What do you consider "fat?"
 

The term "fat" is thrown around a lot, and almost all the new year's resolutions mentioned getting into better shape and losing weight.

What do you consider fat? Is it based on a size, a height/weight combination, or just a number on a scale?

A WARNING TO ALL GUYS WHO ANSWER THIS QUESTION!
Whenever a girl asks this to you...you are WRONG no matter what you say!;) Some responses to questions just start out in negative points!

I would say weight means nothing, its the amount of muscle you have. I'm 210, but have a 33" waist, but if I go according to a scale or weight chart, I'm overweight. By their standards I (5"11") should only be between 155 and 175, and when i was 175, i looked anorexic, so, its all about the TYPE of weight you carry, not how much. But, I've never seen that many 350 pound guys who are healthy, so there are reasonable limits I guess.

If the doctor says...loose some weight or else youll risk dying.....I consider that "fat"

Heavy set people can be perfectly healthy. Evereything depends on muscle, BMI and other stuff like frame. Skinny people can also be very unhealthy. I have a friend who is like a 0. Nada exercise, no nothing and she eats like a pig and a majority of it is fat. Im sorry to say that its going to catch up with her later on.

However, I will say I cant wait for this "diet until im like 93 lbs and a size -3" is over :-)

I agree that it is the TYPE of weight you carry and if your doctor tells you to loose weight then you have a problem.

On the flipside, I was always thin. I am just a petite person (5'3") with small bones and a high metabolism. Anyone who knows me well knows this. However, there are always the concerned people looking out for me. I can't tell you the number of times I found pamphlets on eating disorders stuffed in my purse or in a book. I used to get really offended but then I realized that they just didn't know any better. :D

Hmm...I would say if you could be on Jerry Springer, that would be fat...if you feel unhealthy...pain in moving/exercising.
I always say I am fat, but I dont think medically I am. Im a tall girl. 5 ' 8"...and have porno like boobs lol - so I feel big up there.

it all depends on body shape
 

For women, I think whether someone is "fat" or not depends a lot on how they carry the weight, not on the number on the scale. Someone who has an "hourglass" shape can weigh more and look better than someone at that same height/weight who has no hips and a big belly. I think I weigh more than the typical college girl at my height (5'5 and 135), but I have curves and fairly big boobs, and I definitely have a waist. I figure if I can consistently wear a size 6, why worry about it. I could probably lose 5 pounds if I cared enough to make the effort it would take.

People probably shouldn't make such a big deal out of weight. I actually LIKE guys with a little meat on them... I mean, what girl wants to feel like a whale next to her man, in bed (just because he is skinny)?? I'm sure most guys aren't as judgmental about a girl's weight as we girls often think.

I'm with you volgirl, I thught fat was like:

cool, neato, fab, rockin, to die for, ect! I guess I am in Generation B:D

Im not touchin this question!!:eek: :eek: :cool:

I think it's if you're carrying unhealthy, or potentially unhealthy weight. If you're endangering yourself with your weight, or your weight could impede recovery in case of an injury, yeah, you're "fat". But, if your doctor says you're healthy, or if it's genetic (and no one in your family has died due to heart disease/diabetes/other problems aggravated by weight), you're fine.

I too, get a lot of comments about how much I eat, and how skinny I am. Sometimes, I even get them when I'm at home! :rolleyes: I know I have a fast metabolism, and now that my suitemates realize I don't run to the bathroom after every meal, things should be just fine. :o

Re: it all depends on body shape
 

I couldnt agree with you more :)




QUOTE]Originally posted by twinstars
For women, I think whether someone is "fat" or not depends a lot on how they carry the weight, not on the number on the scale. Someone who has an "hourglass" shape can weigh more and look better than someone at that same height/weight who has no hips and a big belly. I think I weigh more than the typical college girl at my height (5'5 and 135), but I have curves and fairly big boobs, and I definitely have a waist. I figure if I can consistently wear a size 6, why worry about it. I could probably lose 5 pounds if I cared enough to make the effort it would take.

People probably shouldn't make such a big deal out of weight. I actually LIKE guys with a little meat on them... I mean, what girl wants to feel like a whale next to her man, in bed (just because he is skinny)?? I'm sure most guys aren't as judgmental about a girl's weight as we girls often think. [/QUOTE]

My sister who is 15 and absolutely beautiful thinks she's fat :mad:. She is in track and has legs up to the heavens. I really wish the whole weight concept wasn't around. It makes me want to cry that she feels that she's fat when I, and everyone around her, know she isn't. But then again, if only I had followed my own advice while in high school. I was always ashamed of my body because I thought I was fat (at 120). Now that I'm in college and DEFINATELY NOT 120, I know that I wasn't fat or even overweight. I'm going to marry a personal trainer. Let me tell you I don't think I look really good, but it sure feels good when he tells me I'm perfect :) Maybe if we'd all stop listening to the voices inside our heads and to what is real we'd all be happier.

I agree, you can't define "fat" as a number on the scale. 150 lbs isn't the same for someone 5'2" tall as it is for someone who's 5'10". BMI is a little better because it takes your height into consideration, but you also have to consider your fat percentage - you could be 150 and very muscular, or 150 with much of it fat.

If you're carrying around much more weight than you should be, you get out of breath walking up one flight of stairs, and you are having health problems (bad back, etc) that are caused or exacerbated by your weight, then you're overweight (I hate the word "fat") and you need to do something about it. Otherwise, you may be carrying around a few extra pounds you'd like to get rid of, but that's not "fat".

Fat = Has to make your own clothes or Jerry/Maury is peeking into your windows to get a bedside interview.

I have seen normal sized people look fat b/c of the clothes they wear...a couple sizes too small, come on I know what it's like to see your pants you could wear freshman year be put in the Goodwill pile, but please!

I gained weight freshman year and was very depressed about it.:( People told me not to worry about it too much and just be smart about what I eat. As soon as I stopped worrying, the weight came off. :D Just be healthy and happy!

I agree with twinstars that it's all in your body shape. I'm 5'5, 127 and H I realize that no matter what I weight, I'm still in a size 5/6...I think that's pretty good!

Fat is subjective...I have a friend who is probably 230 pounds, but tall, and dresses well. I honestly don't see her as fat.
However, I know a girl who is the same height as my friend, is probably around 160 , but has these disgusting back rolls. I'm not prejudice against back rolls, mind you, but a girl does NOT need to wear backless shirts, and clothes that would fit someone 30 pounds lighter. It's not flattering and just makes her look huge.

It's all about how you carry yourself......

What an awesome topic for a guy to touch on . . . I wasn't going to comment . . . but what the hell.

First: weight is not the most important factor. As Aephi Alum said, fat percentage can give a more accurate picture, and even that can be misleading because some people's frames/genetic distribution will allow some to carry more fat and not be noticeable and some can have relatively low percentages and still look pudgy as hell.

For example: There are guys with 15 percent body fat (by caliper) that have visible abs, but most guys need to be under 10 percent. I won't show abs if I let my body fat get to be 12 or 13 percent.

Ok the real tests are: How do you think you look in clothes and how do you think you look naked. There should be congruencey between the two self images in regards to fat.

These are tests of self image.

If you are unable to wear what you want, or feel at a disadvantage socially because of extra body fat- then you are fat to yourself.

Same with taking off the clothes that you bought to disguise the extra body fat. If you can visibly see sagging flesh and cellulite, and it bothers you, then you are fat to yourself.

I am also talking in cases where you don't have a serious body-image problem.

Now I realize that much of this is going to be socially influenced, but oh well, unhappy is unhappy, dissatisfied is dissatisfied.

In a perfect world we wouldn't care about this stuff. In this world we do.

I'll tell you a secret, its much easier to lose unwanted body fat, than it is to totally reconstruct your unconscious to be non-reponsive to social norms, and less expensive and time consuming than getting that much therapy.

So lose it rather than complain, hide, or rationalize it.

Twinstars, actually the opposite is true, men are more conscious of a girl's appearance in terms of body size than you might believe. Its a frequent topic of discussion and commentary. Although I don't think we are maliscious about it, just observing.

And the more socially savvy the guy is, the more he is likely to hold body appearance as a factor in dating potential.

Just keeping it real folks . . .:)

Can I add something to this topic
 

Dealing with this issue being a girl, my friends and I had an discussion about the following one night (in a hot tub wile they had on bikini's and I was in my racing speedo, ha ha)

Who do you think puts more pressure on females to be more thin or "ideal", Males or Females?

I personal feel females put more pressure on themselves and others. If you go to a party, walk to class or out in general, I find its females who more look you up and down, and whisper about appearances and stuff. Its women who write articles in mags saying what we should wear, look like and etc. Yes, guys do play a role, but I dont feel they are the major source of it.

Hey Tibi what are you trying to say...like my comment huh, trying to say I'm chubby are you....yeah, well I started school in 96, I have grown a wee since then, up and a little out....don't make me come to Greenville...

Wait until you move in the house, Ms Murt(sp) will have you thickened up alright...

Might I add, screw what men think about our bodies. Because last time I checked, they weren't beating themselves up because they don't look like Brad Pitt.

I am not being a smart ass at all when I say...that has to be the most profound statement I have ever heard. You made me feel better about a lot of things :)

A higher percentage of men train as opposed to women in the US.

Re: Can I add something to this topic
 

This is actually true from my experiences. You women can be terrible to each other, I am almost surprised that women can be sincere friends with each other without secretly worrying what the other one might be thinking or saying.

And women tend to be way more specifically critical of another woman's attire, weight, and looks than I have ever heard another man be.

But perhaps those of you on the site have different experiences and find that most if not all the women you know are supportive and kind to each other in public and private. Even if in competitive environments.

Its all attitude. I have had friends who are worried about stupid stuff like eating a big meal before a formal....just to make sure they fit in the dress...or worry about their appearance bc they want a guy to like their body...guys on the other hand, or guys i know....sit at the table and feed their face, belch, do whatever..and expect to impress a girl.
Bottom line, yeah maybe guys work out more. But I dont think that statistic includes all the girls who work out for hours in their own home.

I think that most guys and girls train differently...yes, there are exceptions. Guys are in the weight room, and girls are in the exercise machine room... I hardly ever see a cross-over.


James: With what you were saying about women may be nicer in private or public...well, the backbiting stereotype is way too often true! Women are the first to comment on a weight gain, but the first to say that you are ridiculous for dieting. We just can't win everyone over, I guess....

!
 

I think the key is definitely being "fit" more than "not fat"

Everyone knows a girl who never works out, eats junk food all the time, and is still not "fat" - but isn't in shape either. My roommate calls this being a "skinny fat girl." Maybe she's a size 4 but that's more due to being petite and she has no muscle tone at all. When she is in her 40s, she's gonna be screwed!

I was a real gym bunny 2 summers ago - went several days a week, ran, yoga, weight training, etc. LOVED IT. Had so much energy all the time, great muscle tone. Ladies, I HIGHLY recommend weight training - you don't get all bulky (it's nearly impossible without drastic diet changes and mega-intense training), you just end up with nice definition everywhere. Marilyn Monroe used to train with weights and she definitively did NOT look the least bit masculine.

Then I messed up my knees - tendonitis is NOT FUN, people!

Then they got better and I started working out again, yeah!

Then I got in a car wreck. NOT FUN! I killed my poor car. RIP Roxy the Giant red Oldsmobile (1990 Royal Brougham 4 door - the Ruby Limousine!) I also did a number on my neck and back. Good thing I wasn't in a Geo, right?

So anyway, I'm just now in the last couple months being able to get running, etc. again without pain. It just sucks to feel like a little old lady at 23.

The ironic thing is, I actually lost weight from not working out. I stayed the same size but lost all my nice muscle tone. :( Since muscle weighs more, without it I weigh less. I'm slowly starting to get some back but it's slow.

I know I'm really lucky though, because I'm tall. Being a size 6 at 5'8" is slender - at 5'2" it can look pudgy on some figures. I can cheat. :D

Next summer though, when I'm home and have time and money (woo! got a job! yeah!), I'll be back at that gym...just very careful with my knees. :)

well, the point of this long-rambling-history-of-my-life post was that a girl who is physically fit and has some natural "curves" to her will always look better than the little scrawny girls - the "skinny fat girls."

agree..
 

I think I pretty much agree with everything that's being said (at least that I remember being said ;)).

A friend at work & myself were having a similar conversation last week because there was an article (I think it was in People) about "Fat Women" who were mad about the movie Shallow Hal. Now, I haven't seen the movie, so I can't really comment on that aspect. But these women looked in great shape to me, they just had fuller-figured bodies (by that I mean hips and boobs) and they were tall (I would guess close to 5'10"). One of them even said she works out with a personal trainer at least 3 times a week.

My friend (who is petit, but also works out regularly) & I were both commenting on how it's all about how in shape you are. So, since so many of us seem to be enlightened with this thinking, why is it such an issue? I mean, why are girls/women always so concerned about it?

I will admit, I could stand to work out more often than I do, I just have a hard time finding the time for it on a daily basis. (But a couple times a week isn't horrible, either)

James- I have to comment on guys caring about a girls' appearance. This is natural, to want to date someone you think is hot, or at least very attractive. But I have seen some not-so-fabulous looking guys who can be brutal :rolleyes: ..what's the deal with this? And it's no secret that men can "get away" with being less-than-in-shape a lot more than women. It's just a bizarre double standard.

Oh- and I'm interested in your comment that guys train more. Is this an actual statistic, or an observation? I recall when I went to the gym while in school, it was usually about 85-90% females working out. Maybe it was the time of day, or maybe just that more women attended the school that men, I don't really know. But now I work out much more than my boyfriend.. and that's just walking or doing stuff at home. I know someone mentioned that women can work out, but aren't necessarily at the gym.

Anyways- I know that sounded like I was attacking you, James, but really I just thought you made some interesting points/comments and wanted to respond. :D

I dont think my girlfriend Brittany Spears is fat, but I think she is starting to collect a little junk in the trunk.. If she wants me to continue buying her CDs she better get on a treadmill..

Re: !
 

Hmmm . . . It was my understanding that it is generally understood that more men train, do organized sports, unorganized sports (regular game play with friends), etc than women. But what is generally understood is not always true. So I'm not sure if men in general do more physical activity than women. Surveying the mebership in a gym may be misleading. In our school gym there is more women in the one complex that is heavy on machines and cardio eqipment, but ther eis more men in the free weight section in another building.

There are a lot more male members in the outside gym I belong to.

I couldn't find a statistic one way or another so I'll keep looking.

Well I must say that body tone must be a factor too. My weight is what most skinny females would consider fat, but I have a really nice shape. I have really muscular arms and legs. I love to work out. If you are skinny with little muscle tone that is NOT cute.

I think it's admirable that people have such liberal views regarding weight here, but in real life I don't think it plays out quite like that. I would consider myself overweight- not horribly so, but I definitely need to trim down. And even though I can look in the mirror and know that I have a gorgeous face, and the hourglass, t & a figure that some people actually want, when I go out it's different. I have gone to frat parties, and hung out with the sweetest, nicest guys, but when the evening comes to a close, I'm not the one that they want to be with. It's even more irritating when I go out with my roomate, who is (and I'm being honest here, I love her to death but this is the truth) not nearly as kind, sweet, funny, smart, or attractive as me, but she has a better body, and guys go for her. When it comes down to basic, primal attraction, I haven't met very many guys who would pick a great sense of humor over a flat stomach. And girls aren't always that much better. It's wierd to go out and get recieved either as a non-threat, or else as someone not worth talking to just because you don't fit into a size six. I know this sounds really bitter but I've spent alot of time thinking about this and trying to figure out what is really going on- and please don't say it's only about confidence or how you carry yourself because we all know that it's more than that. Or maybe less, depending on how you look at it.