I am fat, AIBU?

[PeaFaceMcgee]

To show how ridiculous the BMI calculator is... My BMI is 19, yet look at the state of my body fat!

Sick of being told I don't need to lose weight as I'm 'skinny'.

AIBU to think that I am indeed too fat?

Just a bad angle. You're not fat.

You can lose fat without losing weight. Lifting heavy weights and HIIT with the right diet would increase lean muscle mass while burning fat, so the scales wouldn't change but your body composition would.

However, I'm 5' 4.5 and a size 14, and would sell my granny to look like you right now!

Weights etc do make a difference. I know I'm fat before someone tells me but this is with doing lots of exercise, And at about 15st 9lbs

You're not fat. You have a bmi of 19. Bmi can be crude but it's not that crude - it's a tool.
I second what ratatouille says above - why take a photo from the worst possible angle and complain about having a bmi of 19? What are you wanting from this thread? You're not fat, and to anyone actually struggling with their weight this could come across as being pretty insensitive.
Do you have issues with food?

You are not fat, OP - I can see your ribs in those pics! You just seem to have some loose skin that's noticeable from the way you're hunched over.

No one looks great from that first pic angle, OP.

I think I look pretty good when I stand up straight and pull my tummy in.

From a sitting angle I have the usual rolls that everyone has.

You'd split in half when you stood up if you didn't have anything round your middle!

Ollivander84 How tall are you?

5ft 10

Losing weight by restricting your calorie intake by any means won't fix a saggy belly. You'd be better off eating a healthy good quality version of normally and doing some sort of resistance exercise.

to anyone actually struggling with their weight this could come across as being pretty insensitive

I am not talking about anyone else. I think my fat ratio is too high for me and I am not responsible for other people's feelings about their own bodies.

I thought as much, there's no way an average height woman say 5ft4 could look like that at 15st 9!!

Asmoto - it's not ribs, it's fat ripples!

Thanks Dave - I know this isn't my healthy body shape though. My family are literally stick thin and tall with big boobs.

As was I until 15 years ago when I became very sedentary and drank more.

Only drink maybe one or two fruity ciders a week now.

I don't mean 'stick thin' derogaratively, mind. Used to hate being called that!

Op, if you are unhappy with your shape then A LOT of work, both cardio and weights and core strength will help.

It will help with your self esteem I think too?

I'm 45, but run 4 times a week, PT session and Boot Camp. The runs equal 30 miles plus. I've got a higher BMI than you.

Can't believe I'm posting this.

Ok, so I do swimming twice a week, running daily, will try some weights carefully being careful of previous spine injury (maybe will see osteopath first).

When I first saw the Osteo after I couldn't walk after giving birth, he looked at my tiny frame and said "you should never gain weight"

He thinks it was the weight gain of pregnancy in conjunction with no core strength that caused disc rupture and horrendous muscle spasm lasting months.

I suppose I'm a bit frightened of weights and resistance if I'm being completely honest.

Sorry, I meant to say that all that work is to run competitively, the trade off I've a decent figure for an old bag (!) but I don't do all that for weight, it's fitness.

My downfall is definitely wine. I eat pretty healthily for the most part, but after a tough day (like today with my 3 yo raising hell), I know I'm going to sink into a few large glasses when OH gets home. It def gives my stomach a bloat.

Try drinking lots of water along with any alcoholic drinks, and also cut down on your salt intake as that encourages water retention and can give you that bloated look.

You're definitely not fat OP. There's lots you can do to make yourself feel better in yourself.

Good luck!

I also meant to say (!), I had 6 years away from running recently, for back issues, probably caused by significant weakness in my core.

Looking slim to me. Maybe do sit ups to tone up?

I just read the last post. Sit ups aren't appropriate!

I feel the same as you op. I had to get weighed etc last week at hospital. My BMI was 19.1.
I still feel fat because until the age of 30 I was 2 stone lighter and perfectly healthy with a flat stomach. I would've been classed as underweight but was fine. It has fuck all to do with anyone else and their weight issues.

BMI isn't much cop. You obviously have a small frame, no muscle and a reasonably high% body fat. Some muscle building exercise and a healthy diet should sort you out pretty quick!

Ah thanks so much everyone :)

Found this pic of me at maybe 17yo - just to illustrate what I mean by my family are naturally tall & slim. Now most people would see my waist and think "that's TOO slim" but for ME I was totally healthy.

Not suggesting we can all go back to our 17yo selves, but my mum in her 60s is very similar shape to the 17yo me!

Be careful losing weight, you lose it off your boobs and they get all wrinkly, it's true it's happened to me . And the belly just gets floppier because all the bloody skin is still there, even if the fat is not.

Agree with posters you should probably try toning.

How about pilates if you are worried about your core strength?