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.

@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?

However you wrap it up she's an impertinent dick head. Concern my eye! It's none of her business!

@Handsoffisback

The fact is, you cannot say a single word to an overweight person for fear of ‘fat shaming’ but this thread has just proved that so many people think it’s acceptable to shout things or comment about a thin person and make assumptions about their medical history and overall health.

Have you seen some of the "fat cow" / "she's just jealous because she's fat" comments on this thread?

St John’s Wood - I would be shocked anyone acknowledged my existence there.... let alone saw fit to harangue me. I mean the women always look pretty judgemental and superior - but it’s concerning if they have found their voice.

Next time, “mind your own business you nosey goat”...

I used to work with and attend the same gym as someone who was dreadfully thin. I used to show up occasionally at the gym and we would have the same lime green kit on - frankly it didn't look great on either of us as I'm (ok - I admit it) obese. Between the 2 of us we could make up to relatively fat people.

But I sat down with her one day and asked her why she was so thin - and the truth is we aren't that different - we both have problems with what we consume. There's lots of things she can't tolerate beyond certain vegetables and she used exercise (2 - 3 hours a day) for stress relief of dealing with elderly/infirm parents.

I'm thankful that I was able to have a chat with her and understand better what she was up against rather than merely thinking "lucky cow, she's so slim!" If you have the chance to talk to your shouty woman maybe it would help her understanding as well.

I was in Sainsburys after having been in bed for six months and a woman said to her friend sotto voce but loud enough for me to hear.

There is thin and there is thin, I was eight stone, and I am 5' 3", so I turned around and said, you should have seen me before I went on the cancer diet. (I lost five and a stone)

I walked off, then to my shame and satisfaction (in equal measure ) I passed her later in the store and said just for clarification I was so overweight I made you look thin and you are not really.

Ignore her.

8 stone at 5'3" isnt even actually underweight, surely? People are nuts.

That wasn't nice, but she maybe was shocked your were running, whilst looking so thin, and may have been genuinely concerned.

@gypsywater I was 8 and a half stone and 5'5 and my BMI told me I was almost underweight. I think BMI is bullshit unless you properly measure body fat and muscle then it's inaccurate. Some really muscular people are 300 pounds so the BMI would say they're overweight when in fact they're really healthy. It's quite frustrating actually.

@bedjolly Exactly, so if 5'5" is almost underweight then 5'3" shouldn't really be in the underweight range, certainly not enough for a stranger to comment on. I'm glad PP told her where to go.

Oh sorry misread, you said 8.5 stone not 8. I'm 8.5 stone and 5'5" tho and my BMI is normal?!

It's very rude to make comments to strangers about their appearance.

But your post does sound worrying to me..you're underweight and say you hate your body but the exercise you choose is running?

@gypsywater I know this is why I think it's so stupid. I still had a little belly pouch so I couldn't have been even near underweight haha. I was 16 at the time and I'm a female.

@bedjolly Its all so stupid isnt it

She was probably a bit very weird. Don't let her bother you.

Although if you stomach is always very big (bloated?) and the rest of you is whip thin have you seen a GP? Something could be up.

@SmudgeButt

I used to work with and attend the same gym as someone who was dreadfully thin. I used to show up occasionally at the gym and we would have the same lime green kit on - frankly it didn't look great on either of us as I'm (ok - I admit it) obese. Between the 2 of us we could make up to relatively fat people.

But I sat down with her one day and asked her why she was so thin - and the truth is we aren't that different - we both have problems with what we consume. There's lots of things she can't tolerate beyond certain vegetables and she used exercise (2 - 3 hours a day) for stress relief of dealing with elderly/infirm parents.

I'm thankful that I was able to have a chat with her and understand better what she was up against rather than merely thinking "lucky cow, she's so slim!" If you have the chance to talk to your shouty woman maybe it would help her understanding as well.

I'm thankful that I was able to have a chat with her and understand better what she was up against rather than merely thinking "lucky cow, she's so slim!" If you have the chance to talk to your shouty woman maybe it would help her understanding as well.

Wtf have I just read? Seriously?!

So anyone underweight or overweight should stop and tell complete strangers all about their personal business, to 'help their understanding'?

Jesus wept.

Are you well OP? Would it be an idea to contact a GP? Nobody is right to shout at a stranger. What are the thoughts of friends and family?

@Lockheart

The misogyny and violence in these replies to an offhand comment from a stranger are really quite alarming.

"Rancid cunt, bitch, cow, lucky she didn't get a slap, jealous hag".

Is that really acceptable?

Couldn't agree more. Not the point of the thread but people using this kind of language towards other women should be ashamed of themselves.

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

She really is. I don't condone violence but if you're gonna insult strangers for no reason, surely you accept it's a possible consequence?

The misogyny and violence in these replies to an offhand comment from a stranger are really quite alarming

Rancid cunt, bitch, cow, lucky she didn't get a slap, jealous hag

Is that really acceptable?

Some of it's a bit much yeah, but isn't it acceptable to call someone a cow if they act like a cow? I mean, this woman was definitely a cow to OP.

It would not have occurred to me for a second to have said to you “you are podgy, you should be running not walking”
I'd be tempted to do that in future. Fight fire with fire.

The woman told you because it is true.

Look a the way you describe yourself. *I hate my body. I feel sub conscious.

Hence out for very early run in a wood. *

See someone about your self-image or body dysmorphia or whatever it is, you need help.

A BMI of 17 is too low.

Someone at the gym said to me ‘There’s no way you run, you’d be thin if you did’