BMI Horror/ Confusion. Do I need to get to a "normal" BMI?

[Ray92]

I've always been heavy, the only time I've been a normal BMI I smoked and ate 1,000 calories a day.

I'm currently 8 months pp and 16 stone 9. Before pregnancy I was around 15 stone. Obese in both instances. I'm clearly delusional, as I don't feel I looked obese! My blood pressure, cholesterol, fitness, blood sugar have been checked and they are all good. I'm so ashamed of being so obese.

What do I do? Get down to "normal" by any means possible or is it okay to be 15 stone, which I feel is manageable?

Does anyone else have this problem with BMI?

I don't know how I've put so much weight on, but my breasts have .gone from a 34C to a 36I

I'll attach pics of me around 15 stone for reference.

I’m sorry op but I don’t believe those photos are 15 stone. And it’s not like they show a lot of muscle either.

I’m 10 stone pp and I probably look like those photos

BMI calc says that a 5 foot 9 at 15 stone would be obese - clearly those photos do not show an obese person. What’s going on?

But as previous posters say, I do look obese in those pictures.

I am absolutely obese in those pictures. I'm even more obese now.

I still don't have rolls though.

I absolutely 100% believe you are 15 stone in those pics. Only because my figure is very similar when I'm about that weight. At 15 stone I was running half marathons and was incredibly fit,

What you do is aim to be healthy. Eat a sensible diet with sufficient protein, loads of plant matter and lowish carbs. You stay active, you put effort into making sure you keep your DC healthy. Hopefully you slowly creep down to about 13 stone. Your build indicates that you would be just fine as a little overweight.

here are two pics I’ve grabbed from my phone
Yes I’m posing but who doesn’t if you’re taking a photo?!
Roughly 15 stone in the black dress, 16 stone in the bikini
Yes, I’m obese and fat and enormous before anyone tells me, I have a mirror and scales

Thank you! Not the only human with this issue x

OP your figure looks absolutely gorgeous in those pictures and I guess what's important is how you feel health and fitness wise long term - do you feel able to exercise without being out of breath quickly etc?

It's always hard to tell from photos, but your hand on your waist looks a bit out of proportion size wise so I'm not sure if maybe it's been manipulated a bit? Obviously not an issue if so, just wondered as we can only go off the pics.

Sidebar, your dress and swimsuit are both gorgeous, you have fabulous taste!

Why have you shown those old pics then? It's irrelevant what you looked like then if you don't look like that now. You're bmi was obese then and more so now, so what's the relevance of the photos? Even if you get back to what you looked liked in the photos you will still be obese, albeit a very curvy nice figured obese 🤷‍♀️

Did you look at the waist measuring link I posted?

I think you do need to get into the normal range BMI myself.

While there is nothing wrong with your figure per se, you are carrying quite a bit of weight round your belly and should be aiming to get into the healthy range, for the sake of your health.

I think at 5’9 you can carry more weight and you obviously have a good shape, but if you were standing next to someone with a smaller bmi in your pics I think the obesity would show much more. We’re all capable of taking very flattering photos of ourselves and know just how to pose to show ourselves at our best.

Hahaha I don't think I am being very clear!

I was 15 stone and obese BUT felt good. I looked good, was relatively fit.
I want to get back to 15 stone but the BMI calculator says I should be 12 stone 6ish.
I don't know how to get to 12 stone!!
So my real question is, is it okay to be obese if all other health indicators are good? What are the health benefits of being in the "normal" range?

Weight threads on MN – especially threads where a woman with an overweight or obese BMI has the audacity to look good - are always amusing and horrifying in equal measure.

You look great OP. That’s by the by. It’s about how you feel. If you feel good, your energy levels are acceptable, you don’t have any health problems and you can cope with a moderate level of physical activity then you’re grand.

As an aside, I’m 5’7” and 15st 8lbs (down from 22st+ and still losing before the vipers get their fangs out!) and I would kill to look the way you do! I’m significantly wobblier and bumpier! But ultimately I lost weight to feel better rather than look better and it has been transformative.

No it's not OK to be overweight (let alone obese) if all health indicators are good, because they won't always stay that way.

In terms of jow to lose weight, I would recommend going only eating whole foods and non processed foods. It's not a diet, it needs to become a way of life, with rare treats.

3 1/2 stone ago I could get photos like that if I stood at the right angle. I was still overweight though. I was in denial. Now I’m lighter I don’t need clever angles and I feel so much better.

I dare say that some people can get away with being obese for a period of time but being obese is likely to eventually catch up with you. One example being the additional pressure on joints which may be ok now, but after a number of years of additional pressure especailly as you age, you could well find that you end up with problems.

I think you look nice and not to be rude, but you have massive boobs and surely they weigh a fair bit on their own? You actually have a small waist from the pics you have posted which is a good sign from a health point of view.

It is a bit delusional to say you don't have rolls though, I'm five stone lighter than you and I still have rolls when I sit down - everyone does.

BMI isn't the worlds most important thing (the podcast 'maintenance phase' do a good episode on it's history if you're interested) but it's a guide and you can choose to ignore it if you want. You don't have to be a certain weight just because it says so!

OP consider this - you feel good now, because you are young and haven’t started collecting ailments yet (as we do with age).

But weight will just go up with age, it will start to impact your health and lifestyle, and it will be much more difficult to lose it.

Invest in your future by making steps towards a healthier lifestyle now. No need to impose an exact weight target, as it will feel impossible and demoralising. Just gradually shift towards improved eating habits, food and regular exercise.

Bloody hell! You look INCREDIBLE in that swimsuit picture!
I am 9.5 stone and look like a melted candle in my underwear

It always amazes me what identifying things people post on a public forum

Hi @Ray92 ,

I'm about the same height as you, and weigh just under 15 stone (unlike you, I'm male). I'm very obviously fat, big beer belly and "man boobs" and need to lose a significant amount of weight

You don't look big because your fat is evenly distributed, if it was more concentrated in one area, you'd really notice it. That's great for your looks, but not necessarily your health. That much excess weight is a big health risk, and while it's difficult to lose it now, it'll be significantly easier than when somethings already gone wrong with your health.

I've gotten down to a healthy BMI twice since I first hit 15 stone (I'm absolutely crap at maintaining it). It's amazing how much better you feel, how much more energy you have, when you didn't even realise you were lacking energy in the first place.

I'm currently losing weight again and this time I'm commited to sticking to it. (I've quit drinking this time round, which was always my curse)

I think you look really lovely in both pictures. Your weight is pretty high for your height though. I think as long as you are happy and eating a healthy balanced diet with no overeating / bingeing etc… and exercising, it’s fine.

I don’t believe whoever is in those pics is 15 stone , I’m 5’2 and weigh 9.10 and I look much curvier than that photo.

Thank you 😂that really made me laugh, but I doubt you do!

To the poster who said 'curvy' and 'womanly ' are euphemisms for fat - I used both these terms in my earlier reply to OP and most definitely did not mean she was fat!
And sorry OP, I misread your post about being 8 months post partum now as 8 months pregnant.
I still stand by what I say though. You have an enviable (to me) figure. You don't look obese or even overweight to me at 15 st. Your other health indicators are good so I would ignore whatever bmi you are and concentrate on being a mum rather than worrying about getting to a particular bmi goal.
My dd has the same figure as you and I tell her often how great she looks. She also rows, swims, runs and does gymnastics so is very fit and healthy.