Glamour Magazine: Weight Stereotyping

jadedone
jadedone Posts: 2,446 Member
edited December 2024 in Motivation and Support
Don't know if you saw this article in the June issue of Glamour. http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/2012/05/weight-stereotyping-the-secret-way-people-are-judging-you-based-on-your-body-glamour-june-2012

It is disappointing and disheartening.

I will fully admit, one of the reasons I started my weight loss journey now is because I thought my inside (and habits) didn't really mesh with my outward appearance. It is mostly a vanity mission for me. (I know that is completely wrong to say). I got tired of thinking that people assumed that because I was overweight I was eating junk food all the time, not active, a horrible eater, clueless about health.... But in reality, I am probably once of the most cleanest eaters in my social circle (and we are all actually pretty good about it.We have our treats and also try to avoid overly processed stuff too).

One thing that has ALWAYS bothered me is that people assume that if you are overweight (especially if you are choosing to lose weight) is that you can't be confident. That being overweight = being insecure about your appearance. I am happy with myself today. And I will still be happy with myself when I am a little smaller. Last time I checked most people, women especially, have a few insecurities about their body no matter what size they are.

So take a look at the study they did, and what people said about the thin woman and the overweight one:
thin: vain, superficial, conceited, mean
overweight: lazy, insecure, careless, passive, undisciplined

This is definitely really sad and disappointing. Us women are still unfairly judged on appearance alone.

Replies

  • sugarandspice27
    sugarandspice27 Posts: 521 Member
    It seems unfair in either direction.
  • ruggedBear
    ruggedBear Posts: 295
    I am guilty! All the perfect pilates moms in my neighborhood have never wanted anything to do with me and I assumed they were just stuck up. Nothing's really changed in the past 6 months, even after losing almost 50 lbs. Have I been projecting my assumptions on them?

    I am tuned in to people's perceptions and am actively monitoring any changes I see in how people treat me. Thankfully I have never had employment issues - in the tech fields, you're brain and previous accomplishments beat out your looks - as evidenced by the variety of folks I work with every day in all parts of the world.

    On a side note: follow this link in the article:

    http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/blogs/vitamin-g/2009/08/on-the-cl-the-picture-you-cant.html

    I think it makes up (at least a tiny bit) for the disenchantment we all feel when reading about studies like this. I used to think all this hype about 'real woman have curves' was a convenient excuse for not being in top physical form - but as I lose weight and have to constantly re-adjust my own perceptions of myself, I recognize that all the hard work in the world will not make me look like Beyonce, and that my skin is the only one I will ever have to worry about - and that includes my sagging boobs, stretch marks and cellulite!

    It's a thin line between being motivated and feeling defeated every time I look at a "perfect" form. Even on the forums here, I find more motivation from folks who look like me, than from those who have been blessed with a good genetic foundation upon which to build their success!
  • lirby10
    lirby10 Posts: 12 Member
    Ok, most people would consider me thin most my life. I did put on 20 the last 10 years and probably due to my vanity I have taken 18 lb off but at 46 I was also looking at health reasons. So I will grant the article the vanity concept. Mean? Well my friends say I'm too nice and only when provoked can I be mean. I have known mean and jealous over weight people also. I have a friend that at 46 really still looks like Barbi and she is one of the nicest people you would ever meet. Matter of fact people are mean to her because they are so jealous. I have that problem but since I put on 20 I was not as much of a threat to these types of people's self esteem. Now that I'm back into a 4-6 I will get it again. Oh well. I choose people that bring quality to my life not the way they look or where they live. I have friends in Millions dollar homes and a many in small homes. I know my girlfriends and I would embrace you before the snotty mom. I know what type you are talking about. The article is jaded but in todays world kindness is not embrassed and not taught to our children. Generally if I see a snotty kid I don't have to look to far to find out how they learned it. Keep your chin up and work at being the best your can be.

    By the way genetics does play a key to body types but I still think you can work at being your best. Look at Jennifer Hudson. I loved her on american idol and I love her now. When she got kicked off she told Simon you have not seen the last of me. What a great spirit.
  • jadedone
    jadedone Posts: 2,446 Member
    I think it makes up (at least a tiny bit) for the disenchantment we all feel when reading about studies like this. I used to think all this hype about 'real woman have curves' was a convenient excuse for not being in top physical form - but as I lose weight and have to constantly re-adjust my own perceptions of myself, I recognize that all the hard work in the world will not make me look like Beyonce, and that my skin is the only one I will ever have to worry about - and that includes my sagging boobs, stretch marks and cellulite!

    One of the reasons I hate the "real women have curves" phrase is because it isn't very accurate. Curvy (and not curvy) comes in all sizes and levels of body fat. You have to be genetically blessed to lose and gain and remain an hourglass.
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