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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Do the people on here lie about their size?

133 replies

qualitychat · 02/07/2023 21:20

Anytime I am in AIBU everyone seems to be a size 12 and under. They exercise, don't drink and eat a very healthy diet. I have been looking at the Style & Beauty section. The vast majority of posters are plus size. Am I missing something?

OP posts:
Openmouthinsertfood · 02/07/2023 23:07

TallahatchieBridge · 02/07/2023 22:57

Someone on here the other day said they are 17 stone and a size 16.

I'm trying to work out why I am 14 stone and a size 20/22.

I'm glad the OP started this thread as I was pondering to start one myself along the same lines. The other day in the weight loss chat there were quite a few people claiming to be round my size and hight but claiming to be a size 16. I'm a 20-22!!!

SummerSun04 · 02/07/2023 23:13

Appleblossompetal · 02/07/2023 22:44

Surely you must be?

I think people have different ideas of slim, or different expectations of themselves or others. You can be small framed with little muscle and lots of wobbly bits and squeeze into a 10 and not describe yourself as slim, or toned and muscular 12-14 and describe yourself as slim.

I've known people that don't consider themselves slim wearing size 10, they would wear the smallest size they could fit, and some clothes stretch over time. Other people with the same body would choose a 14.

Mirabai · 02/07/2023 23:14

TallahatchieBridge · 02/07/2023 22:57

Someone on here the other day said they are 17 stone and a size 16.

I'm trying to work out why I am 14 stone and a size 20/22.

Could be self-deception, or you could be small and she could be tall.

(Mind you 17 stone is over twice my body weight - how tall can she be?)

Highdaysandholidays1 · 02/07/2023 23:18

I think this is because in AIBU the usual weight related post is 'AIBU to think everyone is much huger than in the past?' and then people pile in to say how awful it all is and how everyone else except them is overweight/obese. Obviously bigger people are going to skip this fun chat.

On S & B, people are looking for advice on flattering clothes, body shapes, what's on trend, and tend to post their honest body types to get good information, as well as pictures. It's just a more encouraging environment.

Coffeeandcherrypie · 02/07/2023 23:21

I’m on AIBU a lot, can’t imagine lying about my size.

I post my weight weekly in the weight loss forums, down to a fraction of a pound.

Hibiscrubbed · 02/07/2023 23:22

I was honest about my size and build once, and got a ton of abuse calling me anorexic, ‘mental’ and told I was apparently totally in denial about an eating disorder. 😬

They neglected to take on board what I was saying, which was that I’m very active (running, weights, boxing, MMA, etc), have a cardiac consideration that slightly dictates diet (I eat a lot, just well) and apparently, despite my little skeletal frame (key) and good health and strength I am ‘dangerously underweight’ (honestly, it was aggressive by several, but one poster in particular, I almost sent her a body shot to get to fuck off and leave me alone). I reported her to MNHQ because she was manic.

People are really mad about weight on here. And extremely beholden to the BMI scale. But only thinner people are fair game for abuse.

That said, there’s a lot of lies told online. Especially on here. I think there’s plenty of people with bleak existences pretending they’re loaded with letters after their name, cracking husbands, ski holidays and kids on track for Oxbridge, none of which they get particularly worked up about because they’re just so fucking secure in who they are. And rich.

JMSA · 02/07/2023 23:36

BeverlyHa · 02/07/2023 21:22

it is very easy to slim down once you just stop the bread and cake.

Bodies can change. Personalities not so much.

foulksmills · 02/07/2023 23:46

Yes. Okay. YES!! I admit it, I'm actually relieved to admit it. I'm sick of living a lie. I have, in the past, lied about my shape right here on Mumsnet. But no more.

I am not actually a triangle. I'm an octagon.

bonfirebash · 03/07/2023 00:23

radiatorpipe · 02/07/2023 22:23

The other conundrum is all the 6 figure salaries but the mortgage threads are always full of people with tiny mortgages

I have a tiny mortgage

Because I'm on min wage and the houses near me are cheap
Grin

bonfirebash · 03/07/2023 00:26

TallahatchieBridge · 02/07/2023 22:57

Someone on here the other day said they are 17 stone and a size 16.

I'm trying to work out why I am 14 stone and a size 20/22.

That's me probably. I'm 5ft 10 and just posted this on the what are you wearing thread
Weighed this morning as I'm trying to lose and I'm 17st 6
Size 16 jeans here but I often need an 18 top to fit my boobs in but then it's too big on the waist

Do the people on here lie about their size?
Watchinghurling · 03/07/2023 00:35

I'm a 12 but I'm only 5 foot 4 which is a bit of a faux pas on mumsnet where it seems being short is one of the worst things you can be. As a result, I'm curvy. I definitely don't have a model figure. I don't particularly care. I had wine this evening and I'm planning on eating a large viennese whirl for lunch tomorrow. I can't relate to all this frantic dieting or 'choose your face or your figure' as you get older. I'm forties and beyond a bit of normal maintenance, I choose neither, because I can't be arsed. Memento mori.

echt · 03/07/2023 00:40

You're not short @Watchinghurling, you're very slightly above average height for UK women.

wanttokickoffbutcant · 03/07/2023 01:00

I am usually a size 8 but I have gone up from 8 to 8.5 stone and my jeans feel a bit tight - but I am 5'2. I have been nearly 12 stone before but I had an ED.

TallahatchieBridge · 03/07/2023 01:41

@Mirabai

Could be self-deception, or you could be small and she could be tall.

(Mind you 17 stone is over twice my body weight - how tall can she be?)

*No, I'm 5ft 7in so I'm not small.

Mind you, I have incredibly slim legs and carry ALL of my weight on my front (stomach and boobs) so this could be why I'm a bigger clothes size.*

Happyhappyday · 03/07/2023 02:33

I am a size 8-10, exercise regularly. I drink occasionally but I really hate being hungover. Eat mainly home cooked food (never ever do ready meals) because I think McDonald is disgusting and likewise to ready meals. I’m not depriving myself, it’s gross. I pretty much what I feel like but also listen to my body and if I eat five slices of sourdough, I don’t usually find I want any for a couple weeks! I am not making it up 🤷‍♀️. My friends are a mix, most similar size to me but most do it more through portion control/being careful what they eat, rather than swimming for an hour every day (because I love swimming). I don’t work very much and only have one DC which undoubtedly makes it easier.

OldBeller · 03/07/2023 02:54

I have never lied about my size. But I'm what other MNs often refer to as 'emaciated if they were the same size' as me. I find that very hard to believe.

I'm a perfectly normal healthy weight. In no way do I look skeletal.

I also eat whatever I want. I'm just murdering a packet of late night biscuits right now. I've been the same size more or less for the last twenty five years. I still wear clothes from when I was sixteen sometimes.

I think it's genetic that I stay around the same size. Just one of those things. I've never been on a diet.

Do the people on here lie about their size?
lljkk · 03/07/2023 07:48

oh yeah, posters my height but BMI is 5+ higher, 5-15kg heavier (or more). They look "gaunt" if they get any lighter. Okay.

People lie about their family situations & jobs & salaries & spending habits & sex life too. Not just hiding ID details, but distorting details with reckless regard for truth. Any personal conflict or relationship hassle: just remember you only heard one side of the story.

Hoppinggreen · 03/07/2023 08:07

TallahatchieBridge · 02/07/2023 22:57

Someone on here the other day said they are 17 stone and a size 16.

I'm trying to work out why I am 14 stone and a size 20/22.

I’m 15 stone and a size 16 at 5ft 4

00100001 · 03/07/2023 08:08

BeverlyHa · 02/07/2023 21:22

it is very easy to slim down once you just stop the bread and cake.

You should start your own Weight Loss Club and get people to pay to follow this ever so easy plan, then no-one would be over weight...!

Miraculous.

HappyHippoBirthay · 03/07/2023 08:12

I was people watching and I saw many middle aged women who are slim. MN attracts a lot of middle class women and generally they are slimmer. I think the most vocal ones on S&B have disposable income and tend to be slimmer but we regularly see posters who are big(ger) and asking for advice.
I do think some people have a fantasy alter ego just for MN. 6 figure salary, nannies, husband with a top secret hobby, living off a massive salad and wearing size 4 bikini 2 weeks after birth 😂
I'm sure all this exists but the amount of posters who claim to have all those things is astonishingly high on this platform 😏I think it's funny. Read everything with a huge dose of salt.

Sendmymillioninaninvoice · 03/07/2023 08:15

Obviously some do.

HappyHippoBirthay · 03/07/2023 08:15

@TallahatchieBridge I'm 5ft2. At 14 stone I was wearing size 16 to 18. I think it's body shape and some people like their fit looser or tighter than average.

AllOfThemWitches · 03/07/2023 08:16

Appleblossompetal · 02/07/2023 22:44

Surely you must be?

I'm pretty much slap bang in the middle of the 'healthy' range. I consider myself 'medium' with wide-ish hips. Partner says slim but I really don't think men pay as much attention to our sizes as we think they do.

Emmamoo89 · 03/07/2023 08:17

BeverlyHa · 02/07/2023 21:22

it is very easy to slim down once you just stop the bread and cake.

I'll never stop the bread and cake but don't need to.

liveforsummer · 03/07/2023 08:22

That's probably down to the different people posting on different threads. Personally I'm a size 10 and always have been. I'm not lying , why would I? I eat what I please and don't formally exercise but I have an active job and active home life with dc too. I don't post in s&b for clothing advice as it's pretty easy ti find stuff on the high street in stock in my size