To think I am not overweight?

[orangegerbil]

According to BMI, I am overweight with a reading over 27. I am 5'3 and weigh almost 11 stone. I haven't weighed myself in years so I am a little shocked.

I could do with losing a bit around my tummy, but I am a size 10 so I can't be that bad surely? I do have quite a big chest but that can't be the only reason for my weight.

The NHS uses BMI calculators so I am slightly concerned about it as it must be a trusted way of measuring things. Is it possible to have a high BMI but not be overweight?

I'm 5 foot 7 and weigh 11 stone and I cant fit into a size 10 in any high street shop. Size 10s were often a smidge snug at 10 st never mind 11. And because I'm taller, 11 stone is slimmer on me than it would be on you I would imagine. I think your scales must be on the blink.

Something not adding up here OP. If those are your hip and waist measurements, there's no way you can weigh 11st??!!

Could you post a picture of yourself (clothed and with face hidden!)?

Yes you are overweight. Vanity sizing has made a huge difference. I'm 15 pounds heavier and less athletic since high school yet I wear a smaller size now.

I'm 5'4 and 9 stone is not too thin. I would guess chronic illness made you look and feel ill. Also general perception is warped because so many more people are overweight.

@PalmTreesPurple

At nine stone I was a size 6. I’d say that’s quite skinny? *@bibbitybobbitycats*

Yes, it is. But I still don't think 5'3" and 9 stone is not skinny, but maybe that is because I am basing it on my own experience. I have been that weight (I am 5'3") and was not skinny. I have been 8st 11 at my very lightest and was slim, but not skinny. My mum was about my height and rarely above 8st. She was very slender!

But it does depend on frame size etc.

So I just had a look at the my body gallery website that a previous poster linked to, and if you look actually look at a 5'3 woman who weighs 11 stone, to me almost none of those women look overweight. A lot look like they could stand to use a few pounds but I completely see why the OP does not consider herself overweight.

This is also why I get so sceptical over people saying BMI is the most important thing. Putting in my own height and my first goal weight, which I am still a stone away from, and those women look great! Not even chubby. Yet they are still at least 10 pounds over what is considered my height's ideal weight.

Oops, meant to say "But I still don't think 5'3" and 9 stone is skinny!"

You are overweight. That is a fact. Unless you are a professional sports person with a massive muscle mass (which I doubt)

@Josette77 Having a chronic illness doesn’t make you look any skinnier if you weigh a certain weight. I was very much too skinny at 9 stone.

I would be on a permanent diet if I tried to maintain my pre menopause, pre underactive thyroid, pre retirement weight (physically active job) which was in the normal category. Even then I would do a 2 week diet to lose the half a stone gained a year.
On 1400 cals with tweaks ie lower carbs, protein with every meal I've lost 8 pounds over 28 weeks. Previously lost 10 pounds over 20 weeks but with 2 days fasting and 1400 on the others. BMI result 29.5
What worries me is that you need a BMI of under 30 for some ops eg hip replacement. And think there may be fat shaming with COVID. BMI now is 31.5 . Just rying to get back into overweight category.
At 11 stone and 5 6 I was a size 14

@PalmTreesPurple

How would a chronic illness have any bearing on what I looked like at 9 stone? *@WorraLiberty*

Possibly the speed at which you lost it? Looking unhealthy in general?

I really don't know but having said that, I'm 5ft 3" and 8 stone 6lb. Yet there's no way I could squeeze into a size 6.

But that doesn’t mean nobody else can? You can’t judge everyone’s sizes based on your own. @WorraLiberty

@PalmTreesPurple

But that doesn’t mean nobody else can? You can’t judge everyone’s sizes based on your own. *@WorraLiberty*

No of course not.

But going back to what I said earlier, I still maintain that your average 5ft 3" woman is no way going to be too skinny at 9 stone.

I'm not doubting you personally at all.

I'm 5ft6 and 11.9 with big boobs and I'm slightly overweight according to BMI. I'm also a size 14 at the minute so I have no idea how you can be a size 10 at your height and weight!

I don't mean it makes you look skinnier but possibly worn out and ill. That would make you look sick.

This post has made me want to see what different sizes look like! How much would you guess I weigh/what size in this photo?

I am your height and weight too.

I have a small frame size.

My fat is all round the middle so I am on a diet.

Doc said my ideal weight would be 9 1/2 stone.

It's a very hard angle to guess. Size 12-14?

Is there a prize for guessing correctly @YellowRosesX?

Can’t tell from that photo.

YellowRosesX no idea - maybe 10 on top, but bigger on the bottom?

I know very little about it all but at 18 and my very lightest as an adult I was 9st 1lb and only just about able to squeeze into a size 10 so I think vanity sizing over the past 20-30 years has really gone mad.

If you have flab around your tummy and thighs then maybe think about doing something about it?

Yes @bibbitybobbitycats - 10 on top, 12 on bottom! 11 stone.

I’m also 5ft 3 and used to weigh a steady 8 stone - I was a size 10, in good shape but not skinny - under 7.5stone would be healthy minimum if I remember correctly.
After having my DS (a few years ago...)I am now Size 12/14 and 10 stone but trying to lose weight.
There is absolutely no way I could get into Size 10 on the bottom half - I have tried with my old clothes! If I was 11 stone? hell no!
I had a health check about 5 years ago when I was 11 stone. I was referred to the nutritionist who told me I should aim for 9.5stone.

How tall are you?
I’m going to guess the same height and weight as the op.

@YellowRosesX
Depends on the shop though!
M&S size 10 Karen Millen size 16 😂 (joke)
As pp said difficuly from the angle but I would guess 12 on top 14 on bottom?
You're a brave woman opening up for guesses though haha!
Reminds me when I asked my 4yo godson how old he thought I was...never again!

Well YellowRosesX it would be easier to guess if you posted a front on pic instead of an insta pose pic really.