Curious about my body

LegacyUser

Hey,

I was worried about my body. I am 24 years of age and female. All through my life, I have been very slim, literally no belly whatsoever and very small waist. However in the past year or so, I have noticed that I now have a very big belly and my waist is no longer small. I am not slim anymore but people would not call me fat. I am 5 foot 4 inches and weigh 9 stone.
I need peoples honest opinions on whether I need to lose weight or if I'm just a healthy weight as I am. I've always eaten whatever I want. I've never worried about eating bags of crisps etc.. maybe it's time i started. please let me know what u think. are most people lighter or heavier than me?

If a girl is 5 foot 10 and 9 stone and another girl is 5 foot 1 and 9 stone, which girl would appear fatter?

barbiegirl

You know the answer to that one. The shorter girl will look fatter than the taller girl at the same weight. There are many BMI calculators about, they will give you a good idea as to where you fall. In your case it's only 21.82 so you are healthy. perhaps watch the quality of your food, make sure you eat healthy 90% of the time and exercise 3 times a week even for 1/2 an hour.
Your body has changed from a child to an adult it's what happens :-)

CathyMoran

My body shape changed in my early 20's too, it was boyish and it became more womanly (though my weight was actually lower)...I will leave the nutrition advice to others but your weight is perfectly healthy for your height - you could may be tone your body shape more if you want.

Yes, someone taller and the same weight would look skinnier - but in the example you gave the person 9 stone and 5ft 10 in would be underweight! You also do not say if a lot of the weight is fat or muscle.

Movershaker

You sound perfectly fine as you are. However it's probably time to start watching your diet if you want to stay that way. I was the same as you up until about 24, and then I noticed that my shape started changing a bit. Essentially I was very slowly putting on weight! I don't think that at 24 this is a question of your metabolism slowing down just yet, more so a change in lifestyle eg. I was working in an office where I spent all day sat down, didn't get much exercise and continued eating whatever I wanted.

It would be no harm to get yourself into the habit of eating a healthy diet, and getting some regular exercise, even just some long walks. Unfortunately there comes a point in most of our lives where the bottomless pit where the takeaways and junkfood used to go suddenly starts filling up!

cafecolour

Make sure you are eating nutritiously and getting regular exercise just for over all health.

Otherwise, you may have just changed body shape as you are getting older. If you really want the answer, go get your body fat percentage measured, and that will tell you whether it's in a health range or not. A healthy body fat percentage for women goes up to about 30% (of body weight), so it's a good bit higher than a lot would think.

LegacyUser

Welcome to your 20's. I used to be able to eat like a horse and not have a pick on me...20's hit and so did the belly.

I don't think 5'4 and 9 stone sounds overweight (or even close) but if you are concerned about it, cut down on fatty/sugary foods and do exercise

dudara

Your metabolism changes as you age. Mine changed around 23 and again at 30. It gets harder to keep my weight under control as I get older - eating properly and exercise become far more important.

LegacyUser

Unregistered wrote: »

Hey,

If a girl is 5 foot 10 and 9 stone and another girl is 5 foot 1 and 9 stone, which girl would appear fatter?

It all depends what kind of frame you are.
I am a 5' and 8'' female and all during my twenties I fluctuated between 8 stone 12lb and 9 stone 4 lb. I wasn't under weight, just a small frame as in small boned. On the other hand if a larger boned or framed woman was that same height and weight she would be considered under weight.

I was a very under weight adolescent though; was under 8 stone at this height until I hit 18 or 19 and like you I could eat anything I wanted(and I mean anything) until I was about 24 to 25. Then I noticed that I needed to just be a little more careful, no serious dieting but I started to get a bit of a tummy for the first time in my life. So yea, it's probably natural enough for the metabolism to slow slightly at around this age. 'just need to start being a bit careful with your diet and maybe get into a bit of exercise; a brisk 30-40 minute walk 3 times a week should be enough I'd say.


If I can hog this thread slightly, I am now 35 and beginning to feel squashed in my size 10 jeans. Legs, bum , arms everything in great shape except for this bloody belly which is taking on a life of it's own. ' know I have to cut out bread and stick to ryvita and do sit ups religiously but not very disciplined.

Maybe I should start a new thread for 35 year olds like me who are losing it!!!

Sangre

Unregistered wrote: »

If a girl is 5 foot 10 and 9 stone and another girl is 5 foot 1 and 9 stone, which girl would appear fatter?

The 5 foot 1 girl will appear a lot fatter because in all probability she will be much fatter.

messygirl

Same thing happened to me, it just crept up!! Not large by any means but just that spare tyre. Its easier to put it on than loose it! Crisps are the big thing for me, if i eat crisps i will get more bloated.

If you want to tone I recommend pilates (rent a book out of the library and look for lessons on the net and do them on carpet and bingo! free exercise!) and maybe mix up with some cardio like running and jogging and cycling or even skipping (2 euro for a skipping rope and burns 400 calories an hour) If you are like me you tone fast as well so don't worry about it.

One other thing, I find i quite like that extra bit of weight, it makes me feel rather sexy! As long as you are comfortable in your body that is the most important thing.

Beks

I'd say your weight is fine for your height. I am 30 yrs old and 5ft 1 and weigh 8st 5lbs (sometimes a little more or less) and feel great at this weight. At 3 inches taller than me I'd say 9st is fine! If you are worried just start walking a little more than you usually do, or eating as you've been eating but slightly smaller portions - wouldn't say you need to do anything drastic!

Sir Humphrey

Unregistered wrote: »

Hey,

If a girl is 5 foot 10 and 9 stone and another girl is 5 foot 1 and 9 stone, which girl would appear fatter?

Given the massive height difference here I am astonished that you have to ask this.

But in relation to yourself, 5' 4" and 9 stone is what my wife is and anybody would consider her quite slim - not skinny skinny but just about right.

But obviously it depends on build too. She is a size 12 in clothes, occasionally 14 even though she is a not a big person weight-wise or height-wise. A person whose frame would be a natural size 10 might have more problems at that height and weight. The amount of muscle one naturally has also effects weight and people put on weight differently.

I'd say the most reliable way to assess weight gain is probably in your clothes. If you have to go up a size for comfort you are putting on weight. Some people look great in the mirror and then get a shock when they see a photo.

But as you get older the idea that you can eat what you like without some price no longer applies I'm afraid.

rantyface

I'm the same 5'3'' and used to be 7.5 stone and eat constantly. Now just under 8.5 and I'd say I eat about half of what I used to. I also am not physically able to eat the portions I used to, or things like muffins anymore. I hope it doesn't get worse!

I would say you look grand to other people, but I can see why you don't like it because I'm exactly the same. Maybe we'll get used to it. My OH thinks I'm crazy and I've heard people say things like "she was even thinner than you" to describe someone as unhealthy.

To be honest, I would like to be thinner, but I don't think it could possibly be healthy to lose weight. There's too much at stake, I'd rather just focus on what I do like about myself.

Munster_Gal

YOu just need to start toning up. Exercise a few times a week.

I'm 5' 2" and weigh around 9st 3lb - I'm losing inches as i'm training for a marathon but my weight is consistent lately because i'm building muscle.
So do a bit of cardio and some core conditioning and you should find that will help with the belly

Eve_Dublin

Yawwwwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnnnnnnn........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......................

Come on now...is this really a personal issue? Putting on a bit of weight as you get older? Jaysus.....where are the men in After Hours posting similar complaints??? Girls...come on, were better than this!! This thread is so banal I want to throw this laptop through my window.


If I get banned for this then I could not care less......

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055593247

Have you not more important things to be discussing than your weight?? Man....this world has gone to tatters and girls, you're better than that. Really.

entropi

Unregistered wrote: »

Hey,

I was worried about my body. I am 24 years of age and female. All through my life, I have been very slim, literally no belly whatsoever and very small waist. However in the past year or so, I have noticed that I now have a very big belly and my waist is no longer small. I am not slim anymore but people would not call me fat. I am 5 foot 4 inches and weigh 9 stone.
I need peoples honest opinions on whether I need to lose weight or if I'm just a healthy weight as I am. I've always eaten whatever I want. I've never worried about eating bags of crisps etc.. maybe it's time i started. please let me know what u think. are most people lighter or heavier than me?

If a girl is 5 foot 10 and 9 stone and another girl is 5 foot 1 and 9 stone, which girl would appear fatter?

What i would reckon is that you had a change in diet? or metabolism (the way food is broken down and used) has changed slightly. You sound a small bit heavier than someone your height should be, but as another poster mentioned, could it be muscle or fat causing the higher weight...? Oh by the way, having a bit of extra fatty tissue is nothing to be concerned about, its a proven fact that women usually gain more fat around the hips as they get older...and this is seen to be part of why women live longer too!

barbiegirl wrote: »

You know the answer to that one. The shorter girl will look fatter than the taller girl at the same weight. There are many BMI calculators about, they will give you a good idea as to where you fall. In your case it's only 21.82 so you are healthy. perhaps watch the quality of your food, make sure you eat healthy 90% of the time and exercise 3 times a week even for 1/2 an hour.
Your body has changed from a child to an adult it's what happens :-)

I agree with most of your post here, except that using BMI as a measurement for BF% is about as useful as an underwater hairdryer...Having it checked by a G.P. or gym instructor (if a gym member) would be the proper way to tell.

Eve_Dublin wrote: »

Girls...come on, were better than this!! This thread is so banal I want to throw this laptop through my window.

Have you not more important things to be discussing than your weight?? Man....this world has gone to tatters and girls, you're better than that. Really.

If you dont have any positive feedback then just dont bother posting really...if its not worth your time typing it, it sure aint worth our time reading it...throwing the laptop out the window sure wont help anyone's situation.

As a woman you should know that weight management is one of the things that is on most womens minds alot of the time, even a very sensitive issue
for many. If it can affect the mental state of an individual in an unhealthy way then yes, it IS a personal issue.

Beks

Sir Humphrey wrote: »

I'd say the most reliable way to assess weight gain is probably in your clothes. If you have to go up a size for comfort you are putting on weight. Some people look great in the mirror and then get a shock when they see a photo.

Clothes size isn't always the best way to judge seeing as I can range from anything from a size 6 to a 10... and my happiness often relates to which of these I'm fitting into... LOL! It's crazy how different shops vary so much in their sizing and it really isn't much help!!

Eve_Dublin

Master of Nothing wrote: »

If you dont have any positive feedback then just dont bother posting really...if its not worth your time typing it, it sure aint worth our time reading it...throwing the laptop out the window sure wont help anyone's situation.

As a woman you should know that weight management is one of the things that is on most womens minds alot of the time, even a very sensitive issue
for many. If it can affect the mental state of an individual in an unhealthy way then yes, it IS a personal issue.

Just editing this post to apologise to the OP. My post was insensitive and ranty and your PI is as much of an issue as anyone elses here if it is worrying you. Really sorry again...this kind of discussion is my achilles heal but that's my business. I tend to type first and think second when I respond here sometimes. I had a few drinks so I'm barring myself from writing anything on Boards when I'm drunk. Sorry!

LegacyUser

I'm 5'5, 27 yrs old and I weigh 60 kg which I think is just about right for me (ye all still use stones???) - of course it depends on so many things, not least your natural body shape.

I have noticed though that on avergae I'm gaining a kg every year. I'm putting this down to a 'natural evolution' rather than anything else. Although with too many luxury kilos, I'll have to get to the gym more.

Don't worry, you're fine.

Dudess

OP, the only reason for this is you've reached a point where you can't eat whatever you feel like and get away with it any more. There is no set age at which this happens, but it's likely that a person's 40s is the very latest. In your case it's started happening quite early, but there's possibly a good chance you're still able to lose any excess quite easily and quickly.

I wouldn't pay any attention to your weight, BMI etc - they appear fine anyway. What I would pay attention to though, is the fact your waistline is expanding - this is the most dangerous place in which to store fat, and for a woman, 32 inches is heading into the danger zone. I doubt you look anywhere near fat - 9 stone for your height seems really slim - but central obesity (stomach flab) can be the reality for even otherwise slim people. For the sake of your waistline and to reduce your risk of diabetes and heart disease, cut down on stodgy carbs and sugar, and increase exercise. This is a great time of year to start doing so (it's far more difficult in November).

Dudess

Master of Nothing wrote: »

You sound a small bit heavier than someone your height should be, but as another poster mentioned, could it be muscle or fat causing the higher weight...?

I'd just like to say I believe this is not of any benefit to the OP (even if well intentioned) and would even go as far as saying it's a bit of dangerous misinformation - I'm the OP's height and when I was skinny I was nine stone. It depends on the individual's build - some women are healthy at 5 foot 4 and eight stone, I'd be skin and bone. I also doubt nine stone is even, as you say, a small bit heavier than someone that height should be.

Eve_Dublin

Dudess wrote: »

I'd just like to say I believe this is not of any benefit to the OP (even if well intentioned) and would even go as far as saying it's a bit of dangerous misinformation - I'm the OP's height and when I was skinny I was nine stone. It depends on the individual's build - some women are healthy at 5 foot 4 and eight stone, I'd be skin and bone. I also doubt nine stone is even, as you say, a small bit heavier than someone that height should be.

Yep...9 stone and 5 foot 4 is in noooooo way overweight, OP...THIS is the reason these types of discussions do more damage than good, I believe. Once again, I don't believe this is a PI....if the OP is genuinely concerned about her weight, then perhaps she should go to her GP and talk to someone who actually knows what they're talking about. Nobody can judge if she needs to loose weight by her posting her stats on this forum and it really isn't our place to say. This is the same as any Joe-Soap giving medical advice to someone with a medical concern on this forum but I do believe what Dudess said in her previous post is the best advice you'll get on here OP.

entropi

Dudess wrote: »

I'd just like to say I believe this is not of any benefit to the OP (even if well intentioned) and would even go as far as saying it's a bit of dangerous misinformation - I'm the OP's height and when I was skinny I was nine stone. It depends on the individual's build - some women are healthy at 5 foot 4 and eight stone, I'd be skin and bone. I also doubt nine stone is even, as you say, a small bit heavier than someone that height should be.

I appreciate the constructive criticism Dudess, thank you. Although i'm not medically qualified to give advice to the poster (and forum rules deny anyone to anyway) i am training in a field which requires sensitivity towards body image for both sexes so have a slight understanding:)

The only way to resolve any queries for the OP as i mentioned in a previous post would be referral to a G.P. or qualified personnel.

Eve_Dublin, i didnt mean to sound harsh and if i did i apologise, its just that i see this forum as one for giving sound advice to people, and not for negative criticism:)

Eve_Dublin

Master of Nothing wrote: »

I appreciate the constructive criticism Dudess, thank you. Although i'm not medically qualified to give advice to the poster (and forum rules deny anyone to anyway) i am training in a field which requires sensitivity towards body image for both sexes so have a slight understanding:)

The only way to resolve any queries for the OP as i mentioned in a previous post would be referral to a G.P. or qualified personnel.

Eve_Dublin, i didnt mean to sound harsh and if i did i apologise, its just that i see this forum as one for giving sound advice to people, and not for negative criticism:)

You weren't harsh...I deserved it and was surprised I wasn't banned! I know now not to give advice after a few pints or with a hangover the following morning But yeah, like I said, like any concern over a possible health issue, the person should go to their GP. Judging from what's she has written though, I'm sure she's grand but as I said, this is not my line of expertise.