Normal BMI, large waist.

[lasangoles]

My BMI is 24. I'm a size 12. Feel like my weight is OK but could lose a bit. Reading the NHS website, it says you should lose weight if your waist is bigger than 31.5 inches, and see a GP if your waist size is over 34.5 inches and you're at risk of serious health conditions. My waist size is 37.5! Really anxious about my body image. If I lose 6 inches, surely my BMI will be really low? Anyone else experienced similar? I'm 5ft8 and weigh around 11 stone.

What are your hips and bust size?

Hips I'm a size 12, occasionally 14. Boobs I'm a 34GG!

OP using clothing sizes as a measurement is pointless. If you want to understand your body and risk factors you need to be more precise. And waist measurement is one of the most reliable. But as a PP has said - it is your choice. If you don't mind, are willing to live with some risks to you health associated with large waist size , than that is your choice.

@JinglingHellsBells

I have a BMI of 31. But my waist is 32 inches. I think a lot is down to shape/ height etc.

BMI 31 is classed as obese. Wherever that weight is stored, it's too much.

Well, not necessarily a disaster.

I have a bmi of just under 30 - I have a big muscle mass AND some fat. My waist is less than half my height, blood pressure perfect, can run 10k. Can score a beep test result that would qualify me for the fire service. Resting heart rate of an elite athlete.

Yes, I can lose weight, and yes, I will lose the rest. But the process of losing six stone of weight has made me very attuned to MY body and health, not standardised measurements, and I'm healthy as a horse.

@doadeer

I'm really confused by your measurements OP. I'm 5ft 8 too, still losing a bit of baby weight I'm 12st 2 which is an overweight BMI (just) have about 5 lbs to get to a healthy BMI but my waist is 30.5". Pre baby it was 27. I'm a size 14 at the moment (or a 13 if they existed)

Are you sure yours is 37" or did I misread?

People are different. What’s confusing? At 5ft 9 weighing 11stone 3 my waist was 34.5 inches Now at 9 stone 4 my waist is 29.1 inches, not much less than yours even though I’m lighter. People carry weight differently.

@lasangoles

Hips I'm a size 12, occasionally 14. Boobs I'm a 34GG!

I mean in inches.

@Egghead68

My BMI is around 22, I do 3-minute planks and loads of abs exercises and my waist is around 34 inches.

Having strong abs is unrelated to the amount of fat being carried around the middle. Fat people can have strong abs. Thin people can have weak abs. The time you can hold a plank is irrelevant

That sounds quite unhealthy op. Are you sure you're measuring it right.

I haven’t posted in a while, and I’ve NC-hopefully not recognised!

For all those in disbelief- I too have a waist around 37+. I’m going to attach an image to show it. Whilst I could obviously lose weight I’m generally fit and I don’t think if you saw me in the street you’d fall over in shock. My bmi is normal. Bit of a mum girth, but I’ve never gone in much. This is a pretty average picture, not flattering but not awful.

Just posting for those who say it can’t be true... Yes, I would benefit from losing it, but it’s far from an unbelievable number I think the reality is many people must as I feel quite middling when I’m out on the street

I have that body shape, although I’m thin with it. I’m 32D-26.5-35 and nearly 5’8. If I gain, it only goes on my waist. My mum has the same hip size as me, but then a 34-inch waist. Two of her sisters are diabetic. I’m literally obsessed with keeping my weight— and therefore waist size—consistent, as I’ve already been pre diabetic through having insulin resistance.

There are a few here who’ve mentioned being pre-diabetic - can I ask what happened? Did you reverse it? What did you do that was effective, if so?

I was recently diagnosed as pre-diabetic and the Dr has put me on Metformin. I’m trying hard to lose weight but it’s very slow (probably around 2kg in 3 months) and I have a similar problem with my stomach (37 / 38 inches but it has a tendency to bloat).

Sorry OP, I semi-hijacked your thread but am in a similar position with lots of visceral fat but ok size arms and legs (so don’t look overweight at a glance as I tend to hide my tummy).

I'm obese (BMI 33) and my waist is 37 inches, dress size 18/20, however when I was a normal weight I always has a 28/29 inch waist and even now my hips are much wider than my waist (so massive!) and I'm an F cup so a very chunky hourglass.

*had, not has

I had to get my bmi down to 20 to get my waist below the recommended and my periods became irregular. I've just never had a waist, very straight up and down with a wide ribcage. I remember as a teenager weighing 8st at 5'6" and my friend weighing 10.5st at 5'4" having a smaller waist than me due to her having an hourglass figure and her laughing at me calling me fat . That was the beginning of a really unhealthy relationship with dieting and food for me.

Some people do have an apple shape, but changing your diet could help. Not necessarily eating fewer calories but maybe less processed food, less sugar, etc.

I'm the complete opposite of many posters on here. Height 5' 3". Waist 32, size 14, boobs 34ff My excess weight is distributed all over - I've had many an argument about what I weigh. BMI around 30/31 so obese, definitely fat but [shrug]

My sister however 3 inches taller, 1 stone lighter - waist 38, type 2 diabetic BUT has PCOS. Must be a hormonal impact.

@APheasantPluckersSon, I started inositol and that alone reversed my insulin resistance. I have PCOS, so insulin resistance comes with the territory. I was already eating lowish carb, and continue to do so. I’m thin (nearly 5’8 and 125 pounds) so don’t do without carbs completely as I look drawn.

@OuiOuiKitty, same. I have a friend who’s 5’2 and weighs the same as me (125 pounds, but I’m nearly 5’8) and she is two dress sizes smaller on account of having a big butt and legs but small waist. Clothes are not made with our body shape in mind. But we usually have fabulous legs, so there’s that!

I'm an apple shape and the only way I've managed to lose weight from my middle is to do low carb, I don't know why, I think bloating from sugar may be part of it?

There are a few here who’ve mentioned being pre-diabetic - can I ask what happened? Did you reverse it? What did you do that was effective, if so?

because I also had an unhappy liver the dr recommended I do an interval fasting programme plus lowish fat.

I did 5/2 for about 3 months and the blood test showed normal blood sugar and improved liver function.
then switched to 16/8 for maintenance. I've been doing 16/8 since then (3years) but not very strict. my bloods now are fine.

I have just measured mine - it's bloody 37" !!!!!

I’ve never had a tiny waist and it was over 31 inches and I assumed it was just my shape straight up no curve there, I was active and swam and did spin classes

.im pear shaped so not a big tum that’s my thighs and arse butI was wrong.. Now still a similar weight but my waist is under 30 thanks to yoga of all things ( taken 2 years probably) but I have a little definition and a waist that now goes in! I haven’t tried it’s just happened with all the core work in yoga. So there was obviously more there than I thought.

Just offering a different view

I posted a thread about this at one stage too

For people saying clothes won't fit - what happens is because your hip size is generally the right size, you can still get into clothes that fit you even if your waist is large.

I'm 5'5'' and a bit and when I was overweight at 72kg I still fitted in 12-14 clothes even though my waist size was enormous (my hips were still 38'' and my waist was 34/35'')

I had to get down to 60kg before it even became a reasonable size but I'm still undoubtedly an apple no matter what I do. I don't think perimenopause/menopause is helping

@Roae and others who are concentrating on how you look, particularly in comparison to other people or what other people would think if they saw you. It doesn't work like that!

Waist measurement over half your height is a really good indicator of an unhealthy distribution of fat. It could be genetics, body shape, frame, diet, whatever. The underlying indication though is that it will increase risk factors.

Makes no difference if you fit in to a size 12, 14 whatever or "nobody would think I was fat!" It doesn't mean those risk factors are reduced. If you are interested in protecting against those risk facrors, then you need to get to know more about your body. If that isn't your focus, then why be on this thread?