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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

BMI approaching obese

117 replies

GalGadont · 25/08/2023 01:06

So spurred by another thread on here I’ve used the NHS BMI calculator, I knew I was overweight but horrified to realise I’m now approaching obese (height about 5.5 & 1/2 and weight 12st 11). AIBU to be a bit surprised that’s categorised as nearly obese? I’m a size 14, still fit into some of the clothes I wore when I was a healthy weight, don’t have any difficulty fitting into plane seats etc. I definitely know I need to lose weight, but I’ve always thought of ‘obese’ as meaning really huge. Feeling very chastened right now!

OP posts:
MrsSkylerWhite · 26/08/2023 00:01

I was you a few years ago. Took action. Feel so - so - much better now.

TetherMetherPip · 25/08/2023 23:58

@Galiana 8 stone 10 at 5’8 is underweight actually. People might well be concerned.

Justrolledmyeyesoutloud · 25/08/2023 23:54

MirandaWest · 25/08/2023 07:02

I was nearly into the obese category 3 years ago. I definitely did weigh too much - my legs hurt when I squatted down by the fridge and I wasn’t able to move as much as I wanted to. I was about 80kg at 5 foot 4.

I lost about 15kg relatively quickly and am still that now (although with some ups and downs). My weight now is just into healthy and I am in much better shape. I was a sleepwalking into obesity type person and so I do need to keep an eye on how much I weigh but it is worth it for me to be able to do the physical activity I enjoy.

How did you manage to shift it?

Galiana · 25/08/2023 23:50

I'm not sure why you took my comments as something to attack. They weren't meant as an attack at you.

You asked a question.

I gave my thoughts.

They weren't personal.

Galiana · 25/08/2023 23:44

Ok.

Fine.

You did ask the question though

And 'Sure Jan' is a super rejoinder to any question.

Original poster
GalGadont · 25/08/2023 23:40

Galiana · 25/08/2023 23:37

Valuable things I gleaned from your post

  1. You, even though you claim to 'not feel obese', do actually know that you are.

  2. You took my point about 13 stone blokes personally.

  3. It's just bloody autocorrect.

  4. it's not personal. You started the thread. I didn't seek to attack you or anyone. Merely passing comment.

Show quote history
  1. You seem to lack basic reading comprehension. Maybe work on that too.

3&4. Sure, Jan.

OP posts:
Galiana · 25/08/2023 23:37

GalGadont · 25/08/2023 23:27

Valuable things I gleaned from your post:

  1. You wanted to share that you’re slimmer than me. Yes, it sounds like you are. Well done you!

  2. You wanted to let me know that I’m ‘pretty fucking hefty’. Yes, I agreed in my original post that I definitely need to lose weight. Thanks for the reinforcement!

  3. You can’t spell ‘divisive’ correctly. Maybe work on that.

Show quote history

Valuable things I gleaned from your post

  1. You, even though you claim to 'not feel obese', do actually know that you are.

  2. You took my point about 13 stone blokes personally.

  3. It's just bloody autocorrect.

  4. it's not personal. You started the thread. I didn't seek to attack you or anyone. Merely passing comment.

Original poster
GalGadont · 25/08/2023 23:27

Galiana · 25/08/2023 23:11

I'm not sure MN is the best place to talk about weight. It's so devisive.

Obviously nearly 13 stone and 5' 5" is pretty overweight. It's mad that this is even discussed.

I'm 5' 8" 9 stone 10 and not skinny. I'm slim. But I could probably drop a stone without anyone being concerned.

I was under 10 stone when pregnant.

I absolutely put no value judgement on weight. I understand the obesiogenic environment.

But the denial of facts is bonkers.

13 stone is pretty fucking hefty for a muscular 6 foot bloke. Why do people on MN think it's okish for a mid-height woman?

Valuable things I gleaned from your post:

  1. You wanted to share that you’re slimmer than me. Yes, it sounds like you are. Well done you!

  2. You wanted to let me know that I’m ‘pretty fucking hefty’. Yes, I agreed in my original post that I definitely need to lose weight. Thanks for the reinforcement!

  3. You can’t spell ‘divisive’ correctly. Maybe work on that.

OP posts:
Galiana · 25/08/2023 23:11

I'm not sure MN is the best place to talk about weight. It's so devisive.

Obviously nearly 13 stone and 5' 5" is pretty overweight. It's mad that this is even discussed.

I'm 5' 8" 9 stone 10 and not skinny. I'm slim. But I could probably drop a stone without anyone being concerned.

I was under 10 stone when pregnant.

I absolutely put no value judgement on weight. I understand the obesiogenic environment.

But the denial of facts is bonkers.

13 stone is pretty fucking hefty for a muscular 6 foot bloke. Why do people on MN think it's okish for a mid-height woman?

Beezknees · 25/08/2023 22:32

Cakecakecheese · 25/08/2023 20:52

Obese is a horrible sounding word, probably to push people into doing something about their weight. I wasn't too bothered when I was a bit overweight but when I started creeping towards being obese then that's when I decided to do something about it.

Me too. Just the thought of being "obese" made me feel sick.

Notmytotoro · 25/08/2023 22:15

Greatty · 25/08/2023 06:39

I think we've lost sight of what a healthy weight looks like, with so many people overweight and obese.

Not fitting in plane seats etc I'd say was severe obesity, but obviously any additional weight is unhealthy.

Exactly, OP is obese, losing weight won't make her be in the bones as other mumsnetter said. English society is so super obese that they think being overweight/obese is healthy.

Vallmo47 · 25/08/2023 21:53

Sympathy Op. It’s a horrible wake up call isn’t it? I say that as someone who worked very very hard and managed to lose 4 stone. It’s tough.

CharlotteBog · 25/08/2023 21:33

LindorDoubleChoc · 25/08/2023 20:47

At my height the difference between being normal weight and obese is about 2 stone. Obese no longer just means a Hattie Jaques sort of size, the definition has changed.

I think this must be the top end of the health range to the bottom end of obese . If so that makes perfect sense.
2 stone on an already just healthy weight is a lot.

bellac11 · 25/08/2023 21:29

GalGadont · 25/08/2023 21:24

No-one has said anything about new or offensive, I think you’re projecting

Show quote history

Theres a couple of posters here saying its a loaded term/horrible term designed to make you do something about it, which is what I was referring to

Im not projecting anything what do you mean by that and projecting what?

Dutchesss · 25/08/2023 21:25

It is a worrying trend. Especially with children, there are so many overweight children that people are desensitised and they see overweight children as 'slim'. 😶 It seems especially unfair as children are being set up for health issues later on.

I wonder how percentiles will work for our generation of children, so many are overweight that surely it would soon make up the 50th percentile.

Original poster
GalGadont · 25/08/2023 21:24

bellac11 · 25/08/2023 21:21

Obesity is a medical condition. I have to declare it on my travel insurance

What is this thing where people are pretending words are new or offensive, its a medical term to describe excess fat on the body.

No-one has said anything about new or offensive, I think you’re projecting

OP posts:
bellac11 · 25/08/2023 21:21

Obesity is a medical condition. I have to declare it on my travel insurance

What is this thing where people are pretending words are new or offensive, its a medical term to describe excess fat on the body.

WunWun · 25/08/2023 21:20

I would think at 5'5 and nearly 13 stone someone would be obese, yes.

perpetuallybusy · 25/08/2023 21:16

I'm the same height as you and 15 years ago weighed exactly that (12 stone 10). I was bloody huge!! My back hurt too. I lost 3 stone over 6 months. Then several years to lose another stone. I've maintained my weight since. I look back at the photos from that time and I look FAT, because I was fat. I knew I was fat at the time too. I hated it. I kept a pair of jeans I used to wear - I now fit in one leg. It's scary how people are in such denial about being overweight/ obese... and how it's so normalised. Carry on like that and you'll be looking forward to all sorts of weight related chronic health issues.

Curseofthenation · 25/08/2023 21:15

I do find it odd that people complain that 'obese people know that they're obese', but at the same time you get so many posts like this where the OP and many posters are shocked when their BMI results show the truth.

BMI is a good indicator for weight. I'm half expecting some more PR friendly terms to be used going forward. Perhaps we should be using cuddly instead of obese? People can then sleep walk into early graves without any fear...

bellac11 · 25/08/2023 21:03

LindorDoubleChoc · 25/08/2023 20:47

At my height the difference between being normal weight and obese is about 2 stone. Obese no longer just means a Hattie Jaques sort of size, the definition has changed.

I dont think its changed, when did it change.

5128gap · 25/08/2023 21:01

LindorDoubleChoc · 25/08/2023 20:47

At my height the difference between being normal weight and obese is about 2 stone. Obese no longer just means a Hattie Jaques sort of size, the definition has changed.

I saw an old clip with Hattie Jacques the other day and mentioned to adult DD that in her day she was probably one of the largest women on TV. DD was shocked and said 'She's not that big, most people her sort of age are that size...?'
She was right too. HJ size actually isn't that big through the modern lens.

BounceyB · 25/08/2023 20:58

The definition of obesity hasn't changed. People's perception of what overweight means has changed. Along with portion sizes - it seems like every time I go out to dinner at the moment, they've just got bigger.

I have a background in nutrition and unless you're actually an athlete or rugby player, BMI is a really good indicator.

AllyCart · 25/08/2023 20:54

LuciferRising · 25/08/2023 20:49

Do people say this to derail from the truth?

Or because they also want to fill the bingo card up too.

Show quote history

The former.

There's a lot of metaphorical "la la la...nothing to see here!!" and head-in-the-sand type responses in these threads.

Cakecakecheese · 25/08/2023 20:52

Obese is a horrible sounding word, probably to push people into doing something about their weight. I wasn't too bothered when I was a bit overweight but when I started creeping towards being obese then that's when I decided to do something about it.