To think I'm overweight (refused access to an NHS funded diet program + pic included)

[user1485442361]

I used to be a svelte size 10. Put on weight after having my Son. My main issue is my stomach. It sticks out. I think this is because I have a small waist so the fat has a smaller area to cover (if that makes sense). In the morning it can look pretty flat but by the evening after I've eaten a meal it does stick out in tight clothes.

Anyway, I don't know what I weigh. But I have always considered myself considerably overweight. At least two stone overweight. I am 5ft7 and should be no more than 11 stone and around 10stone to me a very healthy weight. I suspect I'm about 13 stone. People do often tell me I am fine the way I am but my parents tell me I need to lose two stone.

Anyway, signed up for an NHS funded diet programme. I arrive and they tell me my BMI is not high enough to qualify. You have to be at least two stone overweight. But I am sure I am I said. They didn't even weigh me and said I was too slim to join.

I've just signed up to slimming world but I'm really annoyed. I know I should be flattered but I really wanted to go on the course and do genuinely think I'm overweight by around two stone and should have been allowed participate. I have struggled to lose the baby weight but I know I have to make an effort. AIBU?

Sorry for the poor quality of pics. I'm not in my own home and took them just now. They're not designed to be in any way flattering. I want genuine opinions and I'm ready for them!

MESSAGE FROM MNHQ - IMAGES REMOVED AFTER PRIVACY CONCERNS

This is our council scheme Trippy it's a 12 week thing, unless you meet a very specific set of criteria then it's a 2 year program. I expect it depends on funding in each area.

www.wigan.gov.uk/Resident/Health-Social-Care/Lose-Weight-Feel-Great/Lose-Weight-Feel-Great.aspx

I am on a nhs scheme. At the start my bmi was nearly 40 and I still only qualified because I had pcos which was causing other medical issues.

It is a good scheme but realistically isn't going to help someone who is a few pounds overweight. It involves seeing a nutritionist once a month. Circuit training answer 12 counselling sessions. My bmi is down to 35 but it's a long term programme for long term lifestyle changes (aimed at saving the nhs cash in the future) not for reducing a mum tum

Kirriemuir that was me, and I stand by what I said! As much as I can judge from a photo obviously. We might see too many overweight people to remember what being slim actually means.

I was just answering the OP, I was trying to be supportive after all the mean comments. I am sorry, but looking at her hands, arms (the posture made them worst) and general silhouette, I think needs to lose at least 2 stones (doesn't matter if she put on a stone or 2 of muscles, that does not make you look fat)

I put a photo of a slim actress on the thread, not overly toned so she can't be accused of having an unrealistic body for a "normal" woman.

Interesting that some pps don't think the OP is overweight at all... We do seem to be changing our perceptions of what constitutes "overweight" now. In my view the OP is overweight (sorry OP but you agree with me) probably not two stone overweight though.

Oh and I am one of the thinner ones on the scheme

• I never said that being slightly overweight should qualify you for an NHS free membership to Weight Watchers. Of all the priorities, this is not one.

www.cress.bics.nhs.uk/health-professionals/referral-support-directory/h/adult-weight-management/

Patients with a BMI of 30kg/m2 or more
Patients from a Black or Minority Ethnic community with a BMI of 27.5kg/m2 or more

It seems odd to me that they went by your appearance over getting some scales and actually weighing you. How can they monitor your progress without a beginning weight?

For the NHS scheme in my area the eligibility criteria is being over 16 and:

BMI >30 WITH one or more of the following co-morbidities;
Cardiovascular disease
High risk of cardiovascular disease
Personal or family of history of breast, endometrial or colon cancer
Diabetes type 2
Respiratory condition e.g. sleep apnoea, asthma, COPD
Surgery or medical intervention dependent upon weight loss

So even if the OP was nearing the BMI limit of 30 (and she is very clearly not in the obese/very obese category), she wouldn't be eligible without one of the other conditions as well. If she didn't have one of those conditions they wouldn't have weighed her at all as she wouldn't be eligible.

You are lucky the NHS offer anything. I was obese and needed to lose weight for surgery but I didn't qualify for help as I don't get free prescriptions.
I lost the weight myself but lost it too quickly and it's now creeping back on.

Just pay for your own weight loss program.

I've just had all my chronic pain services withdrawn due to funding, as have many hundreds, if not thousands, others. I've been waiting months for surgery, in absolute agony, sweating, nauseous and dizzy from pain. I don't have a date yet. I cry daily from it, and you're bleating because you're not fat enough for help.

Get a fucking grip!

They turned you away. Suck it up. Go do it on your own back and get support in other ways.
And I'm really sorry but I do think you could do with losing a bit of weight, so SW is a good place to start.
I blamed my weight gain on my baby and for about 2 years I accepted it was down to hormones.
Then I gave up chocolate for lent and started doing interval training at the gym. I went from 10 stone 4lb to 9 stone 3 lb.
I changed my diet and my exercise regime accordingly and the weight fell off.
Maybe keep a food diary? And join a gym if you want to lose weight

FGS the NHS is there for a reason, for people who need medical help. You do not need MEDICAL help you need a good diet and excercise. Stop rinsing out whatever's left of our free health service. People like you with that attitude make me so mad. That money could be better spent on an urgent life saving treatment rather than your weight loss. Have some perspective.

Joining slimming world costs more than a weighing scales. Good luck with your weight loss!

OP I think you do look overweight but not by a lot, maybe a few lbs. Your build is similar to mine (although I'm an inch shorter). I am overweight by 2/3 lbs according to the BMI chart but I feel like I am over my ideal weight by a stone and a half.

I know I look and feel better when I weigh a stone or two less than I am now but the technically I not really overweight by that much.

I do think you would be at the bottom end of the need for NHS support and classes and there are people who need that space more than you.

I also get why you wouldn't have scales. I've not owned any for years now as I became a bit obsessive with weighing myself (7/8 times a day) so I chucked them out and now go to boots once a month to used the scales with the body fat thingy. Costs 70p and I feel much happier doing this than the temptation of weighing myself several times a day.

A prime example of the prevailing entitled attitude that has brought the NHS to its knees.

OP, download the couch to 5k app on your shiny iPhone and get if your arse to do some exercise! Completely out of order to leach off the NHS for something you can do yourself with a bit of proactivity and willpower.

You can get bathroom scales for £5 - look in Argos or Amazon. Save yourself the SW fee for a week. Sorted.

OK I missed the slumping bit.

It's none of my business but I don't think you're fat or that you look overweight.

Posing like that you'll look like your tummy is bigger.

Could you take DC on a walk every day? There's free of charge exercise, plus a DC getting fresh air.

I think the bigger problem is your body image rather than your weight OP. You insist you are overweight, but from your pictures I wouldn't say you are irrevocably so and certainly not enough to need NHS help.
I'm AM overweight - I have just under ten stone to lose. Despite my weight being related to my health (mental illness) I wouldn't dream of using the NHS to lose weight (am doing weight watchers), it's for medical matters (by which I mean strokes, heart attacks, broken legs etc) not vanity.

You can get bathroom scales for £5 - look in Argos or Amazon. Save yourself the SW fee for a week. Sorted

Im suprised no one has mentioned the iPhone 😂

I don't think you need to weigh yourself, you look overweight to me.

Don't use the NHS much? You had a bloody baby FGS! Which you are completely entitled to but don't kid yourself that you haven't taken out more then you've put in.

I'm actually overweight I'm paying for a diet plan, gym membership and personal training.

I am overweight, I am 5'2" and I weigh 15 stone, well 14.5 stone now because ive been on a diet this past two weeks. So I would, and have qualified for NHS diet scheme but I wouldn't dream of expecting the NHS to waste resources on me. I am perfectly aware of what I have to do to lose weight and I am doing it, cutting out the shit food and doing a bit more exercise.

Its not rocket science! There are plenty of free apps (I use my fitness pal) to monitor calorie intake, in fact I think the NHS has its own app.

From your pictures you don't look anywhere near overweight and if you genuinely feel you are, and are so upset about it that you expect the NHS to fund your diet you might want to approach the NHS for some counselling.

I tried everything in the last 3 years.

Bar actually weighing yourself so that you can determine if your weight is a medical issue rather than a vanity one. The NHS isn't in the business of unnecessary interventions. Not sure if you've seen but it's actually pretty damned stretched.

www.lifehack.org/347871/infographic-that-shows-how-much-exercise-you-need-burn-off-these-food

www.rd.com/health/healthy-eating/fast-food-facts-how-long-does-it-take-to-burn-off-your-meal/

Please do not increase your calorie intake if you start going for a walk. That will not help. I think some posters are confusing being overweight and being obese.

How have you managed to sign up for Slimming world without knowing your weight? Pretty much one of the first questions they ask you. And it costs a lot more than a set of scales...

Wow, people are being bloody horrible.

OP, you don't look particularly overweight to me. I doubt you are 13 stone. The way you describe yourself suggests me to you might have body dysmorphia - do you think you're enormous? Because you're really not. Maybe that's why you think you should be on the NHS diet scheme - when in reality you just need a sensible diet and exercise plan readily available on the internet.

You certainly don't deserve the abuse you're getting and being accused of bringing the NHS to its knees and all that crap.

Have you tried MyFitnessPal? It's a free app and it tracks calories and exercise etc.