If skinny-fat is a thing, is fat-fit also a thing? 🤔

InspectorRed

I go to the gym 4-5 days a week, I do cardio and lift weights...the last time I was at the weight I’m at now I was wearing a Women’s size 12 jeans, now I comfortably wear a size 8 and just left a store where all the dresses I tried on were size mediums and fit a little loose......so is fat-fit a thing?

lg013

I don’t think size 8 or medium are fat! You’re just fit!

I think it’s time to evaluate why you think you are fat Bc you aren’t!

nooshi713

It is sad that some people think a size 8 is fat. To answer your question, I’m not sure if it is a thing.

InspectorRed

I’m 5’1” and 165 lbs, that is still considered obese, thus my question.....

bojack5

There is definitely a thing where people that seemingly do not look fit, can be very fit. There is a new heavyweight champion of the world in boxing that to look at him you would say this guy is in no way an athlete. But he is.....a great one. There are many runners that carry more fat than one would expect considering what they can accomplish athletically. I am in no way saying anyone here fits this description, im just saying it does exist where there are many people that are far more fit and athletic than they may look.

Oh, and it goes the other way too by the way. There are definitely trim, muscular, and athletic people that have very low fitness levels. That can be even more surprising........

lg013

So, keep in mind, those are average weights and do not take into account the fact that different people have different percentages of fat and muscle. While your BMI might barely calculate to the obese category—that’s just an average stat—and most haven’t been hitting the gym that often for some time. So you might have more muscle composition that weighs more...its not an official tool to screen obesity. You can use other tools to measure your body fat more accurately and better understand where you are health wise—

But that being said—it sounds like you’ve made incredible progress...and you look and feel fit. So, why not simply see yourself as fit! Keep up the GREAT WORK! 12->8 is some serious work!

BasedGawd412

Yes fat fit is a thing and very real.

Ssssss666666

Don't overthink it. Aim for healthy not size.

InspectorRed

Ssssss666666 wrote: »

Don't overthink it. Aim for healthy not size.

I'm not stressing about it, just a question for conversation 😊

deputy_randolph

Fat-fit could also be called built-fat (think stereotypical powerlifters).

Vanity sizing is also a real thing...that explains the sizing discrepancy.

tuckerrj

At 5'8" and 240 lbs. I ran a half marathon in 2 1/2 hours and hiked rim-to-rim in the Grand Canyon. So with a BMI of 36+ I was doing things that a lot of people with normal BMI's can't (or won't) do. Sounds kinda "fit-fat" to me.

rednote49

Fat-fit is definitely a thing. In my running group there are marathoners and ultra- marathoners who are sooo not skinny.

BasedGawd412

tuckerrj wrote: »

At 5'8" and 240 lbs. I ran a half marathon in 2 1/2 hours and hiked rim-to-rim in the Grand Canyon. So with a BMI of 36+ I was doing things that a lot of people with normal BMI's can't (or won't) do. Sounds kinda "fit-fat" to me.

Wow you are a beast 👊

thanos5

very interesting, OP. yep, i'd say so! i never really thought about it, but people that are heavier than me can do so much more.

dlbohl1991

I was skinny fat. The second pic is about a year ago maybe a little more the first one is about a month ago. I’m 6’3” and anything over 200lbs is supposedly obese for my height however my after pic I weigh between 215 and 220. My point is don’t go off of numbers. Also body dismorphia is real, so please be careful.

sugaraddict4321

InspectorRed wrote: »

I go to the gym 4-5 days a week, I do cardio and lift weights...the last time I was at the weight I’m at now I was wearing a Women’s size 12 jeans, now I comfortably wear a size 8 and just left a store where all the dresses I tried on were size mediums and fit a little loose......so is fat-fit a thing?

I'm not sure fat-fit is a thing. It's probably a combination of your changed body composition and a little thing called vanity sizing.

I try not to pay attention to the size. I pay attention to how a piece of clothing fits. I'm short and fat and my wardrobe has sizes medium to 2XL and 10 to 20. I don't care. If it looks nice on me and is easy to take care of (no dry cleaning!), I'll take it.

It affects men too. Guys can keep buying size 34 pants for 10 years and think they're not gaining weight, because "size 34 still fits me". Except the measurement of the waistband is not 34" anymore, in some cases it has gone up over the years and is sometimes up to 40".
Some interesting articles on vanity sizing:
https://time.com/how-to-fix-vanity-sizing/
https://alltimelists.com/10-facts-about-vanity-sizing/

InspectorRed

I know about vanity sizing....I guess I should say it this way, 165 lbs looks and feels much different now than it did 5 years ago because I am much healthier and much more physically fit now than I was then. But I also know that I am still fat, that’s why I continue to get up at 5 every morning and go to the gym. 5 years ago I would not have been able to run a mile much less the 3 miles that I run on a regular basis now. I just think it’s interesting the effects regular exercise can have....even when diet isn’t on point 😁

amorfati601070

Fitness doesn’t equal aesthetics. Fitness is more a measure of physical ability (strength and endurance). Yes it’s a thing...I can see runners and cyclist that have flab and they can still fang it. So yeah they have level of fitness to them they just have extra luggage which actually makes me wonder if they are stronger than the lighter guys 🧐.