Obese but with pretty normal legs / arms etc but very fat, enormous belly ***Ovarian cancer diagnosis - title edited by MNHQ at OP's request***

[TwitterQueen1]

Hi
I'd be glad of any advice or personal experiences here. I am around 4 stone overweight, so definitely obese. Most of it is on my stomach though, which now looks like I'm 11 months pregnant with triplets. I'm in my 50s so this is not a possibility. It's very painful and I am short of breath when I walk etc.

I've put on a lot of weight in a short period - 10lbs in 2 months.

Six months ago I was bodyboarding in the sea, walking every day and doing an exercise class every week. Now it's a struggle to do anything.

I'm having bloods done on Friday but any ideas / comments? Am I just unlucky to pile it all on in one place?

My mum is similar in body shape. She has the most amazing arms and legs that I am completely envious of but she does have a large tummy., However putting on 10lbs in 2 months is a lot in a very short space of time. Have you changed medication or started eating completely differently? Is the exercise change due to extra weight making things harder or exhaustion etc?
I do think going to the drs about it is a good start.

Isn't this just apple shaped?

I have a couple of friends who have stick thin arms and legs and yet a good few stone round their middle.

I'm pear shaped and can put on two stone on my thighs just from smelling a biscuit.

Good that you are having bloods taken - this will rule out thyroid or other problems.

It is also good that your arms and legs are still normal; but the sort of obesity (sorry!) that is concentrated round the waist is not good for you in terms of heart disease etc. so do keep plugging away at this problem with the help of your GP. Good luck with this.

thanks all. It's not normal Star it's much worse than it was. I look like a freak.

And the fact that I can't be 'normal' ie do my class and go for a walk is making me massively stressed.

My much-loved dog died early in the New Year - this has probably got something to do with it, but I just feel there is something wrong. It is physically painful when I walk.

This happened to me and I was eventually diagnosed with autoimmune hypothyroidism and coeliac disease. Are you having any reflux, tummy aches, constipation or diarrhoea?

Michael lots of reflux, yes but no bowel issues or stomach aches. I'm not on any meds either. I may simply be very, very fat of course - and in all likelihood that is the issue, but I don't understand why the fat is not more evenly distributed.

I would certainly get the GP to feel your tummy as well as do a full panel of blood tests. Changing hormones (eg perimenopause, prediabetes, hypothyroid etc) can do weird and wonderful things with regard to body fat distribution but you'd be very sensible to get a thorough check up.

Fibroids in the womb can grow to be enormous, as can ovarian cysts. I would ask your GP for a referral to a gynecologist to rule anything like that out.

You definitely need a medical check over to exclude other things including ovarian cysts or cancer which can cause distended stomachs though not actual weight gain as such.

After menopause, women's fat distribution changes; it all goes round the middle. Legs and arms stay thinner and lose muscle unless we exercise.

Unfortunately, the only way to avoid weight gain after menopause is to seriously reduce intake of calories. I put weight on very easily, but am not overweight. I allow myself a 'window' of 5lbs upwards of my ideal weight and once I reach that point- it all goes on my waist and tummy - I cut back till I reach my ideal weight.

If you have put on lb a week (10lbs in 2 months) it really is down to too many calories.

Have you thought about working out your BMR (base metabolic rate) which is how many calories you need at rest for your age, weight and height? You might be surprised at how little. Mine is 1100. That means if I sit and do nothing except breathe and watch TV or read a book, I will put on weight if i eat more than 1100 cals. I've now got a Fitbit and it tracks energy used - again, you will be surprised at how few calories are used even being moderately active.

A fast growing fibroid can easily weigh as much as a pregnancy.
OP please see your gp asap.

Well that's very rare. Fibroids shrink post menopause so it would be rare for someone in their 50s who isn't having periods to grow a huge fibroid. It wouldn't weight 4 stone either!

I know I am eating too much and that I am obese. I guess I'm worried because if it is 'just' fat I've tipped over the edge and now suddenly, can't do 'normal' things like go for a walk. And I feel that even at 14 stone I ought to be able to walk comfortably (though I am v short - 5ft 2).

I've just bought a cross trainer. I sit in front of a computer all day but in between times I'm going to spend regular 10/15 minute periods on the trainer whilst I watch the dog in the garden.

Are you going to go to your GP for a pelvic check up and maybe ask for support for weight loss- or can you manage it yourself? Do you know why you are overeating? Are you unhappy?
I don't want to sound harsh but I'm not surprised you can't do everyday things. I am just over half your weight and one inch taller. I'd not be able to move if I carried another 6-7 st around with me. I hope you get help.

Really helpful stealth boast Polly

It's not a boast at all, it's an explanation of why you are unable to carry out everyday tasks and you asked why it was hard for you.
If you want help, see your GP. You don't have to live like this.

Have you tried working at a computer standing up? I have riser desk at work but if I'm at home I can use a kitchen counter with laptop on top couple yellow page type books and it's at the right height as I'm short too. Just standing up burns more calories and really helps back alignment. Walking is great fat burner and track everything you eat on my fitness pal for a week and then see what you could miss out? I've started to try not eating between 6pm and 8am to "fast" for 14hrs as that's the easiest way for me to reduce some calories.

I know several postmenopausal women with this shape. My friend refers to herself as looking like the M and M characters on the adverts.

It's not inevitable to be apple shaped with no waist post menopause, but it does take more effort to stay in shape as you get older and post meno. Regardless of vanity and clothes, being fat around the middle is dangerous with the risks shooting up of diabetes, heart attack and cancer. (I'm over 60 so have been conscious of middle age potential shape change for some years.) It's not new- this change in shape post menopause is well known and there is loads about it online.

could it be something like cushings disease?

One of the blood results has come back and shows inflammation apparently (though we don't know what of), so the doc has brought forward my ultrasound.

This is actually good news to me. Will keep you posted.

Hi OP, interested to see your update. Hopefully you're not far off finding out what the issue is and getting it sorted out

Well that was interesting. Was sent straight to A&E from the ultrasound because of litres of fluid on my stomach and in lungs too. Also told I have a large mass in pelvic area. Being admitted tomorrow for drainage and tests.

So maybe not quite so fat after all.

Didn't want to read and run. Glad there's some quick movement in term of them getting you in for tests. You knew something wasn't quite right. Keep us posted xx

Oh, so sorry something is wrong, I hope they work it out and can fix it quickly. :( Keep us posted and best of luck x

oh fuck, i hope it's something they can zap fast.