I'm obese...

[SansaClegane]

Hi everyone,
I've always struggled to maintain a healthy weight and though I noticed it's been spiralling out of control in the last year or two, I stuck my head firmly in the sand.
About three weeks ago I decided I'd finally had enough - ALL my clothes were too tight - and I've been on a 1200 kcal a day diet since.
I also started weighing myself again which I hadn't done in years and it was truly sobering, especially as I put my weight in a weight-tracking-app and came up in the red as obese
Now, last week I was putting on some shorts and wondering if I could wear them again or if they were still visibly too tight. So I took the attached photo (so I could see my own arse), but I was also a bit surprised because while I absolutely look too fat, I don't think I look obese? Or have I just lost touch with reality?
I have lost 11.5 lbs to date, but my BMI is still in the obese range.

You will get a lots of people saying don’t worry, you look fab etc. but it’s good for your health to get out of the obese category . But don’t forget BMI also takes in your muscle mass so two people of same BMI can look very different.

Well done with weight loss. Keep going!

Thank you.
FWIW I don't think I look fab - I'm definitely carrying way too much weight.
I just always pictured obese to be like, I don't know, fat Americans in films? Like big tummies and shapeless.
It was a wake-up call to see this though as obviously with COVID around there's another incentive to slim down.

Well done for addressing it. I’m not far off what you currently look like and I’m 7lbs off the obese range according to the NHS and still wearing a size 12 clothing! Probably due to vanity sizing lol. Diet starts for me on Monday. It’s a shock isn’t it? I always thought that obese was much much bigger than what you or I look like - maybe more like what Adele and Rebel Wilson used to look like, but I know myself I feel unhealthy and hate this new shape and weight. I was looking at all the health problems associated with obesity or being overweight and it’s very clear I’m especially at risk of diabetes. I’d like to lose 2 and a half to 3 stone which would take me to what I weighed for most of my adult life.

You definitely don’t look obese to me but I identify with what you are saying! Have you heard of internal body fat? It’s terrifying!

Good luck with the diet, you can do it!

Yes NC84 that's exactly what I was thinking! Adele pre weight loss or Rebel Wilson. And thank you. I'm also still a size 12 but that's definitely due to vanity sizing, I know the likes of H&M have 'updated' their sizing in the recent past.
I really want to fit into all my nice clothes again though! Good luck to you too.

Yes I always thought obese meant the extremely overweight ( and of course it does) but we have become so used to seeing overweight people that we forget how unhealthy it is. I was shocked when I teetered on the obese range. Now I’m just 5 pounds off the “ normal” range so I know it’s hard work. I’m also really miffed that nobody has noticed!

I wish I could post a recent progress photo of me but I'm obese by 2 stone and I don't look hugely different to you. My legs are slimmer but my bum and probably belly are bigger. What we think of as obese are usually the morbidly and super morbidly obese. It's not a pleasant word to apply to ourselves but it's just a medical status.

I'm also still a size 12 but that's definitely due to vanity sizing, I know the likes of H&M have 'updated' their sizing in the recent past.
I really want to fit into all my nice clothes again though!

Yes! Me too, all those lovely clothes just waiting to be worn.

The vanity sizing has become absolutely ridiculous. I think it’s increased even more since the lockdown as in Next today I would have been a size 8 in some of their dresses. I think I’d fit into some of my Mum’s old size 16s if I’m being honest. It’s really scary how normal it’s become to be really overweight...to the point where we don’t even realise it until we are almost in or in the obese range. I’d ask for help at my GP surgery but they are all much bigger than me. It must be our lifestyles now. The lockdown didn’t help me! I’ve gained one stone since then and I gained a stone due to medication prior to that.

You do look average weight, but you're right it's because everyone is so big now. How are you finding the 1200 cals a day?

I don't think you look what I imagine obese to look like either. Is your bmi 30?

Your picture gave me the urge to do the same. Excuse the mess! I'm quite happy to own the fact that I've got a distorted body image but I look at myself and think I look significantly overweight but don't stand out as huge. My BMI is 39.5. Half a point off morbid obesity. I'm working hard on it and am on 1400 calories a day, started last week.

You definitely don’t look obese to me OP. It’s hard to tell just from the rear view as lots of people carry excess weight mostly at the front. My bum and legs are fairly slim(ish), it’s the abdomen where it gets me.

Would you feel comfortable sharing your height and weight? Easier for people to process.

Super embarrassed but this is me. My BMI is 30. I’m not far off “obese” . Also a size 12 like pp. ps I know my bra doesn’t fit anymore!

Thank you guys. I agree that we as a society have lost sight of what a healthy body looks like, and chubby is the new normal...
For reference I'm 5'7", so slightly taller than average. I started out at 14st 7lbs, I think that was a BMI of 31, now 13st 9.5lbs and BMI down to 30. I'm hoping another half pound loss will bring me over the line to 29.9!
Forgot who asked but I don't have that much of a tummy. I do have big boobs that probably weigh a lot and obviously those thunder thighs and a big arse. That's where my weight tends to go!
I'm finding it ok on 1200 cals a day. I think it's because I combine it with the 16:8, because of the smaller window of food intake I feel I get to eat plenty. My top tip is buying a big bag of carrots I like to nibble/crunch on something!

Diemme and Eleanor - thank you for sharing your pics too!
I don't think you look morbidly obese / obese either. Like, no one would bat an eyelid at you in the streets and think "oh my, that lady is massive!"

And yet that's sort of what I associate with the word.

Sorry just checked my bmi is 29...not that it makes a huge difference lol. I’m 5”4 and 12 stone 2. I hate it and have never been this heavy. I find it very hard to lose weight.

I feel best at 8 st 12 but think that’s unachievable now. I’m ok with 9 stone 7 but that will take ages.

OP I don't think you look obese at all. Congratulations on your journey so far!