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What does 240 pounds look like on a woman?

At 5′5″, a typical height for women, 240 lb is a BMI of 39.9, which counts as very obese. On a body like the one below that usually means a large round belly, a very thick waist and heavy arms, thighs and face. The top of the healthy range at this height is about 150 lb, 90 lb lighter.

Front view of a 5′5″ woman at 240 pounds — 240 lb at 5′5″

240 lb on a 5′5″ woman is the heaviest the models show: a very large, round belly, very heavy arms and thighs and a full face and neck. It is close to the severely obese range for this height, about 90 lb above the healthy range, and it is a weight where talking to a doctor before starting is a good idea.

Try it with your own height and goal

What losing weight from 240 lb looks like

The same 5′5″ woman at 240 lb and after losing 10, 20 and 40 pounds. The models change in steps of about 10 lb, so the first step can look small; the difference adds up quickly after that.

A 5′5″ woman at 240 pounds — Now: 240 lb
BMI 39.9

A 5′5″ woman at 230 pounds — −10 lb: 230 lb
BMI 38.3

A 5′5″ woman at 220 pounds — −20 lb: 220 lb
BMI 36.6

A 5′5″ woman at 200 pounds — −40 lb: 200 lb
BMI 33.3

240 pounds at other heights

The same weight reads very differently depending on height. Here is 240 lb on women from 4′11″ to 5′11″.

Height	BMI	Category	Healthy range
4′11″	48.5	severely obese	92–123 lb
5′1″	45.3	severely obese	98–132 lb
5′3″	42.5	severely obese	104–141 lb
5′5″	39.9	very obese	111–150 lb
5′7″	37.6	very obese	118–159 lb
5′9″	35.4	very obese	125–169 lb
5′11″	33.5	obese	133–179 lb

Get support for a big change

Losing a large amount of weight usually goes better with help. A doctor can check blood pressure, blood sugar and medicines before you start, and can talk through options beyond diet and exercise if they fit. The pictures from here down to 200 lb show how much the first 40 lb changes, which is often the most motivating part.

Before and after from 240 lb

Losing 40 pounds: 240 to 200 lb · Losing 60 pounds: 240 to 180 lb

Similar

All weights for a woman

Where to start

Healthy weight loss tips that work without crash diets
A simple calorie counting guide
A 30-day walking routine to start moving
Meal prep ideas for eating well all week

About these pictures

The first picture is the original 3D body model at this weight. The second is a front view generated by AI from that model's matching step, so the body size follows the original, using this description:

Body size: a woman about 5′5″ tall weighing about 240 lb (BMI about 40), very obese: a large round belly, very thick waist, heavy arms, thighs and face. Apple (round) body shape: extra weight sits mostly on the belly and waist.

Sources: BMI categories from the CDC; waist guidance from the NIH (NHLBI); pace of loss from the CDC. How these pages are made.

These pictures are a visualization from a small set of pre-made body models, not a picture of you, and BMI is only a rough screening number: it does not measure body fat, muscle or health. For advice about your own weight, talk to your doctor.