new BMI is really getting me down

[Flabuary]

It’s 25.5. The highest it’s ever been and I hate it. I’ve had 4 DC so I did always have a mum-tum, but now it’s just horrible.
im 43, 5’1 and 9stone 9. Is this weight/bmi too low for any sort of weight loss medication?
having the DC means my lifestyle isn’t as I’d like it to be. I can’t really exercise as I have arthritis in my ankle, I try and make meals from scratch as much as I can.
thanks for reading. I just don’t want to feel so self conscious any more

Try chair palates for 8 weeks, no straining for your ankle, you'll see a huge difference, toning you tummy.

I don't know why you'd consider weight loss injections at your weight, before trying other options.

It makes a mockery of the reason they were produced, they are a tried everything else before option.

Don't panic, you have caught it early, you have got this. I'd encourage you to spend a few days noticing when and what you are eating. Are you popping the crusts from the children's sandwiches into you mouth. Two biscuits when one would have done? Drinking your calories.

Notice, and decide to not eat those things. Think about how you would feel if you ate them, kicking yourself and how you feel when you resist the temptation. Doing well, looking after yourself.

By all means do more exercise, that will help you feel good. It's mostly excess food that puts on the pounds.

You have got this.

I'm the same height and weight as you, and a similar age. I'm definitely carrying too much weight and trying to lose it, for various health conditions. You need to be exercising regardless of your injuries, see a physio if you haven't already. Appraise your diet as that's where the weight loss will come in. I'm eating three high fibre home cooked meals a day, no snacks, and the weight is finally starting to come off.

This is dependent on race though. We are assuming that OP is white. If not, then this bmi could be quite significantly overweight.

From experience, if you just cut down on carbs/anything sugary/very fatty for a while - fill up largely on protein (meat/fish/eggs/cheese), and veg, you shouldn’t actually need to count calories.

(As long as you don’t consume huge portions to compensate, that is.)

People saying her weight's fine because it's only slightly in the overweight category - for some people, even being at the top of a healthy weight BMI (like 24.9) can be too big. I can supposedly go up to 11 stone 6 and still be a healthy weight (I'm tall). However, if I go over 11 stone I'm definetly over weight. I look fat. I have little muscle so all the excess weight is fat. If my BMI was 25.5, I'd definitely look very overweight.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5181505-petite-support-for-losing-a-few-poundsgetting-to-our-happy-size?page=22&reply=142681980

A thread of short women using sensible methods to lose a modest amount to get back to our comfort ranges.

It sounds like a classic creep of a lb here and a lb there while life happens and the metabolism slows with age.

Use My Fitness Pal for a week or two to see where you're at and what you need to tweak.

I normally find I need to make changes such as drinking more water and adjusting portion ratios so I have more veg and less carbs, but not needing a drastic overhaul.

Exercise for muscle mass and bone density is vital for women's long term health and mobility. It's worth getting some hand weights and doing some strength videos (Growingannanas tends to be frequently recommended at this point. The Body Coach/ Joe Wicks also has a lot of beginner friendly content)
Muscle also boosts your metabolic rate which helps maintain a healthy weight long term if a lifetime of living on lettuce leaves sounds a tad unappealling.

This is a really easy problem to sort. Use My fitness Pal or similar to religiously record all your food, weigh it out etc. You will very quickly learn where the calories are and adjust your diet. I'm a little taller than you and do 1200 calories a day (I think I could do less and lose more weight but I'd be miserable) and I find that help me lose weight. Perhaps try 1100 calories a day. Also look at the sugar quantity based on the app and really try to cut down on the sugar you have each day so that you fall within the maximum recommended amount.

This is what I eat typically on 1200 calories in case helpful:

1. Porridge with small squeeze agave syrup or honey and 6g raisins (porridge involves 50g oats and 50ml milk, plus water)
2. A protein-based salad or soup (with soup I have a thin slice of bread too).
3. Air fried piece of salmon with teriyaki sauce, green vegetables, 100g air fried sweet potato (minimal oil required). 50g greek yogurt with berries / passion fruit / very small quantity of granola.

I also have about 4 cups of tea, a square of dark chocolate, a piece of fruit and a small snack (like a small bowl of popcorn, 10g of nuts or an oatcake with peanut butter). Not hungry with all of this.

For exercise - walking or swimming if possible? Or could you go to a fitness class involving weights which avoids stressing your ankle?

Morning everyone. Thanks so much for all the replies!
so it’s mainly my belly fat that’s the issue. That part of me is bordering on a size 14. The rest of me, I’m quite happy with. My legs have always been VERY skinny, so it’s quite nice to not feel self conscious wearing skirts/dresses etc without people commenting on how skinny my legs are!
my face has filled out a fair bit, too which I’m not thrilled about(can I have my cheekbones back please!)
I suspect the culprit is wine… I do love a wine or 2 to wind down after the kids are in bed!

Calorie counting is the only long-term effective way. By calorie counting you can still eat chocolate, sugar tea, or drink beer, whatever is your wont.
The NHS has a good link which lists hundreds of products & foods but keep a strict note of everything you eat for at least the first few days, add it all up, and decide for yourself where to cut back.
Gentle exercising, perhaps using low weights, and stretches will improve muscle tone and posture.
And finally take it easy. Don’t expect miraculous overnight improvements but overtime your weight will drop off, and you will find that the new dietary habits are second nature

This is just neuroticism. You’re not even overweight. Join the weight loss forum where some women fall apart if they go from size 10 to size 12, or someone has a teaspoon of sugar in their tea.

........... I can’t really exercise as I have arthritis in my ankle,
Yes, you can exercise without putting excessive stress on the ankle.......swimming, a gentle walk, floor exercises, bending to the floor........theres countless things you can do to support a good diet, it just takes commitment and ingenuity. Good luck

Ok well I'm sure you know a regular 'wine or two' habit isn't healthy so start by cutting that out or at least down. If you find it hard to do without it that's more of an issue than a little bit of fat.

Calorie counting is the only long-term effective way.

Calorie-deficit is the only long-term effective way, calorie counting is not good for everybody, and it doesn't focus on nutrition.

You could be having a few hundred calories a night just in wine. If you cut that out I'm sure you'll see a big difference.

Start by downloading MyFitnessPal to your phone. Log everything you eat and drink for a few days and see where your calories are going. You might see some really easy fixes.

MFP will work out how many calories you should eat based on your height, age, activity level and set your goal to 1lb loss a week.

If you stick to the limit set by the app you will lose weight.

Wine would definitely be a culprit. Save it for the weekend. It's a lot of empty calories that stack up over time. It also disrupts sleep aggravating tiredness and is inflamatory to the body so probably won't be helping the ankle.

I used to love them too! But I just have to discipline myself or I'd end up like a balloon....

I do eat some carbs and there is a certain amount in the food I eat also. However I don't eat anything fried, no potatoes, white bread, pasta that kind of thing, and although I missed them at first I don't anymore (much). The protein is very filling and I supplement with protein powder at breakfast too.

I love bread though, so I now make a couple of loaves of wholemeal, flax, chia seed bread and use that from the freezer, one or two slices a day. Stops me hitting the white stuff lol. I use proper butter and it satisfies me.

Look, I'm not obsessive about it, I do like desserts and will have them if out for a meal. I like dark chocolate also, so have a few squares now and then. I'm not a masochist!

After Christmas my BMI crept up to 26.7 so a couple of weeks ago I decided to do something about it. I'm doing intermittent fasting and calorie counting. I'm down 4lbs so my BMI is now 26. My first goal is to get to a BMI of 25 and then set another goal.

There’s a lot of evidence of people who are not actually morbidly obese when they start on ozempic etc developing pancreatitis and other issues.

you are only just into overweight; you basically need less calories going in. Easy to say I know; it’s not about going to the gym etc it’s about what, how and when you eat.

When I hit my forties I realised that I absolutely did not need to eat as much. I've always been slim but when you get to a certain age your calorie intake needs to be cut.

I eat whatever I want, just not a lot of it.

Have a look at this for ideas. I googled gluten free diet plan and found this

www.eatingwell.com/article/289182/14-day-gluten-free-meal-plan-1200-calories/

Ffs

You are barely overweight! You wouldn't be anywhere close to qualifying for weight-loss drugs! You can get comfortably back in the healthy weight range within 30 days just by eating healthily for a month, getting good sleep and walking 10K steps a day. Literally you are in a great position. You have so little weight to lose comparatively to get back into a healthy BMI. This will take you virtually no time at all and you don't have to take any drastic steps. Just reduce calories slightly, eat nutrient-dense and low carbohydrate food, walk lots, sleep well, lay off alcohol and in 30-60 days, you'll be back in the middle range for a healthy weight again!

Was just thinking the same thing. Scientists did some research on conscientious objectors I think it was. They reduced their food intake by 10% and it triggered food obsessions and eating disorders. I like podcasts such as Maintence Phase and Burnt Toast to give counter balance to all the diet culture. Not saying I'm not uncomfortable with weight gain but the things I mentioned do give another perspective. Also, Fat Talk by Virginnia Sole Smith is excellent reading for parents around the issue of diet culture and how we talk about our bodies in front of children. Eye opening. Also, a little bit of self compassion never hurt anybody: our bodies do change as we get older and our worth isn't tied up to being a certain number on the scales or in our clothes.