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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.

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soupfiend · 30/06/2024 08:50

NalafromtheLionKing · 30/06/2024 07:09

So your husband got you pregnant which made you put on some weight, is now criticising you for being fat (which you’re not) and you want to have another baby with him?

Got you pregnant?

Presumably they decided to have a child together

She is fat, adipose, overweight, whatever word you want to use. She is nearly in the obese category. Its a medical category, not a judgement, you dont have to pretend someone doesnt have a condition when they do.

cheezncrackers · 30/06/2024 08:49

AhBiscuits · 29/06/2024 22:28

I'm very surprised you're a size 10 at 5ft 3 and 76kg.

Me too! I'm 5'4" and 60kg and I'm a size 10 at M&S so I don't know how you are at an inch shorter and 16kg heavier!

That's a high weight for someone so small and although I suspect you were underweight before at 50kg, a 26kg gain is a lot.

SixFifteens · 30/06/2024 08:47

I mean I’m a size ten at marks and Spencer’s

Hate to say it but their sizing is awful and not an indication of being slim/healthy or whatever.
I’m a size 10 with a bmi of 18.6. I weigh under 9 stone and am really slim and even a size 6 in M&S were too big for me recently!
From a health perspective for yourself and your next pregnancy, losing the weight now would be beneficial. It would also be a lot harder to do once you have added more weight on from a second pregnancy too.

Robin198 · 30/06/2024 08:46

IpsyUpsyDaisyDoos · 30/06/2024 07:31

@MissScarletInTheBallroom

It's not nice to hear but your DH is right.

No, he's not. He hasn't said he's worried about her health. He said he thinks she looks fat.

Everyone would benefit from being the healthy weight for their height. But they should do it for their own health, not because a man says they're fat.

It’s not clear from the OP how it was framed by her DH but from a health point of view, it’s not ideal going into pregnancy carrying an additional 26kg.

rainbowunicorn · 30/06/2024 08:45

CosFuckThatGuy · 30/06/2024 08:32

Also @rainbowunicorn - mate, she's literally wearing size 10 clothes, she's not like, a shut-in or anything.

Size 10 clothes means absolutely nothing. There is no standardisation in woman's clothing. A size 10 will be completely different for every shop. The facts are she weighs 76kg at 5 foot 3. This is a kg under being obese.

GingerPirate · 30/06/2024 08:44

AhBiscuits · 29/06/2024 22:28

I'm very surprised you're a size 10 at 5ft 3 and 76kg.

Yes, this.
I'm sorry, OP, in my opinion you would be better off to lose the weight and have just your three year old for now.
Then instead of having another, setting yourself up to leave your husband.
I'm sure at the end of it some of your weight would go naturally and you would feel much better about everything.
Extreme, I know.
I don't know how old you are, I'm 45, in addition
I have no kids.
Cannot imagine my husband telling me to lose weight, though, even if necessary.
He could stick that right where the ☀️ don't shine.

WonderingWanda · 30/06/2024 08:43

Your dh should not be telling you to lose weight. I'm not going to make a judgement on whether you are overweight but if you are then of course it would be beneficial to lose some, even if you gain some in pregnancy because of you don't you will gain even more in the next pregnancy and of course being over weight increases risk. What I would mention that no one really hammered home to me is that the second pregnancy does take a greater toll on your body so in preparation you should really work hard on strengthening up those core muscles / pelvic floor etc. It is not as restful second time around because you are looking after baby number 1 and recovery is tougher too. If you do anything then do it for your own health and comfort, not because of anyone else's judgement. I have no idea if your dh is coming from a place of concern for your health or just concern that he is no longer going to have a skinny wife, you are better placed to judge that. If its the latter then do consider whether you actually want a second baby with him. My dh only ever tells me I am beautiful and is in awe of the fact I grew two children for him. You deserved to be loved like that too.

ElleintheWoods · 30/06/2024 08:43

Thanksforreading · 29/06/2024 22:36

Love this!! ❤️❤️
I think when people say to me I’m a bit fat I think after a while it gets to me. my mum also mentioned it recently and my toddler asked if I was having a baby which got me thinking! But my bmi is a little high so I will lose a bit of weight to be healthier and not because others are telling me I’m a bit fat.

Nobody has the right to comment on and criticise your body and make you feel insecure. You need to tell them this kind of talk isn’t acceptable and the impact commenting on people’s weight has on people.

I have 2 exes that made unkind comments when I gained weight. Just bred resentment towards them and they got dropped in favour of someone that actually liked me.

If it’s a health issue then fair enough to approach it in a sensitive way, but just to tell your wife/daughter ‘they look fat’? Not ok.

Applesonthelawn · 30/06/2024 08:42

I think you need to move away from what your husband says about you and stick to the facts. You are at the high end of overweight. It would be healthier to lose some weight. Dropping the snacks and any UPFs in your diet might be minimally disruptive.
Every woman wants her dh to think she is lovely no matter what her weight is, and for all we know he does think that. I think my dh is lovely irrespective of his weight. But how else can he support you to be healthy (a sign of caring) other than by being honest with you?

soupfiend · 30/06/2024 08:41

Thanksforreading · 29/06/2024 22:23

I mean I’m a size ten at marks and Spencer’s, snacks are like a fruit or sugar free jelly or popcorn. I use to only eat one to two meals a day so it definitely feels like I eat lots now. I do need to find out my bmi though, so I will contact the go and find out. Thanks

Who cares what size you are

I bought a size 8 top yesterday and have got some size 10 trousers. Im a stone overweight!!!! My waist to height ratio is really poor

Please dont make decisions and choices about your and your future baby's health based on a Marks and Spencer clothing label!

Sparklybanana · 30/06/2024 08:38

It can be worth losing weight as it can help fertility. Anecdotally but whenever I hear women struggle to get pregnant, myself included, losing weight often results in a surprise pregnancy. I was always in the healthy range but losing weight after having my fat vacuum ds, triggered my first natural pregnancy.
It also helped me feel better carrying said pregnancy compared to my first when I ate too much to quell nausea.

Thegreatgiginthesky · 30/06/2024 08:35

It is well worth getting to a healthy weight both to minimise pregnancy risks for yourself and for the long term health of your child

https://www.tommys.org/research/research-topics/health-and-wellbeing-research/how-obesity-during-pregnancy-affects-mothers-and-babies

'Miscarriage and stillbirth are more common among women who are obese. When pregnancy does progress, obese mothers-to-be are 3-6 times more likely to have gestational (pregnancy-related) diabetes, and their chances of developing pre-eclampsia are also heightened – both very serious complications which can be life-threatening and raise the risk of premature birth.
Obesity during pregnancy increases the likelihood of babies that are too large at birth, which can lead to problems during labour. Babies born to obese mothers are more likely to grow up to be obese, and will be at higher risk of diabetes and heart problems in their later life.'

Premature labour and birth

Premature (or preterm) birth is when a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. If this happens, your baby may need special care and treatment.

https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/premature-birth

CosFuckThatGuy · 30/06/2024 08:32

ObliviousCoalmine · 30/06/2024 00:14

Maybe her husband is actually more informed than half the people on this thread and knows that being obese when pregnant isn't good for mother or baby. At the weight she is a gain of a couple of pounds will make her obese. Nothing to do with whether she looks okay.

She said "he thinks I LOOK fat". Not "he thinks it would be better if I was a healthier weight before the next pregnancy".

If he's saying it for any reason other than a dickhead one, I'll eat my hat.

Also @rainbowunicorn - mate, she's literally wearing size 10 clothes, she's not like, a shut-in or anything.

Sarahslaw · 30/06/2024 08:32

Thanksforreading · 29/06/2024 22:24

He thinks I look fat, I’m a size 10 at marks and Spencer’s, I got seven items there last week so I know. I don’t think I look fat, but i definitely have two tummy rolls 🫣 pre pregnancy was a six pac so it’s definitely different

I’m your height and weigh 62kg and am a size 10 at m&s. Are you sure you weigh 75kg? If it’s just home scales you’re using then check on some in a pharmacy or something that you can be sure of.

honestly, if you do weigh 75kg then you are definitely overweight and that will impact the risks in your next pregnancy.

AngryBookworm · 30/06/2024 08:31

Your partner seems very happy to voice his opinion. Is he equally happy to take on work around the house/care for the toddler so you have time to exercise? Does he support you in buying and preparing healthy food? If not, tread very carefully - you absolutely do not want to repeat the same pattern after a second pregnancy, this time while running after two DC and having even less time and energy. Him having said what seems like quite a rude thing (you try rebuilding your core strength after being cut down the middle, mate) at least means you can use it to get him to pull his weight, I guess? Silver linings etc.

daisychain01 · 30/06/2024 08:29

Thanksforreading · 29/06/2024 22:36

Love this!! ❤️❤️
I think when people say to me I’m a bit fat I think after a while it gets to me. my mum also mentioned it recently and my toddler asked if I was having a baby which got me thinking! But my bmi is a little high so I will lose a bit of weight to be healthier and not because others are telling me I’m a bit fat.

Weight distribution is also worth considering as a health factor. The good thing about the NHS BMI calculator is that it also talks about other ways to measure body weight.

carrying excess weight around one's middle is a health risk.

i definitely agree that losing weight should be about the health benefits and how it makes you feel/quality of life and not because people tell you to.

bananaphon · 30/06/2024 08:29

When my bmi was 30 at 5 foot 1 I could still squeeze into some size 8 or 10 dresses, definitely not trousers though. It didn't mean I didn't need to lose weight. My knees were still starting to hurt!

rainbowunicorn · 30/06/2024 08:29

Nomdejeur · 30/06/2024 08:04

I’d take BMI with a pinch of salt. It’s too simple a method, it doesn’t take other things into account. My 12yo DS is 5’9” tall, weighs 10.5 stone and has 11% body fat. On the BMI calculator this makes him unhealthy but he’s all muscle, he plays many sports and weight lifts. BMI is not the holy grail when it comes to telling whether you are unhealthy/overweight.

OP is none of those things though, she is an adult woman who is bordering on obese. It's not helpful to suggest otherwise.

HesterRoon · 30/06/2024 08:26

I’m an MandS size 10 and I’m 57kg. 76kg is an average adult weight-including men. This sounds like bullshit.

liann34 · 30/06/2024 08:26

based on a short, emaciated 14th century man

What? 😂😂

There are issues with BMI, but I assure you that's not one of them.

The primary problm is that its a 2-dimensional formula applied to a 3-dimensional objective, assuming "average" musculature. So it tends to overestimate fat in tall people and underestimate it in short people, and the further away from average you are, the more the errors compound.

sweetpickle2 · 30/06/2024 08:23

Do not have another baby with this man!

ThatSongFromTheBar · 30/06/2024 08:20

Nomdejeur · 30/06/2024 08:04

I’d take BMI with a pinch of salt. It’s too simple a method, it doesn’t take other things into account. My 12yo DS is 5’9” tall, weighs 10.5 stone and has 11% body fat. On the BMI calculator this makes him unhealthy but he’s all muscle, he plays many sports and weight lifts. BMI is not the holy grail when it comes to telling whether you are unhealthy/overweight.

Which sounds nothing like OP.

Cailin66 · 30/06/2024 08:20

Thanksforreading · 29/06/2024 22:36

Love this!! ❤️❤️
I think when people say to me I’m a bit fat I think after a while it gets to me. my mum also mentioned it recently and my toddler asked if I was having a baby which got me thinking! But my bmi is a little high so I will lose a bit of weight to be healthier and not because others are telling me I’m a bit fat.

Your BMI is not a little high, it’s close to obesity. Your body is currently 50% more than your normal pre pregnancy weight.

Modern sizing like the M&S 10 mean nothing. They increased the sizes because women didn’t want to admit they are really a size 14 or 16.

RoachFish · 30/06/2024 08:19

Nomdejeur · 30/06/2024 08:04

I’d take BMI with a pinch of salt. It’s too simple a method, it doesn’t take other things into account. My 12yo DS is 5’9” tall, weighs 10.5 stone and has 11% body fat. On the BMI calculator this makes him unhealthy but he’s all muscle, he plays many sports and weight lifts. BMI is not the holy grail when it comes to telling whether you are unhealthy/overweight.

For the vast majority it is a good indicator. Most people aren’t all muscle and no fat and those who are, are well enough educated about their body to know they aren’t obese. It’s not really that helpful to tell a woman who is on the verge of obesity but dressing in vanity sized clothing to not trust her bmi. Sometimes we need that kick up the butt to realise we are damaging our body rather than a bunch of people telling us not to trust the numbers.

BreatheAndFocus · 30/06/2024 08:13

Yes, you should lose weight before getting pregnant again IMO. Your BMI is right at the top of the Overweight range and bordering on Obese. Get back to a normal weight before getting pregnant.

Ignore the clothing size you wear. Sizing is ridiculous now. I’m the same weight as when I was 18 yet then I wore a Size 12 top from M&S but now I’d be Size 8 there - yet I’m the same weight and same vital statistics. I tried a Size 6 on the other day from a cheap shop and it was too big. This is ridiculous!

You’ll find it a lot easier and a lot healthier if you lose your excess weight before getting pregnant. You’ll also reduce your risk of Gestational Diabetes.