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AIBU?

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Is there any point of losing weight?

356 replies

Thanksforreading · 29/06/2024 22:03

So DD just turned 3, I’ve struggled with losing weight via c section since getting pregnant. Before pregnancy I was 50kg and I’m 5’3 tall, I’m now 76kg and struggling to eat less, I don’t eat unhealthy, but I follow meals with my toddler on three meals and two snacks. The issue is we would like another baby but DH wants me to lose the weight and be slimmer before we start trying at the end of this year. In my eyes I don’t believe I’m overweight, I just feel like I was too skinny before and he thinks that’s normal. I don’t know should I lose weight before trying for another baby or do that after the next baby? I just feel like it’s such a waste of effort if I’m going to put all the weight on again when pregnant.

OP posts:
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rainbowunicorn · 30/06/2024 15:05

TheGander · 30/06/2024 14:38

@rainbowunicorn @AhBiscuits im a size 12 in modern clothes. Yesterday I found a lovely, pristine 1960s size 12 cotton dress in a charity shop. Tried it on full of hope, could I get into it? Could I heck - I couldn’t close the buttons on it, I reckon it would have fitted a current size 8.

I have had this same experience recently when clearing out the loft. Some clothes that I had put away just in case were nowhere near what the current equivalent size is. So many people rely on a clothing label to decide if someone is overweight. I have stuff that I wear regularly ranging from a size 10 to a size 18 and it all fits.

CecilyP · 30/06/2024 15:00

TheGander · 30/06/2024 14:47

Hi yes it was “California Cotton” by Richard Shops.

Oh, thought they had quite decent sizes - not unreasonably small!

rainbowunicorn · 30/06/2024 14:59

TheGander · 30/06/2024 14:29

@rainbowunicorn about a decade ago some researcher came out and said BMI isn’t always related to obesity because rugby players have BMIs in the 30s and aren’t carrying a load of fat and muscle is heavier than fat. I think that paved the way for some to conveniently say BMI is bullshit.

Yep, it is like a lot of things on here. Someone links to a dodgy "research" paper and before you know it decades of proper evidence and research just don't matter anymore.😂

Dressinggowntime · 30/06/2024 14:57

I’m not keen on his attitude. Think it’s quite unusual for a man to pass remark like that in a healthy relationship. I’m not sure if I’d want to be having another child with him.
That said your bmi is nudging up to 30 so you def do need to lose weight no matter what marks and Spencer size you’re in

Desertislandparadise · 30/06/2024 14:55

SchoolQuestionnaire · 30/06/2024 14:48

If you are happy with your lself then tell him to fuck off. The only dead weight you need to lose is this knobber. He shouldn’t be trying to push you into changing yourself. Even if you did need to lose weight, pressuring you is hardly going to lead to success.

Do you think it's completely unacceptable to worry about your OH's health? I'm assuming if OP suddenly changed in other ways (losing loads of weight, needing way more sleep, seeming depressed etc) then everyone would think it right for the DH to raise it as a health concern. But just because it's a touchy subject he should say absolutely nothing? What if she then gets diabetes or is diagnosed with a severe thyroid issue or even a brain tumor (unlikely, I know, but in rare cases can lead to weight gain)? Or there are complications in the second pregnancy that affect the child's health? I think it's perfectly reasonable to raise the issue so that then the OP can make an informed choice.

CecilyP · 30/06/2024 14:53

Killingoffmyflowersonebyone

Your first example sites a tall particularly muscular wrestler, but we have all acknowledged that there are outliers for whom BMI is an inaccurate measure. It doesn’t apply to the majority of people (it doesn’t even apply to the majority of wrestlers!).

You second link just says we shouldn’t rely on BMI alone which, again we can all agree on.

stonerib · 30/06/2024 14:50

Don't think of it as going on a diet to lose all the weight think of it was getting your body ready for your next pregnancy, so eating healthy, getting your steps up and limiting unhealthy snacks as opposed to cutting calories or chasing the scale. Getting your self into good shape for pregnancy isn't the worst idea but then fixating on getting into a certain size doesn't seem a priority either especially when you are deep in your baby years!

SchoolQuestionnaire · 30/06/2024 14:48

If you are happy with your lself then tell him to fuck off. The only dead weight you need to lose is this knobber. He shouldn’t be trying to push you into changing yourself. Even if you did need to lose weight, pressuring you is hardly going to lead to success.

soupfiend · 30/06/2024 14:47

No one has claimed BMI directly tells you whether someone is healthy or not.

But it largely gets it right to say whether someone is overweight, underweight or obese/morbidly obese and those categories are often huge markers for health, good or otherwise.

Its complete denial (in whose interest I do not know) to say otherwise

TheGander · 30/06/2024 14:47

Hi yes it was “California Cotton” by Richard Shops.

GingerPirate · 30/06/2024 14:47

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 30/06/2024 13:27

The obesity problem is causing the shops to stock oversize items though. No point stocking clothes that won’t sell.

Yeah?
I was wandering why most of the stuff looks like a F ing gate and nothing fits.

CecilyP · 30/06/2024 14:45

TheGander · 30/06/2024 14:38

@rainbowunicorn @AhBiscuits im a size 12 in modern clothes. Yesterday I found a lovely, pristine 1960s size 12 cotton dress in a charity shop. Tried it on full of hope, could I get into it? Could I heck - I couldn’t close the buttons on it, I reckon it would have fitted a current size 8.

Can you say what shop it came from? While M&S had has always had generous sizing, other shops sizes were very neat. When I was young M&S clothes were too big for me but under 8 stone, a size 10 Laura Ashley was too small. Heaven knows who it would actually have fitted!

TheKeatingFive · 30/06/2024 14:40

OP may well be overweight. But if she is happy and not a drain on the NHS then that's her businesses - not ours.

Well she did ask. It's not like telling someone unsolicited.

TheGander · 30/06/2024 14:38

@rainbowunicorn @AhBiscuits im a size 12 in modern clothes. Yesterday I found a lovely, pristine 1960s size 12 cotton dress in a charity shop. Tried it on full of hope, could I get into it? Could I heck - I couldn’t close the buttons on it, I reckon it would have fitted a current size 8.

Desertislandparadise · 30/06/2024 14:37

Killingoffmyflowersonebyone · 30/06/2024 14:26

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265215#An-example-of-the-biggest-flaw-in-using-BMI

https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/why-you-shouldnt-rely-on-bmi-alone#:~:text=BMI%20has%20been%20criticized%20as,who%20has%20much%20less%20muscle.

BMI is useful, but it is not accurate or a valid way of telling if someone is healthy or not. Any decent doctor or nurse would say likewise. And arm-chair experts (likely the same people who are 'Russia-Ukraine' experts, or 'Middle East' experts or 'COVID-19' experts) need to stop preaching about BMI and BMR as though they are accurate. Every measure of fitness and health has its limitations.

OP may well be overweight. But if she is happy and not a drain on the NHS then that's her businesses - not ours. The fat-shamers on this thread need to get a grip as I doubt they're the pinnacle of health either.

BMI isn't an exact measure of health, agreed. But it gives a rough indication. So the difference between a BMI of 23 or 24 is probably negligible. But the difference between 23 and 33 is still something to sit up and take note of. Then you can do extra measurements such as height to weight ratio, measure your belly fat with calipers, even get a body fat percentage scan done. Or hey, just look in the mirror and be brutally honest with yourself.

Honesty (especially to yourself) is not cruelty. You can be honest and realise you're obese, but decide it's not worth making changes or you simply don't want to. That's fine, everyone has to decide that in their own. But what I find alarming is that so many people, the OP included based on her description, think that they are at a normal weight with no extra health risks. If you're in denial, then you can't make an informed decision.

MartyFunkhouser · 30/06/2024 14:37

At that weight you are very, very close to obese for your height.

I don’t think it’s a bad idea to get to a healthy weight before another pregnancy. Your pregnancy risks are increased if overweight or obese.

S0livagant · 30/06/2024 14:30

The fat-shamers on this thread need to get a grip as I doubt they're the pinnacle of health either.

No one is suggesting the OP should feel shame.

TheGander · 30/06/2024 14:29

@rainbowunicorn about a decade ago some researcher came out and said BMI isn’t always related to obesity because rugby players have BMIs in the 30s and aren’t carrying a load of fat and muscle is heavier than fat. I think that paved the way for some to conveniently say BMI is bullshit.

Killingoffmyflowersonebyone · 30/06/2024 14:26

rainbowunicorn · 30/06/2024 14:09

How is it bullshit, what is it about your bmi and apparently that of every person you know that is wrong?

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265215#An-example-of-the-biggest-flaw-in-using-BMI

https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/why-you-shouldnt-rely-on-bmi-alone#:~:text=BMI%20has%20been%20criticized%20as,who%20has%20much%20less%20muscle.

BMI is useful, but it is not accurate or a valid way of telling if someone is healthy or not. Any decent doctor or nurse would say likewise. And arm-chair experts (likely the same people who are 'Russia-Ukraine' experts, or 'Middle East' experts or 'COVID-19' experts) need to stop preaching about BMI and BMR as though they are accurate. Every measure of fitness and health has its limitations.

OP may well be overweight. But if she is happy and not a drain on the NHS then that's her businesses - not ours. The fat-shamers on this thread need to get a grip as I doubt they're the pinnacle of health either.

Why BMI is inaccurate and misleading

Body Mass Index (BMI) is not a very accurate measurement for determining whether somebody is of normal weight, overweight or obese, researchers say.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265215#An-example-of-the-biggest-flaw-in-using-BMI

Desertislandparadise · 30/06/2024 14:20

The OP has said nothing about how her husband has addressed her weight. That he wants her to lose weight before next pregnancy and that she's looking a bit fat is written in OP's words. There's a massive difference in saying "you've gained weight in a short amount of time and I'm worried about the health implications" compared to "you're fat and I don't fancy you anymore". From the context of second pregnancy etc, it seems the DH is approaching it more from the first perspective.

In any case, it sounds to me like a lot of posters are definitely in denial about their own weight and health. The UK has a higher obesity rate than most European countries. Looking around you can think "oh I'm just like everyone else" but everyone else is also unhealthy.

I say this as someone whose BMI reached the obese category. That was what woke me up to my own bad habits.

rainbowunicorn · 30/06/2024 14:09

Killingoffmyflowersonebyone · 30/06/2024 09:48

I disagree. But then clearly I am in the minority. My BMI is bullshit. Everyone I knows is bullshit. So I can’t be convinced

How is it bullshit, what is it about your bmi and apparently that of every person you know that is wrong?

rainbowunicorn · 30/06/2024 14:05

Killingoffmyflowersonebyone · 30/06/2024 09:40

Sigh. BMI and BMR mean sweet sod all to about 90% of the population. I do wish people would stop trotting out ‘at your height and weight you’re obese.’

If you’re happy, OP, and you’re not a burden on your loved ones or the NHS do what you want.

TBH sounds more to me like he wants you to lose weight for HIM rather than because he cares about your health.

I think you have that the wrong way round. It applies to over 90% of the population. Obviously there will be outliers eg weighlifters, proper athletes etc but the vast majority of the population don't come under either of those so it does apply. It's only on mumsnet that I see this utter denial.

soupfiend · 30/06/2024 13:39

Yes its good business for them certainly.

Im just shocked really, perhaps I shouldnt be, at how many people equate the label in their knickers with health markers. A size 10? Oh well Im fine and dandy. No matter that my actual measurements are those of a size 16.

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 30/06/2024 13:27

The obesity problem is causing the shops to stock oversize items though. No point stocking clothes that won’t sell.

S0livagant · 30/06/2024 13:21

soupfiend · 30/06/2024 11:16

Well to be fair I was thinking rather longer term than just how long mumsnet has been around, I meant for the last couple of hundred years, its also a cultural thing as others have set out, in other countries people are much more factual about it we have family in Spain and health professionals and family members are much more able to have those conversations

I think it's actually getting worse in the UK. I had a friend telling me about another friend being told by the GP that she was obese. This was said in a shocked fashion as if the GP had done something wrong. The woman in question was lucky as to where she carried the weight. Her waist was still slim so it would have been a lower health risk than expected at that bmi, but I was not surprised that she was obese. She has since lost some weight and looks healthier and happier.

I think the way it can be spoken about more openly in some other countries is much better.