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!

@CrunchyCarrot

I don't know why size 14-16 is seen as 'fat' or 'chubby'. I am size 16 and am very thin, I am simply tall with broad shoulders and wide hips. Can't wear smaller sizes as they just pull and rip!

Really? I have a friend who is 6ft and she is indeed thin at size 12, but how tall must one be to be 'very thin' as size 16?

Fat shaming and thin shaming might be materially different but you can't use this fact to excuse the latter any more than you can champion the way one woman looks by denigrating another.

FGM and circumcision are v different beasts historically and culturally and do not warrant comparison but the existence of FGM doesn't mean that we can excuse circumcision without medical need.

Remove all the comparisons and what you're saying is "it's okay to criticise, denigrate and hurt this group of women".

I was very clear in my op to not say that bigger was better or more attractive than smaller. My best friend is a size 6-8 and she looks incredible. I am not hotter than her, nor am I better in bed (I imagine.) I know there is anecdotal stories of some bigger women being more carefree, less self conscious than some smaller framed women. Obviously it's all bullshit.
As for my example about the shop. I'm only saying it was rare for us to find a smaller framed woman who could lift as much as me. No lifting heavy weights does not equal health but the taking the boxes to the shop and up the stairs was surely cardiovascular activity. Yes, fatties can do cardio too.
Why all the concern for health only for a certain group on people? My blood pressure is low, my cholesterol is fine, I didn't take one day off during both pregnancies. I have no problems doing 18 hour fasts, don't feel shaky or feel that my blood sugar is low.
Please explain how I am so unhealthy?

@WorraLiberty have you tried a trolley on cobbles? Plus loading the trolley takes time!

realistically the type of men who tend to only go for super skinnies aren't my cup of tea regardless (vain, selfish narcs)

Or just men that aren't attracted to big women? You know, like some men aren't attracted to skinny women?

The concern is not 'only for a certain group of people' OP.

The original topic was one person being concerned about her relatives. The relatives in question are overweight in the original OPs opinion.

You then started your own thread as felt there hand been fat shaming going on.

I don't think people get it though, if I go for food with my bf she can order fried chicken, waffles, chips etc, people make assumptions that she is making restrictions in other areas of her life or she's just been to the gym. She would be the first to say that she does no exercise and eats what she wants. If I get the same order, people are probably thinking the opposite of me, that I sit on my ass, that I've ballooned etc. I know that I am healthy. I know that I could lose a bit but I don't want to. People shouldn't judge.

I’m a size 14 and 5 foot 5 I feel incredibly unhealthy - this weight came on over the past two years and prior to that I was a size 10 my whole life and felt normal. Maybe it’s just what you’re used to? I’m struggling with all the rolls of fat that seem to be everywhere and I get a shock whenever I see photos of myself.

People shouldn't judge.

Yes people shouldn't judge anyone, either way.

OP, with respect, you've judged everyone whose opinion differs to yours.

I say this a someone who should lose weight. For my health.

@Bestexoticmarigoldhotel I do think that makes a difference. My dad is big, my sister is big and we grew up in three different countries and three different cultures. My dad grew up in a third world country with no luxuries, my sister grew up in France and I grew up in the U.K. We share nothing but genes, all bigger people.

@namesnames find me an example of my judgement.

Your judged that the previous thread had fat shamers, rather than people discussing about weight for starters.

random 'about'

[quote MermaidApocalypse]@WorraLiberty have you tried a trolley on cobbles? Plus loading the trolley takes time![/quote]
Yes I have (market work on cobble stone)

And how is loading a trolley going to take less time than carrying boxes 2 streets away?

Not the point of the thread I know but weird all the same.

Hmm @MermaidApocalypse I don't agree with the assertion that because you, your father and your sister grew up in three different countries, that this is some refutation to the argument that genes are the key factor.

You said yourself you could lose weight but you're happy at the weight you are. That's a conscious choice and one to be respected. So "genes" aren't keeping you at the weight you are. It's a conscious decision, and I respect and applaud that.

Perhaps similarly, as your father and your sister have also similar body shapes, it all helps acceptance and reinforcement amongst you all, rather than some invisible genetic predilection.

@GinDaddyRedux we don't even live in the same country. And have you tried being fat in France?

@MermaidApocalypse

I don't understand the signifier of France here - can you explain please?

I was very clear in my op to not say that bigger was better or more attractive than smaller. My best friend is a size 6-8 and she looks incredible.

Erm. So your best friend is skinny? Now where have I heard something very similar to that before now. It doesn't take away from comments such as 'Do you know how many skinny people couldn't do that, even once?' You don't need to denigrate anybody skinny to make your point that at your weight you are healthy.

Still waiting for someone to tell me how I'm unhealthy. Had my physical obs done the other day in work, absolutely fine.

Love this thread @MermaidApocalypse! And she isn't shaming anyone!

@MermaidApocalypse

Okay then, as you have specifically asked for it:

www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/obesity-healthy-not-possible-fat-fit-study-coronary-heart-disease-stroke-birmingham-university-a7739891.html

In summary:

The study of 3.5 million Britons, carried out by researchers at the University of Birmingham and presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Porto,Portugal, found that even “metabolically healthy” obese people are still at a higher risk ofheart diseaseor astrokethan those with a normal weight range.

Metabolically healthy obesity – or more colloquially ‘fat but fit’ - is defined as those who are clinically obese by having a BMI of more than 30 kg/m2 but do not have the complications that are normally associated withobesitysuch as high blood pressure, diabetes or poor blood sugar control.

Of course we can't tell you if you're healthy or unhealthy. I can't see your joints, the fat you carry, your diabetes risk, your heart etc. All we can do is talk in general terms about the risks of being overweight.

You don't want to lose weight. You are happy with the risk. That's the end of the discussion.

I don't know why size 14-16 is seen as 'fat' or 'chubby'. I am size 16 and am very thin, I am simply tall with broad shoulders and wide hips. Can't wear smaller sizes as they just pull and rip

This is baffling me somewhat. I understand a size 16 may look different depending on height, but it can't be physically smaller. The waist measurements of a size 16 skirt, for example, will be the same whether it is worn by a woman who is 6ft or 5ft. So the same 'circumference'

@carexfairex

I don't know why size 14-16 is seen as 'fat' or 'chubby'. I am size 16 and am very thin, I am simply tall with broad shoulders and wide hips. Can't wear smaller sizes as they just pull and rip

This is baffling me somewhat. I understand a size 16 may look different depending on height, but it can't be physically smaller. The waist measurements of a size 16 skirt, for example, will be the same whether it is worn by a woman who is 6ft or 5ft. So the same 'circumference'

You can be wider but from the side look really slim? That’s all I can think of