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

user's threads are all hilarious.

Okay so I have now weighed myself. I was expecting to be around 13st. 12st8 at the least.

My actual weight is: 11st4lbs.

I'm shocked. I am still technically overweight but around 1 stone from a healthy body so that's a positive. I'm shocked by how accurate the guesses were from the pics alone.

At least I know my weight now. I've always chosen not to weigh myself as I think it can become quite obsessive.

Fwiw, I don't really weight myself and know how I am doing by how tight or loose my waist band feels.

There is a strong argument to stop focussing on weight and aiming for a slimmer waist tbh.

So, good luck with SW - I think that kind of approach with a bit of added activity thrown in is all you need

Thanks Pacific

I need to lose a stone so that's quite achievable so I'm hoping I stick with it :-)

I will be happy once my stomach is flat(ish). I don't think I have weak muscles as I have very clear abs at the top of my stomach. It's just the second half that is flabby. A lot of it is stretched skin as I was huge and my Son 10lbs.

Your BMI is in an acceptable range so I would disagree that you're overweight, but I'm glad we know this now after 13 pages of speculation

Ah, the visible muscle on the surface of your abdominal wall (the ones that give a six pack) are NOT the ones that give you a defined waist or pull you in or give you better posture.

Do NOT do sit-ups whatever you do!
Look up some safe postnatal abdominal/core exercises (planks can be good,, Pilates is excellent, MuTu Systems - google it - has lots of free exercise advice on its website).

Your skin may never return to its former toned self - only time will tell. It's largely genetic. I feel your pain

I have excellent posture. It was one photo that I was slumping in to try and hide my face!

I studied ballet for years and have always been described as very graceful in manner.

It's just that one picture I am slumping.

Also, I actually have slim arms. But they looked chubby in the pic. It's actually my bum and stomach I have the weight on.

I do think being a ballet dancer has affected my body image though. My hips and boobs were too large even though I was slim and I had to give it up. After having my Son I have put on weight. But I'm hoping to be back to my former best soon :-D

I'm shocked. I am still technically overweight but around 1 stone from a healthy body

Sorry, but you are still regarded as within the healthy weight range with a bmi of under 25. You might be a stone from what you regard as an attractive body, but that is not the same thing at all.

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

Could it be that you have a sensitivity to something? Constipation or large portions can also do this, it doesn't always mean you're overweight

I

"Sorry but all these people saying the NHS places should be kept for people that need it - why can't obese people eat less and move more?? Nobody should get NHS funded treatment to lose weight. It's a joke."

@TheRippedOutPage - why should obese people get NHS treatment to lose weight? Because a penny worth of prevention is worth a pound of cure - in other words, if people are helped to lose weight, their health will improve, and their chances of needing expensive treatment in the future (for type 2 diabetes, joint problems heart attack, stroke etc etc) will fall dramatically - and as the weightloss support is much cheaper, it will save the NHS money. That is just common sense.

It pisses me off when people glibly say 'obese people should eat less and move more', as it is rarely that simple.

My weight is out of control - I weigh about 20 stone. It is rooted in depression and poor self esteem - I don't like myself, which makes it hard to care enough to look after myself, so I gain weight and hate myself even more, and the vicious circle continues.

Because I am carrying so much weight, my back, knees and ankles are painful if I try to walk any distance, so exercise is very difficult. I avoid gyms because I am sure everyone else there will despise me as much as I despise myself.

All this makes me depressed. And so it continues.

I am trying to change - making little, achievable changes to my diet and activity - but even that I am failing at, at the moment. So maybe the world and I would be better off if I did eat myself to death.

STDG - don't do that! You're one of the posters I recognise and like to read. Sod whatever you weigh, keep living and writing.

Blimey EvilWolef

We've just got together and made a blood covenant to destroy Biscuit and Spoon Despots all over the known universe!

I can't do it on my own - I am not nearly witty or evil enough.

Depression and weight gain - especially when medication is involved - is a really hard vicious circle to break, but you are lovely and bright and clever and have the most amazing sense of humour.

I don't have an issue with NHS funds being used for obesity which is a complex issue and is rarely as simple as eating less and moving more.

What I was objecting to is NHS funding being used for a young person who is at most a bit overweight and for whom a kick up the arse to make a bit of effort would certainly be the initial prescription.

All the best with your small changes STDG. We are all rooting for you.

Awww - shurrup. Stop being nice to me!

I am still technically overweight

No, you are technically within the healthy weight range.

This is such a strange thread. OP, I think you are right that you've been left with a strange attitude to body image. Hope you, and everyone else struggling with similar issues, can make piece with it all.

Awww - shurrup. Stop being nice to me!

You force us to, Evil - it is impossible to be nasty to a lovely person. You have brought our affection upon yourself with your unreasonable charm (see how I'm blaming the victim here - subtle bullying!)

Seriously, though - you are a joy to share a forum with and I'm sure Kitties and I aren't the only ones who think so.

I think personally, from what I could see, you look more than 13st. But you don't look huge tbh. Just weigh yourselve and start an exercise and diet plan to take your weight loss goals into account.

being size 12 or 14 is NOT being overweight and you do not need an nhs program. I would suggest you join a gym and see somebody about body dismorphia.

being size 12 or 14 is NOT being overweight and you do not need an nhs program

It depends on one's height and build. With my build, I'd be overweight at size 14.

Agree with the rest of the post.

Now you have your information, op. I said you were smaller than I was. I was 3lb heavier at 3" shorter and that was a stone overweight for me.

Given you ballet background, see if there's a Barre workout class available near to you (yes, it's a thing and is supposed to be a pretty tough workout).

And double the length of those walks. I did 3 miles, today, just wandering around town and going for a short (curtailed by rain) pokewalk with my teen. Keep up with the types of foods you're eating, but watch your portion sizes. Mfp can help with this if SW doesn't work out.

And tell your parents to eff off if they can't be more helpful than critical.

Every now a d then, a 1 stone to lose type of thread starts up in the weight loss section, here. Find one, or fix your username and start your own.

Good luck.

STDG I always find you to be an insightful poster.

And would love you to be around for a long time yet.

being size 12 or 14 is NOT being overweight and you do not need an nhs program

I beg to differ. I am 5'7, so the same height as the OP and weigh just under 12 stone and fit into many clothes labelled 12 or 14 and I am definitely overweight - BMI probably 26/27 and have visible excess flab even though I carry it better than a lot of people as I am quite toned and muscular and still only have a 30 inch waist. All the excess weight is on my 42 inch hips and thighs. I feel best when I am under 11 stone and I am still nearly 30% body fat at that weight.