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What are your unpopular opinions about health / fitness?
Replies
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rebbylicious wrote: »The idea that Size 12 is the average sized woman , so that must make it ok. (As a former size 12-14) is something I disagree with. I am currently a size 8 and know that my weight for height is actually on the high end of the healthy weight range.
I'm not challenging what you're saying, your comment just makes me think of how ridiculous it is to measure someone by 'size X'. Not that I think you were doing this, but it also bugs me when people say size X is too big for a healthy person. Sorry, but body type, skeletal structure, and height go a long way towards size - not just how much fat a person happens to have.
I still have about 20ish (maybe 25) pounds to lose, but I can guarantee you that a size 12 will look much different on me at 5'7" than it will on someone who is 5'4" (for example). It will probably look much different on me at 5'7" than it would on someone with a more slender build who is also 5'7". I have wide shoulders and hip bones that balance out my proportions no matter what my size better than some women who have narrower body types. Size 'X' is meaningless as a comparative tool.
Size 12 may be the average woman in the US, and it's perfectly acceptable for many, many women. FWIW, even at a near normal BMI at my lowest weight, I was a size 12 in some things *shrug*.
I agree ♥️ that is part of why I think it's silly to say "12 is normal/ common". Size is not my goal or my hang up, but average woman size seems to be an excuse to be a size 12-14.0 -
rebbylicious wrote: »The idea that Size 12 is the average sized woman , so that must make it ok. (As a former size 12-14) is something I disagree with. I am currently a size 8 and know that my weight for height is actually on the high end of the healthy weight range.
I'm not challenging what you're saying, your comment just makes me think of how ridiculous it is to measure someone by 'size X'. Not that I think you were doing this, but it also bugs me when people say size X is too big for a healthy person. Sorry, but body type, skeletal structure, and height go a long way towards size - not just how much fat a person happens to have.
I still have about 20ish (maybe 25) pounds to lose, but I can guarantee you that a size 12 will look much different on me at 5'7" than it will on someone who is 5'4" (for example). It will probably look much different on me at 5'7" than it would on someone with a more slender build who is also 5'7". I have wide shoulders and hip bones that balance out my proportions no matter what my size better than some women who have narrower body types. Size 'X' is meaningless as a comparative tool.
Size 12 may be the average woman in the US, and it's perfectly acceptable for many, many women. FWIW, even at a near normal BMI at my lowest weight, I was a size 12 in some things *shrug*.
Yeah, all this.
I look awful when a size 12 (US sizes, and even the US sizes of my early adult years), but that doesn't mean other women don't fit in them when at a healthy weight.
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Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Considering the number of women who are overweight in the US the average weight or dress size should not automatically be considered desirable.
I've actually never heard anyone suggesting it is. I'd consider it an unpopular view, even! ;-)1 -
rebbylicious wrote: »The idea that Size 12 is the average sized woman , so that must make it ok. (As a former size 12-14) is something I disagree with. I am currently a size 8 and know that my weight for height is actually on the high end of the healthy weight range.
I personally believe it's okay to be size 12. Why wouldn't it be if a person likes what they see in the mirror?5 -
GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »It's really, really easy to log without anything coming close to accuracy on Spark People.
That's why I use the barcode scanner and enter all the nutrition from the package if I have to. It's easier than searching for the right thing. I've found a lot of the calorie counts are off on here as well. Neither site is perfect, I just like the fact that I can adjust all my macros on their food journal system without having to be premium.2 -
rebbylicious wrote: »The idea that Size 12 is the average sized woman , so that must make it ok. (As a former size 12-14) is something I disagree with. I am currently a size 8 and know that my weight for height is actually on the high end of the healthy weight range.
I'm not challenging what you're saying, your comment just makes me think of how ridiculous it is to measure someone by 'size X'. Not that I think you were doing this, but it also bugs me when people say size X is too big for a healthy person. Sorry, but body type, skeletal structure, and height go a long way towards size - not just how much fat a person happens to have.
I still have about 20ish (maybe 25) pounds to lose, but I can guarantee you that a size 12 will look much different on me at 5'7" than it will on someone who is 5'4" (for example). It will probably look much different on me at 5'7" than it would on someone with a more slender build who is also 5'7". I have wide shoulders and hip bones that balance out my proportions no matter what my size better than some women who have narrower body types. Size 'X' is meaningless as a comparative tool.
Size 12 may be the average woman in the US, and it's perfectly acceptable for many, many women. FWIW, even at a near normal BMI at my lowest weight, I was a size 12 in some things *shrug*.
it is silly if the sizes are not equal.
But as a woman is used to say what you have but still wear a size 4-6 @ 145-150 lbs I can say you are incorrect...
and I agree with this poster the fact that a size 12 is average (I think it's 14-16 now) is scary...because it isn't healthy...regardless of how you feel your bones come into play.
When you hit a healthy BMI...that's a good indicator...and guess what it's a number and yes there are those who are outliers but most are not.10 -
lemurcat12 wrote: »rebbylicious wrote: »The idea that Size 12 is the average sized woman , so that must make it ok. (As a former size 12-14) is something I disagree with. I am currently a size 8 and know that my weight for height is actually on the high end of the healthy weight range.
I'm not challenging what you're saying, your comment just makes me think of how ridiculous it is to measure someone by 'size X'. Not that I think you were doing this, but it also bugs me when people say size X is too big for a healthy person. Sorry, but body type, skeletal structure, and height go a long way towards size - not just how much fat a person happens to have.
I still have about 20ish (maybe 25) pounds to lose, but I can guarantee you that a size 12 will look much different on me at 5'7" than it will on someone who is 5'4" (for example). It will probably look much different on me at 5'7" than it would on someone with a more slender build who is also 5'7". I have wide shoulders and hip bones that balance out my proportions no matter what my size better than some women who have narrower body types. Size 'X' is meaningless as a comparative tool.
Size 12 may be the average woman in the US, and it's perfectly acceptable for many, many women. FWIW, even at a near normal BMI at my lowest weight, I was a size 12 in some things *shrug*.
Yeah, all this.
I look awful when a size 12 (US sizes, and even the US sizes of my early adult years), but that doesn't mean other women don't fit in them when at a healthy weight.
Very true. Musculature matters a lot. I am into weight lifting so my shoulders are wider than average and my quads/glutes are well developed. I need a larger size than my waist suggests, not because I am not fatter, just built different. Note that I usually have to get something that looks good belted, is stretchy on the waist (so it forms), or have it tailored. Height also plays a huge factor. A woman who is 5'3" and a size 12 is a vastly different shape than a woman who is 5'10" and a size 12.4 -
Here's my unpopular opinion. People's ignorance about how and why CICO works, does not stop it from working...22
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Even if we take manufacturers out of the equation, why is it not okay for two hypothetical women who are the exact same shape and height to have different preferences? What makes size 12 not okay, bar health problems? Few are obese at that size.6
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Why's it always seem like the higher the pants size the longer the legs on the pants get? I'm5'4 1/2 and have really short legs and a long torso. My mother has to hem off a quarter of the pant leg because they would drag on the floor and I'd be walking on them. Capri pants look like regular pants on me, just an inch or two short. They look like high waters.
And what's up with plus size clothing manufacturers thinking all overweight women have big breasts? I am a 36 B. I carry most of my weight on my bottom half. I don't even fill out most plus size shirts correctly.3 -
rebbylicious wrote: »The idea that Size 12 is the average sized woman , so that must make it ok. (As a former size 12-14) is something I disagree with. I am currently a size 8 and know that my weight for height is actually on the high end of the healthy weight range.
I'm not challenging what you're saying, your comment just makes me think of how ridiculous it is to measure someone by 'size X'. Not that I think you were doing this, but it also bugs me when people say size X is too big for a healthy person. Sorry, but body type, skeletal structure, and height go a long way towards size - not just how much fat a person happens to have.
I still have about 20ish (maybe 25) pounds to lose, but I can guarantee you that a size 12 will look much different on me at 5'7" than it will on someone who is 5'4" (for example). It will probably look much different on me at 5'7" than it would on someone with a more slender build who is also 5'7". I have wide shoulders and hip bones that balance out my proportions no matter what my size better than some women who have narrower body types. Size 'X' is meaningless as a comparative tool.
Size 12 may be the average woman in the US, and it's perfectly acceptable for many, many women. FWIW, even at a near normal BMI at my lowest weight, I was a size 12 in some things *shrug*.
it is silly if the sizes are not equal.
But as a woman is used to say what you have but still wear a size 4-6 @ 145-150 lbs I can say you are incorrect...
and I agree with this poster the fact that a size 12 is average (I think it's 14-16 now) is scary...because it isn't healthy...regardless of how you feel your bones come into play.
When you hit a healthy BMI...that's a good indicator...and guess what it's a number and yes there are those who are outliers but most are not.
I still think it's ludicrous to judge health by a size. I'm not there right now, but I was a scooch over a normal BMI (less than 1 point) and wearing a size 12 in about 1/4 of my clothing with exemplary health markers based on blood work and running a ~16:30 two mile (which I get it is not a speed demon, but just adding it in there to demonstrate that my aerobic fitness was okay as well). I'm not trying to say that you can be of optimal health no matter the size in the long run, but to ascertain that size 12 (or x or whatever) isn't healthy is using a very broad brush to paint over a silly measure.
When I get down to my ultimate goal weight within 'normal' BMI, I will probably still be a size 10 (maybe 8 with the current sizing trend). That won't make me unhealthier than someone who is a size 6. And, I'm not using bone structure as any kind of excuse here. I was never 'big boned', I was more fat and now I am less so, and I still have broad shoulders, wide-ish hips and long limbs. Even now, most clothing that comfortably fits my shoulders is too big around the waist. And, I'm not exactly an outlier - there are plenty of other women with my general dimensions.
I think it's misguided to say that size 12 being average is 'scary'; Now, if you want to say that having over 32% or 34% or whatever is average (just throwing those numbers out there as I don't know what the real number it) body fat is "scary" or "unhealthy", that's probably a better argument.
Edit for clarification7 -
amusedmonkey wrote: »Even if we take manufacturers out of the equation, why is it not okay for two hypothetical women who are the exact same shape and height to have different preferences? What makes size 12 not okay, bar health problems? Few are obese at that size.
I think it would depend on how you/we are using "okay". If you simply mean it's okay for them and none of our business, then I'd agree it's okay.1 -
Need2Exerc1se wrote: »amusedmonkey wrote: »Even if we take manufacturers out of the equation, why is it not okay for two hypothetical women who are the exact same shape and height to have different preferences? What makes size 12 not okay, bar health problems? Few are obese at that size.
I think it would depend on how you/we are using "okay". If you simply mean it's okay for them and none of our business, then I'd agree it's okay.
I mean all kinds of okay. Being slightly overweight carries only marginally increased risk that could be considered okay. Not like by crossing the normal/overweight line even by one pound you are suddenly at risk for everything bad that you weren't at risk for before. I don't see people pushing the same doomsday predictions for those who are under 20 BMI but still a healthy weight, although they're statistically at a similar risk, or even slightly higher, than those who are slightly overweight.
The problem with the average being size 12/slightly overweight is not the number itself, but the fact that a high rate of true obesity is pushing the average above normal.5 -
rebbylicious wrote: »The idea that Size 12 is the average sized woman , so that must make it ok. (As a former size 12-14) is something I disagree with. I am currently a size 8 and know that my weight for height is actually on the high end of the healthy weight range.
I wonder what the equivalent of this would be for men? The lack of a numeric system is problematic, it requires a number of different stats to make a comparison. Count us lucky
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Bry_Lander wrote: »rebbylicious wrote: »The idea that Size 12 is the average sized woman , so that must make it ok. (As a former size 12-14) is something I disagree with. I am currently a size 8 and know that my weight for height is actually on the high end of the healthy weight range.
I wonder what the equivalent of this would be for men? The lack of a numeric system is problematic, it requires a number of different stats to make a comparison. Count us lucky
Indeed...0 -
amusedmonkey wrote: »Even if we take manufacturers out of the equation, why is it not okay for two hypothetical women who are the exact same shape and height to have different preferences? What makes size 12 not okay, bar health problems? Few are obese at that size.
It's okay to have preferences, but I can tell you that very short women are usually obese at a size 12. I know I was, I know my sister is currently.3 -
deannalfisher wrote: »does that take into account that over the years - clothing sizes have gotten more vain and what used to be a size 10 is now a size 4-6? (in the Navy, we make a joke about the fact that the women's uniforms haven't been re-designed/sized since the 1970's...in those I wear a size 14, in everything else I wear a 6-8)
I have a few of my moms size 4/6 skirts and clothes from the 80s and they fit me all perfectly, even a little snug and I fit into 00/0 in clothing lol0 -
amusedmonkey wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »amusedmonkey wrote: »Even if we take manufacturers out of the equation, why is it not okay for two hypothetical women who are the exact same shape and height to have different preferences? What makes size 12 not okay, bar health problems? Few are obese at that size.
I think it would depend on how you/we are using "okay". If you simply mean it's okay for them and none of our business, then I'd agree it's okay.
I mean all kinds of okay. Being slightly overweight carries only marginally increased risk that could be considered okay. Not like by crossing the normal/overweight line even by one pound you are suddenly at risk for everything bad that you weren't at risk for before. I don't see people pushing the same doomsday predictions for those who are under 20 BMI but still a healthy weight, although they're statistically at a similar risk, or even slightly higher, than those who are slightly overweight.
The problem with the average being size 12/slightly overweight is not the number itself, but the fact that a high rate of true obesity is pushing the average above normal.
Being size 12 could be more than slightly overweight for many people. Might not be overweight at all for others.2 -
Lgcoulter33 wrote: »Why's it always seem like the higher the pants size the longer the legs on the pants get? I'm5'4 1/2 and have really short legs and a long torso. My mother has to hem off a quarter of the pant leg because they would drag on the floor and I'd be walking on them. Capri pants look like regular pants on me, just an inch or two short. They look like high waters.
And what's up with plus size clothing manufacturers thinking all overweight women have big breasts? I am a 36 B. I carry most of my weight on my bottom half. I don't even fill out most plus size shirts correctly.
Because larger sizes are generally meant for taller people, not just made for "heavier" short people. The slim tall people have to have clothes fit for them. Sizing assumes if you are a smaller size you are likely shorter.0 -
VeronicaA76 wrote: »lemurcat12 wrote: »rebbylicious wrote: »The idea that Size 12 is the average sized woman , so that must make it ok. (As a former size 12-14) is something I disagree with. I am currently a size 8 and know that my weight for height is actually on the high end of the healthy weight range.
I'm not challenging what you're saying, your comment just makes me think of how ridiculous it is to measure someone by 'size X'. Not that I think you were doing this, but it also bugs me when people say size X is too big for a healthy person. Sorry, but body type, skeletal structure, and height go a long way towards size - not just how much fat a person happens to have.
I still have about 20ish (maybe 25) pounds to lose, but I can guarantee you that a size 12 will look much different on me at 5'7" than it will on someone who is 5'4" (for example). It will probably look much different on me at 5'7" than it would on someone with a more slender build who is also 5'7". I have wide shoulders and hip bones that balance out my proportions no matter what my size better than some women who have narrower body types. Size 'X' is meaningless as a comparative tool.
Size 12 may be the average woman in the US, and it's perfectly acceptable for many, many women. FWIW, even at a near normal BMI at my lowest weight, I was a size 12 in some things *shrug*.
Yeah, all this.
I look awful when a size 12 (US sizes, and even the US sizes of my early adult years), but that doesn't mean other women don't fit in them when at a healthy weight.
Very true. Musculature matters a lot. I am into weight lifting so my shoulders are wider than average and my quads/glutes are well developed. I need a larger size than my waist suggests, not because I am not fatter, just built different. Note that I usually have to get something that looks good belted, is stretchy on the waist (so it forms), or have it tailored. Height also plays a huge factor. A woman who is 5'3" and a size 12 is a vastly different shape than a woman who is 5'10" and a size 12.
I think when people say it's "scary" the average size is what it is they are thinking the average height woman being a size 12 is scary. Average height of a woman is 5'4, so size 12 would be quite large and pretty hard to be at a healthy weight and still fit into such a big size. However, it also depends on how snug people like to wear their clothing. I know I personally can't stand tight clothing, so I don't buy the size I actually fit into. I prefer my clothing to be quite loose. I know many people who wear their clothing snug to show off their body.
I think everyone realizes that sizes are VERY different on taller women. A 5'10 woman could easily be slim at size 12. In fact, many runway models who are that tall who are super skinny are size 2/4 which very different for 5'4 woman.3 -
That beer is bad for you.
Completely incorrect - its really good for you. More beer the better.
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Noreenmarie1234 wrote: »deannalfisher wrote: »does that take into account that over the years - clothing sizes have gotten more vain and what used to be a size 10 is now a size 4-6? (in the Navy, we make a joke about the fact that the women's uniforms haven't been re-designed/sized since the 1970's...in those I wear a size 14, in everything else I wear a 6-8)
I have a few of my moms size 4/6 skirts and clothes from the 80s and they fit me all perfectly, even a little snug and I fit into 00/0 in clothing lol
At 120-125 I am generally a size 4. I recall when I first hit that size after being overweight for a while I was excited to try on my first expensive adult interview suit, which I bought in 1993. It is a size 8. It was a little tight. And I'd been all sure (since I didn't weigh myself ever at the time I wore that suit) that I must be thinner than I was then. Nope.
Sizes are weird, though -- I can be easily a 2-4 in pants and a 6 or so in suit jackets.1 -
I don't know about unpopular 'opinions' but as a coach I have taken actions that were unpopular for sure. The way I view it is this:
If I'm your coach and you have a competition coming up, my job is to expect a lot, to move you outside of your comfort zone, to challenge your body, to develop your skills and to keep you psychologically hungry. My job is to know your weaknesses, to develop your strengths, to read your opponent and help you execute a strategy to counter his. My job is to bind your wounds and maybe make a difficult decision to pull you out of competition if I believe you will get badly injured. If you do lose, my job will be to help you understand what went wrong, where and why and how you can overcome a similar challenge in the future. My job is to be a calm voice in your corner that you can rely on when you get scared or discouraged.
My job is to care about you and believe in you. But while we are training, make no mistake, my job is NOT to be your friend. It is not my job to let you rest when your opponent isn't resting, nor is it to blow smoke up your *kitten* or give you un-earned compliments or to say you're doing well when you're not. If anything, I will hit you over the head with reality.11 -
GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »amusedmonkey wrote: »Even if we take manufacturers out of the equation, why is it not okay for two hypothetical women who are the exact same shape and height to have different preferences? What makes size 12 not okay, bar health problems? Few are obese at that size.
It's okay to have preferences, but I can tell you that very short women are usually obese at a size 12. I know I was, I know my sister is currently.
Then we would be talking individuals, not averages. If going by the individual, some people of normal weight are at an increased risk because of their body shape (visceral fat) and some overweight people are at a reduced risk for similar reasons. Then there's genetics, family history, current health conditions that may be worse/better with extra weight...etc. My point is that the average itself is not scary. It's a size 12 woman who is slightly overweight, and aiming for that is okay bar health problems or significantly increased risk of health problems. What's scary is the obesity rate.4 -
ttippie2000 wrote: »I don't know about unpopular 'opinions' but as a coach I have taken actions that were unpopular for sure. The way I view it is this:
If I'm your coach and you have a competition coming up, my job is to expect a lot, to move you outside of your comfort zone, to challenge your body, to develop your skills and to keep you psychologically hungry. My job is to know your weaknesses, to develop your strengths, to read your opponent and help you execute a strategy to counter his. My job is to bind your wounds and maybe make a difficult decision to pull you out of competition if I believe you will get badly injured. If you do lose, my job will be to help you understand what went wrong, where and why and how you can overcome a similar challenge in the future. My job is to be a calm voice in your corner that you can rely on when you get scared or discouraged.
My job is to care about you and believe in you. But while we are training, make no mistake, my job is NOT to be your friend. It is not my job to let you rest when your opponent isn't resting, nor is it to blow smoke up your *kitten* or give you un-earned compliments or to say you're doing well when you're not. If anything, I will hit you over the head with reality.
^^^^^All day!!!!
I have a trainer/coach. It's a love/hate thing. I curse him out throughout my entire workout, because of how hard I am pushed. I curse him out the next day because my everything is sore. I love the results and wouldn't have it any other way. He's awesome!!! I've only ever won one argument with him: that chest day does not happen the day after legs, doing bench work with DOMS just sucks, so we switched days.0 -
"You need other weight-loss friends to motivate you and be accountable."
No. I love talking nutrition and enjoy this MFP community but when I've worked out with my husband or friend in the past and they try to "motivate" me in the gym or make comments about what I'm eating....I want to go Game of Thrones on their a** and go straight for the throat. I don't know why this makes me so crazy LOL I lone-wolf it in the gym and on my weight loss journey ¯\_(ツ)_/¯9 -
GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »amusedmonkey wrote: »Even if we take manufacturers out of the equation, why is it not okay for two hypothetical women who are the exact same shape and height to have different preferences? What makes size 12 not okay, bar health problems? Few are obese at that size.
It's okay to have preferences, but I can tell you that very short women are usually obese at a size 12. I know I was, I know my sister is currently.
Agree. I'm now a size 12 (previously a 16/18) and my BMI is still a 30.2. I'm 5'6 so I'm not short at all.
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myheartsabattleground wrote: »I believe WLS is cheating.
Yasssss. Very rarely it might be medically necessary but it absolutely disgusts me how easily doctors will approve this as necessary so the person can WLS covered by insurance. My sister-in-law used this as a cop out for eating healthier and exercise because it was a faster fix than learning about her body and nutrition. She still eats crap food but is slowly losing weight, however her two perfect boys are now seriously obese. It just infuriates me.
"Hard decisions, easy life.....Easy decisions, hard life."2 -
Its complete *kitten*. I'm only here because .... I don't know.0
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amusedmonkey wrote: »GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »amusedmonkey wrote: »Even if we take manufacturers out of the equation, why is it not okay for two hypothetical women who are the exact same shape and height to have different preferences? What makes size 12 not okay, bar health problems? Few are obese at that size.
It's okay to have preferences, but I can tell you that very short women are usually obese at a size 12. I know I was, I know my sister is currently.
Then we would be talking individuals, not averages. If going by the individual, some people of normal weight are at an increased risk because of their body shape (visceral fat) and some overweight people are at a reduced risk for similar reasons. Then there's genetics, family history, current health conditions that may be worse/better with extra weight...etc. My point is that the average itself is not scary. It's a size 12 woman who is slightly overweight, and aiming for that is okay bar health problems or significantly increased risk of health problems. What's scary is the obesity rate.
Well, I agree with you that as far as size worn/weight goes, it's individual.
I was just saying that for short women, a size 12 is indeed obese.
I do disagree with the original post, because sizing is a poor proxy for health.1
This discussion has been closed.
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