Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

to think that thin people don't get asked this question?

41 replies

poachedeggs · 11/10/2013 07:07

Or perhaps I'm being hypersensitive. But it really pisses me off!

Twice recently I've bumped into acquaintances when I've been setting off on a bike ride. Both times they've been really surprised and asked "Are you trying to get fit?".

Now I'm not a skinny type. I'm size 18. However, I exercise 2-3 times a week and walk daily. I can keep up when a group of us ride and I have good stamina. I rode 20 miles off road on Saturday, comfortably. I do all of this for convenience and pleasure, nothing more. I feel like because I'm fat people assume I must be trying to change myself.

So do thin people get asked this too?

OP posts:

LessMissAbs · 11/10/2013 11:10

I don't see a lot of thin people around. When I do, they often look ill and so I wouldn't ask them this. I do however see plenty of slim people around, and if I were the sort of person who asks that sort of question, and hadn't previously seen them on a bike, I would probably ask a slim person it.

CrapBag · 11/10/2013 11:13

Tell them to watch that programme that was on last night (should be on BBC iplayer maybe) on BBC, something about ask the doctor or something like that.

They showed people lined up according to their BMI, then again after measuring how much fat was in their bodies, then they tested their actual fitness and made them line up again. The results were very interesting. The bigger people who were classed as obese were the fitter ones!

MikeReepySpooksard · 11/10/2013 11:20

I've been fat and think. I don't think I've ever been asked that. Clearly I've never given anyone the impression I'm trying to get fit wouldn't know exercise if it bit me on my lazy arse but I did recently ask a think friend if he was trying to get fit because he started to cycle to work. It was a yes and no, but mainly because he'd recently moved closer to work as it happens, so now lived close enough to cycle in.

MikeReepySpooksard · 11/10/2013 11:20

*thin, not think!

ithasgonetotheopera · 11/10/2013 11:28

I'm slim and I get asked if I'm on a diet every time I have hummus for lunch in work. Have taken to reading out the fat content on the side.. I also get a sainthood 'ooh, you're very good' when I cycle into work.. its ten minutes away! People just have to fill the air with unnecessary crap.

Coupon · 11/10/2013 12:01

YANBU. It's a patronising question which they wouldn't ask someone they perceived to be fit. Your reply "No, I just like cycling" is a good answer. There are so many nicer things they could say like "great weather for cycling" or even "how are you?"!

KatoPotato · 11/10/2013 12:16

People can generally just be weird. I've lost 5 stone over the past 18months, through exercise and diet.

I dropped a kettlebell on my foot at the gym so missed a catch up with some old friends, and they were positively squealing with glee that this had happened?

'ooooh, excercise isn't good for your health then? haha!'

'haha glad I just spent the morning in bed with tea and cake!'

No actual sympathy, despite me really injuring myself!

Sukebind · 11/10/2013 12:46

No, YANBU. If the people saying this just wanted to be friendly/make conversation they could just say they hope you enjoy your ride or whatever. That said, I don't think you can justify anything other than an (overly?) cheery clarification that you love cycling and go out a fair bit. Then whizz off!
My own weight tends to yo-yo and when thinner I get told I don't 'need' to go the gym and asked why I am going. Rubbish. I wish people just wouldn't comment on weight especially as I have a recurring EDNOS.

TrinityRhino · 11/10/2013 12:49

I'm a size 12 and when I was a 10 and I bought a push bike I got asked this a lot

I'm exceedingly unfit

like seriously unfit

most intelligent people realise that fitness isn't being slim

Dahlen · 11/10/2013 12:53

I think it's probably one of those inane things people say out of habit, not dissimilar to "want to come and do mine next?" when people spot you mowing the lawn.

SparkyTGD · 11/10/2013 12:54

I think they may be trying to ask "are you trying to lose weight?" but don't want to be so rude.

People do associate slimness with fitness and I don't think a slim person would be so likely to be asked the question.

Hullygully · 11/10/2013 12:57

I'm really really thin and I get asked that all the time.

Or would if I had a bike, ever rode it and was thin, I bet

Blissx · 11/10/2013 13:15

I have lost count of the times people have commented that I look "anorexic" to "ill" and I just happen to be a tall 9 stone. This started from school right to the present. Have had strangers in swimming baths tell me this. So no, YABU that thin people also get abuse (and it seems more "acceptable" for some reason) although I agree, no one should have comments aimed at them for any reason.

Original poster

poachedeggs · 11/10/2013 13:25

Hully

It's a passing comment, which is actually a thinly veiled judgement. In my often hormonal head they're actually saying "What are you doing on a bike, you fat hog? You shouldwho tucking into a burger and chips. This does not compute."

It makes me imagine asking someone who was off for a facial "Are you trying to sort your skin out?". It's rude.

OP posts:

ithasgonetotheopera · 11/10/2013 13:28

Deffo not disputing that its rude, it is. I wouldn't dream of asking the questions a lot of people ask!

Takingbackmonday · 11/10/2013 14:42

I'm a 6-8 and regularly get told I don't need to go to the gym, which is equally irritating.

Flip

1 2