"You don't sound/look overweight at all"

[Anonymous]

I'm 5'2", apple-shaped, and 135 lb. When people say I don't look overweight, it makes me feel better. But realistically, I have gained 20 lb since I started college. Undoubtedly, all of that is fat.

I'm starting to have health problems because of my weight. Today I asked myself why I haven't gone on a serious diet. I realized that everyone makes me feel like nothing is wrong.

Just sharing my epiphany for today. I realized I have a lot of work to do in order to lose this weight, and it won't be easy. (Also, I saw a similar exchange in another poster's thread about jeans in the Beauty forum.) Sometimes I wish people had been more supportive about my weight concerns, instead of making me feel better.

[Anonymous]

Ok lose the weight.

I am 5'3 and 140 and I look great. I am sexy as hell. If I was 135 that would be perfection. If I was 130 I wouldn't like it because my face would change and that wouldn't be cute. So do what works for you. Lose the weight but stop talking about it.

[Anonymous]

When I read the title of this thread I thought "how could you know someone is overweight from the sound of her voice?"

[Anonymous]

What health issues?

For me at 5'2" 135 is a good weight, not great. Just a little thicker all around. I even think it falls in the normal bmi range, not overweight.

If you were feeling good at that weight and didn't have health issues I would say don't sweat it. But since you're not happy and you are having health issues then it sounds like a good plan to address it.

[Anonymous]

It is in the BMI of healthy weight. But do as you wish OP. It's about what makes you feel good. But at the same time, and epiphany of your actual weight is a bit dramatic, 115 is fine as well.

[Anonymous]

I suspect that everyone who is telling you that you look good is telling the truth. Thats not to say you shouldn't lose weight -- it sounds like you have good reason to. But own it. You didn't put on the weight because of other people. With all the social pressures to feel bad about our appearance I think its great that your friends make you feel good.

[Anonymous]

I understand what you are saying. I'm 15 pounds heavier than the weight at which I feel most healthy. Yet people, including my husband, tell me I look fine and not overweight. But I know that my 15 pound weight gain over these past two years is all fat, and it's not healthy for me. I'm in the normal BMI range, but I feel sluggish, have a muffin top, flabby arms, extra fat around my belly-- I need to get back to my healthy weight.

People will tell you that you look fine for whatever reason-- maybe they think you really do, or maybe they're just trying to be kind. You need to do lose weight for yourself and not based on what other people say. You will know when you're at a weight that feels healthy for you.

[Anonymous]

Just out of curiosity, what "serious health issues" are you having? I can't imagine anyone having serious weight issues over extra 10 lbs, if that. Lose weight if that is going to make you feel better, but i suspect what you need a work out regimen and not a serious diet. Eat healthy and get in shape, but I can't see how losing 10 lbs is going to make a serious impact on your health.

[Anonymous]

When I gained 10 + pounds, I had high cholesterol and felt sluggish. Even though I wasn't overweight, I was eating all the wrong foods. I went back to a healthier diet cutting out the fried and junk food, and lost the extra weight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is in the BMI of healthy weight. But do as you wish OP. It's about what makes you feel good. But at the same time, and epiphany of your actual weight is a bit dramatic, 115 is fine as well.

This is the problem and very typically American of you to say. It is not healthy to be 135 and 5'2". That is fat. If she had 5 more inches she would be a healthy weight. BMI is a joke, her BMI is at the high end of "normal" which any healthy person knows is no where near what one should be tipping the scales at

OP, yes you are overweight. I assume you are a fairly young woman. Wait until you get older, 135 is going to quickly turn to 155...and then the motorized cart at the grocery store.

[Anonymous]

At 5'1 and 135 (after college) I was FAT. I lost weight and I am 107 now and definitely tiny.

At 115 I looked good but glad the weight kept coming off because my baby face is not fat anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is in the BMI of healthy weight. But do as you wish OP. It's about what makes you feel good. But at the same time, and epiphany of your actual weight is a bit dramatic, 115 is fine as well.

This is the problem and very typically American of you to say. It is not healthy to be 135 and 5'2". That is fat. If she had 5 more inches she would be a healthy weight. BMI is a joke, her BMI is at the high end of "normal" which any healthy person knows is no where near what one should be tipping the scales at

OP, yes you are overweight. I assume you are a fairly young woman. Wait until you get older, 135 is going to quickly turn to 155...and then the motorized cart at the grocery store.

This is just not true for all women. A lot depends on bone structure. I'm 5'1", and when I was at 135 I was definitely not "fat." I got sick and dropped down to 115, and looked almost emaciated. Now the health issue has passed, and I'm up to 125, and it's really the minimum weight I could be healthy at, with my slightly larger frame.

[Anonymous]

OP, well done for listening to your gut feeling!

The problem is that there are so many overweight and obese persons these days that many people, including doctors, have lost their reference points!

I strongly encourage you to change your lifestyle - not just go on a "diet". Lifting weights is ideal for maintaining strength as you age, frequent cardio like jogging or swimming is ideal for taking care of your heart long-term, yoga is perfect for correcting aches and pains due to bad posture etc. Done regularly, this will increase your metabolism and help you lose weight.

Nutrition is key for losing adipose tissue: decrease your fat and sugar intake significantly. That usually means less eating out and take-out, and more cooking from scratch with unprocessed foods. I highly recommend Tosca Reno's books, The Eat Clean Diet and assorted cookbooks.

The number on the scale is less important than how fit and energetic you feel inside!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is in the BMI of healthy weight. But do as you wish OP. It's about what makes you feel good. But at the same time, and epiphany of your actual weight is a bit dramatic, 115 is fine as well.

This is the problem and very typically American of you to say. It is not healthy to be 135 and 5'2". That is fat. If she had 5 more inches she would be a healthy weight. BMI is a joke, her BMI is at the high end of "normal" which any healthy person knows is no where near what one should be tipping the scales at

OP, yes you are overweight. I assume you are a fairly young woman. Wait until you get older, 135 is going to quickly turn to 155...and then the motorized cart at the grocery store.

This is just not true for all women. A lot depends on bone structure. I'm 5'1", and when I was at 135 I was definitely not "fat." I got sick and dropped down to 115, and looked almost emaciated. Now the health issue has passed, and I'm up to 125, and it's really the minimum weight I could be healthy at, with my slightly larger frame.

PP here and 107 at 5'1 and definitely do not look emaciated.

[Anonymous]

13:14 again... I'm 5'4" and 108lbs and my bones are practically non-existent. I'm trying to gain muscle because I'm not strong and at risk for osteoporosis! You won't believe how hard I find that

Well, well. Good luck to both of us.