I'm a size 16 and I think I'm pretty hot

[MermaidApocalypse]

Just to even out the fat shaming on another thread. I'm a size 14-16. I can still fit in jeans I wore in sixth form college, I've always been this way. I have stayed a similar size through physical jobs, sedentary jobs, two pregnancies, breastfeeding, having a personal trainer, driving and sitting at a desk all day. I think that for some of us this is our healthy size.
Despite this I have to acknowledge the science, excess calories minus insufficient exercise does cause weight gain. Saying that my GP isn't worried as I've not gained weight in a short space of time, I've stayed the same for 16 years. I did once get down to a 12 but I had to try so hard, 18 hour fasts, exercise four days a week. I know women who stay at a 12 doing sweet F.A!

The things that I hate hearing are that people who are a size 14 to 18 are unhealthy. My previous job was being the manager of a health food shop. I lifted boxes of dried pulses, nuts, oats all day every day. Twice a week the delivery van used to park two streets down and we would have to carry 40+ boxes back to the shop and up the stairs to the storeroom. Do you know how many skinny people couldn't do that, even once? I can lift 25kg without much effort, if the tits didn't get in the way, I'd make a good weightlifter!

@FuckinGoddess

You can find joy in things that aren’t food you know.

I'm fat, out of control portion control. I'm stealing this for my fridge door.

I did have 'Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels' but it didnt work because I knew that was a lie 😂😂

For fucks sake.

Get the "half-termers" back in pre-Corona employment/back to Uni.

It always baffles me why people are concerned for other peoples weight, whether its because they're too fat or too thin, why does it matter to you? Its no one else's business!

I've found my people on here! I love to exercise it keeps me sane. I hike, lift weights and I'm now on week 8 of couch to 5k but food though 🤷🏾‍♀️ I like how I look as well which doesn't help. I dress for my shape. I have been very slim, got down to a size 8 through strict calorie counting. I would count almonds ffs. To me that's no life. If I could drop to a 12/14 that would be ideal but I just can't find the motivation to diet.

It always baffles me why people are concerned for other peoples weight, whether its because they're too fat or too thin, why does it matter to you? Its no one else's business!

It is no-one else's business, but only to a certain extent. We all have to live together in a functioning society and it is unfortunately true that obesity causes many issues in our society. And hey, there is also a desire for others to be healthy and be able to live a full active life. I don't particularly feel good when my morbidly obese friend is struggling with her health because of her obesity - you have the impulse to help - I'm sure that is a pretty decent human response.

we're all going to die, might as well spend our time on earth being happy in our own skin, eating enchiladas, dancing in the kitchen to salsa and drinking the odd glass of wine. Some of you lot seem like you need a bit more joie de vivre to be honest.

I've worked as a carer for the elderly. There's nothing quite like it for convincing you that it's a good idea to look after your body now. The people who over indulge don't die happy if a little younger. They get all the misery of their bowels failing, urinary incontinence, hacking coughs that you think will kill them every morning, inability to walk more than two paces unaided, all that and more, and earlier in life.

I have a BMI of 20. A month ago I decided to take up running and I can now do 5 miles in an hour. No, that's not particularly fast but couch to 10k programmes allow 12 weeks and in a third of that time I've almost achieved what they set out to do, mainly because I was already some way from the couch.

I'm happy in my own skin. I have a wonderful partner with whom I share many laughs. I don't conform to the stereotype of a joyless skinny person who has traded all the fun in life to be a size 8. I enjoy running, cycling and horse riding and I hope to be able to continue enjoying them into my 70s.

It always baffles me why people are concerned for other peoples weight, whether its because they're too fat or too thin, why does it matter to you? Its no one else's business!

It's not really that baffling here. OP made a thread to promote discussion. That aside I'm sure the majority of us don't consider other people's weight to be our business.

What's really baffled me though is that you have taken the time to come on a thread discussing weight simply to say 'why does it matter to us?'

It doesn't. It's just a conversation. Just like any other thread. The sex of someone's kitten, name of their baby or the colour of their living room walls really don't matter to me either, but I will join in a thread about all of those subjects as well.

It's no one's business. Correct. But it's up for debate here. And I definitely feel hotter now I'm a healthy size. Woo! Not something I'd normally shout from the rooftops.
And what puzzles me is why Some happy-to-be-bigger posters don't countenance trying to be a healthier weight. Honestly, try it. You might like it! And you can still
Have your cake, you just don't eat quite so much of it!

@ItsSpittingEverybodyIn
We are concerned about other people’s weight because it’s costing us all. How much does the NHS spend treating type 2 diabetes, mainly caused by overeating . Diabetes site says 11.7 billion!
I can’t really imagine that much money but I think the country could do a lot with it.

It always baffles me why people are concerned for other peoples weight, whether its because they're too fat or too thin, why does it matter to you? Its no one else's business!

Anyone who does isn't happy with themselves, as cliched as it sounds. I hardly notice anyone's weight, and even when I do, I don't feel the need to put them down or try and make myself seem better.

Doesn't matter if you're a bit overweight or under as long as you're hygienic and dress well. Try your best to be reasonably healthy.

Doesn't matter if you're a bit overweight or under as long as you're hygienic and dress well. Try your best to be reasonably healthy.

Well no, being a 'bit' overweight or a 'bit' underweight doesn't really matter but obesity does, whether you tend to notice it or not.

It matters a lot, especially when people are getting diabetes and having joint operations in their 40s and 50s and it also matters that children with obese parents are far more likely to become obese themselves.

The bigger picture is far more important than being hygienic and wearing nice clothes.

Being a bit overweight increases risk of premature death and medical problems. It does matter.

Weight can easily get out of hand and then The next thing you know people then have children and also teach them concept of “its not your business and I’m happy at a size 16”. Good for you but to inflict that on your kids is terrible. There’s a difference between a bit over weight and......

The miserable slim person is as annoying and inaccurate a trope as the miserable fat person.

Totally agree.

I know what you mean. Could've written this myself I've been in the size 14/16 ballpark since my late teens. I went up a stone and half in pregnancy. Have lost a stone 5 months after the birth. Can go down to a size 12 only with intense regular exercise (more than once a day, every day) and strict calorie counting. In normal life (pre baby) I still regularly exercised, watched portion sizes, and consider myself fat-fit.

And whilst not at all slim shaming, I also know both healthy slim people, and chain smoking heavy drinkers who barely ate most of the time, and then binge ate socially. Slim doesnt mean healthy

Slim doesnt mean healthy

I think you meant to say "Slim doesn't necessarily mean healthy".

I doubt many slim people are chain smoking heavy drinkers who barely eat most of the time. Personally, I don't know any who are.

Of course one can look great at size 14/16/whatever. Dress size doesn't tell much - height and weight add to the picture and diet and activity/fitness level are more important. You can be a curvy size 6 or a very thin size 16.

The UK does have a big size issue though:
The UK has a weight problem - two thirds of adults are either overweight or obese - with one third of these obese, according to official heath surveys.

The Independent says that average UK woman is 5'5", 11st and a size 16 - this gives a BMI of over 25, so that's the overweight category. So the woman is size 16 woman and overweight.

The type of figure is important too - what is the 'ideal' that is portrayed? Something along the lines of slim limbs, a flat stomach, a high waist to hip ratio? You could have that body type at various weights or dress sizes.

I honestly don't think I know anyone who smokes anymore?

There's a public smoking area near where I work and the only people I see there, tend to be aged over 50 and various shapes and sizes.

I know a lot of MNetters tend to want to believe most slim people are either into nicotine or cocaine, or live a miserable life of denial but honestly, most slim people I know simply tend to eat what they want but not massive amounts of it.

I think it used to be the case that some women smoked instead of eating. I know it was true in France and I knew women in the eighties and nineties who'd grab a cigarette and use that as an oral prop rather than a slice of cake. A bit like Patsy in AbFab: stick to cigarettes and vodka or champagne, leave food alone.

I don't like to remember the days, but many years ago I was extremely thin and drank up to four bottles of wine a day. I rarely ate. And I was somehow a very unhealthy, just about functioning alcoholic. I've been in recovery for over 12 years; many people in AA drank away their feelings and, once sober, they ate their emotions instead. Some are in OA too.
I'm the first to accept that for many people it's far more complex than self control and eating less. I've been there, just not with food.

Well no, being a 'bit' overweight or a 'bit' underweight doesn't really matter but obesity does, whether you tend to notice it or not.

That's why I mentioned health at the end, I agree. Speaking as someone who is tall who looks underweight.

I meant within reason of course. And not just weights but body shapes too. As long as you know you're living reasonably healthy, don't worry what people think.

And whilst not at all slim shaming, I also know both healthy slim people, and chain smoking heavy drinkers who barely ate most of the time, and then binge ate socially. Slim doesnt mean healthy

Yep. People will preach about diet but lie out in the sun all day, smoke, drink and whatever else. The faux-concern for other people's health is annoying and very disingenuous.

Unless they're your family/friends, it doesn't need to be said.

The only people I know that smoke, lie around all day and drink a lot are overweight. But then most people I know are into fitness and health, some are stricter than others, quite a few are intermittent faster for the health benefits rather than weight control
I'm 5 ft 5, weight 10 stones, have defined muscles, as in you can see the lines of definition on my arms, legs, back and abs, I have an estimated body fat ( not with callipers) of @21%, I wear a size 8; my waist is 25 inches, and I eat alot more than the OP.
So many women do cardio, cardio HIIT etc., whereas what needs to be done is resistance training to build muscle. Muscles burns more calories, cardio does not build muscle.

I never tell people what they should or shouldn't eat, but the amount of overweight people that seem to take offence because I choose not to eat cake every day with my coffee