Do you weigh more than you look

Several things are at play here. Politeness could play a factor. If you ask someone to "c'mon be honest" and guess how much they think you weigh or how old you are, most adults will not be honest and underestimate (especially with a woman) out of politeness to not hurt your feelings.

As was said, asking people this is asking for an opinion from someone who likely has zero expertise in this area. You might as well build a building and ask a buddy if he thinks it'll stay up. "Hmm, ya it looks good to me?"

What you are wearing plays a factor. Certain clothing because of shape, patterns, color etc creates the appearance of being thinner or heavier.

Lastly and most importantly, fat distribution plays a big factor in this. Where do you put on pounds? If you're an apple shape it's going to be very obvious you've put on weight. If you put weight on to your stomach, butt, thighs, arms etc it's less obvious in clothing and can surprise people of how much you weigh. It's just visual cognitive dissonance, like one person has a box under their shirt, which is easy to spot, and another has a weighted vest suit under their clothes, which is more subtle and much more difficult to notice.

rennickm1986 wrote: »

Lastly and most importantly, fat distribution plays a big factor in this. Where do you put on pounds? If you're an apple shape it's going to be very obvious you've put on weight. If you put weight on to your stomach, butt, thighs, arms etc it's less obvious in clothing and can surprise people of how much you weigh. It's just visual cognitive dissonance, like one person has a box under their shirt, which is easy to spot, and another has a weighted vest suit under their clothes, which is more subtle and much more difficult to notice.

Excellent point and so very true. If you're carrying the bulk of your weight in your core or it's pretty evenly distributed people may legitimately not be able to tell. I have a girlfriend whose weight goes straight to her hips so small fluctuations in her weight are obvious where as when I lost 40 pounds few people noticed, and even at that they just thought I changed my wardrobe from baggy to more tailored. At my heaviest i couldn't see my feet past my stomach bit large shirts and layers his that to the public. If people aren't noticing consider yourself fortunate OP

I definitely look smaller than my weight. I carry it well, at 5'4" weighing 173 I'm a US size 10 and I just got a pair of 8's zipped up.
I'm an hourglass with long legs and my weight distribution is pretty even. All the exercise is taking the inches off so when I get to goal (135) I'm hoping to be a 4.

The few people I have actually told how much I weight, they're always pretty surprised. When I started I was 223 (or around 101kg) and no one could believe that. They all said they thought I looked around 80kg, or 175 or so.

I don't think they wer just being nice as the look of genuine surprise was on their face, especially when I told them I wanted to lose 6 stone, (85lbs/nearly 40kg).

I always hear that, NO!! You can't possibly weigh that much......yeah I can and I do What a great feeling when people say that hahaha Like noooooo Your not THAT FAT as the scale says, im looking right at you! It's all good tho

In well fitting clothes I weigh more than I look. In ill fitting clothes I look more than I weigh.

I get the same thing...no matter hoe much weight i gain...everyone thinks im 20 lbs lighter.

RosieRose7673 wrote: »

Ready2Rock206 wrote: »

If I guess someone's weight - and I have no idea why I would - I am definitely not saying what I ACTUALLY think they weigh! Better to "guess" low than to have them pissed when you're right or higher than their weight. You're just asking for trouble to tell the truth with that!

I'm gonna second this. People are sensitive about their weight. I never comment on people's weights or guess what they weigh unless they really ask. Even then, I'd likely shoot low just not to offend someone.

Yeah. Same thing with age. People always say a number lower than they think to make you feel better.

Ready2Rock206 wrote: »

If I guess someone's weight - and I have no idea why I would - I am definitely not saying what I ACTUALLY think they weigh! Better to "guess" low than to have them pissed when you're right or higher than their weight. You're just asking for trouble to tell the truth with that!

I do think in general this is what happens. That and people are just lousy at guessing weight.

In my job I have to ask people's weight. I play a game where I guess in my head and see how close I was. There was one time where a woman was smaller than me, both shorter and thinner. I tend to weigh on the heavy side even when lean. She said she weighed more than I did. There is no way I would have guessed her at that, and I'm pretty good at the game. I did tell her (in a nice way) that that I was surprised by her weight.

Most people are surprised if they find out that I'm around 182...most guys my height would look a little chubby at that weight but I'm about 12% BF so pretty lean so I don't fit the bill.

BMI is silly, Mine is 25 and just in the overweight range. My defined six pack is gone because bulking but overweight is ridiculous.

People also think that I'm lighter too, by about 20lbs. Muscle is heavy. I take it as a compliment.

You are dealing with people's perceptions in a society where 40% of people are "obese". If you are merely "overweight" you are strikingly puny by comparison.

Because I've been super heavy - 235 lbs and really thin (135) for my height (5'9"), I am usually pretty spot on when estimating weight.

However, I do agree that people who have not struggled with weight issues are really clueless. =P

I (at least, I think) look like I weigh less than I actually do. I am taller than average (5'9) and most of my weight gain goes toward my lower body which is a blessing lol.

I think I look less. I am 5'4 and a shameful 160 pounds. I have gained about 30 pounds in the last 6 months. I feel like I look about 140 but my clothes don't show that!
Working on getting back on track after a TON of stressful situations the last year or so. I am sick of it and tired of my clothes not fitting and feeling bad about myself. And this time my husband is on board with me this time. He has a good 30 lbs to lose also.