WHAT DOES 150 POUNDS LOOK LIKE?
By Lisa
I never weigh myself. I know when I’m drinking too much Strongbow, eating too much dark chocolate and skipping WODs when my Lulu’s get tight and the inside liner fits my butt in an annoying way (4-way stretch: good, 2-way stretch: bad), when I no longer feel comfortable WODding without a shirt, or when I cringe at overhead squat pictures of myself. I’m kind of in that stage right now.
I feel like I’ve been in body metamorphosis-cycle since starting CrossFit + Paleo. I lost weight and size quickly in the first six months of this lifestyle (down to about 130 pounds one year ago when we opened CrossFit Incendia) and I’ve been getting bigger in the last 12 months as I’ve been WODding more (and eating more, I’m sure). I’m still very strict with my Paleo, I’d say 99%. (Before you Paleo-hate on me, you should know that I’m Celiac. Grains make me shit my pants. Dairy makes me wheeze AND shit my pants. Legumes light me up. No, thank you.) Even though I know that I shouldn’t be concerned with the number on the scale, I’m like every other woman out there – it can haunt me. On Saturday night someone asked me how much I weighed at our Paleo Party. I promptly went into the bathroom, stepped on the scale and saw a “150” and I promptly thought to myself, “Oh F*ck!” See, I remember what I looked like in my “Before” Pictures when I weighed 150 pounds. These pictures were taken by my friend Aimee at CrossFit Fury when I was just starting CrossFit and beginning my first Paleo Challenge. I did not like the way I looked or felt at this 150 pounds. It isn’t the actual number that affects me, it’s the way I felt about myself at that time. I did not like it.
All These Women Weigh 150 Pounds
I think every girl has a weight number that puts them in a tizzy. Yours might not be 150 and could be more or less. It’s personal and we all go through it in some degree no matter what the actual number is. See, BC (before CrossFit), when I didn’t like the way I looked I would a) smoke more so I would eat less or b) take diet drugs to force me to eat less or c) all of the above. Option c was most likely the option selected. After Saturday, I had decided that I was going to immediately sugar detox and take some fat burners. You see, I need to buy a new dress for the Anniversary Party and I can’t hate the way I look because of “the number.” I decided it was time to do something drastic! Then I thought about things rationally for a second, drove to the gym, and asked Brian to take pictures of me so I could compare both versions of my 150 pound self.
One thing that CrossFit has given me is acceptance of my body. I have decided that CrossFit and Paleo make my body the best version of itself that it can be. Beyond that, I might whine that my legs are getting big (Hello, Quadzilla….Trent, I’m coming for you!), I can’t wear jeans because of them and that dresses make me look like a boy without hips, but overall, I’m pretty happy with the way things have shaped up over the last 18 months. I’m 39 years old. I have two small children (ages 2 and 7). I was never an athlete in my life before CrossFit. I’ve had open heart surgery, two hernia repairs, my appendix removed, two C-sections, half my thyroid removed, I smoked for 20 years, have killer asthma, and I fractured my pelvis when I was 18. (Which, reminds me. Looking at the new pics, I’m thinking I look a little crooked and need to go see Dr. McCall to get that fixed up. Stat!) What I’m saying is, I’m not the best athlete in the gym. At all. Not even close. I don’t supplement and I probably only work out 3-5 times max per week. I’m ok with all of that.
This is 150 Pounds BC (Before CrossFit) on Me
All I ever wanted to was to look good in a bikini and chase my kids around; however, when that dreaded 150 pounds registered on the scale, I mentally backslid into my old ways. I’m so glad I had these new “After” pictures taken. I think I definitely look different while weighing the same amount. I know better and I still mentally beat myself up for a couple days. I encourage you TO STAY OFF THE SCALE! Girls, we’ve got to accept our bodies, no matter what the “number” is. I went from feeling good to feeling crappy in a matter of seconds because of that 150. So silly. Not happening again. Don’t let yourselves fall into “The Number Trap” either!
Great article Lisa! This is a reminder that we all need to push forward and not focus on the scale. Thanks for sharing what so many of us feel as well.
Love this.
I’m starting my weight loss journey and they are telling I need to lose way less that I thought in my mind because I have a lot of muscle mass which meant nothing for me because of course I’m chasing the number all of the charts say I should weight for my 5’3 frame. Reading your experience has completely changed my outlook. Thank you so much
Hi I’m 14 years old and 155 pounds standing at 5’8 I get called fat every day this article was helpful thank you
Oh my gosh, you ARE NOT FAT! I wish I had learned to accept my body type for what it can do when I was your age. I still weight 150 pounds, but my body has changed even more since this post was written. I should do an update! Hugs 🙂 Lisa
I’m 5’4 inches and weigh between 146-150(thats my fluctuation with food). I’ve gotten down to 131 & when I do, I’m told I look anorexic. When Im 143, people(doctors included) describe me as “teeny.” And when 146-150, I’m told I look “really fit.” I work out 4 times a week and average 30-40 miles jogged a week when Im between 137-143. Yet, BMI would say my current 150 is obese, yet I look great in a bikini. Like, literally great! So, u can’t go by the scale…if ur eating well and working out regularly, I’d use it as a guide, but my weight, my whole life, has never been what people expect to see on a scale when they look at me, its always way more. Now, this applies to those working out and eating right….if u don’t do both, then pay attention to the scale as your 150 may be because you are flabby and eat too much.
damn you seem so humble and kind
No one ever believes how much I weigh 5’5” and 155lbs, I feel I look my best at 150lbs. I’m very curvy (boobs(boobs weigh 13lbs alone) and butt) with a small waist, flat tummy and small back, legs could be better but I’ve never been called fat. Any time I would get skinnier than that my face looks TOO skinny. THe way I am shaped looks better with some weight, especially in the face. Perfectly happy.
Bottom line everyone is different and carries weight differently. You should focus less on numbers and more on what makes YOU feel good. You don’t need anyone else’s approval other than your own.
Love this article! I had to go to the dreaded doctor the other day and get on that ridiculous scale. I told the nurse not to say my weight because I don’t do them and what did she go and do say my weight out loud and proud as I crumbled in a matter of seconds!!! She even exclaimed 12pnds more then i wrote down by accident. ?? I work out 5 days a week with a mix of strength training and cardio. I had to literally pick myself up off the ground and pep talk myself back up! I eat extremely healthy as well. And I know I look damn good and can see results but that stupid scale about crushed me!!! I remember what i used to look like at 152 5 years ago and it was nothing compared to now. I love that I saw this blog b/c it confirmed to me I am not crazy! Thank you for sharing
I’m 17, 5’3 and 150 lbs. I’m a very athletic and love doing triathlons and Nordic skiing. Some days I compare myself to the thinner girls who do the same sports as me and become discouraged that I don’t look like them. This especially happens when skinny people talk about how little they exercise and how much they eat. Deep down, I know that I’m strong and a good athlete, it just takes a lot of reminding some days. I am still learning that as long as I am eating well and continuing to stay active, my weight doesn’t matter.
I was having a really down day (which lead me into the rabbit hole of googling what a 150lb female “should” weigh). This entire article made me feel so much better. Thank you!
I’m 14, 5’7 and I weigh 150?I feel self conscious almost every second of every day. I really don’t know what I could do to stop feeling this way. I’m super athletic but I’ve been gaining weight a lot lately. I’d really like to work on my inner thighs and get a flat stomach I just don’t know very many exercises… I don’t like working out for very long because I lose interest but I’d really like to tone my muscles. Can you please give me some tips??