Why don't I look slim despite technically being slim?

[slimtheory]

NC. My BMI is 21. It was 26 this time last year. Recent photos show I look like a sack of spuds. I'm only short at 5'3" so that might not help but I feel quite down about it. I do suffer from bloating due to chronic conditions but it's not obvious from the front. I weigh around 8.5 stone and am a size 10. I'm not glamorous and wear practical clothes because I need to. I'm perimenopausal and feeling rubbish about myself. In theory I'm slim but I don't look or feel it. Why?

Do you have big boobs or a round face? They can make people look bigger than they are

Take some today, the person that took it most likely took it from the wrong angle. The angle is everything!

Are you wearing a properly fitted bra? With the weight loss you will certainly have changed bra size. Do the boob or bust method or go to bravissimo, and make sure the straps are adjusted too.

Are you wearing the right size clothes? And something which suits you, I'm a tiny bit shorter but look like a sack in anything loose or oversized, much better in something fitted. It's worth booking an appointment with a John Lewis personal stylist, it's free and they will show you things you might not have considered previously but suit your new size and shape.

And we'll done on the weight loss

Posture?
I’m disappointed in how I look although I’m slim, I’m going to have a Pilates assessment and try on focus on not standing like this woman. Looking at the picture I wonder if my posture is to do with screen time and varfocals. Whatever the cause I look a lot fatter than I should!

What's your muscle tone like?

I started to look non slim despite being slim last winter and then started doing a weights workout class once a week in May. Being more toned has made a massive difference. I've not weighed myself so not sure if I've gained/lost/stayed the same but my posture is much better and my stomach is much, much flatter for having more muscle tone. It also feels easier to hold myself up and move about in the world, strange as that sound. The biggest thing I've noticed is feeling better in myself - stronger and more energetic.

What is your body frame size? You can calculate it here
https://www.omnicalculator.com/health/body-frame-size
I have a wrist size of 14cm which gives me a small frame. Generally with a small frame you need to be right at the lower bmi limit of 18.5 to be slim unless you have a lot of muscle. My bmi is 19 and I still have some lower belly fat.

You can use this calculator to work out ideal weight by frame size.

Most of us rarely like looking at our own photos and most are very critical of our own image. If you do indeed have a BMI of 21 I don't see how you can look anything but slim and certainly not like a sack of spuds. Have you asked a dr who can tell you truth to get a more objective view?

I think it's probably more to do with your wardrobe than anything else. A tired & clumsy wardrobe no matter how slim you are, will make you look like a sack, period.

I have a small frame according to that but my wrists and ankles are quite delicate unlike my hips and ribs. My ribs measure 29 inches around my bra band. I have broad knees too whether I weigh 7.5stone or 11.5 stone my knees don't change much.
The angle of the photo was taken from low down which I don't think helped.
GP says I'm slim in dus is soon about risk factors for a particular health issue.
My feet are a D/E fitting.
I also never tuck anything in because my belly is bloated.