You can’t be too thin can you

It’s not just a stone heavier (that’s me) but my shape has changed. I’ve lost height and my always long waist has disappeared. My long waist was really useful as my top has always been narrower on the shoulders than my hips. The trouble is that I now have painful knees and wanting to lose a few pounds as that would be easier on them. Other than that I agree with what you have been saying. There are examples all around me. One friend believes calorie counting is the answer to everything. Another is a bit overweight but is full of warmth and smiles. She doesn’t care a jot.

Actually I think for a mature lady a bit of extra weight is just the norm, isn't it. Why should be the low weight ? Me and one other colleagues are the two oldest ladies in my job. I am in need of slimming down but she is tall and has weight indeed but she looks so healthy and her bum size does not make her look bad. It is just a woman who works, has family duties, laughs, the same as me but I do need some slimming. I am way too much

Overweight here, hand up to that. Only since the menopause when my Thyroïd gave up the ghost. I find it very difficult since then to lose weight, and once I started taking insulin, almost impossible. I walk a lot, swism, garden, up and down stairs and keep very fit. But I do wish I could enjoy wearing a few sizes smaller. And can't believe I once thought that a size 12 was huge!

However, and no excuses here- I have several friends in their 80s who are having massive issues with osteoporosis, and prostheses, knees or hips- that crumble. The pain is diabolical and their quality of life is so poor. All have been obsessive all their life about putting any weight on, cutting down ALL fats, oils, cheese, butter, etc.

What is happening to those poor souls makes me realise that being overweight, if you keep fit and active, and with low BP and cholesterol, may actually be somehow not a bad idea. I've seen old people lose massive amounts of weight in their 80s, and in each case it was linked to severe illness and Alzheimer's.

I think you can be too thin, especially if you have lost weight as it ages you. I agree the Princess of Wales is too thin. A stone is not a lot and you can find nice clothes that fit your figure. Its amazing how good you can look with the right outfit! I've always been slim and have watched my weight, it is just a habit and way of life. It is difficult when you have children but exercise, eating well, home cooking not too much salt or sugar or fats, keeping out the sun should keep you fit, healthy and slim!

Whitewavemark2

The last time I was pretty poorly I lost weight, and remember looking into the mirror one morning and was shocked to be looking at my mother not long before she died.

Think yourself lucky! When I look in the mirror, I see my grandmother!!

I lost nearly 4 stones last year, and although I looked great in clothes (elegant for the first time in my life!), I looked dreadful undressed. The irony was I was going on a beach holiday and was so looking forward to not 'covering up' all the time.

Ive always been overweight im 56 now. I've recently been diagnosed with gallstones and can only eat 4 different food types I've lost weight and I can only eat 20 grammes of fat a day if I have anymore I'm so ill with so much pain. I'm on the list for removal but could take ages I worry that I will lose too much and then what happens but im unable to do anything about it. I've never really considered if others are to thin etc I just accepted people I know for how they are. All I know is I must avoid the pain coz its the worst thing ever.

I apologise for my comments on the Princess of Wales.I am just a jealous bitch!

I was skinny till I was pregnant with my first baby, age 27, when I put on nearly 4 stone (without eating for one, never mind two!) and lost a miserable 12 lbs when she was born. It took me nearly 2 years of exercise classes and careful eating (plus a new baby) to lose just half a stone, when I got pregnant with the second baby and back up went my weight. I was around 12 stones for most of my working life (exceptionally busy, always on my feet) and at 5 foot 3 I looked dreadful.

I cut my calorie intake to around 1500 and lost nothing. I exercised and lost nothing. My DH ate like a horse and lost weight easily!

Then I got cancer. I lost over 3 stones without trying even though I made every effort to maintain my weight as they advised. I have had the "all clear" and for the first time in 45 years have a BMI JUST in the normal range. I look and feel the best ever, but I really wouldn't recommend cancer as a means of losing weight!!

I do intend to maintain it though.

Some years ago, medical research backed up what I had long suspected instinctively that it is better for an older person to be a stone overweight rather than a stone underweight as you have reserves in times of illness. Of course, there are plenty of us who are rather more than a stone overweight… Mea culpa.

Lady Ga Ga and Mt61 -I just want to be well then weightloss is something that I can address seriously.
For the last 18 months I have felt so ill .
It started with one chest infection after the other and has left me with asthma.
It was under control -now I'm back on inhalers.
And my IBS is far worse .
I get headaches and migraines .
I suffer from a great deal of pain from old neck ,back and knee injuries .
I have to admit that I don't always take care of my diet and find exercise difficult.
Being ill frequently and having to go to the worse surgery in this area isn't helping .
Last week the pharmacist recommended changing my GP and I shall as soon as the latest mix up over my meds is cleared up -her advice .

I struggled with yoga today and I'm looking into joining the local gym so I can swim frequently.
I'm eating more salad ,vegetables and fruit .
I now drink herbal teas .
I did overindulge on chocolate over Easter -now there's no more chocolate and it's not on my shopping list .
I resisted the pastries in my favourite cafe today .
Painkillers taken I'm about to do a session in the garden for a couple of hours.
More yoga tonight .
Walking planned for tomorrow.
Half a stone used to drop off me with emormous ease now it's increasingly difficult to shift it .
I have friends who have a gung ho attitude to eating and really stuff themselves , but are great fun to be with and I have friends who are obessessed with being thin and are boring to be with.
As with everything it's all a question of balance .

A neighbour of ours has cancer and has had a lot of debilitating treatment of one kind and another. She was pretty thin to start with and is finding it very difficult to keep her weight up now.
I'm not a naturally a skinny person but did manage to lose quite a lot of weight some years ago. When I'd put some back on, as was inevitable in my case, friends told me that I looked much better as I'd lost too much weight. In fact I was a stone heavier then than I'd been in my 20's.
I have a short sister who has always been obsessed by keeping her weight down, she grazes rather than eats. I really believe that carrying a bit of weight is much better for your wrinkles - as well as your happiness!

.Poor Sharon.

Even when she'd had a couple of her early 'procedures' you could still see an attractive lady behind it. Sadly not now.

The only person I recall looking great in her 70's but looking 20-years younger, was Tova Borgnine (the wife of craggy actor Ernest). She presented a show selling her scent on QVC and looked fabulous. She'd had plastic surgery but knew when to stop.

Unlike her fellow presenter, the fabulous Joan Rivers. And now Sharon!

Now, judging from photographs, Sharon is sadly morphing into her husband, Ozzie!
.

I think you can be too thin actually, Allsorts. I agree with others who've said it's better to focus on eating healthily and I'd also say it's important to do some regular exercise and keep some muscle tone.
The ladies in the public eye at the pope's funeral will have a lot of pressure on them to conform to ideals of slimness. They might well use ozempic for weight loss. High heels and shapewear also help them to look slimmer. Sportswomen and older ex sportswomen look better and healthier in my opinion.
Can you get any of your lovely clothes altered or wear them in a different way, perhaps with a jacket? We change shape as we age; I've recently had to change my style a little and buy a few extra things to work with what I already have.

I have recently lost a stone and a half, through illness. Absolutely no effort was needed.
I am shocked at the number of people, who have told me I am too thin and need to do something about it. Unfortunately I have no control over it. I thought I looked OK.

What surprises me is I am still heavier, plumper and chubbier than I was when I was working.

I am the opposite,really underweight,i can't get clothes to fit,all my trousers are too loose,i have to keep pulling them up,i've got broad shoulders and no bust,i can't remember the last time i wore a bra,i can't get one to fit me.
I eat as much as my Husband but he's overweight.

It’s time we stopped worrying about our BMI. The BMI is an old fashioned way of measurement, completely outdated. If the BMI was taken as gospel, the English rugby team would be classed as morbidly obese, a fitter squad of me never existed. Dress to suit yourself, not the designers, of whom many are gay and design for their idea of perfection, ie: thin YOUNG men.

Indeed you can be too thin!

Anyone battling an over-active thyroid is likely to be underweight. Women of child-bearing age with very heavy periods and suffering from practically chronic anemia are likely to be too thin.

anerexic teenagers, koncentration camp prisioners, and African and Asian children suffering from the effects of droughts and famines come to mind.

nanna8 my Dad's 94. Over the last few years he's put so much weight on he's had to have a whole new wardrobe 😅
His meals are all prepared for him either at his flat or his day centre, he's very well fed 😋

You don’t see many fat 80-90 year olds around. Either they have all carked it or they don’t eat much. Just a thought.

You have all validated me being a stone overweight so thank you.. I love my food so will never be slim. I do think clothes hang better if you are slim but agree if too slim you can look gaunt. Don't know how those women walk on those pencil heels, I used to wear stilettos when young and would not have been seen dead in flat shoes, think my back problems are down to them though.. How time changes us. I would never comment on anyones looks or weight. The main thing is being healthy.

Oh stop it.

Generally you are what you eat. I’ve had an under active thyroid since my 20s but managed to stay within a healthy bmi. Currently due to two other types of medications and an unhealthy excessive appetite I’m approximately 2 stones heavier than I’d like to be. 1 stone I can live with but I know the 2nd is my over eating.

petra

Pinkprincess
Well Cathrines beautiful hair has put the lie to that bullshit.

What bullshit? Do tell.

Maggiemaybe

I’ve just read Jenni Murray’s article and don’t really understand her concerns. I think she looks years younger with her slimmed down face. Though of course the only view that really matters is her own.

I thought Jenni Murray had had gastric bypass surgery- doesn’t sound like that’s worked if she’s on the injections.