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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

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

96 replies

Shopkinshurtlikelego · 10/05/2019 22:12

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?

OP posts:

PurpleDaisies · 10/05/2019 22:48

Are you reading the comments on the thread?

MrsTerryPratchett · 10/05/2019 22:48

It's not lowish, it's low. What's your relationship like with food, body image etc?

Capara · 10/05/2019 22:49

@stilmedusa
Been to that hell with a loved one.
Hope your dd has recovered

Original poster

Shopkinshurtlikelego · 10/05/2019 22:49

Sorry - I posted before reading the last few.
Bmi prior to losing weight was about 22.
I’ve never really exercised though, I don’t really have much time at the moment.
I don’t think I have an eating disorder but I probably don’t see myself exactly as I am.

OP posts:

Ikeameatballs · 10/05/2019 22:50

I have a similar BMI and I am very slim. Sometimes, such as now after pizza and wine, I can be quite bloated and because the rest of me is slim it can look quite dramatic! But that’s clearly not the same as being overweight. I think you need to discuss your views on body image with a professional.

titchy · 10/05/2019 22:50

You have very disordered eating. Do NOT lose any more weight. Put some on in fact. You're not healthy.

Ikeameatballs · 10/05/2019 22:51

Have you seen photos of yourself? I sometimes fail to see how slim I am when I look in the mirror but somehow it’s more obvious in a photo.

Mari50 · 10/05/2019 22:55

BMI isn’t that blunt.
5’6” and 8 stone can’t be anything other than slim whether you exercise or not. I’m 5’4” and my weight has been all the way from 6 stone 12 to 11stone 7 (pregnancy), I’m not particularly muscular or toned but at 8 stone 7 or less I’ve always looked slim so I’m struggling to see how someone 2 inches taller could be anything but slim at 8 stone.
Incidentally when I was very light I thought I looked great, I recently had a conversation with someone who referred to that time as ‘when you were ill’ - interesting insight ...

DGV · 10/05/2019 22:59

OP, what are you eating per day, calorie wise, do you know? For your BMI to be so low you must be on a very restrictive caloric intake.
I understand that you, maybe, still see yourself as a 22 BMI but, that wasn't huge either!
How long has it been since you were 22 BMI?
Are you actively trying to lose more weight? You really, really don't need to. If anything you need to gain a bit.
Do you have a dietician available in your area? If so, I'd recommend maybe booking an appointment so that you can discuss your goals/expectations.

Sparrowlegs248 · 10/05/2019 23:00

5ft 6 and 8 stone is very slim. I am 5ft 7 and looked unwell at 9 st or below. I realise people are all different but you really don't need to lose any more weight

DGV · 10/05/2019 23:01

titchy

You have very disordered eating How can you diagnose that?!

OhTheRoses · 10/05/2019 23:01

OP there are pics of me in a bikini at 7st 12lb. I thought my thighs and hips were chunky. My thighs were hollow and my tummy hid behind my hip bones.

Etino · 10/05/2019 23:02

Don’t lose anymore weight! What’s your posture like? If you slump you might appear bigger, to yourself at least.
But the takeaway from this thread is don’t lose anymore weight!

DameDoom · 10/05/2019 23:05

Gosh - I agree that you don't probably see yourself as others. You may be very young and have the light bones of a sparrow, I don't know; however, you mentioned your previous BMI of 22 - yes, we know it's not a perfect science but generally, an adult woman in that category is slim. A drop from 22 to 19 is a lot.

frenchonion · 10/05/2019 23:06

I don't know what my bmi is but at 5ft7, anything over 9st and I look really chunky! I'm just under 9 now and have a bit of squish around the middle. At 8 you're probably just fine op, maybe need to tone up as opposed to lose?

TheCanyon · 10/05/2019 23:07

I'm 5ft 5 and the last few months hovering between 7 st 11 and 8 st 4. Im slim but curvy. Ive had 4 babies, ill never have my 17yo stomach again, granted its grown 4 babies, but why give a shit?

thenightsky · 10/05/2019 23:07

Agree that you need to look at posture. There is no way you are really over weight at that BMI/height/weight and I say that as someone who used to fret about my spare tyre when I was 8 stone 9lb and 5ft 9in. Got sorted with a new bra and pilates classes and felt 100% better about myself.

DGV · 10/05/2019 23:10

With respect @frenchonion, albeit without knowing or seeing the OP, I very much doubt that "At 8 you're probably just fine". Her BMI is way under the healthy range.
I also doubt that you look "really chunky" over 9 stone.

chippingalong · 10/05/2019 23:11

Gosh, these kinds of threads make me very very tired. Doesn't anyone just want to go and get a pizza?

CaptainBrickbeard · 10/05/2019 23:15

Why do you call your bmi lowish? It’s low.

DGV · 10/05/2019 23:21

Jog on then @chippingalong. Your post is really not helpful.

frenchonion · 10/05/2019 23:25

I do. There's no denying it. I have a very very small frame and over 9 I carry it really badly, puffy face, middle aged spread belly and skinny legs but wobbly tops of thighs. I have zero hips or chest no matter how much weight I gain, so any weight gained above 9 just gives me a barrelly look. 8st at 5ft6 could easily be totally fine if the op is small framed, but you're quite right, we haven't seen photos to judge. And yes, bmi is a blunt tool! I eat really well (and also plenty of crap!!), my eating isn't disordered at all. I hate the assumption that being slight has to go hand in hand with disordered eating. You can't mention weight if you're a skinny person without some sort of implication of having food/weight issues. Really irritates!

Bringbackthestripes · 10/05/2019 23:26

BMI is a health RISK indicator of how likely you are to develop cardiovascular disease/stroke/type 2 diabetes NOT how shapely or attractive you are.

you can be normal weight but if you have a large tummy measurement then you are still high risk.

NHS website:

Regardless of your height or BMI, you should try to lose weight if your waist is:
94cm (37ins) or more for men
80cm (31.5ins) or more for women
You are at very high risk and you should contact your GP if your waist is:
102cm (40ins) or more for men
88cm (34ins) or more for women”

titchy · 10/05/2019 23:27

DGV

You think having a BMI of 22 and dieting then still regarding yourself as chubby despite a bmi of 19 is normal ? it's really not.

oP please seek outside help.

Teddybear45 · 10/05/2019 23:31

It depends how you carry the weight. I have several friends who are apple shaped and so feel flabby even when they are 8 stones. Whereas I have a different type of figure and can look toned at 11 stones.

I think if toning is an issue then eating more calories and lifting weights will help you tone up.

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