Aibu to be so confused about my body

[Knocksomesense]

Here it is...

I'm 5ft 4. BMI is overweight. Waist to hip ratio is low risk.

Some days I feel an elephant, some days I feel slim.

So what is it?! My BMI isnt inflated by being muscular as I don't really do exercise.

What do you think my clothes size/weight/bmi is? I'm throwing it out to the public to try to gain clarity.

Please do excuse the messy bathroom, we had a leak

Hi op. I don't really understand the question. Are you asking us to guess your clothes size, BMI and weight?

I guess you're between 11 and 12 stone and overweight and wear size 14.

I just guess I cant understand the statistics. I thought as a size 12 I wouldn't be classified as overweight. Yet I'm quite heavy and feel quite chubby. But my hip to waist ratio puts me in the low risk category for health issues.

OP I believe that's because you're carrying your fat in the 'right' places? You're not massively overweight, how much do you need to lose to put you at a 'healthy' BMI?

To be fair I think you look overweight. Overweight has become normal now so people don't notice it as easily.

You need to check your waist measurement. Anything over 80cm greatly increases health risks (because of the fat deposits around your organs). Most size twelve clothes would bring you into that assuming you’re measurements were perfect for the clothes. It’s can be quite disconcerting because someone can look reasonably in proportion and still be unhealthy.

I'm back to the dieting today. Thank you all for the kick up the bum

I wish you all the best with that OP. Vanity sizing is the issue. What used to be a 14 in a lot of places is now a 12, etc. If you see any clothes from the 60s and 70s you'll be shocked by how small they are.

Your body is NORMAL. Stop worrying about it.

Actually if a person is overweight they should worry about it and do something to change it. We all have different body shapes and different fat distributions - there is no perfect body because everyone is different. However surely the fact that being overweight is a factor in whether a person can survive Covid-19 should serve as a reminder not to normalise being overweight, but to do something about it? Obesity and the associated health issues put a huge strain on the NHS.

I'd say you are overweight but not loads, certainly not enough to massively effect health risks.
You say that you don't really exercise. I know that "80% diet 20% exercise" gets thrown around a lot on here but it's definitely worth considering. There are lots of other benefits from doing exercise and I find that I do feel a lot better about myself for doing it.

Oh op you don’t need a kick up the bum! Looking at you I’m struggling to understand the people suggesting you diet, especially fasting! As long as you’re healthy you don’t need to follow a diet that makes you miserable.

I know it’s easy to say and not everyone can do this, but eat healthily with a few treats and keep active. No restrictive diets! So bad for mental health.

I dont mean to sound too negative but a size 14 is quite high for your height maybe? For example a size 14 on someone who is 5ft 8 or something would look very different to someone who was only 5ft?

That said I'm 5ft 6 and a 10 on bottom, 8 on top. I'm 10stone 3 and I'm hovering just below overweight in the BMI but I'm really not. I do a lot of exercise though. Loads of weight training, HIITS, yoga and jogging (no more than 5k). I struggle to get below 10stone without starving myself. I do struggle with my body too. I hate it a lot of the time but trying to get better

@missperegrinespeculiar I don’t understand how reducing calorie intake is bad when the overall aim of eating healthily and fasting is to reduce calories. Healthy food is less calorie dense and fasting reduces overall intake. Low carb is the same, end result is you eat less calories, but it’s hard to maintain.

I’m the same height and weight around 10 stone. I need to get back to 9 stone after gaining through a bad patch in life. The reason I regain is my husband buying crappy food and feeling low and eating for comfort. I actually want to get to 8st 7lb as I still felt flabby at 9st, even when going to the gym and running.

Don't look at it as a 'diet' try to see it as changing your food habits permanently.

My Mum bought a vintage size 12 dress for me recently. It's beautiful but there is no comparison whatsoever to a modern size 12. I am a size 8 (5ft 4" and 8st 4lbs) and it fits me perfectly. Likewise, I have a vintage size 10 skirt and I can't always wear it. Fits my size 6 13yo dd perfectly though.

I don't think that size 12 means very much. As a size 8, I can comfortably wear a size 12 from some shops yet be drowned by them in others.

You know that you are overweight op and I don't see that there's any merit in people on here confirming it. Conversely, you'll get people also telling you not to worry and your weight is fine . We all filter our opinions through our own perception of our own bodies.

You aren't happy or as healthy as you could be. That's the bottom line. But lose weight because you love your body and want it to be fit and healthy, not to punish it.

I'm a comfortable 12, not a 14. I weighed myself this morning and am 158lbs. Went for a walk last night but as like everyone else in the country I'm juggling wfh and 2 preschoolers (one with SEN).

I'll get flamed on here if I state my reasons for wanting to lose weight.

Why would you be flamed?

You wouldn't, why would you? The important thing about losing weight through diet is eating enough that you are satiated but that you are in calorie deficit. Food, especially cakes, snacks, etc., is relatively cheap and it's all too easy to use food as a treat. The occasional piece of cake, biscuit or handful of crisps is fine. It's when it's every day on top of the rest of the food you are eating that it leads to putting on weight. You can eat lots and lots of food and still lose weight. You just have to make sensible choices. You also have to be in right frame of mind and make a decision to be healthier. I did that at the beginning of the year and I'm so glad I did. It gave me a focus I can control during lockdown and the results have increased my confidence and my determination to carry on and be comfortably in the healthy weight bracket.

I'd guess size 14-16

I'm not sure what reason wouldn't be valid for losing weight unless you have some sort of ED? I am losing weight because I don't like being fat, I've been fat most of my adult life and I'm always putting off buying nice clothes because I think in 6 months I will be slimmer. This means that I'm nearly 40 with no real idea what my style is and very little confidence in my dress sense

But I am finally losing it now. I'm 5ft 3 and down from 74.5kg to 64kg with about another 7kg to go. I've done it through the fast800 diet which has really suited me (quick results and low carb which works with my ibs). I've found it actually far easier to lose in lockdown because I'm in total control of everything I eat- no eating out or work canteen. So I'd seize the chance !

@ShowOfHands because it's to improve my sex life

I’d say you’re a size 12-14, bmi around 27?

I won't comment on your reason except to say I hope your DH/DP hasn't said anything to you about your weight. Now is the perfect time to cut down on what you are eating. I've found it fairly easy - one online shop a week to cover three meals a day for us and no nipping out for chocolate, sweets, etc. I meal plan for the week and buy mainly frozen veg which means minimal prep and no waste.

Why would you be flamed for wanting a better sex life?

He hasn't said anything but I know my husband, he would prefer me slimmer. He would never complain or criticise though but I specifically wish to be more attractive physically for him