People who say they are fat when they're not

[lcyb]

Has anyone else seen this on social media - somebody takes selfie showing their body with caption such as "time to get rid of this belly" or something along the lines of.

Somebody I follow has just done this, except she's not fat at all, the very opposite. She actually had lipo and other work done to her body and everyone always comments about how amazing she looks. She's actually paid thousands of pounds to look skinny.

Why do people do this? Is it an attention thing?

I don't consider myself fat (I'm far from it) but I'd like to lose my belly. Not that I'd post anything on SM.
It looks like this person considers her body something to be worked on, and if she mentions her belly or other specific body part, it doesn't seem to me that it translates into her seeing herself as fat.

I hate the ones who take a picture of their perfect figure/flat stomach then write a huge monologue about how they're not perfect and they've embraced their flaws.

GO FUCK YOURSELF

@formerbabe same

@formerbabe

Amen to that

I have a fb friend who does this and she has an eating disorder

*She's actually paid thousands of pounds to look skinny.

Why do people do this? Is it an attention thing?*

It's to increase her engagement on social media. People being paid for that kind of shit are measured by the 'likes' and comments...

Any engagement on social media is positive, whether it's "aww hun you look ahhh-may-zing" or "fuck off you vacuous narcissistic twat".

In fact the latter - while no doubt will be removed at some point - is almost better because then she can start bleating about trolls and bullies, which will then increase her engagement even further. This has been a proven tactic to increase engagement used by a number of 'influencers'.

I think feeling fat is one thing, and anyone can feel that way no matter their size. Fishing for attention and compliments on social media is another thing though, and especially when its coming from somebody who is 'thin' only tends to make others feel worse - which is why I unfollow anyone who does this kind of thing.

It is an attention thing but also a confidence thing I have recently went up a dress size but I actually feel more confident and it shows when I take photos etc but I have friends a lot smaller than me who say they're fat but again it's because they have self esteem issues

This is a bit relative although the person you mention seems to be seeking compliments. But I am size 12 and I am really over what is normal for me. Before pregnancies I was size 6/8. So really need to loose some weight and feel very fat. But sometimes I mention that and people say that I am being ridiculous. So I learned to avoid talking about that as it is difficult to not seem to be bragging if talking to someone that is heavier than me

It's relative. I have a small, unforgiving build, and can certainly feel and see the difference from being knocked by a lethargic virus, followed up by Christmas. Sadly it never does go on to the 32Bs, and just adds further south where it's not well balanced. I'm still a healthy weight, and not "fat" but I can feel that I have more body fat than I need or carry well. I have to put some regular effort into maintaining a slim build, and I'm realistic about lifestyle and what works for my body.

I don't post it on social media though, not on my general profile. Possibly on relevant lifestyle groups where other people have similar objectives.

I know someone slim who is a fish for likes and compliments type (plenty of heartbroken A&E check-ins each time a sporty child needs an x-ray ) and while I get it, I can't help but eyeroll that her natural shape is aggravated by plenty of alcohol and a poor diet which she's never been particularly motivated to manage. Cue hundreds of hun responses about how wonderful she is.

In the case of someone who's had multiple cosmetic procedures, I'd suspect body dysmorphia is at play.

At university my ex best friend who was a size 6/8 used to go "I'm so fat, I'm so fat" in front of myself and another friend who were solidly size 18.

I explained how it was making me feel and the other friend backed me up.

She issued various non apologies "oh but I don't mean you're fat, I just mean..."

and carried on.

Massively attention seeking and fishing for compliments at the expense of other women

YANBU

Maybe if someone said, "Don't be daft, that liposuction really did the trick" then she wouldn't post like that?

My nail lady is a size 6, she posted on Faceache tonight wearing a bikini saying how gross she was as she's put on 3lbs over Christmas. Cue the huns

I wish I were as thin as back when I thought I was fat in my 20s.

I was a little overweight and probably complained about it.

Yes, it's for attention and validation that they are not fat. Anyone who is feeling fat or self conscious doesn't plaster pictures of their body all over social media for everyone to see. They want people to say they are not fat and they look great.

Unless it's a specific Instagram account about someone's weight loss journey for example, all needy posts like that should be banned. My SIL does it all the time and I want to slap her.

Maybe they grew up around people who listened to the Special K "can you pinch more than an inch" TV adverts ? In which case they are just in a confused reality.

I am obese. I have my reasons and this is not the place to discuss it. I have many very slim friends who bemoan their weight to me (size 8/10/12).

The issue is that whatever we are is never enough. Look at the posts in here - the beautiful young woman who wants lip fillers, the woman who thinks she looks old etc. Compare that with the Kate Middleton looks awful, Meghan's dress
does not suit her, X looks old, X looks awful ..
We are our own worst enemy.

Some people do it because they're stealth bragging, but others genuinely think they're fat.

For example I'm trying to lose weight now, but my family don't think I need to. I am much slimmer than them, but bigger than I'd like (BMI supports my feelings). I wouldn't post things online about it though, I'm going to exercise and eat better, but I won't go on about it online.

It is attention seeking to put it on social media like that.

But having said that, if someone (for example) is generally a size 8 or a size 10 and they find themselves putting on too much weight, especially if it's just on their stomachs, then they are fat for them.

Other people of larger sizes, can often take that as a personal dig at them, or turn that person's weight gain into all about them.

You said yourself OP "If she thinks I'm fat then I must be really huge!"

Her weight has nothing to do with yours or anyone else's.

I wouldn't post on social media about it, and certainly not with photos, but it's about perspective.

We have dsd's last pony, it's older and needs regular exercise. She's back at uni, and dd is in her gcse year so doesn't need two to work. I'm fat because post Christmas I'm too heavy for it. Doesn't matter that I'm tall and look slim, I need to shift the excess fat to be a suitable weight. I know I've offended one person that has less qualms about being too heavy for their mount, simply for saying I'm currently too heavy but tbh I don't give a fuck.

I think some people genuinely feel fat, but not really enough for them to feel self conscious about it otherwise they wouldn't draw attention to it.

It makes no difference to your life, so just ignore it. Some people may feel shit about themselves in other aspect of their life and a nice comment may give them a boost , so what if they’ve fished for it.
Live and let live

It depends whther you want us to answer your title, or your opening post.

Taking photos of your body to post on social media = attention seeking.

Me, having a conversation with my sister, re shopping for a nice outfit for a wedding, having gone up 2 dress sizes / 2 stone since I last looked for a nice outfit for a wedding, saying something about "now I'm fat" or the "fat me", even though I'm not huge by some people's standards isn't seeking attention from anybody. It is a statement about my lack of confidence as I'm a different shape and can't wear the sort of dress I once would etc. I know I'm not 'fat', but I know I'm 'fat for me'. I'd prefer not to draw attention to it, but it doesn't mean I can't mention it to people asking me about what I'm wearing to the wedding.

We are our own worst enemy

This. Nothing like women to attack other women. And to attack ourselves.

If you feel fat you feel fat. For whatever reason. It's not a fat competition. You don't need to achieve a certain level of fatness to say it.

And yes social media is for attention, it's the basic and pretty much only premise of it. No one uses social media and then blocks it so no one can see. That would be missing the point.