Monday, 14 December 2009
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Are Women Defined by Their Waistline?
I have a question to ask: does anyone else find it idiotic that we must define a real women by the size of her waist? Whether it is waif-like or large or normal? I most certainly do.
What is overweight? Serious question. Should we define such an objective term on a simple formula like body mass index? I say no. We should ditch BMI. Does it make sense to use something as definite as a mathematical formula to determine something as subjective as health? Example: One of my best friends has a BMI of 17.5. She is short and thin, nobody real doubts that. According to the guidelines about BMI, she should technically be unhealthy. However, all of her doctors have found no reason for her to gain weight, other than for her preference. She, regardless of what her BMI says, is perfectly healthy.
On the other side of the spectrum, I have another good friend whose BMI is 25.2. She would be considered as overweight, but if you saw her and how much muscle she has, you probably wouldn't think so! She is also perfectly healthy.
Going back to my question of overweight-ness, I find it interesting that we base so much on what is the right or wrong size for a person on BMI. If my best friend can be 'underweight' by BMI, but still healthy, can't someone who is 'overweight' by BMI still be healthy? Of-frickin-course!
But, surely, there is no excuse for someone to be overweight? I think there is a universal bottom-line concept that everyone is different. I'm sure everyone has seen health articles where doctors claim that it is extremely unhealthy to be even a little overweight and contrasting articles where doctors say it is better to be a little overweight than to be a little underweight. Surprise, surprise, the 'experts' don't agree on what is healthier for you.To round about, what do I think is a real woman? A real woman is not underweight or overweight. She may not even be normal. A real woman is someone who is whatever size she is or wants to be and is healthy and happy with it. Regardless if society tells her that she is a little overweight or is too skinny, she is healthy and happy in her own skin. This women can come in all shapes and sizes. She might work out every day or enjoy a big bowl of chips to herself. In her mind, she is not overweight or underweight; she is just perfect. This type of woman, in my opinion folks, should be applauded. In fact, I aspire to be a real woman someday.
What are your thoughts? Is a woman defined by her waistline?
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- From: netiyavenack@xanga
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Comments (27)
Not this "real woman" nonsense again....
Aww I liked this post! My boyfriend tells me I'm perfect just the way I am. I think us girls are always our biggest judges. Our men will love us no matter what, we just have to learn to love ourselves.
I feel the whole "real women are this"/"real women are that" concept stems from the fact that society portrays certain women to be the (unattainable) ideal. Those that do not fit the ideal are obviously marginalized and need a way to feel real so they reject society's standards. Of course, this approach backfires as it marginalizes the women who do fit society's ideal. I can understand
where it stems from, but there's nothing OK with hating your fellow women especially since society does it so much for us.
A real woman is not underweight or overweight. She may not even be
normal. A real woman is someone who is whatever size she is or wants to
be and is healthy and happy with it. Regardless if society tells her
that she is a little overweight or is too skinny, she is healthy and
happy in her own skin. This women can come in all shapes and sizes. She
might work out every day or enjoy a big bowl of chips to herself. In
her mind, she is not overweight or underweight; she is just perfect.
This type of woman, in my opinion folks, should be applauded.
Exactly. I always say that if you identify as a woman, then you are a real woman. It doesn't matter what you look like because you know who you are and no one should be allowed to take that away from you.
By your definition - real woman = happy with herself. That's stupid. It's awesome if you're comfortable in your own skin, but how in the hell does that make you a "real woman". How many women in America do you think are dissatisfied with their figure? So... they're not real women?They're insecure therefore they're not "real women". Think again. I don't like my own body & I'm not comfortable with it. Sooo... I supposed I'll never be a real woman as long as I have insecurities about my body, which will likely be for the rest of my life. Thanks asshole. Everyone's entitled to an opinion - but yours sucks. Sorry.
I agree with this post. BMI is a crock of shit that only makes us develop a complex about whether were "normal" or not. What is normal anyway?? Even people in the 'obese' category sometimes don't even look overweight. We all need to accept ourselves and each other the way we naturally are and stop judging.
In my opinion, BMI is a starting point. It can be used to tell if someone is overweight or underweight, but it doesn't take into consideration everything. Of course, a skinny and an obese person can be checked for their health. And it doesn't always take into consideration muscle tone. You can have a skinny girl that has a normal BMI because of her muscles or an incredibly muscular, body builder who would otherwise be 'obese.' But again it is a starting point and can be used as a tool to diagnose anorexia. That doesn't mean that everyone with a BMI of under 17.5 is anorexic... They just don't look at BMI to diagnose anything, but again.
Anyone who is happy with their bodies, whether they are too skinny, too fat, or average; well, that's awesome. There should be more women like that. Girls/women who are too skinny by society's standards will sometimes get just as much crap as obese women, and I know that from experience. When I lost weight before, I wasn't praised when I got too skinny. I do think there is a certain look women are expected to be by society... slim, but not too skinny, and having the curves in the right places ( boobs and butt ). Think of Maxim models.
Anyhow, the one thing I disagree with is that you say "real women" should be a certain way. A woman is a woman whether she's 90 lbs, 110 lbs, 145 lbs, or 200 lbs. You say society expects women - real women - to be a certain way, which it does, but then you add what you think a woman should be. You are right that size should not matter ( Unless they are hurting themselves or in danger of death )
Many women let themselves be defined by their waistline.
@methodElevated@xanga - lol I know right.
@liedownmylove@xanga - I second that notion.
@Romans_837@xanga - exactly.
BMI doesn't take a LOT of factors into account. it's not something to center your life on.
BMI is just a useful approximation technique, and anyone who's familiar with it knows its shortcomings. The only reason people get in such a huff about it is because it's taken too seriously by people who should know better. Like the author of this post. BMI exists because it's more convenient on a daily basis than measuring percent body fat. Some people won't be satisfied until every medical opinion or general weight guideline comes with the disclaimer "but you're beautiful just the way you are". Ridiculous. If you think the BMI number is so useless stop fixating on it.
@methodElevated@xanga - Same. Kinda sick of this subject now.
Why don't we all just stop talking about accepting every woman/loving every woman for who she is/loving yourself and just DO it? Okay, we all need reminders every now and then. But seriously. lmao.
a healthy person is not only classified by their physical appearance but a complete blood test would determine their cholesterol levels and other key factors that determine good health. if she is easily manipulated by others into thinking that she isn't a real woman, then she isn't a real strong woman.
Recycling and repackaging is best for aluminum and plastic.
Real women have a vagina. We all win.
@liedownmylove@xanga - Agreed.
Men have waistlines too
Meh. No matter what shape or size you are, people are going to have insecurities. It's human nature.
It's just a matter of not letting your insecurities rule you.
There are times when I think to myself "oh, I should really lose some weight. I don't like the way I look and feel this way; it sucks."
And there are times when I look at myself in the mirror and put a smile on and say "I am freaking awesome. I rock. I look goooooood." I have to admit to myself that I am a beast.
All the "real woman" stuff seems a little overused, but I understood your overall point.
In her mind, she is not overweight or underweight; she is just perfect. This type of woman, in my opinion folks, should be applauded. In fact, I aspire to be a real woman someday.
Well, Good Luck with that. I have never met a woman who thinks "she is just perfect" in her mind. She can look like a runway model or an actress and still pick herself apart. And those who would look in the mirror and say "Dayum...I'm perfect!" usually have an ego the size of a house.
You aspire to be a "real" woman someday? In many societies you already are. If you have a vagina and are past puberty, then you are a real woman.
Many societies put a heavy preimuim on physical appearances. What they don't tell you, tho, is that time and age take their toll on even the most beautiful. Physical conditioning and beauty are fleeting; they don't last more than a few decades at best. You are at your prime in the late teens and twenties; nature knows this is when you are most likely to find a mate and reproduce, and has designed your body to be the most attractive to males. Survival of the fittest.
Enjoy it while you got it.
Waistline is not the only factor to determine a real woman.There are many factors to take into consideration.
All people in today's society, not just women, are defined by their waist-line. It's just more severe with women.
i'll be honest here, i'm 5 foot 6 and 150 pounds and i'm classified as "overweight", but I have a flat tummy, it's just that my breasts are larger! it makes me feel awful!
I think so. It's sad though...I catch myself defining myself by my waistline sometimes...it just sucks that society does this.
I love that picture.
The point of the BMI is to measure your health, not your societal worth. The fact that society has decided that women should be a specific size or whatnot is not the fault of the BMI, but rather the fault of society itself. And getting rid of BMI is not going to change that.
That being said, I actually agree that BMI is outdated. Definitely. Not only that, but it doesn't take specific races into account. Its a very inaccurate way of determining a person's health or body weight. And it should either be modified or chucked out the window completely and have something else (although I don't know what at this point) put in its place instead.
But, yes, as long as your doctor says that you are healthy, I don't see any reason to change your body weight to please other people. Just so long as you are healthy and happy, that is what actually matters.
I think that is silly to try and define yourself by your waistline. For starters I am a 36 year old male and just over 5'7" tall. At the start of 2008 I was 330lbs, wearing 54inch pants at the start of 2009 I was at 280lbs wearing 50-52 inch pants. At the end of 2009 *now* I am still 280lbs but wearing 48-50 pants. I have not done any workout plans, videos or anything like that. 95% of my day is spent sitting in front of my computer or watching TV. The only 2 things I have changed are I don't drink regular soda anymore *diet coke with lime please thank you* and I became a Vegan. I eat much healthier now and am feeling much better.
I plan on working out, once I have a job again and hope that in time I will be around 200lbs *my ideal weight is listed as 170-175lbs but at that weight I would look sick*. My other goal is to walk into any regular store Wal-Mart, Target, Gap, Old Navy etc and buy a pair of 38inch waist pants off the shelf and be back at my high school size. I am doing this because I am diabetic and want to live a healthier life. By the way I am no longer on any medication and keeping my blood sugar levels in check with just my diet alone!
I think measuring a percentage of body fat is far more accurate. Of course that really doesn't get measured too often. BMI is not really good way to judge your health either. Like you pointed out people can fit into the unhealthy ends of the scale while being perfectly healthy and the reverse is true as well. Either way we should not be judging ourselves by our pants size and a BMI or body fat percentage should not determine our worth.