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?

You seem to know what you're talking about OP, as you know that there is fat to lose and you seem to know "toning" isn't a real thing. If you want rid of the fat it will involve eating at a deficit and if you lift weights you will be able to conserve most of your existing muscle while you lose the fat - and you'll look great when you're done

I think your bras a bit big in the band, it looks like it's riding up at the back there.

You should remeasure now you've lost weight.

Thanks Nancy - does the weights need core strength first or will that come at the same time?

Bit worried someone saying I shouldn't do crunches with previous spinal injury - will stop that then Read somewhere that even holding your tummy muscles 'in' repeatedly can be good?

Think Pilates or yoga is worth doing then.

Will do Fluffy - it was me looking in the mirror to shorten my straps as my cups are gaping, that prompted this line of thought and post.

OP. core strength isn't just your abs. I've learnt that having had similar back issues. It's back, hips, laterals, arms, quads, gluteals. The whole thing. Not just endless crunches. All of that takes the strain away from your back. I've learnt the hard way.

That's really interesting thanks needastrongone. I swim and jog... Where / who should I go to for good core strength stuff? Any online resource recommendations?

I'm afraid not, I've learnt all this from my PT. When I started, I told him I ran a lot and wanted to improve my non existent core. I think he would have me doing sit ups and crunches for hours. I really don't, I do all sorts, bet I spend less than a quarter of my time on traditional tummy type stuff. But I have no back issues anymore. It's taken so much work though, I'm not going to lie.

I was reading through and the thread and wanted to suggest Pilates when I read about your back, I see others have beaten me to it!
Pilates has massively helped me- strengthened my core and back muscles, which has helped with back pain and poor posture.

I would say give it a go, and if you don't get on with your first class don't give up- you do need to find a style of class/instructor to suit you!

Because all my other muscles take the strain iyswim? But it's never been about weight as my first priority tbh.

Thank you :)

need your PT sounds brilliant - wish I could find someone like that! (Whereabout in the country are you? ...)

In the north Maria, it sounds very flash doesn't it but he charges £15 for 45 minutes. For me, it's a price worth paying as he keeps me injury free.

You'll build core strength as you go, loads of exercises work your core without you realising. I find weighted crunches on an incline really effective but it may be best to avoid that if your back still has problems.

Holding in your stomach is basically tensing your transverse abs and doesn't do much (tensing your other muscles doesn't build them either).

Even lifting very low weighted dumbbells engages your core, even doing bicep curls or whatever. That's what I mean really. It's not about your tummy crunches solely

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

Sit up will tone muscles but if there is any fat covering the muscles, you won't see them so it won't make a massive difference. Fat loss + increased muscle mass makes a visible difference.

Restore your core is a good program - really helpful

Oh ffs. As tho you're anywhere near fat OP Sick of these threads where slim women post photos saying they are fat.

Unlike many of the other replies, I do think that you would be healthier with less abdominal fat. Your low BMI in combination with that photo of your abdomen suggests to me that you may have a less than ideal amount of muscle and potentially bone density. It might be a good idea to do activity based on building muscle and bone density (e.g. Lifting weights, or body weight fitness such as yoga, Pilates etc).

I suspect that ideally you would weigh the same as you do now (or possible more) but I expect your body fat percentage and your abdominal fat in particular should be less.

If you don't mind me asking, what is your waist to hip ratio? This correlates well with a lot of health measures and disease risks.

Thanks Ana.

Feeling more positive now, thank you everyone. I sometimes take to a 30min jog around the house if I can't be bothered to change and get out.. sometimes running with tins of beans in my hands - good to know this might count as core work, despite DH laughing his head off!

Waist 31", hips 36.5" - 0.85.

My wrist circumference is 6" - read somewhere that might be a thing...

I did have marginally high cholesterol a couple of years ago. Have cut down the choc considerably!

Oh wow user - I've just googled it and those measurements put me as 'obese' !

your what I call skinny fat your just average my body looks very similar! your definitely not fat just not toned up.

i sometimes take to a 30min jog around the house

Do you live in a mansion??

I don't know where you're Googling, OP, but the NHS guidelines indicate that 31 inches is within the healthy range for waist size:

www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/849.aspx?CategoryID=51

Asmoto - Google waist to hip ratio, anything over 0.85 is defined as obese. So because my frame is small, my waist is 'too big' for my frame apparently. Also wrist size indicates small frame at my height.