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"5 and 9 stone 10 and I'm a snug size 12. Wouldn't get into a 10.

Post a picture op.

I think women generally have to work pretty hard for that due to our naturally higher body fat %. Men do too but women more so. It has to be whittled down to a really low, lean % for muscles to show.

I got abs 'by accident' last year. I didn't aim for it but they just started appearing by themselves. It was lovely. I'm quite miffed that being sick for nearly 4 months made them melt away. It's not often in life someone gets abs by accident. I'm not sure if it can happen twice.

I’m 5ft 6, and fluctuate between ten stone two and ten stone six depending on time of the month etc. I wear a size 10, jeans tend to be Levi’s or Whistles, 28 and 27 waist respectively.

I post daily on the Style and Beauty outfit thread, so there are plenty of pics there, although this is quite a new incarnation of the long running thread. (I realise people will be along to tell me I look like a size 26, and my clothes are shit, if anyone looks.)

I’m two inches shorter than you, 3.5 stone lighter and I still have some ‘padding’ on my legs.

You have lost track of your weight if you think you aren’t overweight at 11 stone on any 5 foot 3 frame. Time to recalibrate and get healthy.

I've always said I'm a weird body shape to be honest. I have short legs and a long body. I have a waist for the first time in 20 years..I lost 3 stone 2 years ago and kept it off.
I walk a lot though and I do have bigger boobs and i can never shake of my double chin no matter what weight i lose.
But i am a.size 10 to 12. I'm never a 14 unless its bloody primark jeans and I cant fit into an 8.
I do find it strange that people find it incredible that I'm nearly 11 and a half stone and a size 10 to 12.

@Judystilldreamsofhorses no, you look like a size 10 and more likely 8 in many shops - and your clothes are lovely, especially the most recent tomato coloured trousers (I only caught up last night).

if you're fairly muscular and at that BMI your BF% can't be 30%. Definition started to show at around 25% (and that wouldnt be fairly muscular)
Well sorry but you're wrong! I do strength workouts 3 to 4 times a weeks including weights. Even the nurse commented on my leg muscles when I saw her last!

I'm sure I was around 25% in my 20s, not any longer in my 50s, although I actually am more muscular now!

Like everything there's exceptions, but this is a fairly good visual guide. Also muscle tone is visible on different areas at different %.s. arms/legs show first and abdomen shows last.

I’m 5 ft 2 and I weigh 8 stone 3 and I fit into a size 8/10.

Having said that, when I’ve been around the 10 stone mark I’ve been a size twelve but tbh I don’t believe you can be fitting well into a size 10.

IIRC a healthy weight for that height is between 7 stone 6 and 9 stone 6.

For those that can’t possibly imagine how someone is over 11 stone around the 26 BMI mark and has large boobs at a 32G/H and a size 10 in New look/Topshop/Quiz/River Island.

I don’t believe you can be fitting well into a size 10

You may not believe it but I do, perfectly well thank you

But how tall are you @ProseccoandPizza?

You don't look overweight in those clothes, I admit, but we can't see your tummy, or upper arms or any of the areas where women tend to carry fat.

@orangegerbil You've had loads of replies and lots of those asking for a photo. (made anon of course.)

I think that is the only way.

As for a size 10, it depends on the style of clothing and the brand. Many brands use vanity sizing, especially mass market like Next, M&S, M&Co, etc.

I weigh 3.5 st less than you at the same height but for fitted clothes like a dress with a fitted waist , or jeans, I need a 10. For loose fitting clothes with no waist, I can easily get into an 8 or even a 6. In a fitted top or a tight jumper I usually go for a 10.

I guess you wear 'drapey' styles perhaps?

I guess it depends on how you like your clothes to fit.

@JinglingHellsBells

I’ve gone from 17 stone to 11 stone 3-7lbs I’m the last two years. I still have fat on inner upper arms and a mum-apron of fat on tummy. I dress well and it helps that I’ve got large boobs and built bigger hips through weight lifting.

I think this thread is a waste of time unless the OP posts a photo OR says how much she used to weigh compared to now, or even posts measurements of upper arms, thighs, calves, bust etc etc.

There are people who can have a slimmish waist, but have huge legs, arms, and bums. Not saying that is wrong but the weight has to be carried somewhere.

prosecco it shows you lift :)

@ProseccoandPizza Well done on the weight loss! That's brilliant.
But for the sake of the thread and the OP, might it help to say 'I could lose a few more pounds and get down to BMI 25'.

@JinglingHellsBells ha definitely! I plan on losing at least another stone to get my body fat from 27% to sub 22%

@Fressia123 thank you!

I agree with with you Jingling especially because she doesn't lift, which could explain why she's just slightly above a BMI of 25 and still be a "smaller" size.

I am 5'2" and presently overweight at 11st 5Ib no way would I fit into a size 10
I was talking to my DH about sizing many moons ago I was 8st 7lbs and a perfect size 12 measuring 34 24 34
Sizing today is much bigger if I was this weight all that time ago a size 20 would have been tight

Vanity sizing is out of control. I do dressmaking as a hobby and I've recently started using 50's and 60s vintage patterns.

I'm an 8 on most modern patterns and can easily take a 14 on vintage ones.

Even some of my high size 12 dresses from 10-15 years ago are the same size and fit as size 8 dresses bought recently.

Dress sizes are completely meaningless now. Nearly two thirds of women in the UK are overweight or obese now, so as people get larger and larger they just shift the numbers on the sizes.

I'm the same weight as you are @Bumwart21 , but 3 inches taller and I wear a size 16! I would have to lose another stone to get into a 14. It's all rather strange isn't it how everyone can be different sizes when you wouldn't think they are going by their height and weight.

I think from all the posts on here it does go to show how much our weights / sizes can vary drastically depending on body composition. I am 'heavy' - I am overweight and am working on it, but I am definitely heavy for my size if that makes sense. I'm just under 5'2 and a size 12 (which I know with vanity sizing is far too big for my height) - I'm not going to say my weight as it's embarrassing but it's significantly higher than taller people on here who are taller than me, lighter, but a 14/16 in clothes.

I don't know why people keep talking about vanity sizing

I haven't said I am a size 10 in 1980s clothes, I am a size 10 in 2020

Whether that would be a size 14 30 years ago is neither here nor there

Most people who shop on the high street today will know what a size 10 in 2020 looks like - that's the size I am and I mentioned it to give a picture on the size I am. I never said I am a size 10 in 1980s clothes.