To think you can still look overweight with a lowish bmi?

[Shopkinshurtlikelego]

My bmi is just under 19 (5ft 6 and 8 stone) and I still don’t look slim. I don’t look fat but I don’t look slim.
Dh says I don’t need to lose anymore weight but I think I probably still need to tone up.
I think bmi is a very blunt tool isn’t it?

I would think that at your weight / height, you’re unlikely to look overweight at all. Do you mean you need to tone up certain areas? Arms, stomach etc. Now that you’re slim you can target specific areas with weight based exercises to get a very toned look. Is that what you mean?

I think it unlikely with those measurements that you don't look slim. But it is possible to be slim and a bit squishy round the edges if you're not exercising.

Bless you I bet you look lovely at that weight.

Maybe you could tone up with some exercise if you feel 'squishy?'

Also I think BMI is a very useful tool but it measures weight v height only. It doesn’t measure other health factors or fitness. But for weight management it’s useful. Though no doubt someone ( who doesn’t play rugby) will be along soon to tell you how ‘technically’ rugby players are obese. I think BMI is accurate for 99% of the population though.

Have you lost a lot of weight? Apparently your brain sometimes needs a bit of time to catch up and recognise your new shape.

I actually think your post sounds quite worrying. I don't see how you could look anything other than slim.

I’m 5ft 2 and under about 8 stone 10 I look very skinny (generally hover at 9 st 6 so don’t ever really get there too often)
No matter how you carry it, I’d guess you still look very slim. Maybe wobbly in places but not to the visible eye. I’d concentrate on toning up than losing any more weight

Are you sure your mindset is a healthy one?

Because if I imagine a woman who is 8 stone and 5’ 6”, I’m imagining someone who is VERY slim indeed.

When I weighed 9 stone at 5'6", so a BMI of 21ish, I certainly wasn't very slim. All of my weight was (and still is, although sadly there's a lot more of it now) was concentrated around my middle and I looked awful in a bikini.

So YANBU. I don't even think a 30 minute abs workout a day would have made much of a difference.

OP, do you genuinely believe that you look overweight? I'm the same BMI but I'm only 5' 4". I look skinny. But, I have lots of soft flesh. I believe it's termed "skinny fat"? I plan to exercise more soon, in the hope of toning up a little bit.
What was your BMI before you started to lose weight?

BMI is a good starting point, but it doesn't take into account factors such as body composition or even body type.

Now, I admit, by BMI standards I'm obese and I do need to lose some weight. But at my lowest adult height, I had a BMI of 24, which is on the higher end of healthy - and people were commenting that I looked borderline too thin. I received comments from concerned friends that I didn't need to lose any more weight (I had lost weight to reach that weight). I assured them I wasn't planning on it.

You have a BMI Of 17.9. You certainly do not need to lose anymore weight,

Op , I’ve been dieting for a few weeks, I’ve only lost 7 lbs, but my body looks radically improved because I’ve been exercising loads. People have started asking about my weight loss which in previous times they’ve only done lost about two stone. The exercise is the answer.

I also wondered about your mind set from that post. I’m about 5 stone 3, just over 8 stone and am naturally slim. I certainly wouldn’t think I needed to lose weight so I very much doubt you do - I suspect your husband is right. If you’re worried about not being toned then I’d combine the right kind of exercise with a balanced diet and enough calories and not try to lose weight. I am not very toned despite being slim (bit I don’t care!)

These sorts of threads are often posted by people with body or eating issues looking for reassurance that they don’t have a problem.

Are you comparing yourself to people who are actually in fact underweight when you use the term slim?

I know people who are 8 stone, much shorter than you and they are skinny. Not slim. Skinny. And this is well within their BMI range.

I think you really need to question what you're comparing yourself to and why.

I'm the same height as you. I'd look really tiny at 8st! I suppose bodies differ but I'm sure you look slim.

Sorry, I meant 5 foot 3!
Also, to answer original question, I don’t think it’s possible to look overweight with a lowish bmi at all!

Hmm op. I'm 5'7" and am now at 58 overweight.

In my 20's I was generally 7st12lb. Sometimes breaking 7st7lb - when I felt good. Old photo's tell a different story.

I am a recovered anorexic.

My BMI is low. When people tell me how slim I am I tell them they should see me in the buff - utterly different story when not tucked into jeans, let me tell you.

I’m 5’7” and just about to hit a healthy BMI at 11st 5lbs (having lost 19lbs) and I am a comfortable size 12, I can’t imagine you look overweight at 8st. Listen to your DH

I looked at a bmi calculator and at 5’ 6” and 8st that says your bmi would be 17.5 and underweight. Please don’t think you need to lose any more weight. If you are struggling with eating and weight please see your gp.

8st at 5"6 is a BMI of 18.1, that's not just under 19 and it's underweight. You will be very thin at this weight.
Im really sorry but from what you wrote, you seem to not perceive how slim you are which is a classic sign of anorexia. I hope it's not that but please be aware that its a danger sign.

My DD1 didn't feel slim either... not with a BMI of 18... or 17, or16 or15...
She is not a young teen either but an adult, a doctor and someone who can objectively assess a patient but not herself.

Ending up naso gastric tube fed with a BMI of 13 is not funny..and she didn't set out to be like that... it just crept up.

With a BMI of under 19 you ARE slim . Please don't let the slipperly slope of disordered thinking creep up. For your sake and everyone who loves you.

My stomach really is where I carry it.
I know my bmi is lowish but my legs and stomach are definitely still chubby.
Maybe I need to start going to the gym 😬