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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to ask if anyone else is classed as obese?

154 replies

TheOpalFox · 21/07/2026 22:45

Im
16 stone and classed as obese :( anyone else?

OP posts:
Brightlittlecanary · 23/07/2026 09:27

Odot · 23/07/2026 08:47

We’ve lost sight of what a healthy weight body looks like. Everyone thinks a woman at optimum weight looks emaciated.

I disagree with the pp who said everyone thinks it. I think only overweight and obese women think it, because if they don’t look emaciated, at a healthy weight, then whay do they look like obese, it’s a form of self soothing.

many can’t pretend you don’t look your weight, or carry it well , or are all muscle, whilst saying a healthy weight woman looks a healthy weight. Because by default you must look big then.

I also think there is an element of envy and spite behind it when it’s in relation to other women. Slim is equated to conventional attractiveness, and many women are really messed up about weight and their bodies, they compete with other women, compare themselves, judge others. Look at the thread on burhams wife, women ripping her apart. One even said the first thing she saw was her stomach. And couldn’t grasp how utterly fucked up that was. People pointing out her underwear, it is shocking, how messed up some women are.

Sparrowsandbudgies · 23/07/2026 12:32

FlorenceLawrence · 23/07/2026 09:18

I think there's a lot of truth in this. If you look back at historical or restored films from the 50s and 60s everyone looks so slim - like really slim. Men and women - and compare that to a street scene anywhere in the UK now. Convenience food, highly processed food and 'go large' portions have a lot to answer for.

I think it’s even changed in the last few years. I was flicking through the TV channels the other day and The Inbetweeners movie was on, for anyone that’s lived under a rock or hasn’t seen it there’s a “fat” girl in it that Jay slowly starts to fancy and there’s a lot of ribbing about how large she is, lots of talk of her being huge etc - she honestly looks like a completely normal, if slightly rounded size now (probably a size 16ish). If they re made it now to get the same effect they’d have to cast someone my size (22-24ish). The goalposts have moved.

Iloveburgerswaymorethanishould · 23/07/2026 12:47

In Feb I was 5ft 81/2 and weight 17.9 stone. Think my BMI was 36/37. I need a hysterectomy and the consultant told me I needed it to be less than 35 when the time for surgery comes. Just over 4 months later I’m 13. 6. I’m still classed as overweight as my BMI is 27.8 (or thereabouts) but it’s a massive difference. Due to my height I don’t or didn’t look as heavy as a was. My waistline has taken most of the loss and I actually have a shape now rather than a really fat, potato like middle.

Runsaway · 23/07/2026 12:54

No, I’ve never been obese or even overweight and nor do I know anyone like that. I’ve never been on a diet. I’m 60.

BalloonBloom · 23/07/2026 14:27

Minasama · 22/07/2026 19:18

I don’t want this to land wrong but I am very curious. How do you get to obese? I can’t imagine not noticing that I’d put on a couple of pounds and then eating a bit less to adjust. To put on 2-3 stone is quite some additional food - do you not notice?

I probably used to think similar, I’d never been overweight until last year. I carried on doing an active job and working out while I was pregnant and was back to my pre pregnancy weight a month after my baby was born.

Then I developed postnatal depression, and eventually postpartum psychosis. Never had any mental health problems before, the postpartum psychosis came totally out of the blue. Two months of being sectioned in hospital and a load of antipsychotics later, and I was overweight for the first time in my life. Antipsychotics make me eat everything in or out of sight. Once I was back home, I had a period of depression about the fact I couldn’t really remember two months of my baby’s life, which led to me becoming obese.

I’m two stone down now, one stone to go, but Christ it’s been hard work!

Brightlittlecanary · 23/07/2026 14:42

Runsaway · 23/07/2026 12:54

No, I’ve never been obese or even overweight and nor do I know anyone like that. I’ve never been on a diet. I’m 60.

How’s that even possible, 66 percent of the population are over weighr or obese. Do you maybe not understand what overweight or obese is.? And thinking it’s like my 600lb life, in case that’s the case, then to give an idea , for most women it’s a size 14 dress is likely overweight; I’m nearly 5ft 7 and hit obese at a size 16.

it’s impossible you don’t know anyone over weight or obese unless you never leave your house.

Saddlesore · 23/07/2026 15:09

BatshitIsTheOnlyExplanation · 21/07/2026 23:05

I'm 5 foot 6 and 13 stone 6lb. Obese. Bmi just over 30. I don't think I look massive but maybe I've simply lost perspective.

I'm similar to you. I don't think I look massive either so to have the term "obese" applied to my BMI is shocking. Am I in denial? For context, I wear size 14, sometimes 12 (on top), I can touch my toes easily, I play tennis 2-3 times a week and walk the dog (up hills) daily. I don't snack and only drink (wine) at weekends. My legs in particular are rock-solid, with no wobble.

Runsaway · 23/07/2026 15:24

Brightlittlecanary · 23/07/2026 14:42

How’s that even possible, 66 percent of the population are over weighr or obese. Do you maybe not understand what overweight or obese is.? And thinking it’s like my 600lb life, in case that’s the case, then to give an idea , for most women it’s a size 14 dress is likely overweight; I’m nearly 5ft 7 and hit obese at a size 16.

it’s impossible you don’t know anyone over weight or obese unless you never leave your house.

Obviously I’ve encountered people who are overweight but I don’t know them. My family is all slim, including my parents, so is DH’s family, my adult DC and their partners are slim, all our friends are slim and we’re all middle-aged. Obviously I don’t know anyone’s dress size but absolutely no one would be a 14. My neighbours are all slim.

Brightlittlecanary · 23/07/2026 15:33

Runsaway · 23/07/2026 15:24

Obviously I’ve encountered people who are overweight but I don’t know them. My family is all slim, including my parents, so is DH’s family, my adult DC and their partners are slim, all our friends are slim and we’re all middle-aged. Obviously I don’t know anyone’s dress size but absolutely no one would be a 14. My neighbours are all slim.

Wow that’s really unusual…all your neighbours, teachers, everyoje you know. that must be fairly unique given two thirds of rhe population, so 2 of every 3 people are overweight or obese.

MyDarlingRose · 23/07/2026 15:44

Runsaway · 23/07/2026 15:24

Obviously I’ve encountered people who are overweight but I don’t know them. My family is all slim, including my parents, so is DH’s family, my adult DC and their partners are slim, all our friends are slim and we’re all middle-aged. Obviously I don’t know anyone’s dress size but absolutely no one would be a 14. My neighbours are all slim.

I was overweight at a size 12…

MyDarlingRose · 23/07/2026 15:47

Saddlesore · 23/07/2026 15:09

I'm similar to you. I don't think I look massive either so to have the term "obese" applied to my BMI is shocking. Am I in denial? For context, I wear size 14, sometimes 12 (on top), I can touch my toes easily, I play tennis 2-3 times a week and walk the dog (up hills) daily. I don't snack and only drink (wine) at weekends. My legs in particular are rock-solid, with no wobble.

I don’t think it’s denial it’s just become your normal… I only started to think I looked overweight at BMI 27ish. When I tell people I’ve lost 3st/22kg they all say ‘you didn’t have 3st to lose’ but it turns out I really did. I can see my face as it was meant to look, my muscles are defined, clothes of all cuts and kinds fit me, I rarely get out of breath, my feet never hurt, I don’t get overheated or heat rash….

After the weight loss you realise how much extra body fat was affecting you and that you really were unhealthy. But during you just think you’ve got a little you could lose.

Monkeytennis97 · 23/07/2026 15:52

Yes I am. 17 stone exactly and 5’5’’. BMI of around 40 currently but have lost 33lbs in last 3 months and am aiming to get to around 12 stone (will reassess any further drop nearer the time). Weight loss through calorie deficit and exercise only.

Runsaway · 23/07/2026 15:55

MyDarlingRose · 23/07/2026 15:44

I was overweight at a size 12…

I would think everyone I know would generally be a size 6-10, making a guess.

Brightlittlecanary · 23/07/2026 15:56

Runsaway · 23/07/2026 15:55

I would think everyone I know would generally be a size 6-10, making a guess.

Course they are 😂

Runsaway · 23/07/2026 16:11

Brightlittlecanary · 23/07/2026 15:56

Course they are 😂

Well, they are. I don’t know why you think that’s funny. No one is overweight at all.

Waryandwearyfactorten · 23/07/2026 16:14

Monkeytennis97 · 23/07/2026 15:52

Yes I am. 17 stone exactly and 5’5’’. BMI of around 40 currently but have lost 33lbs in last 3 months and am aiming to get to around 12 stone (will reassess any further drop nearer the time). Weight loss through calorie deficit and exercise only.

Very well done 👏 👏👏👏

TooManySupplements · 23/07/2026 16:55

Runsaway · 23/07/2026 16:11

Well, they are. I don’t know why you think that’s funny. No one is overweight at all.

My friends and family are all slim. Of course out and about I see overweight people but my colleagues and social circle are not. Didn’t think it’s that unusual. And we are in our fifties.

TooManySupplements · 23/07/2026 16:56

Monkeytennis97 · 23/07/2026 15:52

Yes I am. 17 stone exactly and 5’5’’. BMI of around 40 currently but have lost 33lbs in last 3 months and am aiming to get to around 12 stone (will reassess any further drop nearer the time). Weight loss through calorie deficit and exercise only.

That’s a hell of an achievement. Well done.

thetinsoldier · 23/07/2026 16:57

So, OP, you know that plenty of people are obese.

But how do you feel about it, and what are you going to do about it?

Shackleton1916 · 23/07/2026 17:27

I was obese in early February this year - 5'8 and 14st 10, BMI 31.3. I have since lost 30lbs and am now 12st 8 and BMI is 26.8 as of today. I need to lose another nearly 2.5st to get to my overall target weight (10st 3). I'm losing approximately 1lb per week. My target for this year is to lose 3st in total by the end of the year (11st 10lbs) then lose the remaining next year.

I'm doing this by my own made up diet of eating lots of protein and plain salad, fruit, Greek yogurt with blueberries and walnuts, a treat tiny ice cream tub daily, two squares of dark chocolate for the antioxidants. Few carbs. No bread or pasta. I'm not on any WLI due to cost and existing health problems. I do need to do more exercise. Some of my blood tests have improved slightly (autoimmune so I'm on steroids). I need to lose the remaining weight to hopefully feel better.

SaIIyMander · 23/07/2026 17:52

Minasama · 22/07/2026 19:18

I don’t want this to land wrong but I am very curious. How do you get to obese? I can’t imagine not noticing that I’d put on a couple of pounds and then eating a bit less to adjust. To put on 2-3 stone is quite some additional food - do you not notice?

Eating disorders, for me. Of course I notice when I swing from six stone to 24 stone. Unfortunately not everyone has a healthy relationship with food, for all sorts of reasons and to all sorts of degrees.

MyDarlingRose · 23/07/2026 18:17

Runsaway · 23/07/2026 16:11

Well, they are. I don’t know why you think that’s funny. No one is overweight at all.

If you only associate with your family (so genetically similar) and a few neighbours then that makes sense. But there are women a size 12+ everywhere - at my work, my university, my Pilates class. It is unusual that you don’t know a single person who is overweight especially because the majority of over 50s are overweight.

Runsaway · 23/07/2026 18:22

MyDarlingRose · 23/07/2026 18:17

If you only associate with your family (so genetically similar) and a few neighbours then that makes sense. But there are women a size 12+ everywhere - at my work, my university, my Pilates class. It is unusual that you don’t know a single person who is overweight especially because the majority of over 50s are overweight.

No, of course I don’t only associate with my family! We have lots of friends and work colleagues. Maybe it depends where people live.

FlorenceLawrence · 23/07/2026 18:33

Runsaway · 23/07/2026 15:55

I would think everyone I know would generally be a size 6-10, making a guess.

France or somewhere on the continent?
Must be a v niche part of the UK otherwise! I know loads of overweight people, and quite a few overweight children.

Brightlittlecanary · 23/07/2026 18:53

FlorenceLawrence · 23/07/2026 18:33

France or somewhere on the continent?
Must be a v niche part of the UK otherwise! I know loads of overweight people, and quite a few overweight children.

I lived in mainland Europe for a number of years, it’s a myth about French women all being slim, they are just like us. 66 percent of our population is overweight or obese, France it’s 50 percent.

so in this niche slim world the pp lives in where no one is bigger than a ten, it ain’t mainland Europe.