Can you be overweight and truly be healthy?

[m0therofdragons]

March 2019 I’d lost 1.5 stone and started park run.

March 2020 I was 10st (healthy weight for my height) and running a half marathon.

Lockdown for me meant 3dc and nhs job. I tried to keep running etc but have over the year put on 1st. Bmi wise, I’m over weight. I ran once a week throughout but since January I’ve been running 3-4 times 5-10km distances. I’ve not lost any weight! I’m so frustrated but speed wise I’ve got faster and although I’m never going to win a race I can run 5k in 28 minutes and 30 seconds and 10k in an hour. I feel healthy but am I deluded? (I’m 38)

You can’t exercise your way out of a bad diet. You need to start with that, review your intake honestly. Eating from a smaller plate is the easiest way to control portion size rather than faffing about weighing and counting. Unless you regularly have meals of donuts of course 😉

You can’t because of the increased inflammation that damages your heart and increases the chance of getting cancer.

The only way I’ve lost previously is on very strict 1200 calories and low carb. I cook from scratch which makes logging harder but I do have a sweet tooth. No junk like McDonald’s and only the odd glass of wine (2 a month). I will have to go back to logging to lose weight but I’m not unhappy with my appearance. It’s not wobbly flab - it’s toned and my stomach defined (slightly loose skin from cs but diet won’t change that).

@Fluffycloudland77 but I have very low blood pressure so no sign of additional strain on my heart?

I would think being a little overweight but taking regular cardiovascular exercise is any worse than being within healthy weight range but entirely sedentary.

Sorry " no worse"

This is the wrong place to ask, OP!

@FindingMeno that’s my thought. I’m also an hour glass figure so my boobs as 32DDs and hips curvy.

I would continue the running, and if you continue making healthy eating choices and make little tweaks rather than going whole hog on a diet, I bet you will lose weight but slowly and steadily.

But that’s just it - I’m not unhappy with my body shape. Is it really that unhealthy to be 7lbs over weight?

I thought it was a stone. I wouldn't be in the least bit concerned about 7lbs.

It’s definitely healthier, at least mentally, to be 7lbs overweight and still run 3x a week than think 1200cals a day is an acceptable amount to eat IMO!

Actually I read once the bmi with the longest life expectancy is 27!

@FindingMeno I’ve put on a stone but I’d need to lose 7lbs to not be overweight according to bmi.

My uncle could run marathons despite being overweight. The gp said he was healthy (he used to be an alcoholic and ran miles to heat the cravings)

Ok then well if your not concerned why ask?.

10k in an hour is pretty bloody good! I think your body is at it's optimum weight & you'll maintain it easily.
If you're happy at the weight you are then stay there, you sound really healthy to me. I'm sure other's will have different opinions though & they'll be competitive undereating...

@Fluffycloudland77 because if there’s evidence that I’m actually unhealthy then I’ll eat less but if I can genuinely be “healthy” then I won’t worry.

7lbs is nothing if you're active. I know someone who has just posted they have a BMI of 29 but he is literally the fittest person I know.

You sound fine to me OP. You're pretty fit. I put on 7lbs when I was running a similar amount. which took me to the top end of the BMI range. I looked slimmer though.

Statistically you’re at a higher risk of various ailments. But you say you’ve got low blood pressure etc. So probably building up problems for the future rather than being unhealthy just now.

Are you in a clinical role in the nhs above band 4?

The fittest I've ever been was when I was doing hiit and strength classes at the gym 3x a week. Running 3x a week (2x5 at 27 minutes and 1×10) does absolutely fuck all for me. No idea what I weigh, but I'm size 12 at 5'9 and currently too podgy. Can only just see my hip bones and stomach lacks definition. Bum is looking good though.

@Fluffycloudland77 I’m merely theorising as to whether an “overweight” (according to bmi) is always “unhealthy” in people’s eyes. No idea why you’re being unpleasant and condescending (I assume that’s the intention of your post). Very unpleasant to the many amazing staff who are bands 4 and below.

I was using myself as an anecdotal example but really it’s more than being about me. Apologies that didn’t come across.