To the woman who shouted “you’re too thin!!” to me on my run today...

[Waytoomuch82]

You made me feel utterly shit.

Yes I’m underweight. Mr body shape is awful (very thin arms and legs but a large belly relative to my size (26/27 inch, which for someone 17 BMI is out of proportion).

I hate my body. I feel sub conscious.

Hence out for very early run in a wood. St John’s wood (you were alone, one dog, red top). I saw you and smiled, you had a kind face, but as I ran pass you muttered something. I turned and said “sorry?” And you said “gosh, you’re too thin. You must stop running”.

Immediately deflated. Immediately feel crap.

It would not have occurred to me for a second to have said to you “you are podgy, you should be running not walking”, why did you feel you could say this to me.

Stop shouting out random criticism and “advice” to people.

That's awful. What a cow. If it happens again tell her about herself.

Some people are proper dickheads

People suck sometimes OP.
No one should be randomly passing comment on someone else’s appearance

She shouldn’t have said anything but it sounds like she did it with concern. Not her place to do so clearly though.

Shes lucky you didnt slap her tbh. These types have some fucking nerve.

Noone needs the (likely faux) "concern" of a stranger

Was she being unpleasant, or speaking from concern?

You've said you are underweight and too thin.

Have you suffered eating/exercise disorders in the past? Could your body shape (thin with protruding stomach) be due to a state of starvation?

She sounds like a bitch. It's none of her business. I hate that it's socially acceptable to skinny shame people, whereas fat shaming is taboo. Ignore her.

It’s about her, OP. Not about you.

I might think it but I would never ever say it.

Someone who would is not ... well adjusted, is the politest word I can think of.

I'm sure she's a gem beloved by her family and strangers alike, not.

She’s an absolute bitch, ignore her. She’s not perfect either, no one is, so they shouldn’t judge. Fuck her! The fact she said that makes her a shitty person. We can change our shape to some degree, but that personality of hers is for life.

My arms are quite skinny and people used to call me Ana arms, as in anorexic. This came from people who were no oil paintings themselves and I never let it bother me! The thunder thigh comments I also received, however...people can be nasty bastards, but just remember, it’s a reflection on them.

Fuckers!!

Good on you for getting out for an early run!!

She sounds very bitter OP and should worry about herself. My gran always says to me 'gosh you look so pale are you ill?' maybe she means it with concern but sometimes you just think 'do you have to tell me everytime you see me'. Sometimes there's no need for the concern. I hope you feel better soon OP.

She was rude but I’m wondering too if she said it out of concern.

If your natural shape is more boyish (mine is) then the best way to build a curvier figure (if that’s what you meant) is to try to build muscle. That will make your waist look smaller but it will be healthier for your body.

You need to eat well to build muscle.

Too much running is bad for your joints in the long term.

I hope you’re ok.

or speaking from concern?

You don't speak out of concern to someone who's a complete stranger running past you in a park .... No-one normal would think that appropriate.

I had the same from a school mum once, still regret not pulling her up about it!
I've always been slim but when my Dad was diagnosed with cancer my weight plummeted. I was walking my dc to school and she literally yelled across the road 'you're way too skinny'
I wish now I yelled back 'yes I know, I can't eat because I'm scared my Dads going to die!' That would have publicly shamed her, instead I just blushed, mumbled something and rushed into the playground

You keep running op, good for you getting up and out there and doing something that makes you feel good

There is no justification for shouting at a stranger like that.

Just like when I have had people in the past shouting about me being too fat to run.

Even if you try to dress it up as concern about a stranger it’s none of your business

@GoddamnGodBless

She's a rancid cunt.

What a wonderfully measured response.

@PicsInRed

Was she being unpleasant, or speaking from concern?

You've said you are underweight and too thin.

Have you suffered eating/exercise disorders in the past? Could your body shape (thin with protruding stomach) be due to a state of starvation?

Oh hang on, you mean we're now allowed to tell people they're too fat if it's out of concern, because I've seen countless threads on here that tell people they can't even comment to family and friends, never mind strangers, or does it only apply to thin people?

She's clearly not in her right mind and you should try your very best not to let this occupy any more of your head space or feel about yourself

@PicsInRed what the hell has that got to do with the situation?
I regularly see very overweight people on my dog walk, shall I start shouting 'you're too fat' at them?
They're obviously at risk of type 2 diabetes, so it would be a valid point would you say? Or just really bloody rude and none of my bloody business?

It seems to me she may have thought you're one of those running to lose weight (because you think you're "fat and hideous", as people do) and to her, it's unnecessary to run if you're slim/thin.

She's one of those people who make unsolicited remarks on a stranger's appearance. I think it's rude, regardless of intention.

OP you said she "shouted" at you but in your post you said she muttered and describe a spoken conversation. Which is it?

I'm sorry she made you feel awful but I feel like you're somewhat over-playing certain elements. It's not good for you to do that. Just ignore her.

There is no justification for shouting at a stranger like that.

It doesn't sound like she shouted.

OP said she muttered something to herself, OP asked her to repeat it & she said it with concern, it appears.

It's still not anyone's place to tell someone how they look or what to do, I agree.

It sounds like OP is very underweight and that running may not be a good choice at this point.

Why would anyone need a total stranger’s “concern”?!

Other people’s weight is no one’s business but theirs.

I’m sorry OP that you had this experience. The woman was completely out of order.