This just really annoys me!

[disneyquestions]

I'm reading an article on how this woman was asked by her mother to find a nice dress for her because she couldn't find anything in her size in the "regular stores." The mother is a size 16 (plus size) and the title of the article is How Fashion is Failing Real Women.

I've been on both sides of the spectrum, I've been a size 20 and a size 4, but for the life of me, I can't understand why plus size = REAL WOMEN. I mean, what is that saying about women who are able to take care of their families, and also take care of themselves, i.e. eat right and exercise?? Are healthy woman not real???

Maybe this is one reason our country is so damn obese - because we give ourselves such leeway, so many excuses, as to why we are over weight. Its OK to not worry about portion control, eat everything fried, and not get any exercise, because we are "REAL WOMEN"!!

 

[NikitaZee]

I agree with this! There have been threads here in recent months that made me think this as well. One was about Jennifer Hudson and how she looks too thin now that she's lost her extra weight, and one was about Food Network and how Giada and Sandra Lee are way too skinny. I though to myself - these women look great - has everyone (especially other women, I think) become so used to the look of overweight women that a fit, just right woman looks too thin? The 'real women' thing bothers me as well.

 

[tlbwriter]

Isn't the average American woman a size 16 now? Even if it's not a good thing it's reality. If clothes are not being made for the size 16 woman, clothes are not being made for the average woman. And what's more real than being average?

 

[The Pink Cupcake]

I'm reading an article on how this woman was asked by her mother to find a nice dress for her because she couldn't find anything in her size in the "regular stores." The mother is a size 16 (plus size) and the title of the article is How Fashion is Failing Real Women.

I've been on both sides of the spectrum, I was a size 20 and now I'm a size 4, but for the life of me, I can't understand why plus size = REAL WOMEN. I mean, what is that saying about women who are able to take care of their families, and also take care of themselves, i.e. eat right and exercise?? Are healthy woman not real???

Maybe this is one reason our country is so damn obese - because we give ourselves such leeway, so many excuses, as to why we are over weight. Its OK to not worry about portion control, eat everything fred, and not get any exercise, because we are "REAL WOMEN"!!

I exercise quite often. I am a size 16 I get my hair and nails done often and wear good makeup. I take excellent care of myself. And I think I look pretty darn good. Oh, and I am healthy.

I am a real woman

I am assuming your post is meant to stir the pot a bit, but I have to tell you that there are size 16 women out there that look good and are healthy.

 

[palavra]

What really annoys me is that the media portrays "real women" as a size zero.

In real life, the average size for a woman in clothing is a 12. It is also annoying that the article implies the idea that there is just one sort of "real woman." Goodness, we come in all shapes and sizes!

Clothing manufacturers need to catch on to the fact that the majority of women are not sizes 0-4 though. I think that is what the article is really saying.

Congratulations on your weight loss! It is great that you are taking acre of yourself. However, I do have issues with you equating weight with health. People can be just as healthy at a size 12 as at a size 4.

I fit squarely into the average woman size of 10-12, but I don't consider myself to be more of a "real woman" than someone who is smaller or larger in size.

 

[The Pink Cupcake]

I though to myself - these women look great - has everyone (especially other women, I think) become so used to the look of overweight women that a fit, just right woman looks too thin? The 'real women' thing bothers me as well.

Just because you are skinny, doesn't make you fit or "just right"

 

[The Pink Cupcake]

People can be just as healthy at a size 12 as at a size 4.

I fit squarely into the average woman size of 10-12, but I don't consider myself to be more of a "real woman" than someone who is smaller or larger in size.

I agree with you!

 

[disneyquestions]

I exercise quite often. I am a size 16 I get my hair and nails done often and wear good makeup. I take excellent care of myself. And I think I look pretty darn good. Oh, and I am healthy.

I am a real woman

I am assuming your post is meant to stir the pot a bit, but I have to tell you that there are size 16 women out there that look good and are healthy.

Nope, not trying to stir any pot, this is just something that really bugs me, and personally, I think I'm right to be bothered about it. And obviously, I'm not talking about plus size women who are trying to get healthy by exercising - I'm talking about plus size women (people, not just women) that don't try and do anything about getting healthy. And it has nothing to do with doing your hair and nails..... What do extensions and false nails have to do with health?!??

 

[disneyquestions]

What really annoys me is that the media portrays "real women" as a size zero.

In real life, the average size for a woman in clothing is a 12. It is also annoying that the article implies the idea that there is just one sort of "real woman." Goodness, we come in all shapes and sizes!

Clothing manufacturers need to catch on to the fact that the majority of women are not sizes 0-4 though. I think that is what the article is really saying.

Congratulations on your weight loss! It is great that you are taking acre of yourself. However, I do have issues with you equating weight with health. People can be just as healthy at a size 12 as at a size 4.
I fit squarely into the average woman size of 10-12, but I don't consider myself to be more of a "real woman" than someone who is smaller or larger in size.

Weight and health do have something to do with each other, however, your right, they don't 100% = each other. You can be naturally thin, and never exercise, and be about to have a heart attack because you eat all bacon all the time. On the other hand, I've never seen someone in a size 20 or even a size 16 be truely "healthy" and still not be able to get into a heathy weight. Maybe they could be on their way to it, but not there.

And just to say - I'm talking about people who are sitting around, being unhealthy, and thinking its OK because they are "real women." Not people who are trying to be healthy, watching their portion control, and exercising.

 

[VAfamily1998]

What bothers me is all the talk of size 0 or size 2 being some completely unrealistic, unattainable, "must be anorexic" size...with all the "vanity sizing" that has gone down in the last couple decades, a size 2 is a lot bigger than it used to be. I currently wear a size 2, but if I lost enough to wear a size 0, I would still be within the "healthy weight range" and not underweight at all.

 

[The Pink Cupcake]

And obviously, I'm not talking about plus size women who are trying to get healthy by exercising

I am not TRYING to get healthy, I AM healthy

I'm talking about plus size women (people, not just women) that don't try and do anything about getting healthy.

Why do you care?

And it has nothing to do with doing your hair and nails..... What do extensions and false nails have to do with health?!??

It appeared to me that you were trying to paint a picture of only thin women who “who are able to take care of their families, and also take care of themselves”

I take care of myself, I exercise, I go to the salon, I take care of my family, etc. I am not a fat, lazy slob. I am a "real woman". Healthy and sexy. Oh, and I am a size 16

 

[NikitaZee]

Just because you are skinny, doesn't make you fit or "just right"

Yes, true. I am just talking about outward appearance - and having little body fat doesn't necessarily make a woman 'too skinny', as I read in those threads.

 

[Mkrop]

Because REAL WOMAN come in all shapes and sizes, and fashion doesnt address this at all. Try being short and fat and finding clothes. I am working on the fat part but until then I want to look nice. Even when I was thinner, the short part was a pain.

Real woman can be big or small and be healthy. They can be in all stages of their life. They could have just had a baby, they could be dealing with other health issues that make excercising difficult etc. Do they still want to dress nice YES!

They are plenty of size 4s who take crappy care of themselves by smoking, drinking, not eating well etc. They just happen to be lucky that maybe they dont gain weight by walking by a piece of chocolate cake

Congrats on your weight lose but dont be mean to others who are not there yet for whatever reason.

 

[FireDancer]

I'm reading an article on how this woman was asked by her mother to find a nice dress for her because she couldn't find anything in her size in the "regular stores." The mother is a size 16 (plus size) and the title of the article is How Fashion is Failing Real Women.

I've been on both sides of the spectrum, I've been a size 20 and a size 4, but for the life of me, I can't understand why plus size = REAL WOMEN. I mean, what is that saying about women who are able to take care of their families, and also take care of themselves, i.e. eat right and exercise?? Are healthy woman not real???

Maybe this is one reason our country is so damn obese - because we give ourselves such leeway, so many excuses, as to why we are over weight. Its OK to not worry about portion control, eat everything fried, and not get any exercise, because we are "REAL WOMEN"!!

I think the article is confusing real with average.

The average American, regardless of their gender, is overweight. There are plenty of extremely fit and athletic women out there who aren't overweight just as there are plenty of men out there who don't have to buy pants with the bigger number first. Those people though are becoming the exception as the nation's overweight and obesity numbers get higher and higher and sadly one of the worst effected age group is kids.

What I don't understand is why women attack other women who manage to keep themselves in good shape. It is like women who make fitness a priority are evil, or in this case, not real. I don't hear a lot of fat guys attack the media because guys with six packs or V-shaped bodies are in magazine adds or on television but women seem to go out of their way to attack other women. I've never heard of David Beckham for example refereed to as "not a real man".

I don't get it.

Be careful though OP, these threads get a little heated as people tend to take the topic a little too personally.

 

[The Pink Cupcake]

On the other hand, I've never seen someone in a size 20 or even a size 16 be truely "healthy" and still not be able to get into a heathy weight. Maybe they could be on their way to it, but not there.

I am there

 

[disneyquestions]

I am not TRYING to get healthy, I AM healthy
You are? When was the last time you got blood drawn? When was the last time you had any physical tests at all? I did just a few months ago, so I can truely look at the results, and see where I'm at.


Why do you care?

About you? Really I don't. All I've seen from you on these boards is attacking others. I came to your defence on one post, but I can see from here, that your just looking to fight, because I guess you don't have anything else to do. Your attacking valid points, for no real reason, just to attack.
It appeared to me that you were trying to paint a picture of only thin women who “who are able to take care of their families, and also take care of themselves”

I take care of myself, I exercise, I go to the salon, I take care of my family, etc. I am not a fat, lazy slob. I am a "real woman". Healthy and sexy. Oh, and I am a size 16

Again, where did anyone call YOU a fat a lazy slob?? Can you point that out please? I'm simply pointing out that getting your hair and nails done has nothing to do with health. Can you find some medical articles that support this theory of yours? I'd love to see them. And again, there was no picture being painted here. Unless its the one your trying to paint.

My suggestion to you is to not take posts on here so personal. No one is attacking you, or even talking to you personally.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

Nope, not trying to stir any pot, this is just something that really bugs me, and personally, I think I'm right to be bothered about it. And obviously, I'm not talking about plus size women who are trying to get healthy by exercising - I'm talking about plus size women (people, not just women) that don't try and do anything about getting healthy. And it has nothing to do with doing your hair and nails..... What do extensions and false nails have to do with health?!??

And how exactly do you know the difference between "plus size women who are trying to get healthy" and "plus size women that don't try and do anything about getting healthy?" I suppose it is out of the question that a person could be plus-sized and ALSO be healthy.

 

[The Pink Cupcake]

Again, where did anyone call YOU a fat a lazy slob?? Can you point that out please? I'm simply pointing out that getting your hair and nails done has nothing to do with health. Can you find some medical articles that support this theory of yours? I'd love to see them. And again, there was no picture being painted here. Unless its the one your trying to paint.

My suggestion to you is to not take posts on here so personal. No one is attacking you, or even talking to you personally.

You are saying that you can’t be healthy and be a size 16

I don’t feel attacked at all. I am proud of my body and the way that I treat it. I just want you to know that size 16 can be healthy and is most definitely can be the size of a “Real Woman”

 

[walkerag]

What bothers me is all the talk of size 0 or size 2 being some completely unrealistic, unattainable, "must be anorexic" size...with all the "vanity sizing" that has gone down in the last couple decades, a size 2 is a lot bigger than it used to be. I currently wear a size 2, but if I lost enough to wear a size 0, I would still be within the "healthy weight range" and not underweight at all.

A size 2 may be perfectly realistic and attainable for some but certainly not others. I currently am a size 14 and am by medical standards "healthy". I have a medium frame and would look sickly as a size 2. We're all different.

 

[SaraJayne]

I think the article is confusing real with average.

The average American, regardless of their gender, is overweight. There are plenty of extremely fit and athletic women out there who aren't overweight just as there are plenty of men out there who don't have to buy pants with the bigger number first. Those people though are becoming the exception as the nation's overweight and obesity numbers get higher and higher and sadly one of the worst effected age group is kids.

What I don't understand is why women attack other women who manage to keep themselves in good shape. It is like women who make fitness a priority are evil, or in this case, not real. I don't hear a lot of fat guys attack the media because guys with six packs or V-shaped bodies are in magazine adds or on television but women seem to go out of their way to attack other women. I've never heard of David Beckham for example refereed to as "not a real man".

I don't get it.

Be careful though OP, these threads get a little heated as people tend to take the topic a little too personally.

Yet it's ok for the OP to attack other women for being fat, unhealthy slobs. Got it.

FTR, I'm overweight and healthy. Oh, and I do manage to take care of my family, too!!

ETA: Yes, since you asked, I've had bloodwork done in the last few months...and all numbers came back in the normal, healthy range.