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I am a size 10 (UK) American 8 and I am 5ft 8

actualemma
actualemma Posts: 3
edited January 28 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi everyone,

I will make this short I put on loads of weight 10 years ago... I went from being 10 to a 16/18 (UK), well after a lot of hard work and I have to say I did it gradually upto until last year, when I really went for it and went from size 14 to 12, well now I have lost it all :D! I am now back to size 10 in most shops, like Monsoon, Whistles, Mint Velvet and Mango... but.... I still feel fat, when I look in the mirror I see fat arms, fat tummy etc..I also think maybe the clothes sizes are lying... I am an actress... and on screen (have been lucky enough to have done a few short student films) well.... I Iook HUGE!)... I am quite fit - I do moderate exercise everyday I walk my dog but I don't mean just a stroll round the park we go out for 2 hours min and I make sure I do hills... well...I restrict my calorie intake to mostly 1500 a day.. sometimes more sometimes a lot less if I have had a blow out... the thing is... I am worried that I am really seeing myself for real? e.g. how can I be fat if I am size 10?? I am a big person though, I have a large frame as I said I am 5ft 8 in my bare feet... if I dont get a part... I tell myself it is because I am fat... I think there might something wrong with me - I am reluctant to upload a pic... coz I think I look fat in all of them and the camera really does add 10 pounds lol! some advice would really help - I cant talk to my friends about it coz they just think I am being self obsessed and my mum always asks if I am eating... Thanks for reading. E

Replies

  • jetlag
    jetlag Posts: 800 Member
    It's hard to say without actually seeing you, but I'd say that if you still see fat then maybe what you actually see is no muscle tone. Do you get any resistance training? Not the low weight/high rep nonsense, but proper heavy lifting?
  • seepersaud
    seepersaud Posts: 5,759 Member
    I agree; it's hard to respond in an informed way without photos. 5'8" and size 8 (U.S.) doesn't sound at all bad to me.
  • Camera_BagintheUK
    Camera_BagintheUK Posts: 707 Member
    E - I think you know the answer, you are questioning your perception of your body image. At your height, size 10, you're certainly not fat! But if you're an actress, you're under above average pressure regarding your appearance.

    But you're aware - that's why you're asking this question. 1500 calories is way below the 2000 recommended for women to maintain their weight. So you'll still be losing.

    There's a website all about eating disorders - don't panic about it, I'm not suggesting you have an eating disorder, but you're obviously worried, and it's about your perception rather than your size, so maybe this would be helpful to start with http://www.eatingdisordersupport.co.uk/. Wherever you live you might find a local support group or helpline, to talk to someone who understands what you're saying.

    You've taken a huge step asking this question here, and I think you should give yourself a big pat on the back! You're looking after yourself by doing it. I wish I had your courage. Do talk to someone though, if you've got the guts to come here and ask that question, you've more than certainly got the guts to pull yourself round and keep yourself healthy! Good luck :flowerforyou:
  • dazzlesangel
    dazzlesangel Posts: 47 Member
    Well done on losing the weight and getting back to where you want to be! If you're size 10 then you are not fat, I'm aiming for size 10/12 (as this is what I was before I started putting on weight) and I'm only about 5' 3", however having yo yo'd for many years I know how you feel. Whenever I get my weight down, it's like I can't believe that I'm really slim and it takes a while for it to register that I am, so I still feel fat although everyone tells me how good I look. Maybe you just need to get used to the new you, and of course now the hard part starts - keeping the weight off, lol!
  • actualemma
    actualemma Posts: 3
    Thanks guys... yeah maybe need to tone... I have bulky arms from training before... maybe do some running and then lift some weights but NOT the light weighs lots of reps. kind.. coz yes I agree that's bollocks... I used to weight train but did all low weights and lots of reps nonsense and I have to say it really did not work... just maybe tone up... and then see... thanks Guys.
  • astrampe
    astrampe Posts: 2,169 Member
    I'm 5'8 and an American size 8/10 depends on the make....I'm no Tinkerbell, but I do not see myself as "fat"....Room for improvement maybe (on me - I have no idea what you look like) but definitely not too fat to be in a picture.....
    Maybe you should talk to a professional about your body image....
  • actualemma
    actualemma Posts: 3
    Ok I uploaded a pic I have actually lost a bit more weight since that was taken.. but I honestly I only look ok in black clothes.. tell me what you think!
  • A_Fit_Mom
    A_Fit_Mom Posts: 602 Member
    I am 5'8 and a size 8....I don't consider myself fat anymore, but I definitely want to lose a couple more sizes. It all depends on how you carry your weight. But a size 8 is very normal.
  • Graelwyn75
    Graelwyn75 Posts: 4,404 Member
    Depends on the individual. I feel uncomfortable at a Size 10 myself (also Uk here), especially knowing how much vanity sizing has increased, I mean, heck, I am 5'10, have fairly wide hipbones and can get into some size 6s, but I am mostly a size 8.

    I also think a few posters have missed the fact this is about UK sizes, not USA sizes. They differ.
This discussion has been closed.

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