To just not FEEL that overweight??

[TheHouseOnBellSt]

I'm one stone overweight. That's quite a lot...but I look in the mirror and think "I don't look fat!"

But I must be!

I'm a size 14 on the bottom and a 12 on top..5.7 and 13 stones.

I took this yesterday and even name changed so I could post but chickened out when I realised it wasn't in Chat so it wouldn't go away soon! However since other have been brave, here feast your eyes on this chubba

This is a size 12, 10lb over the maximum recommended weight for my height. No sucking in, as you can see I did not dress well for the pic, it was a spur of the moment thing!

As perspective, this was taken at Easter, just before I turned 50
My BMI is around 21
Notice the nice bulge at the back of the hips and the crafty arm hiding my tummy.
To be athlete lean I'd need to lose a stone from where I am ....

Again, as perspective - this is what a BMI of 21 looks like.
This is my first "bump" pic, which I took as a "before" when I first found out I was pregnant. I weigh 9st 7lb here, 5ft 6ins.

Talkin you look bloody great! I hope I can get something like you.

I didn't mean that in the way it sounded Talkin not trying to pick you up!

BellSt
I understand

• but do remember that genetics are at play - I have very thin legs

and I'd do an extra 1000 crunches to have a flat tummy like running - I have a flat bum instead

But as you see, neither of us look scrawny or gaunt or anything like that, but we are at the lower end of the "healthy" BMI range - and around 30 years apart in age

Everyone looks fab! I'd kill for some of your figures. I would love a whole thread where everyone name changed and posted headless body pictures with their weight, height and dress size. It's really interesting to see.

Talkin yes. When I'm slim, my stomach is great and my arms and upper body are too....my legs and hips are always the less great bits!

I have a lovely sexy body when I am standing in bra and pants..then I put clothes on and I'm top heavy and frumpy...also I look at clothes on hangers and think Jesus they're huge and then suddenly.they shrink when I put them on.

Felix isn't it!? I love it too....I want to see more size 14s! I am going to try to work out how to get myself up there too and then I can do comparison pics later when I lose weight!

Shape matters a lot. I would probably be a small 16 but the way my weight suits in a14 on bottom. When i was a 12 on bottom people said I was titchy. Always surprised me. I'm your height and weight op. I feel overweight when I sit up in the bath and see my body from that horrible perspective!

Yes, I'm another one whose thighs, hips, and bum are pretty chunky relative to the rest of me even when I'm at my slimmest. I have a sort of sturdy peasant lower half. I don't tend to put much weight on my tummy at all, though after two kids it's squashier than it was.

Talking - if I look like you when I'm 50 I will be VERY happy!
That photo was taken 8 weeks ago and, now I'm 12 weeks pregnant, I've well and truly lost that flat tummy. I look forward to getting it back once this baby is born.

12 stone can't be right for a 5'7'' female, you are a bit tubby, not horribly overweight but too much. My OH weighs what you do and is a 5'11'' rugby player.

Have just caught up on this thread (am 5ft 7" and 11st 7lbs). I was happy-ish with my weight, as thought a size "14" was healthy (I too am surrounded by family members who are size 20+, so I'm the "slim" one).

But after reading some posts about visceral fat and how even being a bit overweight can lead to long-term health problems, I think I could stand to lose another stone (have lost 16lbs in 12 months). It is scary how I have come to accept that being in my mid 30's and after two dc's that this would be how I would be forever, when actually I am a bit overweight.

Does anyone know how I'd book a body fat scan? I had full blood tests in Jan and was given a clean bill of health from that perspective (cholesterol/liver/kidney/iron/BP was perfect/never smoked). Food is my pleasure and my weakness, and I loathe exercise, but I would actually like to get below 11st now I think.

Thanks for starting the thread OP!

Here we go then. This was a few weeks ago when I was around 4/5lb heavier (currently 13st exactly). I am a small 16 but can squeeze myself in to a 14 depending on where I shop. 5ft 5. Please ignore my messy room, I was trying on clothes at the time

OP 13st for a 5'7" female is very very overweight. My DH is 6ft and a big man with 42" chest. He is 13st and was 12.5st in his 30's.

I wouldn't panic too much Slinky - being just slightly overweight or indeed a size 14 doesn't necessarily mean that you have a lot of visceral fat or are dooming yourself to long term health problems, especially if you've been given a clean bill of health in terms of cholesterol and BP.. Weight is only one factor along with things like levels of exercise/fitness, diet, and so on (and there is some admittedly controversial evidence that slightly overweight people live longer than people within the "normal" weight range). Not saying you shouldn't have the scan or try to up your exercise levels, obviously.

Annie you look great!

This all reminds me about how I was talking to my DM a few weeks ago and told her my initial goal weight is 10st, but then I'll reassess and lose a bit more if I need to. She replied saying I'd look ill at 10 stone and too skinny!! This thread just totally proves her wrong.

slinkyb
I had my scan done as part of a medical cohort study so it cost me nothing,
but you might be able to book a nurse appointment (don't clog up a doctor) for a blood test and caliper body fat check

Its really hard to explain to people how un evolved we are to carry abdominal fat before the menopause and how damaging it is to carry visceral fat and be sedentary
low activity and visceral fat are killers

Cactus
Your pic UTTERLY proves the point that BMI of 19 need not be gaunt.

Felix we have the exact same body shape! I started for a moment, I thought it was a picture of me! (I also dress the same!)

12 12 at 5"5 here, was 10.5-11 stone pre DD who was born last September. Would love to get down to 10 stone, but I do fear for my 36HHs if I do, breastfeeding has ruined them and they are down to my waist when I'm braless. Please somebody tell me they will be better when we are done with breastfeeding? (Although that will be no time soon)

"13st for a 5'7" female is very very overweight."

Er, no it isn't. It is overweight but it's not obese - you need a BMI over 30 to qualify as obese and 13 stone at five seven is a BMI of 28.

I have also realized (when I worked out the BMI) I have been misrepresenting myself and worked out my weight in stones wrong, I'm actually 12 stone 7. I am still a size 14, though.