AIBU to tell you that you don’t need to be unhappy with your body.

[Iwalkedaway]

I’ve just been reading another thread where lots of posters talk about how attractive they were when slimmer, as though being overweight is out of their control!

I definitely don’t want to come across as negative or patronising, but for the vast majority of people (excluding those with health needs, of course), weight is entirely within your control!

I’ve always been moderately slim, but in the last few years I’ve lost about 3 stone. At almost 40 I’m the smallest I’ve ever been! To achieve that I;

Got into yoga.
Eat less calories than I burn (monitored on fitness tracker)
Swim and weight train sometimes.
Drink less alcohol.
Will do random, ad hoc exercise through the day, squats whilst the stirring the food etc.

So many people seem sad about their weight gain on here, but it’s absolutely a choice! If you’re unhappy change it! It’s absolutely possible

( but don't eat it)

And what's your advice for people who suffer from depression?
"Be happy, stop being sad"?

Thanks, I am cured, now!

Finally an explanation for the woman we saw doing squats in amongst the rides on Brighton pier! Thanks op, we were wondering if we should alert mental health services but now know it was just a "busy mum" trying to keep slim.

If you want to be thin then truthfully it does require massive discipline and zero interest in eating. All the properly thin people I know have small portion sizes and say no to food as much as the rest of us have just a small slice of office birthday cake

It's not that they have zero interest in eating, just that they know when to stop.

@origamiunicorn I could have written your post. It's so demoralising isn't it :(

Well OP thanks for this thread.

By being an arse (albeit a very tight and toned one) you have brought together the MN community in giving a big bird flip to the ‘you only have to eat less it’s easy ‘ PITA’s and have made me feel a whole lot better about the 2 and a half stone I would love to lose. But you know what? I have a DP who thinks the world of me as I am, who doesn’t care if i’m Slim or not - and this is the first time ever - because he loves me the person, not me the shape.
If we’re going to be giving advice out how about learning to love and value people for purely being that person? (And yes my weight is going down because for the first time in over 30 years I am happy, my anxiety and stress levels are decreasing and I no longer am frightened of my future. I no longer am trapped in poverty so can afford to eat healthier, and I have support from someone who loves me. My emotional eating is calming and i’m Happier to leave the house/not hide behind the monitors at work. When you understand the psychology behind weight then come back)

Even if one person decides to make a change from this, I’ll be pleased grin

Is your halo down the polishing shop?

I'm going to do squats during the Compliance meeting today - my colleagues may raise an eyebrow, but I will explain that random ad-hoc exercises are key to my new slimmer lifestyle. Thanks OP! You rock!

You are absolutely right OP. But the lazy ones will attack you for this, as they'd rather stay unhappy and fat than make a few simple changes in their lives.

Actually, hang on a minute. If I lost 3 stone I would be dead?!

But the lazy ones will attack you for this, as they'd rather stay unhappy and fat than make a few simple changes in their lives.

Yes, this is EXACTLY the only reason people are overweight. LAZINESS!

@CoffeeMilkNoSugar Yes, you are right. I am choosing to be a slightly overweight wheelchair user with multiple illnesses, spinal injuries and a fucked nervous system rather than getting up and jogging it off.

Have my second DFOD of the thread.

OP has disappeared after dropping that knowledge bomb...

OP when people get into their forties they tend to look haggard if they are thin

As well as being untrue, this kind of spiteful comment is just as bad as anything directed at people for being overweight. I just wish everyone would stop attacking each other. The general tone of this thread is aggressive and quite depressing.

As a recovering alcoholic OP, I see similarities with people's struggles with food. I think it's almost worse with food if that's possible, as at least I can avoid alcohol completely. I think you meant well with your post, but it just isn't that simple for a lot of people who have an emotional relationship with substances.

just wanted to inspire those who are unhappy to make a change! Life is too short to be unhappy about something that is so easy to resolve 
The only thing making me unhappy is this thread

I'm fat and very happy.

I used to be slim and miserable.

I suggest all the slim miserable people try putting some weight on.

You were moderately slim, but you've lost 3 stone? And I suppose you think that is attractive? Stop pushing your unhealthy ideas on people who may be vulnerable.

Hang on, you were always slim but you lost 3 stone? Are you sure you don't have a but of a problem. I'm on the slightly higher end of healthy weight according to bmi but if I lost 3 stone I would be underweight

My first . And I'm a size 8.

I managed to stop being a cunt just by thinking before I speak, putting myself in someone else's shoes and growing the fuck up. It really is easy once you decide it's what you truly want, OP. I think there's even an app.

Well, isn't that just Excellent.....

Christ! My poor prolapsed bladder and bowls are falling out of my vagina just thinking about all that stretching, weight lifting and squatting.

I'd have to do double the squats too, as after every one I'd have to go back down to retrieve my bladder....

Maybe I will lose four stone!!🤔

Lol. Bowels!

You're brave OP. TBH the weight comments jumped out to me on that thread too.

Almost like it was a given to hit a certain age, or give birth and automatically gain a few stone in weight.
if people were unhappy being slim and now happy being fat, it is more what is going on in your life, rather than your waist size causing unhappiness.
I work with a lady, she is nearly 30 stone, she started a medical supported fitness class with her DH, she has lost nearly 4 stone, she can't believe it herself.
I see a few slim older woman, they are usually healthy.