Anonymous asks :
Hi Lucy,
I feel like I'm being criticised about my weight. I'm 24 years old and I'm 5ft 6in and my weight is 10st 10lbs. My doctor in the woman's clinic has told me that I am just a nice weight for my height. Of late I have had family members saying that I don't eat enough and I eat my 3 meals a day. I eat really healthily and an I’m not on a diet of any sort. They say my face is to thin and that I don't look well. They ask me have I been sick of late? As a child I always had a small baby face, it's really starting to get to me and upset me. My partner loves the way I am and he says there is nothing wrong with the way I look and always tells me I look beautiful. I'm getting married in 12 months and want to maintain a nice weight for my wedding dress. What can I say to them to stop them picking on me all the time? I don't have an eating disorder or any sort if weight related problem of any kind either, please help.
Our Reply
Hi Anonymous,
If your weight has been doctor approved then you should have nothing to worry about. If you can maintain a healthy weight doing what you are doing then it sounds like this is a natural weight for you without any drastic changes to your diet or your lifestyle.
The most important thing is that you feel good in yourself and are in line with a healthy BMI, you appear to tick those boxes, so it seems that your family might just be worrying for no reason.
Families are always concerned with the health of those they love the most, so it’s a compliment that they are worried about you- better that than them not taking an interest in you at all. That said, perhaps just stand your ground and tell them that you have seen a professional who says that you are in line with where you should be and that you and your partner are completely content with the way you look and feel.
If they love you enough and you talk to them and tell them how much it’s affecting you, then they might be inclined to stop repeating their concerns.
If you are from a family of big eaters and people of a stockier build then you might look small in comparison, but it’s essential that you live and eat in a way that suits you and is healthy, not to fit in with those around you.
tagged in Family Partner doctor yin and yang agony aunt
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