For a 5'2" female, a healthy weight range is generally considered to be around 104 to 135 pounds (47–61 kg), based on a moderate Body Mass Index (BMI) of 19-24, though this can vary with body composition, muscle mass, and frame size.
Your most consistent and "true" weight is generally in the morning, after using the bathroom and before eating or drinking anything. This provides the most accurate baseline because your body has processed the previous day's food and fluids overnight, resulting in less fluctuation from digestion, water intake, and daily activities. Weighing at the same time, in the same minimal clothing, and under consistent conditions (like in the morning) helps track trends better than weighing at night or randomly.
A BMI of 29.1 for a 5'2" 160 lbs female indicates overweight status and an elevated risk for some health issues. However, the significance of BMI should be viewed within the context of overall health, body composition, lifestyle factors, and other individual circumstances.
For a 5'2" female, a healthy BMI range typically falls between 18.5 and 24.9. However, this range serves as a general guideline and should be considered alongside other vital indicators of well-being. A doctor or registered dietitian can provide personalized guidance.
Sleep deprivation has long been linked to an increased risk of becoming overweight or obese. Researchers found that getting less than seven hours of sleep resulted in weight changes and may lead to weight gain, either by increasing food intake or decreasing energy burned.
If you're weighing yourself weekly, research shows that we're generally at our heaviest on a Sunday night and at our lightest on a Friday morning, so weighing in before breakfast on a Wednesday can give us the most accurate reading of our current weight [6].
Does Drinking Water Aid Weight Loss? There is evidence to support the claim that drinking water can aid weight loss. A study by the National Institute of Health on overweight women found that increasing water intake led to a reduction in body weight, body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage.
The 3-3-3 rule for weight loss is a simple, habit-based method focusing on three key areas: 3 balanced meals a day, 3 bottles (or ~1.5L) of water by 3 PM, and 3 hours of physical activity per week, aiming for consistency over complex diets. It simplifies fat loss by establishing rhythm through consistent eating, adequate hydration to support metabolism, and regular movement, promoting sustainable health without intense calorie counting or restrictive rules, says Five Diamond Fitness and Wellness, Joon Medical Wellness & Aesthetics, and EatingWell.
The answer is yes — but not as drastically as you may think. Metabolism drives the body's basic functions, including converting food into energy to be used immediately or stored for later use. Research shows that metabolism starts to slow down after age 60,2 which may lead to body composition changes or weight gain.
At the same time, scientists uncovered another fact: men are also attracted to women with curves. This means that women with a BMI of 22.8 to 24.8 are the most appealing to men. This corresponds to a height of 170 cm and a weight of 70 kg.
The distribution of the current BMI ranged from 17 to 35 for women and from 19 to 35 for men. The changes in BMI units ranged from 0.5 to 2.5 between the ages of 70 and 90 years but were greater for women than for men.
Whether 56 kg (about 123 lbs) is "heavy" for a girl depends entirely on her height, body composition (muscle vs. fat), frame size, and age, as this weight can fall into a healthy range for taller individuals but might be considered heavier for shorter individuals. For example, a 160 cm (5'2") person with a BMI around 22 (normal range) could weigh 56 kg, while a shorter person might be in the overweight category, emphasizing that BMI is just a guide, and factors like muscle mass and how you feel are important too.
If the weight fluctuation is very rapid (for example, a weight increase of 1-3 kg from one day to the next), it's definitely water, because fat doesn't accumulate that quickly! If it's water retention, swelling is often localized, manifesting as puffiness in the legs, ankles, hands, and abdomen.
Many people wonder how long it takes to pee after drinking water, but it depends on a variety of factors. Generally, it takes your body 9 to 10 hours to produce 2 cups of urine. A properly hydrated person with an almost full bladder will need to urinate between five to fifteen minutes after drinking water.
If you're committed to losing more weight, try these tips for getting past the plateau:
Passing a bowel movement can cause a small reduction in body weight as a person's body expels waste products. However, it is rarely significant and does not amount to long-term weight loss. A person's weight fluctuates throughout the day.
Weighing weekly helps you manage your weight
A systematic review of 12 studies found participants who weighed themselves weekly or daily over several months lost 1–3 BMI (body mass index) units more and regained less weight than participants who didn't weight themselves frequently.
“After a swim or a shower, your body can absorb 1 to 3 cups of water, increasing your true weight by a few pounds.”
When you eat too few calories, your body can react in ways that might cause weight gain instead of loss. 1. Stress Hormones: Low calorie diets can increase stress hormones like cortisol. High levels of cortisol might make your body hold onto fat rather than burn it.
Sleep apnea can also cause weight gain, so becoming a side sleeper may help to reduce your symptoms and make your weight loss journey easier.
You may be able to survive on four hours of sleep, but you probably won't be even close to thriving. In the short term, sleeping for four hours can lead to: Daytime sleepiness. Reduced mental performance (research from 2018 found getting four hours of sleep had the same effect on cognition as aging eight years)