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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask do you think people always look their best when a healthy weight

209 replies

Xoxoxxo · 12/12/2025 16:58

Not fat shaming I’m very overweight myself and not been a healthy weight for a long time so can’t even imagine what I would look like at a healthy weight

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MidnightMeltdown · 13/12/2025 17:52

It depends on age. At some point you reach the ‘face or body’ dilemma, where losing weight makes you look haggard in the face.

Bambamhoohoo · 13/12/2025 18:04

SexyFrenchDepression · 13/12/2025 17:05

2 stone on someone who is 4f11 is a massive difference. I genuinely dont believe many people wouldn't notice that unless that person was very overweight to begin, for someone who is very obese then it can take more than that for people to notice. 2 stone on a normal weight 4ft 11 person would put them well into overweight category or into very underweight. I'm 5ft 4 and it would for me even. The only reason people may not notice as much is that when I was 20lb heavier I wore baggy clothes all the time so hid it a lot. If I had worn my normal stuff I woild have looked awful. I know people noticed on me, most polite enough not to say of course.

I think its actually an extremely healthy outlook when people dont notice, those who don't notice, IMO, tend to be the kindest, least judgmental people and also the happiest with how they look themselves. Most people do notice though even if they wouldnt say.

I didn’t notice.

dont forget, even the closest people to you aren’t necessarily parading around in swimming costumes or gym wear. My BF wears baggy dresses every day, that’s her style. Walking around shops, sitting at tables etc… it’s not like they’re standing demanding you body check them.

Bambamhoohoo · 13/12/2025 18:08

SexyFrenchDepression · 13/12/2025 17:05

2 stone on someone who is 4f11 is a massive difference. I genuinely dont believe many people wouldn't notice that unless that person was very overweight to begin, for someone who is very obese then it can take more than that for people to notice. 2 stone on a normal weight 4ft 11 person would put them well into overweight category or into very underweight. I'm 5ft 4 and it would for me even. The only reason people may not notice as much is that when I was 20lb heavier I wore baggy clothes all the time so hid it a lot. If I had worn my normal stuff I woild have looked awful. I know people noticed on me, most polite enough not to say of course.

I think its actually an extremely healthy outlook when people dont notice, those who don't notice, IMO, tend to be the kindest, least judgmental people and also the happiest with how they look themselves. Most people do notice though even if they wouldnt say.

By the way I just checked and the difference between an underweight BMI (18) (6.5 stone) and overweight (25) (9stone) on a 4ft 11 white woman is 2.5 stone.

so perfectly easy to lose 2 stone and be healthy either side.

SexyFrenchDepression · 13/12/2025 18:37

Bambamhoohoo · 13/12/2025 18:08

By the way I just checked and the difference between an underweight BMI (18) (6.5 stone) and overweight (25) (9stone) on a 4ft 11 white woman is 2.5 stone.

so perfectly easy to lose 2 stone and be healthy either side.

Only if you are on either extreme if the healthy BMI range so not easy at all. 2stone on someone who is 4ft 11 is loads whatever way you look at.

The other reason people dont notice is because it generally is a gradual loss, if you saw a before and after photo it would be very noticeable.

Bambamhoohoo · 13/12/2025 18:42

SexyFrenchDepression · 13/12/2025 18:37

Only if you are on either extreme if the healthy BMI range so not easy at all. 2stone on someone who is 4ft 11 is loads whatever way you look at.

The other reason people dont notice is because it generally is a gradual loss, if you saw a before and after photo it would be very noticeable.

But they could be overweight in the first place. People don’t go around identifying BMI 26s, they’re none the wiser. I know you’ll say it’s not possible to be 4ft11 and 9.5stone without looking like a Michelin man but trust me, they don’t and normal people with healthy attitudes to weight don’t go around guesstimating their mates BMIs

SexyFrenchDepression · 13/12/2025 18:49

Bambamhoohoo · 13/12/2025 18:42

But they could be overweight in the first place. People don’t go around identifying BMI 26s, they’re none the wiser. I know you’ll say it’s not possible to be 4ft11 and 9.5stone without looking like a Michelin man but trust me, they don’t and normal people with healthy attitudes to weight don’t go around guesstimating their mates BMIs

Edited

No one guesses peoples BMI surely (pretty much impossible), I couldn't give a shit what someones BMI is but I very much doubt 2 stone on someone short doesnt notice. IMO someone who is a healthy weight generally looks better. Mostly those people will be within a healthy BMI but there are of course outliers.

Doesn't mean it looks awful or they look like a Michelin man if heavier, it just means its different than they looked before, like if my friend who was brunette dyed her hair blonde, it may not look bad but I'd notice it was a change.

GaIadriel · 14/12/2025 19:13

ThrowAwayAccountName · 12/12/2025 18:08

I think I look better at a healthy weight after being obese since primary school this is my first experience being a healthy weight though. Can’t really comment for everyone else as it’s difficult to know whether someone is ‘healthy’ BMI or underweight by appearance alone

Massive difference.

Daisywhatsyouranswer · 14/12/2025 19:15

Bambamhoohoo · 13/12/2025 18:42

But they could be overweight in the first place. People don’t go around identifying BMI 26s, they’re none the wiser. I know you’ll say it’s not possible to be 4ft11 and 9.5stone without looking like a Michelin man but trust me, they don’t and normal people with healthy attitudes to weight don’t go around guesstimating their mates BMIs

Edited

I can usually tell if someone is underweight, a healthy weight, a bit overweight, or properly overweight or obese. I don’t sit and guess bmi, who would, but sure I can tell if someone is a bit chubby or not.

GaIadriel · 14/12/2025 19:15

330ml · 12/12/2025 19:37

It’s difficult to know which pictures are the most recent but Kelly Brook certainly looks overweight.

Oh, I've not seen a pic of her in a few years. I meant in her prime. She was voluptuous but not fat.

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