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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

372 replies

user1485442361 · 27/01/2017 17:56

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

OP posts:
OneWithTheForce · 27/01/2017 18:07

But I am sure I am I said.

Well you cant Ben sure because you don't actually know your weight so that was a lie.

They didn't even weigh me and said I was too slim to join.

You didn't even weigh yourself so you can't really criticise them.

Come on, you can't seriously be insisting you qualify for the programme without having even weighed yourself?

Fwiw you certainly don't look over weight. But of course looks can't be relied upon to determine weight. You could start exercising and see where you are in a couple of weeks.

Sirzy · 27/01/2017 18:07

What have you tried yourself before expecting the NHS to do it for you?

SomethingAboutNothing · 27/01/2017 18:07

Can you not just go to boots to weigh yourself tomorrow? You clearly aren't the type of person these schemes are aimed at though, you may not be at your optimum but you certainly aren't obese. Good luck with slimming world, it's a great programme.

Thinkingblonde · 27/01/2017 18:08

Most people's stomachs stick out at the end of the day.

CherrySkull · 27/01/2017 18:08

seriously... you're a weeny bit squidgy around the middle and you want to take up a place meant for seriously overweight people on and NHS funded diet?

WTF?

Go exercise and eat less and leave the NHS funded diet to people who actually need it... like obese people.

PotteringAlong · 27/01/2017 18:08

Well start exercising and stop eating then! And don't expect the NHS to fund that.

ohmygodyouguys · 27/01/2017 18:08

I have a friend who followed an NHS diet for ages, her weight barely moved. She joined slimming world and has lost so much more with that than the NHS diet. Personally I don't think you're that overweight.

HeyMacWey · 27/01/2017 18:09

You don't look two stone overweight.
I suspect the NHS programme will be taking on obese people rather than overweight.
I agree that toning up will help your stomach.
Have a look at the 30 day Shred - it'll get rid of your stomach within a month. It's on YouTube if you want to make a start straight away.

Original poster
user1485442361 · 27/01/2017 18:09

I've already signed up to slimming world.

The whole idea was they weigh you before starting the course (before you all have a go at me for not doing that at home). They won't even accept your at home measurement.

I will get a scales. I understand if it's only for obese people but the criteria did not say that. I'm not asking for surgery or similar. It's only a group similar to slimming world.

OP posts:
OneWithTheForce · 27/01/2017 18:09

What exactly was this course offering that you can't donfor yourself using common sense?

AllTheWittyNamesAreGone · 27/01/2017 18:10

Why do you need the course? You say you know you are overweight, do something about it rather than blaming the nhs

The course won't wave a magic wand and make you slim

SociallyAcceptableCookie · 27/01/2017 18:10

Did they not weigh you at the diet programme? How did you find out about it? Did someone refer you? I'm surprised you got as far as you did without knowing your weight tbh. As people have said, chemists have scales and so do GP surgeries. At my surgery you can walk in and weigh yourself without seeing anyone or making an appointment.

LonelyImSoLonely · 27/01/2017 18:10

itsniteasy thanks!
It was either that or comment that it was a stealth blast post especially about the bit I'm not even trying to look flattering.
Ok, "OP but you don't look overweight, you look great/so much thinner than me"

ChuffMuffin · 27/01/2017 18:10

If you go to your local chemist you can ask them if they have scales you can use, most do and will let you use them for free.

MyFitnessPal is an amazing dieting app for Apple & Android and is completely free.

LonelyImSoLonely · 27/01/2017 18:10

20p at the chemist to weight yourself

harderandharder2breathe · 27/01/2017 18:10

It's right that nhs funds go to supporting the most overweight who are the most at risk from obesity related diseases. You are not in that category

Yabu

LonelyImSoLonely · 27/01/2017 18:10

What chuff said!

PastysPrincess · 27/01/2017 18:10

Ive been on one of those weight loss groups and just by looking at the photo you are not anywhere near the criteria for the groups. These groups are for people who have a significant weight problem not a couple of stone. I dont want to belittle you but if I looked like you I would be happy as larry.

Sirzy · 27/01/2017 18:11

How have you signed up for SW without being weighed?

TheCuriousOwl · 27/01/2017 18:11

You aren't two stone 'overweight'.

Two stone overweight in NHS criteria terms would likely be 'at least two stone over the weight you would need to be to have a BMI of 25'.

You might be into the 25-30 category in BMI terms (possibly) but there's no way of knowing till you know your weight and also by looking at you, unless you have bones made of lead, I'd be incredibly surprised if you were 13 stone.

MetallicBeige · 27/01/2017 18:12

Why were you "excited" to weigh yourself.

If they told you your BMI didn't meet requirements how did they work it out without knowing your weight?

Why don't you just weigh yourself?

Why am I engaging with this?

longdiling · 27/01/2017 18:12

Tesco and Boots have scales. If you can't even be bothered to find out what you weigh then I question your commitment to weight loss really. The country is in the grip of an obesity crisis. Obesity, actual obesity, not being overweight. It makes total sense that they prioritise actual obese people with some level of commitment to weight loss. Plus if you can afford slimming world why should the NHS pay?

Fwiw, you look very much like my figure. I am a size 14 and just about on the cusp of overweight bmi. A stone off takes me back down to a 12 and very comfortably normal bmi.

OneWithTheForce · 27/01/2017 18:12

My vet has scales you could stand on for free.

zaalitje · 27/01/2017 18:12

Part of your stomach sticking out could be your posture, you have your shoulders rolled forward in the side in pic and it looks like you are not standing straight.

DeathStare · 27/01/2017 18:12

This is probably the most ridiculous post I've ever seen. How can anyone argue that they are overweight - and even how much they believe themselves to be overweight by - without weighing themselves?

You're as mad as a box of frogs.