Am I in denial about my weight?

Sauleeh

I am 5'1 and 140 pounds. Been always with a belly, as far as I can remember. When I sit here, typing this, I don't feel as fat as I am. In my head I feel thin, even in the mirror I don't seem as big. But often when I walk and catch a reflection in a window, I look huge. I feel worse when I am hanging out with my very thin friend. Those days I feel like a whale that has been washed up on a beach.. I remember over a year ago at this point, a girl told me 'Wow I am happy you are a bigger girl and aren't afraid to show skin'.. Am I considered a bigger girl? I would of imagined the term 'bigger girl' be used for somebody larger than me.. Or am I that size?

Me in the photo now.
http://i61.tinypic.com/35kiihz.jpg

I have no idea how to add a photo..

mactaffy84

Your BMI is about 26 so, yes, this does put you into the overweight category. Unless you are extremely muscular....? That being said, you didn't really state what goal you have. Do you want to lose weight? You sound kind of unsure about way you are, is that accurate?

Sauleeh

I want to lose weight. I am starting off with the 30Day Shred, almost done with it. Most of my weight is in my belly and upper thighs. I feel so confused about weigh loss. On the internet there are so many different opinions, I don't know which one to go by.

HereLieWe

I think your body looks great in that photo you posted. My suggestion - if you like how you look (and trust me, you look gorgeous!) don't feel like it's necessary to lose weight because of some arbitrary number you see on the scale.

YearsWorthOfFAT

If losing weight won't hurt you and will make you feel better, do it.

You don't look horrible to me, though. However, some people would consider you 'bigger' and your bmi is in the overweight range.

And yes, how do you know which weight loss road you can choose?
If anything just try it. You'll find out what works for you and what doesn't.

grubb1019

I think you are beautiful! You remind me a lot of myself when I was your age (I'm an old woman now - 42). I was 5 ft 5in and 140 and I thought I was huge. I wish now I had realized how skinny I was back then! I would suggest just focusing on toning exercises, it will help you feel good about yourself. 30DS is a great start. Don't starve yourself, please, it won't help you in the long run. Focus on trying to eat healthier, make little changes at a time, but don't give up the things you love. Moderation is the key.

melnorwich

Hi
I definitely wouldnt describe you as a bigger girl. That said if these photos were of me, I'd probably feel more confident about my body if I lost 10lbs, but no more. That will hopefully just take the doubts away. I think if you are looking at your body and not feeling smug about it, then maybe it is worth loosing a little weight.

I've asked myself the same questions as you are asking. I'm 5'2 and 152 lbs. Sometimes I feel taht i dont look that bad and sometimes I feel like a whale when I look in the mirror. The biggest shock for me was when i took some shots from each side in underwear. It looked much worse than it does in the mirror and was a big wake-up call/motivation.

There is nothing wrong with you at all, but if you want a body that rocks a little weight loss or work to define your waist would be worthwhile.

Mel

willofinstinct

Hi there!

It's funny because reading your height and weight, I was thinking 'Yeah - Perhaps this person is a little bit on the heavier side' but your picture looks GREAT! Clearly, the numbers on the scale don't mean as much as we like to think they do!.

If you say that you often feel fine about your weight, then I just would't bother making any kind of 'weight loss' plan. You could just up your activity a little (specifically with some weights, strength training, toning exercises) which will just make you feel better and more toned....and that way it's not about 'oh I have this much weight to lose' but more about 'I'm going to make my body stronger and fitter in whatever ways I can'

I think you look fabulous Good luck with whatever you choose to do x

Sauleeh

You are all so kind. Hopefully I can lose a bit from my stomach so it doesn't bulge out like a fish eye. :S

michellemybelll

I think you are beautiful! You remind me a lot of myself when I was your age (I'm an old woman now - 42). I was 5 ft 5in and 140 and I thought I was huge.

5'5" and 140 lbs is very different than 5'1" and 140 lbs.

OP you're very pretty, however at your height 140 lbs is kind of chunky. and, as someone else stated, it does put you in the overweight category.

darrensurrey

Depends what you want. Losing weight can often be a confusing thing. Many would kill to be your shape/size/weight. If you dream of a flat tum or a six pack, then you might end up weighing the same but with a completely different physique - a decent diet and a regular routine involving strength training will help for this.

Jodsmission

First let me say we are all in denial about our size a little bit. The reflection thing kills me all the time.
But I have to agree with Mactaffy. You have been at this weight for over a year in spite of trying different workouts. Do you want to lose. I mean the good thing is your aren't gaining. You are maintaining your size but maybe what you really want is a change in eating habits and exercise routine rather than losing weight???
BTW people say stupid things. You aren't a "bigger" girl and I am sure that person thought they were saying something nice it just came out poorly.

LumberJacck

No, you're not in denial. I'd suggest you try to lose 5 pounds, and then pause that and see how you manage for a month or two. Then either stay at that weight, or continue to lose, 5 pounds at a time.

I'm a lot older than you, you often hear that "children made me gain weight" or "it's harder to lose weight after the age of 40".

That may or may not be true, but I would say to anyone who attempts to lose weight at a young age is to do it *carefully*.

You don't want to crash and burn, and end up gaining weight. The longer you have been overweight, the more likely you are just to stay there, just because you're so used to it. So don't end up gaining weight, because you could end up like me, gained 28kg and it took 3 years to lose it.

Tatyanne

If you have mixed feelings you probably should lose some weight.
You are not a whale...but probably need to lose 10lbs like I do (I'm 5'4" and I'm currently with 144.4, aiming to be 135lbs).

Kisses

tiptoethruthetulips

BMI of 26 puts you at overweight, but just barely overweight..about 3kilos. You are not massive at all, you do slump though, improve your posture and you will definitely look and feel better.

At about 3kilos overweight reduce your calories a little, but focus on exercise particularly resistance training, this will help improve your lean body mass.

brevislux

I have to say, I think you're really pretty. You're just at the lowest range of the overweight category. You don't have to lose a whole lot at all, just a few kg's and you're in the normal range. I don't think it's the right way to focus on weight all the time, especially if you feel pretty good. I believe, since you're not heavy, maybe your goal better be related to fitness and healthy eating, rather than weight. And don't let silly people get to you!

Sauleeh

I just took photos of myself, compared them to January 1st. I see a small difference in my stomach! That keeps me motivated! Thanks guys x

Francl27

I agree that you should probably lose some weight. Don't expect miracles just from exercise though... log what you eat and eat less.