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To be sick of my hobbies being judged differently just because I’m fat?

281 replies

hobbiesevademe · 16/05/2026 19:53

Basically just the question in my title.

I run, but slowly. Of course the fact I’m slow in some moral failing and I must aim to lose as much weight as possible and get faster. But if a skinny person is a slow runner, it’s something that’s praised and respected.

I bake, really bloody good cakes. And it’s obviously because I like eating cake, right 🙄 but if someone skinny bakes an impressive cake, it’s a work of art.

I sew, and it’s grandma-ish and frumpy. But if a skinny person sews their own clothes it’s cool, sustainable and “cottage core”

I like sports and it must be to get guys, but when a skinny girl likes the same sports it’s cool and she’s accepted.

i read, and it’s “lonely” and a bit pathetic.

im a bit sick of being labelled negatively for everything I bloody do. I feel like I can’t win.

OP posts:
Hankunamatata · 16/05/2026 21:33

But most people dont have an interest in other people's hobbies.

You enjoy jogging so probably running forum usnt the right place.

Your collegeue doesnt have an interest in your hobby.

Terfedout · 16/05/2026 21:31

redboxerclub · 16/05/2026 20:22

Yeah thin privilege is real. I speak after being significantly overweight since age 11 and lost 5 stone in Mounjaro. I’ve gone from 16 to 11 stone. It’s ironic the person above thought that 12st10 is a “fat” weight.

we are in an obesogenic society but most people are still fat phobic and there is a huge unconscious bias. I have seen this at work. How people treat me. It’s completely different.

It is a fat weight though. I would be obese at that weight and I'm an average size. I agree with your other points though!

Nogimachi · 16/05/2026 21:26

This is a really heartbreaking post.
It’s great you do all these things. While I find it hard to imagine that people are really being so horrible, if they are then screw them!
Personally if I see a larger individual out running I have a huge amount of respect for them because I imagine it must be even harder when carrying extra weight.
Sewing is a brilliant hobby for mental health, so is cooking and so is reading. I think it’s your colleagues who need to get a life (and learn some manners), not you.

shuggles · 16/05/2026 21:19

@hobbiesevademe I run, but slowly. Of course the fact I’m slow in some moral failing and I must aim to lose as much weight as possible and get faster. But if a skinny person is a slow runner, it’s something that’s praised and respected.

I think most people would not ridicule an overweight person doing exercise because it makes absolutely no sense. Exercise is for everyone regardless of shape, size, or ability.

godmum56 · 16/05/2026 21:18

Giraffeandthedog · 16/05/2026 20:50

If people are actually saying these things to you then you really, really need better friends!

This. Also if colleagues are making comments may I suggest the old MN chestnut "Did you mean to be so rude?"

AbzMoz · 16/05/2026 21:15

I think you sound like you’ve got great hobbies and also skills - I’m useless at baking and sewing!
I hope you continue to find joy in your hobbies and ignore the people with negative things to say

SummerFleurs · 16/05/2026 21:12

hobbiesevademe · 16/05/2026 20:01

Pretty much everyone. I post on a running forum and get told I need to get a move on. I speak to colleagues about sewing and they say I need to “get a life”

We’re all different and all have different hobbies. Your colleagues are just being rather rude. One of my colleagues I work closely with has very different interests even through we’re the same age. She probably has similar views to your colleagues but is polite and wouldn’t dream of saying it. I equally wouldn’t spend my time how she spends her spare time. However we both ask after each other’s weekend and make polite conversation.

godmum56 · 16/05/2026 21:11

SleepingStandingUp · 16/05/2026 20:11

I think the issue is the people you associate with.

Just reply with "why do you think that?" to it all.

You need to go faster!
Why do you think that?
Because speed is the aim
Why do you think that?
Cos it's called running so it has to be fast
Why do you think that?

I made this skirt
You need to get a life
Why do you think that
Cos sewing is for losers
Why do you think that?
Cos I buy all my own clothes
But why do you think that?

They'll either get bored and shut up or gain some personal growth

I LOVE this

worcesterpear · 16/05/2026 21:10

I was going to say pretty much what other posters have said - a lot of it might be your self confidence and are you looking for approval in some way? You should be doing these hobbies because you genuinely enjoy them and if so who cares what anyone else thinks. I doubt other sewers would criticise anyone for being fat, or bakers, and most runners are pretty inclusive. Maybe don't talk so much about them (to outsiders) unless people ask.

ThatLilacTiger · 16/05/2026 21:10

hobbiesevademe · 16/05/2026 19:53

Basically just the question in my title.

I run, but slowly. Of course the fact I’m slow in some moral failing and I must aim to lose as much weight as possible and get faster. But if a skinny person is a slow runner, it’s something that’s praised and respected.

I bake, really bloody good cakes. And it’s obviously because I like eating cake, right 🙄 but if someone skinny bakes an impressive cake, it’s a work of art.

I sew, and it’s grandma-ish and frumpy. But if a skinny person sews their own clothes it’s cool, sustainable and “cottage core”

I like sports and it must be to get guys, but when a skinny girl likes the same sports it’s cool and she’s accepted.

i read, and it’s “lonely” and a bit pathetic.

im a bit sick of being labelled negatively for everything I bloody do. I feel like I can’t win.

This is absolutely dripping in self-hatred.

canuckup · 16/05/2026 21:10

The OP is completely correct.

When I'm thin, everything I say is gospel. If I'm not, people don't even listen to me.

Aslonbo · 16/05/2026 21:10

I think you may externalising opinions that you are really have about yourself i.e. you may attribute these opinions to other people when in fact it's how you see you.
If being fat is the common theme in all these negative feelings there are several ways of addressing that, one of which is acceptance and another is getting help in losing weight.

hidingmynuts · 16/05/2026 21:09

I like sports and it must be to get guys, but when a skinny girl likes the same sports it’s cool and she’s accepted
i read, and it’s “lonely” and a bit pathetic

Dont be so dramatic and ridiculous. Noone thinks women who are overweight play sports to "get guys" and WTF is wrong with reading? are skinny women encouraged to read whilst overweight women shouldn't, what is the relevance of reading in this context?

You clearly have a hang up about these things and then your brain is using confirmation bias to find "evidence" of this world view you have that unless you are "skinny"- using your own words, you cant do anything in life.

These limitations you are putting on yourself, it has nothing to do with anyone else because if it did, then the only people in the world who would ever play sports, read, run or bake would be skinny people and thats clearly not true because go to park run for starters, and you'll see all shapes and sizes. I guess those women never got the memo that they arent allowed to do it because they're too busy just getting on and doing it!

You might be limited, but the only person putting those limits on you is yourself.

JayJayj · 16/05/2026 21:06

You get just as much judgment for being skinny. The type of people that are saying these comments to you would say something no matter what.

I was always judged for being too thin. Then when I put weight on, judged for not being as toned and fit as I was before! That’s not even being overweight.

The moral is, some people are judgemental.

Strangerdanger1 · 16/05/2026 21:05

Bollocks to them @hobbiesevademe

Do what makes you feel happy.

I carve spoons out of wood. It’s niche, I get funny looks when I tell people what I’m doing. I’m 40 now and too old to give any fucks.

I’m a size 16 and ride bikes. I’m just not going to be skinny- I like bread and cheese too much 😅

Life is hard enough without caring about other people’s view on my hobbies.

Laurmolonlabe · 16/05/2026 21:04

Do you think your baking and your sewing are good?
If you do that should be enough you get satisfaction and calm from doing thse hobbies.
Why do you need valedation, and why do you link it to size?
I teach sewing and my students come in all shapes and sizes- they all get praise for their work from friends, but little or no praise from family.
Maybe what you need is new friends not new hobbies.

Inevergotthatfar · 16/05/2026 21:01

Are you on social media a lot because I would cut down if you are , or are you over sharing about your life with people who arent invested in it? Social media does make you worry about things, and I would probably just release less information about my life to people who are not likely to be supportive. Pick your audience a bit more maybe? There's nothing wrong with any of your hobbies and you should just do what makes you happy and forget about what people think.

pusskins06 · 16/05/2026 20:57

Comedycook · 16/05/2026 20:03

It's really not

As someone who was always "skinny" in my early to mid adult years ,yes it is offensive
I never understood why people thought it rude to call someone fat but had no qualms saying I was "skinny "

JaneFondue · 16/05/2026 20:57

I absolutely refuse to believe that fat people are judged for reading. What?

AgnesX · 16/05/2026 20:56

QPZM · 16/05/2026 20:28

I've never heard of a 'well made' person.

Does it mean fat?

I would've thought it meant well groomed/well put together?

Old fashioned regional expression used in my hearing, by my great aunt (and I'm the wrong side of 40) referring to someone who's, well, not slim.

PyongyangKipperbang · 16/05/2026 20:56

I was very very slim (skinny is offensive by the way) when I was running (cant do it anymore due to health issues) and I was slow. I can assure you that I didnt get any respect for it, just bellowed at by boorish men who demanded I get out of their way because god forbid they should go around me. I never moved, which earned me a few bruises but as they also ended up the floor, hopefully they learned a lesson!

MeganM3 · 16/05/2026 20:56

Pretty privilege is real and this is basically an example of it.
But who’s really judging. Most people are too busy worrying about their own lives to care if someone else is running slowly, sewing or baking.

bridgetreilly · 16/05/2026 20:55

You need better people in your life. I don’t get those comments when I do those activities and I’m clinically obese.

cinnamonda · 16/05/2026 20:53

NewDogOwner · 16/05/2026 20:03

Fuck 'em. You sound cool. Just ignore them and keep doing you. The right people will think you are great.

This ^

do you know the saying: it is none of your business what others think of you? 😃
ignore them all and do your hobbies. You are so lucky to have so many you enjoy.

Itiswhysofew · 16/05/2026 20:52

I'm envious of you. Wish I could do all that. Take no notice of the lot of them. Tell them you're happy living your life your way😊

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