not careful.

I know it's crazy but i want to put some of the weight back on but without negating the good effects of met. Indeed, am I too thin? (Health wise, anyway)

Any suggestions??

I feel so mean saying this when so many cysters have the complete opposite problem, sorry.

Thanks
Fee

PS My year in NYC was brill, junk food notwithstanding.I am coming to San Francisco next week for my holidays! Yay!

RosieSMC · 08-07-2005, 12:55 PM

I dont have trouble with weight either way. It seems to balance well for me without trying too hard. I am a good eater and I understand some thin people just have trouble eating normal quantities of food.

Try including high calorie but healthy snacks like nuts and dried fruit, cheese and sausage with wheat crackers. They types of snacks that are high in calories but also high in nutrition. I recommend weight training. It doesnt have to be body building. Putting on some muscle to a slim frame can change it from boney and angular to toned and fit.

"Skinny" is bad. "Lean" and "athletic" are good.

want2bpg · 08-07-2005, 02:03 PM

Have you checked your BMI lately? That might help you determine if you are at a healthy weight for your height. I'm thin and could not believe that I actually lost weight on met. (was never told if I was IR or not, although my glucose is always all over the place)

I eat alot of high calorie stuff like RosieSMC suggested, but I still weigh the same. Do you like a lot of sweets?

Fee · 08-07-2005, 07:46 PM

I'm not particularly bothered by sweets; if they're there I'll eat them but if not, I won't. I did have a good sticky toffee pudding the other day for dessert at lunch and it nearly knocked me out for the afternoon. Gosh, I was tired! Actually, thinking about it,after eating it (yum) it made me feel ever so slightly dizzy - just ever so slightly, just enough to have a double take on it if you know what I mean. No, I should get my BMI checked. When I was first on met. it was spot on average so.. unless I've shrunk height wise (and i doubt that met is THAT good!!) I will be on the low side.

Thanks
Fee

deblynnc · 08-07-2005, 07:57 PM

Not to compare humans to dogs, but I personally think the same rule of thumb should apply. They say that you should be able to feel their ribs when you touch their sides, but not see them from 3 feet away. I feel the same way about humans. We're not all built the same, and 130 pounds on one person your height might be OK, while on another it's too small.

If you are healthy, don't worry about what other people say about your weight. No matter what size you are, there will be somebody who will try to make you feel like it isn't OK. Focus on your overall wellbeing, not a number on a scale or the size jeans you wear.

Debbie

RosieSMC · 08-07-2005, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by want2bpg

I eat alot of high calorie stuff like RosieSMC suggested, but I still weigh the same. Do you like a lot of sweets?

Before learning that PCOS and sweets/carbs dont go together, I would consume significant quantities of sugar. It wasnt good but it wasnt putting weight on me so I wasnt concerned. Now I know it was contributing to my PCOS. Since February, I limit carbs and really notice when I eat too many carbs/sugars because I go into a funk/ cloudy headed state for an hour or 2. I have to balance out sugars and carbs with vegetables and protien or I am a space cadet.

I also eat/snack about every 2-3 hours to make sure my blood sugar doesnt plumet and cause cravings.

lovelyinkedlady · 08-07-2005, 09:53 PM

Well for me being a cyster of the larger size.....i know that sounds so bad.I have to say yes there is a point to being to skinny. It would be at the point that you can see your bones that you wouldn't normally see such as hips, ribs, back bones.

from 130 up to 160 you fall with in the normal weight range for your height. I wouldn't worry about it. Sounds like your in the right range for your body. You also have to take in to consideration Your build.

For me I'm 5' and have a medium build.But i weight 248 right now. I can go as low as 125lbs with out looking to skinny.

Believe me your not mean for worrying. Weight is a big issue with women of all shapes and sizes for women with pcos. I hope you have a great time in SF on holiday.

I'm not to far only a few hours....I'm in Sacramento

Fee · 08-08-2005, 06:24 AM

Thanks guys!

pinkfish · 09-07-2005, 10:01 AM

Hi Fee
I'm 5'8 and weighed 120lbs and like you after coming off BCP no AF for a year. Doctor told me to cut down on excercise and put on a few pounds and within a couple of months I'd become pregnant without AF returning and no medication! So weight really matters you must have a BMI of over 20 and if you also excercise perhaps your body fat is too low.
Good luck

blondie51482 · 09-16-2005, 06:24 PM

Hi, this might sound silly but what is met?

nora · 09-17-2005, 03:37 AM

its a type of Insulin Resistance drug I believe, if you go to MEDICATIONS forum theres a group all about Metformin. Supposedly it helps a lot of women with PCOS lose weight and curbs side effects and also helps women get pregnant. I've never taken it, but that's what I've read.

AnAngel4Adam · 09-24-2005, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkfish

So weight really matters you must have a BMI of over 20 and if you also excercise perhaps your body fat is too low.
Good luck

I was just wondering where you found out you need a BMI of over 20? Mine isn't and I had never heard this. Thanks