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Original poster

The number overweight people at swimming today

588 replies

pingu2209 · 19/02/2013 18:40

I went swimming today with my 3 children. I am not exagerating to say that well over half the children and teenagers were overweight; some were seriously obese.

It really was noticable. Girls as well as boys. Anything from age 4 to 14.

Okay - at least they were exercising but I was really shocked.

OP posts:
Eliza600 · 20/02/2013 00:05

Apologies, I overlooked the fact that the OP was mainly referring to children. However, I agree with her opinion.

I don't see why it's a 'vile and unpleasant thing to say'.
Much as I'd like to go swimming (and I used to really love it), I wouldn't dream of inflicting my 50-something body on an unsuspecting public. I hope I still retain a bit of dignity, so I wouldn't do it.
And I'd expect the same of anyone else - why parade around the worst aspects of yourself?

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 20/02/2013 00:06

I'd rather have an unsightly figure than an unpleasant mind, Eliza.

MariusEarlobe · 20/02/2013 00:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 20/02/2013 00:08

I'm sure you don't see why it is vile and unpleasant, Eliza - I am surprised that you don't realise how bad you are making yourself look, though. You are painting a very nasty picture of yourself, and I, for one, am bloody glad I don't know anyone like you.

MariusEarlobe · 20/02/2013 00:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Toughasoldboots · 20/02/2013 00:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

rodandtheemu · 20/02/2013 00:13

Hysteria has now set in.....good night y'all.

fatlazymummy · 20/02/2013 06:18

eliza what a stupid thing to say. Swimming pools aren't just for young beautiful people you know. I am in my 50's and I go swimming regularly, which may explain why I don't have 'bingo wings and saggy bits'. Not that it would matter if I did. People of all ages, shapes and sizes swim in my pool. So far I haven't noticed anyone laughing or throwing up at the sight of them.
I'd like to reassure anyone who is self conscious about going swimming. I was very overweight (bmi 37) when I started. I was self conscious at 1st, but rely, no one cares. Going back to swimming was the best thing I ever did, and no one at the pool ever made me feel bad.

TiggyD · 20/02/2013 06:26

Fat people in a pool is good. It means they need less water to fill it.

lonnika · 20/02/2013 06:27

my daughter was a big baby and toddler - we were recommended to take her swimming by a peaditrician -

countrykitten · 20/02/2013 10:03

So Eliza has made some less than polite comments about fat people and admitted that she has some saggy skin. Cue posters having a go at her for her fat comments and then going on to have a pop at her for her saggy skin. Oh the irony. Confused

Pigsmummy · 20/02/2013 10:21

I think that it is ok to be shocked by this, it's healthy to be shocked by this in fact and people shouldn't be offended. overweight shouldn't become the norm

MiaowTheCat · 20/02/2013 10:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

neverputasockinatoaster · 20/02/2013 10:43

I take DS and DD swimming every week. Two weeks ago you wouldn't have noticed DS as being overweight - he is usually a tall lanky thing! However, this week he would have been among the children you noticed as overweight as he is due a growth spurt, is eating for England and has gained a podge. In about 2 weeks he will shoot up, his trousers will suddenly be 2 inches too short and he will be a bean pole once more.

I, on the other hand, am overweight - very - but I am doing something about it. I have massive issues with food which I am trying NOT to pass on to my children. We eat healthily most of the time. I was once a skinny minnie with a weeny waist and then my first Step dad told me I was fat and put me on a diet..... I have been overweight to some degree ever since then.

I know people notice me when I go swimming. I am more concerned that they are judging my hairy legs than my rolls of fat! One day I will once more be unremarkable (although I will still probably have hairy legs!)

I do think we have an issue with obesity. I think half of it comes from a nation so obsessed by food that it all must be 'low fat' and 'low calorie' and thus IMHO 'low taste' and 'low satisfaction'. I think we need to look more at portion sizes, listening to our bodies and eating 'real' food that satisfies our taste buds and our mouths need for texture and substance.

I will continue to take my children swimming. I will also continue to feed them real food, listening when they say they are full, making no food forbidden. I will also continue to swim with hairy legs!

countrykitten · 20/02/2013 10:43

Since the OP has said that she is a size 20 herself I would doubt that very much. Don't like the way you say 'bitch of a mother' either. She was ignorant and rude but to call her a bitch makes you as rude as she was.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 20/02/2013 11:02

Countrykitten - if I read her correctly, Eliza would like all fat people to stay indoors, where they won't offend her gaze. That is considerably worse than '...less than polite...', in my opinion. I think it is hateful, in fact. And I am gobsmacked that anyone would publically and proudly voice those hateful opinions, given the impression that it gives about themselves!

Enigmosaurus · 20/02/2013 11:14

Is it any wonder people who are overweight get defensive when people like Eliza post stuff like that? Horrible, hateful words. I bet my bottom dollar that any of the overweight people I know are a hundred times nicer than Eliza ever will be.

countrykitten · 20/02/2013 11:18

SDT I am in no way defending her comments. It's just that making offensive personal remarks in retaliation is not the way to go is it?

Step · 20/02/2013 11:18

I'm overweight.

I swim 3.8km in sub 1 hour. Follow it with a week bike ride of 180km and then do a marathon (on one day of the year anyhow). Fat does not mean unfit.

These kids in the pool are at least exercising, good on them, encourage them and don't make them feel crap about themselves for putting a swimming costume on. Sport for all! (except breastrokers in the fast lane)

fatlazymummy · 20/02/2013 11:20

countrykitten people were having a go at Eliza for her attitude, not her sagging skin. She was the one who said she didn't want to inflict it on the public, and she doesn't think anyone else should either.

countrykitten · 20/02/2013 11:22

flm - the comments about her saggy skin were unnecessary even though she mentioned it first. That's all I am saying.

LurcioLovesFrankie · 20/02/2013 11:24

My mum was a fantastic swimmer and had been a competitive diver in her youth. In middle age she put on weight and became embarrassed to go swimming because of people like you, OP. I find your views repugnant. (I also suggest you bear in mind the fact that many women put on weight round the menopause - karma may come back to bite you on this one).

HoHoHoNoYouDont · 20/02/2013 11:27

Lurcio why would you be embarrassed to go swimming because of the OP's comments? She didn't attack fat people. She merely observed that CHILDREN seemed overweight and showed concern.

Signet2012 · 20/02/2013 11:27

This is why I won't go.
I'm ashamed enough about my size without people judging me.

Dp always says "no one is watching you don't worry" obviously I am right and he is wrong Sad

VenusRising · 20/02/2013 11:28

I can see both sides to this.

Ok maybe the OP didn't realise what a hornets nest fat as an issue is, and maybe she didn't realise how sensitive people can be about their bodies.

But really, there are a lot more obese people around now, and it's not being outrageous to observe that. I didn't feel the OP was judging, just observing.

Have a look at this site we are designed to move and the video in it: the point is that life expectancy of obese children is five years less than their healthier peers.

It's a real shame that fat kills, but it does, and it's so difficult to choose the healthy option day after day.... Please don't offer me a biscuit! I'll eat the packet :)