Should be happy but...

[charimito]

I should be happy as the GP has signed me off for weight loss. You might ask yourselves what am I doing here an not on the weight-loss sub... Well it has started to depress me :(. I train (what I think is a lot buy you be the judge of that - 1 long distance, 2 mid distance and one short distance runs a week, 2 sessions of sprinting /speed workshops, 90 weekly mins of yoga and 2 weekly hours of strength training - with dumbells so nothing too heavy-). I have muscle (lots of it in my arms/ legs you can kind of see some abs but that might be a mirage). I've always been heavy for my size, but at 10st, 5ft3 and a size 6 people think that I'm either lying about one of them or just seem super puzzled. My GP told me it was all the training but in the scales it still seems heavy (at least to me!) Note: I'm slimmer / fitter that I've ever been so I can't really compare to the good old times

[NatureIsAWhore]

What do you mean the gp has signed you off? Have they said you're over weight? Surely just by looking at you, if you're a size 6, that's a stupid thing for them to say? Or were you over weight and now you have the all clear?

If the latter, what was your original weight and aim? Have you lost weight? Or stayed the same but lost fat and gained muscle? Even at 10 stone and no muscle I can't imagine you'd be overweight?

I kind of know how you feel though. I've always been 9 stone and a size 8 on top (no boobs) &10 on bottom. I'm 5'4" I've increased my excercise in the last 6 months.

Run 3 times a week, bike to work twice a week, yoga after every run and climbing wall once or twice a week.

I have gained half a stone and now my thighs rub together. That's the worst bit! I'm considering not cycling anymore to try and slim my legs down!


Like you, I know I'm fitter and healthier than ever and that I have more muscle than fat, and that muscle weighs more than fat in relation to size. But it's still a biit disheartening, esp when I still have a wobbly belly!!

[NatureIsAWhore]

Also, I think I have heavy bones! Not sure if that's actually a thing, but I've never broken anything and reckon they're pretty dense. Which makes me weigh more

[charimito]

Yup six months ago I was obese (BMI of 31, large size 14). At 10st according to BMI standards I'm borderline overweight, and I just couldn't understand how I was so heavy and small at the same time (thus went to see my GP). I really wanted to reach a BMI of say 22 as I thought that would put me right in the middle. The thing is I keep reading posts of people my height and how they think 10st is heavy for them, so then I become insecure and think I should maybe aim to lose just a bit more. The GP emphasized I should not attempt to lose any more weight and I know she's right! I actually love how I look but I just can't shake off the thought of how heavy I am, silly I know!

[NatureIsAWhore]

Well done with the weight loss.

Give muscle weight vs fat weight a google. Hopefully that'll put things in to perspective for you

[charimito]

It does, and I know how that works, but even the GP didn't believe my actual weight at first, we used two different scales. I would just like to know a semi scientific way of what my ideal weight should be. I get that I'm muscular but I'm no athlete (as much as I like to think I'm a part time one). So I dunno I just feel like I need some ongoing guidance.

[standingonlego]

Rather than just scales, do you have access to a bodytrax machine at the gym? Measures muscle and fat distributions not just the raw numbers, plus metabolic age and water levels

Might also be useful to think about body shape (see the style and beauty board) as this can be useful insight too.

Sounds like you are fit and strong to me. Do you have rest days? Lots of training going on.

[standingonlego]

Well done too - that is amazing for 6 months. Inspiration stuff 😃

[standingonlego]

I found this picture on naturels link which sums it up.

I am going the exact opposite direction OP...10 stone, but stopped training for 6 months for various reasons and although my weight is the same I am at least a dress size larger. You have inspired me to get back on a mission !

[charimito]

Thanks standing Lego! No gyms around here, but I might check the biggest semi local one. I know my body shape has changed too I used to be hourglass and now I'm a banana! I rest one day (Saturday), although I think I should rest a bit more

[iMatter]

Hi OP

Did you post a picture of yourself asking if you were too thin recently?

I think a lot of people gave you good advice on that thread.

I'm concerned you are overthinking it all.

Enjoy your weight loss and the exercise and don't worry about it.

[charimito]

Yeah that's me!! And people told me I was lying about something (well maybe not like that but felt like it to me!)

[ragged]

Wow, that's a terrific weight loss.
I think it's ok to plateau a bit & get used to your new body & what it can do.

[charimito]

That's the thing the GP said I'm not plateuing I am where I should be, no more, no. Less. But I still feel heavy (I feel heavy but I think I look somewhat skinny what a contradiction!)

[ragged]

plateau may only be temporary, see how it goes?

[wintersdawn]

BMI is very misleading when exercise and muscle are involved. There are a lot of professional sport stars who are classed as obese on that scale.
If you are happy with your look and enjoy the level of fitness you are doing. Throw the scales out and enjoy what you see in the mirror.

[Lesley1980]

If you can see a 6 pack then you have very low body fat. Do you think you're becoming too obsessed? Exercise addiction?

[Nordicwannabe]

I think you need to be a bit careful about your attitude. It isn't quite body dismorphia, since you do recognise you are skinny, but I think you're bordering on an unhealthy obsessiveness about this. That's the road to eating disorders - don't go there! Enjoy your new healthy size!

[revolution909]

That's why wanted some guidance, so I can just stick to it. I don't think I'm obsessed less than 2 hours a day doesn't seem excessive to me. Again, guidance would be nice as I don't know of what I'm eating is healthy or balanced or whatever (the GP seemed to think it was). Maybe a sports nutritionist or a personal trainer would have been a better option

[revolution909]

Today I saw a friend who I haven't seen in a while, she told me I was borderline skinny (she also thought I was 9st rather than 10st)

[ragged]

Char/Revolution: with weight loss like that you've got to have changed your eating habits. What are the things you most like about the change & what do you want to stick with? Probably you could give advice on back of your success.

[revolution909]

I wish I could have wine more often than just twice a week. Also I live ice cream but I can't make myself eat it unless it's a weekend. I just like that I think twice about everything. Like yesterday we went out for a meal but we walked there instead of driving. Other great change is that I wanted a snack so had boiled broccoli / cauliflower. The only secret to my success (diet wise) is just that I tend to eat the same for breakfast and lunch five times a week. And I try to have a full dinner for less than 600 cals. I eat whatever I want on Saturday and more or less the same on Sunday within measure. If my diet is healthy or not I don't know! I eat at least two fruits plus vegetables every day, one protein and no more than a slim bagel for processed carbs.