Feeling a little freaked out...? Vent.

There's someone on calorie count who keeps posting a response to every topic I start and telling me I'm not overweight at 5'3 1/2 (I'm not sure exactly, somewhere between 5'3-5'4) and 135 lbs, and that I ought to stop calorie counting. Thoughtful of them, I guess...but I just find it a little bit annoying, because they are wrong. Certainly I'm not overweight if I had a larger frame, but I (and my whole family) are extremely small-framed, because we are ASIAN. Japanese-American, to be specific. Fairly simple. When I was younger I had the same basic weight as all my family members, but when I underwent a lot of stress I started emotionally overeating, which led me to gain 20 lbs. My height did not change (I've been this height for 2 years). The fact is, I need to count my calories in order to be consistent for my own sake, because yes, I certainly am sedentary at the moment because it is summer, there is no school and I need to do studying at home. If I have time to exercise, I will, and I'll eat more.

Why do I have to CONVINCE people that I'm overweight? I appreciate suggestions and/or constructive criticism, but when someone insists I shouldn't attempt to be healthier through a consistent method (calorie counting) rather than just saying maybe I ought to eat MORE calories to lose weight, and instead says I should just eat healthier, it is frustrating.

Ah, sorry to vent. Do you think I'm wrong? Is this person right??

To clarify, when I say "same basic weight as all my family members", I mean for their age/height. :P

Well, people aren't wrong when they say your not overweight, just say "I have extra weight to lose" instead of "I'm overweight."

Some people get annoyed when a non-overweight person diagnoses themselves as clinically overweight. Hell, I have extra weight to lose but I avoid even using the word fat to describe myself.

This poster probably just cares about you and doesn't want you to become anorexic.

Original Post by soupcanx:

Well, people aren't wrong when they say your not overweight, just say "I have extra weight to lose" instead of "I'm overweight."

Some people get annoyed when a non-overweight person diagnoses themselves as clinically overweight. Hell, I have extra weight to lose but I avoid even using the word fat to describe myself.

This poster probably just cares about you and doesn't want you to become anorexic.

Hmm... I see what you're saying. But posting the same thing on everything I post, on different sections of the forums, is a bit frustrating. I mean, I asked how much fiber people eat (eh... I need fiber for the most obvious purpose of eating fiber--the bowels--not weight loss!!!) and they even posted there. I didn't realize there was a certain point at which someone who needs to lose weight is allowed to call themselves overweight. In the future I will keep that in mind. 

P.S. I'm not studying at the moment. I really should be. :/ It's no funnnn!

I think I know what user you are referring to and that particular user annoys me too.

I think there is a block option, hopefully.

Original Post by soupcanx:

I think I know what user you are referring to and that particular user annoys me too.

I think there is a block option, hopefully.

I'll try and block the person, then. Thanks for the suggestion--I should've thought of that.

I can get wanting to correct someone that could be doing something unhealthy (if you were say 110 or lower and pushing to lose 20# that would be imo) but the posting every thread would really bother me as well.  Honestly in your case at 5'3 1/2" (you've got half an inch on me lucky) and having once been 135 I can tell you that I myself was very uncomfortable at that weight.  So no, I'd have to agree with you.

Original Post by ladyduece:

I can get wanting to correct someone that could be doing something unhealthy (if you were say 110 or lower and pushing to lose 20# that would be imo) but the posting every thread would really bother me as well.  Honestly in your case at 5'3 1/2" (you've got half an inch on me lucky) and having once been 135 I can tell you that I myself was very uncomfortable at that weight.  So no, I'd have to agree with you.

 

Thanks for your support. 

The exact definition of "overweight" is a BMI over 25.  In your case, you'd have to be 141 to be clinically overweight.  That being said, I can understand why you want to lose weight.  I'm the same height as you, weigh a little less, and am also trying to lose weight.  Just make sure you're eating enough that your body can function.   Undereating isn't going to help you.

Original Post by rockyoursocks:

There's someone on calorie count who keeps posting a response to every topic I start and telling me I'm not overweight at 5'3 1/2 (I'm not sure exactly, somewhere between 5'3-5'4) and 135 lbs, and that I ought to stop calorie counting.

That would be me.... LOL!   If you post on public message boards you should expect replies...  And it may not be the answer you're expecting but, hey, that's the luck of the draw. 

However, I don't think you're quite understanding what I'm telling you.  

To lose weight you need to create a calorie deficit... i.e. you need to take in fewer calories than you use up. In young people who aren't technically overweight (even if they're a bit on the chubby side) and whose bodies are still developing it's better/healthier to create that deficit by doing more exercise and making healthier food choices than it is to cut calories dramatically.   

Why healthier food choices?  Wholefoods like vegetables, wholegrains and lean proteins are filling and nourishing in smaller amounts.   So it's easier not to overeat if your diet is good than if it is poor. 

Why more exercise?  You need 2100 cals to maintain your current weight.  If you were to increase your exercise to an hour or more a day that number would become 2500-2700....  If you need 2500-2700 and you were to take in 1900-2100 you would lose weight safely and steadily.   If you do no exercise, eat 1500 a day you'll just end up feeling horribly hungry and bad-tempered...  and very likely to end up bingeing no matter how many ice-cubes you eat.

Does it make sense now?..

I just want to put this out there that gi-jane gives great advice.  I'm sure she's not purposely trying to annoy you, but its probably the honesty that you're having trouble dealing with.  At 15, if you should definitely listen to what she has to say, because cutting calories (even overexercising) can stunt your growth.  I know you said you've been the same height for 2 years, but you definitely still have the possibility to grow until you're 20.  Also, your curves (aka breasts) don't finish developing until that time, so you might want to keep yourself healthy vs skinny.  I'm not trying to tell you you're wrong--just giving you some things to keep in mind.

If you are referring to gi-jane, I would not block her (she even said herself she was the one replying to you).  She is a font of wisdom and information.  I have read all of your posts and her replies.  None of them are rude in any way.  If you find them offensive, then that is your problem.  

gi-jane is on these boards all the time giving EVERYONE advice...not just you.  She has remarked on nearly every one of my posts, and I am always glad when she does.  She is not singling you out in any way, just so you know. 

Also, you are not overweight, clinically speaking that is.  Your BMI is 23.5, according to a teen BMI calculator I used.  You are at a healthy weight.  Now, I know you might be small-framed, so you might have some "extra weight" you'd like to lose, which is fine.  But, you are not overweight. 

If you want to lose some weight, follow gi-jane's advice...she knows how it's done. 

Maybe just comment by saying back that you want to have a healthier lifestyle and tone up a bit???

Everyone has a picture of what they want to look like or their ideal weight.  Everyone is different.  Be true to yourself and do what is best for you and your lifestyle.  Even a person who has a pound to loose is entitled to look for support the same as someone who has 100 pounds to loose.  Maybe your negative comments come from someone who doesn't believe in themselves enought to obtain their goal.  Keep up what your doing and if you think your overweight call what it is.  Because it is what it is.

Original Post by egypt2004:

Everyone has a picture of what they want to look like or their ideal weight.  Everyone is different.  Be true to yourself and do what is best for you and your lifestyle.  Even a person who has a pound to loose is entitled to look for support the same as someone who has 100 pounds to loose.  Maybe your negative comments come from someone who doesn't believe in themselves enought to obtain their goal.  Keep up what your doing and if you think your overweight call what it is.  Because it is what it is.

I really appreciate your support. Maybe I'm not technically overweight by BMI standards, by my own personal standards, I am overweight. As long as my goal weight and the method by which I reach it is healthy, there isn't much to criticize. 

you go girl

you go girl

Original Post by kaetlynm:

If you are referring to gi-jane, I would not block her (she even said herself she was the one replying to you).  She is a font of wisdom and information.

The OP has a right to block whoever she wants to. Quite frankly I don't like condesending responses either, and If someone was constantly scolding me like a child than I would block them too, regardless of them being right or not. It's all about respect.

Original Post by soupcanx:

Original Post by kaetlynm:

If you are referring to gi-jane, I would not block her (she even said herself she was the one replying to you).  She is a font of wisdom and information.

The OP has a right to block whoever she wants to. Quite frankly I don't like condesending responses either, and If someone was constantly scolding me like a child than I would block them too, regardless of them being right or not. It's all about respect.

Of course she has the right to block whomever she likes; I was just giving my opinion (I, personally, would not block her). But as I mentioned (immediately after the part of my post you quoted, incidentally) in my previous post, I read ALL of gi-jane's responses to the OP, and NONE of them were condescending.  There was nothing in them to indicate that she was "scolding" her like a child.  They were all helpful and insightful.  Now, if the OP chooses to see them differently, there is nothing anyone can do about that. Also, gi-jane hardly responded to ALL of the OP's posts.  She responded to 3 out of 9.  Nor did she ever once say that the OP wasn't overweight.

Something to keep in mind, at 15 you might have reached your adult height (I did too) but your internal organs are not fully developed yet. Just my 2 cents.

Original Post by kaetlynm:

Original Post by soupcanx:

Original Post by kaetlynm:

If you are referring to gi-jane, I would not block her (she even said herself she was the one replying to you).  She is a font of wisdom and information.

The OP has a right to block whoever she wants to. Quite frankly I don't like condesending responses either, and If someone was constantly scolding me like a child than I would block them too, regardless of them being right or not. It's all about respect.

Of course she has the right to block whomever she likes; I was just giving my opinion (I, personally, would not block her). But as I mentioned (immediately after the part of my post you quoted, incidentally) in my previous post, I read ALL of gi-jane's responses to the OP, and NONE of them were condescending.  There was nothing in them to indicate that she was "scolding" her like a child.  They were all helpful and insightful.  Now, if the OP chooses to see them differently, there is nothing anyone can do about that. Also, gi-jane hardly responded to ALL of the OP's posts.  She responded to 3 out of 9.  Nor did she ever once say that the OP wasn't overweight.

I'm not really going to participate in this discussion any more, just because I don't think it's that important, and it seems like we'll never see eye to eye. Perhaps I overreacted. However, I would just like to say that I believe the reason it's only 3/9 is because since I started this topic I've made a lot of new posts.