Skinny gossip

beskimoosh

I was just wondering, has anyone else come across this site? I did by accident, before you all have a go for looking at it(!), and saw this about MFP members:

"**WARNING**: The people in the forums there are all pro-fat fatties who think that they can lose weight until they're "only" overweight rather than obese, and like to accuse anyone like us Skinny Gurls of having eating disorders. Do NOT post your weight publicly there, and although the forums can be useful, don't participate!"

Part of me is a bit freaked out that people think that way, but the other bit of me thinks are some of us a bit judgemental about people who have a lower weight than most of us? Just wondering really what other people think.

Maybe I've got a strange sense of humour, but I think it's a bit funny that we're referred to as "pro-fat fatties". Especially by someone who is complaining of being judged!

bcattoes

I've never heard of the site, but I have seen plenty of posts suggesting eating disorders when there really didn't seem to be much call for it. (I've also seen some that did sound like eating disorders might be a problem). People are people. Some more judgemental than others. You just gotta take what support you can get and ignore the rest.

armaretta

I stumbled across that site by accident once. I was following a link from someone's MFP profile that listed that site as inspiration. The same person also discussed struggles with EDs, binging and purging, finding "waifs" as the most desirable image, eating less than 1000 calories as requirements for losing weight, etc.

That website can do what it wants, but I wouldn't take the criticism of the author seriously considering they post things about how better to "starve" yourself, tips for making it "look" like you are eating more than you are, calling MFP users Pro-fatties, review of "baby food" diets, and calling people like Paris Hilton and Giselle Bundchen borderline fatties.

iuew

i'm neither pro-fat nor anti-thin.

want to get thin? fine by me. i'm fairly thin. i'd recommend eating enough to keep you alive, though, and keep the BMI over 18.

IkirPaulson

I love their forum because the members are all supportive of each other and give constructive criticism. Unlike many MFP members that just love to be aggressive with their opinions and badger those who post a topic question that they deem "unacceptable".
Since the moderators at skinnygossip.com have to approve each member before they can join, it helps filter out the trolls that would otherwise dominate the forums like they do here.

HotrodsGirl0107

I am pretty sure that is a pro ana meeting place. The topic I read on there was about how they were praising models for their "skinny bodies and sunken in skinny faces". Looking further into the site members agree hip-bones and collar bones should be protruding through the skin and thigh gaps are to be praised. Looks like a bunch of young pro anas found a place to feed their disorder. I don't think what they have to say translates to healthy or sane (I mean baby food diet!? REALLY!?).

mfpcopine

I was just wondering, has anyone else come across this site? I did by accident, before you all have a go for looking at it(!), and saw this about MFP members:

"**WARNING**: The people in the forums there are all pro-fat fatties who think that they can lose weight until they're "only" overweight rather than obese, and like to accuse anyone like us Skinny Gurls of having eating disorders. Do NOT post your weight publicly there, and although the forums can be useful, don't participate!"

Part of me is a bit freaked out that people think that way, but the other bit of me thinks are some of us a bit judgemental about people who have a lower weight than most of us? Just wondering really what other people think.

Maybe I've got a strange sense of humour, but I think it's a bit funny that we're referred to as "pro-fat fatties". Especially by someone who is complaining of being judged!

I've never heard of the site, but I can certainly understand the attitude. I often wish there were a forum for people like me, people who've never been overweight, but because of injury and or getting older need to work now to maintain their weight. I'm tired of being accused of being ancient, decrepit or having an ED because I weigh in the low 100s, or today, 99, and used to weigh in the low 90s.

And yes, at times I'm surprised by the weights people give as their goal weights -- they look quite high -- but its their health not mine.

Finally, some of the advice I see regularly posted would result in people staying overweight.

mfpcopine

I've never heard of the site, but I have seen plenty of posts suggesting eating disorders when there really didn't seem to be much call for it. (I've also seen some that did sound like eating disorders might be a problem). People are people. Some more judgemental than others. You just gotta take what support you can get and ignore the rest.

Agreed, but it does place a burden on thinner members when they think that their concerns won't be taken seriously or that other people are going to jump to ridiculous conclusions. And you're right, you often can tell who the ED types are fairly quickly, but you can't do it just based on their weight. It's an obsessiveness about certain matters.

BinaryPulsar

I agree with these two quotes in this thread (and that site does sound terrible):

I've never heard of the site, but I have seen plenty of posts suggesting eating disorders when there really didn't seem to be much call for it. (I've also seen some that did sound like eating disorders might be a problem). People are people. Some more judgemental than others. You just gotta take what support you can get and ignore the rest.

i'm neither pro-fat nor anti-thin.

want to get thin? fine by me. i'm fairly thin. i'd recommend eating enough to keep you alive, though, and keep the BMI over 18.

Well, except, I would say eat enough to keep you healthy, energetic and not develop any nutrient deficiencies (which can happen even to people that overeat and are overweight).

I'm probably one of the thinner people on this site, but I still probably eat more than most people on here.

peachfigs

I had a quick look and was surprised to see it wasn't a pro-anorexia site like I thought it was going to be. Looks a bit catty though.


EDIT: I take that back. The main blogger on the website (not the forum) advocates the Baby Food diet... oh dear.

Kanuenue

It's pro ana in it's advice, maybe the forums and members are different, but the "tips" are definitely ED encouragement.

DalekBrittany

I went. I see a lot of catty teenager type posts (like calling Kate Upton fat) and a very unhealthy view of what is healthy, but they don't seem pro-ana, though I can easily see it leaning that way.

ETA: sorry, but purposely being under 100 pounds is simply not healthy unless you are under 4'10". Thought I'd mention that.

jess6741

That site is really extreme and vicious. But it does raise a good point about calorie counting sites. I have been criticized for wanting to lose weight/ not being happy at the weight I'm at. I've been told that I have BDD and might have an eating disorder. Both of which are definitely not true. I actually left one site because of it. But I think MFP isn't that bad. As a whole most people are really supportive.

holothuroidea

All of my stats (BMI, WHR, WHtR, BF%) are in the healthy range, and I'm still here loosing weight. Nobody has accused me of having an eating disorder, nobody has made me feel unwelcome for being relatively thin and nobody has told me my goals aren't okay.

I'm not the only one. There are plenty of people who are thinner and in better shape than me here that still peruse the forums and the calorie counting tools. A lot of people here are at maintenance or trying to gain weight. I sense no hostility towards them.

There is a lot of tough-love sort of hostility against disordered eating and unhealthy habits (fad diets, cleanses/detoxes, prolonged fasting, chronic under-eating or over-exercising, cutting out entire food/macro groups) but I've never seen any posts where a person who was trying to change their habits to more healthy ones had anything but support.

Honestly, I can see why someone who is pro-ana would be against this site. I can't say I'm surprised. I'm definitely not disappointed.

IkirPaulson

While the blogger seems vicious (it's for entertainment) the forums are full of nice girls. No one is going to accuse you of having BDD. If you do have BDD, they will only tell you out of concern for your well being and not because they are trying to put you down for weighing less than them.

That site is really extreme and vicious. But it does raise a good point about calorie counting sites. I have been criticized for wanting to lose weight/ not being happy at the weight I'm at. I've been told that I have BDD and might have an eating disorder. Both of which are definitely not true. I actually left one site because of it. But I think MFP isn't that bad. As a whole most people are really supportive.

BinaryPulsar

I just looked at the site. They do encourage a BMI of 16 to 18. They are promoting a body type that is not attainable by all people, so it is unhealthy for people with a different body type. Some have said the VS lingerie models have big legs (haha). I'm 5'2" and I weigh 100 pounds, they would probably consider me to be too fat, but it's true that on mfp I am hesitant to say my weight (it's just a number and in real life I am perceived by how I look and not by a number). But, on the other hand people also go to extremes on MFP of thinking small framed people are unhealthy, just because of the numbers on the scale (really they are just unaware of the range of body types). After joining mfp I have gone to my doctor repeatedly asking if she thinks I am under weight (even though I am the same weight I have been for all of my adult life). My doctor has laughed at the idea that anyone could say I was underweight. She said that I am not underweight, that I am very healthy and a lot more pro-active with my health than any of her other patients. She said I am genetically a small person with a healthy, active lifestyle. I also eat more than most people on here (I also lift weights), and I barely do cardio (other than dancing and walking around), so it's laughable if anyone were to accuse me of an ED. Some people are naturally small framed. And I don't even have a thigh gap, that's not my body type. I don't think going to extremes is ever the way to go. There is a wide range of normal and healthy.

julialla

I don't like the vibe I get from that site at all...5'7" 80 pounds?? Yikes!!

BinaryPulsar

ETA: sorry, but purposely being under 100 pounds is simply not healthy unless you are under 4'10". Thought I'd mention that.

You are actually wrong about that.

elyelyse

And yes, at times I'm surprised by the weights people give as their goal weights -- they look quite high -- but its their health not mine.

I just want to address this with something you may not have thought of...
having been as heavy as 300 pounds, and having constantly struggled since my early 20s to get or stay under 200 pounds, I have a goal weight (for now) of 165. This still falls above "normal" on the BMI scale, and many people would still see that as overweight, especially those who have spent their entire life at a "healthy" weight. But for me??? If I can reach and maintain 165? I will be THRILLED. For me to combat genetics and close to 40 years of bad habits and get down to that weight would be a monumental accomplishment, and I am not going to feel the least bit unhealthy if I don't have it in me to go any lower.

holothuroidea

ETA: sorry, but purposely being under 100 pounds is simply not healthy unless you are under 4'10". Thought I'd mention that.

You are actually wrong about that.

Yep. According to the BMI chart, 100lbs is considered a healthy weight for people 5'2'' and under.

MyChocolateDiet

i started with this article and think their opinion does not matter. they call adriana lima names. i'd like to see them get jobs like she has. and the liberal use of the word "fatties" is weird? like is it supposed to be funny? or mean? or just silly?

http://www.skinnygossip.com/2012-victorias-secret-fashion-show/

ETA: The article! Duh! LMAO!

holothuroidea

So I actually went to the website and I was there for only 2 minutes before I became filled with rage.

IkirPaulson

I think what it comes down to is that everyone has a different opinion. There are many who think that their opinion is the only correct one and feel the need to have others agree with them. Therefore your goal weight of 165 may seem high to a person who has always been 100, but will seem insanely low to your overweight friend who doesn't want you to weigh less than her.

Both will tell you you're wrong and you should change your goal. My point I'm trying to make is that what is lacking in the MFP forums is respect of different opinions. I, along with many other members who have posted topics, have felt the need to defend themselves against other members.

I just want to address this with something you may not have thought of...
having been as heavy as 300 pounds, and having constantly struggled since my early 20s to get or stay under 200 pounds, I have a goal weight (for now) of 165. This still falls above "normal" on the BMI scale, and many people would still see that as overweight, especially those who have spent their entire life at a "healthy" weight. But for me??? If I can reach and maintain 165? I will be THRILLED. For me to combat genetics and close to 40 years of bad habits and get down to that weight would be a monumental accomplishment, and I am not going to feel the least bit unhealthy if I don't have it in me to go any lower.

BinaryPulsar

So I actually went to the website and I was there for only 2 minutes before I became filled with rage.

Yeah, it was a bit frightening. I feel worried for young people getting mixed up in that.

rainbowbow

It's cool. They're just jelly.

Besides I guess i'm just less a fan of diabetes and heart desease. *shrug*

JGainingHealth

As someone who is recovered from anorexia, let me tell you that yes, that website has "eating disorder" written all over it, and no, not all eating disordered and/or skinny people have attitudes like that towards people who are larger than them. I would have never in a million years engaged in those types of websites or said those kinds of things. Those are young women that are in need of some serious help. Saying the things that they do is just a defense mechanism to justify their disordered behaviors. Seeing websites like that makes me so sad.

BinaryPulsar

I think what it comes down to is that everyone has a different opinion. There are many who think that their opinion is the only correct one and feel the need to have others agree with them. Therefore your goal weight of 165 may seem high to a person who has always been 100, but will seem insanely low to your overweight friend who doesn't want you to weigh less than her.

Both will tell you you're wrong and you should change your goal. My point I'm trying to make is that what is lacking in the MFP forums is respect of different opinions. I, along with many other members who have posted topics, have felt the need to defend themselves against other members.

I just want to address this with something you may not have thought of...
having been as heavy as 300 pounds, and having constantly struggled since my early 20s to get or stay under 200 pounds, I have a goal weight (for now) of 165. This still falls above "normal" on the BMI scale, and many people would still see that as overweight, especially those who have spent their entire life at a "healthy" weight. But for me??? If I can reach and maintain 165? I will be THRILLED. For me to combat genetics and close to 40 years of bad habits and get down to that weight would be a monumental accomplishment, and I am not going to feel the least bit unhealthy if I don't have it in me to go any lower.

Well, I understand where she is coming from. Just because I've always weighed 100 pounds, does not mean that I don't understand that I have a different body type from other people. I am an intelligent person and I know that many people have different sizes in their bone structure and that means more space for muscles, fat, larger organs, etc. When a person has a larger frame it translates to a larger weight for many reasons. And there is not just small and large. There is everything from extra small all the way up to large. I am very much aware that most people should not try to get to my weight because even I did not try to get to my weight, it's just the way I am. Particularly with women, we also have a variance in body shape for many many more reasons. I don't think people should be judgmental of weight whatever the weight is. I am supportive of everyone reaching their own healthy goals.

mrstravisjones

after viewing that site, i feel like i need to eat an extra sandwich in protest to their skewed image of 'fat'.

Th1st1me4sure

Okay I confess. 3 years ago I lost quite a bit of weight in a relatively healthy way but when I plateaued I turned to sites such as these for help I ended up in a lovely cycle of starve/binging which suprise suprise failed to help me lose anymore and just made me depressesd.
Luckily 2 years ago I came face to face with the final year before my Taekwondo black belt grading. I needed to be fit and just like that my goals changed from wanting to be bony to wanting to be bony to being fit and strong. My black belt grading turned out to be the slap across the face I needed. I changed my eating habits, abondoned those sites, got my black belt and havent looked back. These arent good sites however not all people who use them r judgmental. In fact I found most of them to b very open minded and inclusive.

IkirPaulson

Okay I confess. 3 years ago I lost quite a bit of weight in a relatively healthy way but when I plateaued I turned to sites such as these for help I ended up in a lovely cycle of starve/binging which suprise suprise failed to help me lose anymore and just made me depressesd.
Luckily 2 years ago I came face to face with the final year before my Taekwondo black belt grading. I needed to be fit and just like that my goals changed from wanting to be bony to wanting to be bony to being fit and strong. My black belt grading turned out to be the slap across the face I needed. I changed my eating habits, abondoned those sites, got my black belt and havent looked back. These arent good sites however not all people who use them r judgmental. In fact I found most of them to b very open minded and inclusive.

Thumbs up for you!

IkirPaulson

The trend in the US and many other western cultures is to be overfed. Being overweight is just as much a symptom of disordered eating as being underweight. Fat pride is seems to be more dangerous than Vlada's thigh gap when you really consider it...

Agreed!