HELP! Why do I weigh so much more than I look!?

Loupymitchell
Loupymitchell Posts: 3 Member
edited November 2024 in Motivation and Support
Hi there,

In my past I had an eating disorder where my lowest weight was 8 stone. I was a size 4 or below. Now 8 stone doesn't sound very thin when I tell you I'm 5ft 5. (Oh, and I'm female)

Many, may years later and I'm recovered. I'm a dog walker and walk 15 miles a day and do crossfit regularly. I eat a varied and healthy diet.

I weigh 12.5 stone and I'm a size 10-12.

How is this even possible!???? Ok ok, I know I have muscle etc but does anyone else really weigh this much and have a small dress size? Even when doctors have weighed me in the past they were shocked.

This weight would make me obese!!!!

The reason this has come up now is that I've never weighed myself for over 10 years as it's a massive trigger and I'm worried it's going to trigger me again.

Replies

  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    If you are okay with how you look then your weight doesn't matter. You are more than a number on a scale. Now might be a good time to seek some professional help before things escalate to the eating disorder level again.
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    You're not obese. Overweight, yes, but not obese. And yes, 8 stone actually was quite low for your height. I second getting some help to assist you in losing weight. If your treatment team is still reachable, start by contacting them.

    I will say that at my smallest (an inch taller and 10-11 pounds heavier) I wore a 14. 10-12 doesn't sound unreasonable.
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    I am 5'4" and have weighed between 100-180 lbs as an adult. I have a medium frame size.
    112 lbs would be very thin for me. 125 lbs was where I felt best. 150 is okay even. 170-180 doesn't feel very good.
    In terms of appearance or clothing size when I weighed 180 and was obese I didn't think of myself as obese. No one told me I was obese. I wasn't wearing plus sized clothing yet. Most of my clothes were stretchy though.
    In terms of lifestyle I wasn't super active but was more sedentary than I thought I was. I wasn't eating whole pizzas or cakes ever just a bit too much of regular food all the time for my activity level.

    Is your doctor concerned about your weight? Do you have any health problems or struggle physically in any way? Have they suggested you lose 20 lbs or so? Do they know your history of eating disorder? Can you get some professional guidance or a support group to help you work through this?

    The number on the scale is just a number. What is important about your weight is how your size impacts your health and life.
    Clothing size is just a made up number that changes over time and by brand.


  • gamerbabe14
    gamerbabe14 Posts: 876 Member
    Who are you comparing yourself to? Yes, I weigh 179lbs and wear a size 12. Probably could fit a 10 right now. Look at my profile picture. I'm a former collegiate athlete...I've always weighed more than my peers and have always been much more athletic and strong.
  • Loupymitchell
    Loupymitchell Posts: 3 Member
    edited August 2017
    I'm comparing myself to the girls in crossfit who look like they have zero body fat and of course... the general media OH and I'm obsessed with the BMI chart. I measure 38/28/38. I have super chunky arms and legs though. And ample in the bust (34 dd)

    Have attached a super rare pic of my full body because I hate full body pics. Yes and I'm 36 and dress like I'm 15

    Doctors have never told me to lose weight apart from once in the 90s where I put on a few pounds from being 8 stone to 8st 3 between visits and the gp was about 75!!

    I'm worried I won't get help because I certainly don't look like I have an eating disorder!
  • xX_PhoenixRising_Xx
    xX_PhoenixRising_Xx Posts: 623 Member
    Comparison is the thief of joy.

    At my lowest weight I was 78kg, which is around your 12 stone something. I'm 5'7. I was technically overweight. You could also see every one of my ribs, and I wore a (New Zealand) size 8 top and a 10 bottom. Fitted, not stretchy. My doctor told me to ignore BMI and to stop losing weight, because I started looking unhealthy. Every body is different and it will do your head in to compare to others. If you are fit and healthy, ignore the rest.
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    Loupymitchell wrote: »
    I'm worried I won't get help because I certainly don't look like I have an eating disorder!

    This is absolutely false. Not everyone with an eating disorder looks like they have one. Some of those crossfit girls you are looking at have eating disorders. Eating disorders come in all shapes, sizes, and genders. The professionals would rather you come now, looking normal, than being brought in on the verge of death.

    https://myfitnesspal.desk.com/customer/portal/articles/1575987-eating-disorder-resources
  • Loupymitchell
    Loupymitchell Posts: 3 Member
    Thankyou Phoenix rising! This is what I needed to hear. Someone I can relate to.

    Yes, comparison has been the biggest problem in my body confidence. It's a (literal) killer.

    I know on some level that I'm probably very healthy and very, very fit (I completed the crossfit games this year!!!) but this bloody obsession with the scales ruins it all. I used to weigh myself no less than 30 times a day. Sounds mad; I know.

    Alright brain... sort yourself out!!!!
  • HeliumIsNoble
    HeliumIsNoble Posts: 1,213 Member
    Cool hair!

    At 5'5, 8 stone was very, very, very light. You say you're familiar with the BMI chart. What chart are you using?!

    I think you should get in touch with your old treatment team.
  • xX_PhoenixRising_Xx
    xX_PhoenixRising_Xx Posts: 623 Member
    Loupymitchell wrote: »
    Thankyou Phoenix rising! This is what I needed to hear. Someone I can relate to.

    Yes, comparison has been the biggest problem in my body confidence. It's a (literal) killer.

    I know on some level that I'm probably very healthy and very, very fit (I completed the crossfit games this year!!!) but this bloody obsession with the scales ruins it all. I used to weigh myself no less than 30 times a day. Sounds mad; I know.

    Alright brain... sort yourself out!!!!

    You're welcome. I know that obsession with the scales. I have binge eating disorder and also at my lightest weight both doctor and psych thought I had an exercise compulsion. Keeping in mind I was still 78kg. Eating and behavioural issues are often far from straight forward.

    I think you have to ask yourself what good does weighing yourself multiple times per day do? The scale isn't that clever; it only shows your relationship with gravity including bones, muscle, blood, water retention, repairing cells from that awesome cross-fit workout... it's certainly not clever enough to tell you how fat you are (or are not) multiple times per day. At best it's good for trend weight. And since the body is very complex and changes in weight frequently aren't because of changes in fat storage, throw the stupid scale away before it drives you mental.

    If you completed the crossfit games, you are awesome. Stop stressing! End of story!
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 26,053 Member
    I've got the other problem ... even when I'm right down at the bottom end of my normal BMI range, I'm still wearing size 12-14. My hip and shoulder bones don't lose weight.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories