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!

It’s nothing to do with whether you look attractive or “hot”. It’s a health issue.

Exactly.

But if you say otherwise it’s “fat shaming” apparently

I hear you OP!

I'm a 16, 5'8, everything is in the right place, I love my hips (and so does DP) and I have a booty that JLo would be proud of.

I am 5ft9 and currently size 16 and it's too much for me.

However, I can't physically go below a size 14, even when I was borderline underweight.

I have wide shoulders and childbearing hips. It does make me a little bit upset to read posters judging size 14s.

Tbh I think fat/thin/chubby etc is not about whether others think you hot or not , it's about what you are yourself ,self-esteem wise .
I completely agree that some slim people can be unhealthy, and that a larger person can be super healthy, it what you do with what you have is important

The skinniest women I know (aside from one who is a runner) are much more unhealthy - literally don't eat all day but smoke heavily, takeaway at the weekend, binge drink

You need to broaden your horizons; plenty of us 'skinny' (not fond of the term btw) do none of these things. But you crack on and convince yourself otherwise if it gets you through

@CuteOrangeElephant

I am 5ft9 and currently size 16 and it's too much for me.

However, I can't physically go below a size 14, even when I was borderline underweight.

I have wide shoulders and childbearing hips. It does make me a little bit upset to read posters judging size 14s.

Yes, I've always been the same. Even when I was underweight and people were commenting asking if I was ill! I was still only ever a size 12 due to my body shape. I have big hips too and big boobs (that I swear are still growing to this day).

I'm a size 16. I seem to always be a size 16 no matter what these days. I go between 11 and a half stone and 13 stone. The biggest difference I have felt is drinking more water/squash. I used to drink 3 cups of coffee a day and 2 cans of Pepsi max and that was it. I now drink 2 cups of coffee, 1 can of Pepsi max and 2 pint glasses of water/squash. This has made a real difference to how I feel. I'm not that fond of fruit, I have the odd apple but I do eat a lot veg which again makes a difference. I don't really snack but my portions are quite big. I eat 50/50 bread and use semi skimmed milk. I don't diet, never have really. If I'm feeling unhealthy, I start walking more, get an extra glass of water in a day and add more veg to my meals.

I was feeling like crap just a month a go from not drinking enough and not walking enough. That's changed now and I feel much better. I don't think I have any health issues due to being a size 16. My BMI is 26 and I'm classed as overweight, not quite on the obese mark but not far from it. If I was 2 stone lighter and maybe a size 12, I would probably feel better but I would need to seriously diet and probably run everyday to get to that and I just don't want to. I'd rather just enjoy life, be a size 16 and be happy. If a doctor ever says to me that my weight is causing me issues (none have so far, they say I'm average/overweight) then I will do something

"Do you know how many skinny people couldn't do that, even once?"

As a previous poster said, you are shaming the other side now, which is equally as wrong.

My friend is very skinny and no matter how much she eats she just can't keep the weight on. Reading what you've written would probably hurt her feelings a lot.

I couldn't care less what size a person is ( I do worry about my mum and my sister, but don't pester them with my worries), what does it have to do with sexual abilities some posters are mentioning, or with being kind or other qualities for that matter? I'm a 10-12, or 14 at times, who tryes to generally be a decent person, but see no relation between hhese 2 things.

It only matters if you get bigger than that as you get older. I think that's why doctors prefer younger people to be more a size 12, to account for inevitable age related weight gain as metabolism slows. Then again, I'd have thought being happy and confident about yourself is a big plus from a health point of view, so that's good whatever size you are. Personally I'm massively unhappy about weighing 63 kgs at 166cm, so I should probably work on that rather than the extra weight....

Imagine if a size 6/8 came on and started going on about how sexy they are, how great in bed; how they’ve got a ‘booty’ (cringe!) a model would be proud of, and how much they love their body ? They’d get slated. It’s such a hypocritical thing this body positivity stuff. I have seen it with my own eyes - one of my friends is about a size 24 and prolific on Instagram, posting bikini pics, tasteful topless shots etc, she is absolutely fawned over by followers, people telling her how gorgeous she is etc, Because she is ‘brave’ etc. Another friend who is probably a size 6 posted a few bikini pictures on holiday and the same friendship group are saying ‘she looks too thin’, ‘she loves herself’ etc.

Also Jennifer Lopez is petite and about a uk 8-10 so she might have a proportionately ‘big’ bum but she’s hardly plus size.

The skinniest women I know (aside from one who is a runner) are much more unhealthy - literally don't eat all day but smoke heavily, takeaway at the weekend, binge drink

This ^^ trotted out line is as tired and unoriginal as "Fat people sit around stuffing their faces all day".

Oh, and for what it's worth, "overweight people" know they are overweight. They don't need helpful busybodies who are concerned about health sticking their beaks in.

I agree. You need to want to lose weight for yourself. You know you need to, it's being in the right place mentally to do so. "Helpful" people pushing, is not conducive to being in the right place mentally.

You're worse that fat shamers. I'm a size 6 and weak due to a medical condition. Thanks for making me feel like shit. I can't do anything about it but you can...

I got to a 16 once and hated it. I'm 5' 10".

@ChilliCheese123

Imagine if a size 6/8 came on and started going on about how sexy they are, how great in bed; how they’ve got a ‘booty’ (cringe!) a model would be proud of, and how much they love their body ? They’d get slated. It’s such a hypocritical thing this body positivity stuff. I have seen it with my own eyes - one of my friends is about a size 24 and prolific on Instagram, posting bikini pics, tasteful topless shots etc, she is absolutely fawned over by followers, people telling her how gorgeous she is etc, Because she is ‘brave’ etc. Another friend who is probably a size 6 posted a few bikini pictures on holiday and the same friendship group are saying ‘she looks too thin’, ‘she loves herself’ etc.

Also Jennifer Lopez is petite and about a uk 8-10 so she might have a proportionately ‘big’ bum but she’s hardly plus size.

Well the difference is, society generally already see slim people as all of those things simply because they are slim. Slim/skinny is sexy, attractive, praised etc...

Here's to cake, and curves. 🍰

Absolutely. Here's to to protein, muscles and androgyny too

I’m big. Bigger than a 16 for sure, and I’m hot. Freaking sexy. I’m confident with my body and it shows, which I think is what a huge amount of ‘sexiness’ is.

However, I am under no illusion that it is unhealthy and I’m trying to lose weight solely for this issue. People who say otherwise are kidding themselves.

Who are all these helpful busybodies that are bothering people ?

Good for you. Some people are naturally skinny but eat dreadfully and do exercise - doesn't mean their arteries aren't clogged. Then there are the smokers who use cigarettes to suppress their appetites and stay slim - not exactly a picture of health either.

I think the fat shaming comes from people who are afraid they could become fat and are desperate to avoid it. Let's face it, it could happen to anyone, no matter what people might say.

I've never been overweight, but Ive wasted way too many years of my life on tortuous diets to stay skinny and it was miserable. There are plenty of things that taste better than skinny feels IMO and obsessively worrying about every calorie or feeling overwhelmed with regret over enjoying myself isn't much of a life for me. Since shifting my perspective to health, rather than weight, I've found I'm keeping a steady weight without really trying. That's my natural weight. My overall health is better, including mental and emotional health.

Be happy, life is too short! People who degrade others for whatever reason are not happy people.

It can be awkward if your partner keeps burning his bum on the lightbulb.

@PhoneLock, you win the prize for making me laugh out loud. You should have your own show

Undoubtedly though the sad fact is that for me personally (not everyone of course) I look a lot better as a 12.

I'm sure one can look nice when they're a size 20. But I have not met a person yet who actually looks better as a 20 than a 12.

Well, 'hot' is subjective. I'm in between at a sz10 , some days I feel great and some i feel like a big fat mess.

There are plenty of things that taste better than skinny feels

Absolutely. For you. My 'hobby' necessitates keeping my body in top shape so for me, it doesn't hold true

I think it's sad that to feel sexy some people have to put down other body shapes. What one person feels sexy at another person doesn't.

I feel sexy with a certain type of body that some would not find very sexy. But it makes ME feel sexy and more comfortable with myself. For the next person, a completely different body shape makes them feel good.

So long as we are all trying to stay healthy and eat well, exercise and so on - I really don't see why it needs to be a competition.