When size no longer matters.
Yesterday, I was talking with someone in her 20’s at work about size…after the 3rd comment of the day that went something like this, “You’re so thin/slender/tiny.”
My reply, “In 1970, I’d be wearing a size 14.”
It’s easy to tell when someone doesn’t believe you. There’s a subtle smirk and the eyes go slightly to the left or right (being dyslexic, it could easily be my other left or my other right).
That’s when I added in the zinger: “I know because I still have clothes from that era.”
Yes, I’m considered a size “small” by today’s standards, just barely a size 6 going on 7.
Fast backward to the Polyester Period
Were it 1970, my doctor would be putting me on a diet. After all, size 14 was considered a bit chubby in those days.
I’m not saying that having a little padding is a bad thing, and certainly not as bad as the bulimia and/or anorexia that became epidemic among women in the 1960’s and 70’s who were trying to look like this.
Twiggy
My point is…
SIZE CHARTS ARE C#@P
…and what is “thin” today was “fat” 40 years ago.
Here’s a chart of sizes for women from 1958 to 2011. There is a chart I found a few years ago even better than this one, it showed sizes from 1930 to the 21st century, but I can’t find it now.
Undoubtedly, I’ll find it again in a few years when I’m looking for something else.
Here’s another factoid to munch on (from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/obesity-overweight.htm)
Adults
- Percent of adults aged 20 and over with obesity: 39.8% (2015-2016)
- Percent of adults aged 20 and over with overweight, including obesity: 71.6% (2015-2016)
Children and adolescents
- Percent of adolescents aged 12-19 years with obesity: 20.6% (2015-2016)
- Percent of children aged 6-11 years with obesity: 18.4% (2015-2016)
- Percent of children aged 2-5 years with obesity: 13.9% (2015-2016)
Yes, almost 3/4 of our population is overweight or obese.
In the USA, 1970’s, it was EXACTLY the opposite.
Now, I’ll delve into the psychological factors I face when people tell me, “Your so slender.”
I feel FAT. It’s uncomfortable and bras make my boobs hurt.
Will I be going on a diet? No.
When you get older, the fat has a mind of its own. Presently, it’s centered in my chest and stomach, an obstacle when I’m trying to touch my toes. Inconvenient, but not life threatening.
And it’s not like I’m going to be the next supermodel.
I recently went from a size 16 to a size 14. I was always a 10 in my younger years. Sometime around the age of 45, my mid-section just went on a rampage and I have a big stomach. I almost look pregnant. No matter what I have done or how much I work out, it will not go away! Middle age can pack on the weight if you’re not careful. And sometimes even if you are careful lol!
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I didn’t start getting that pregnant-look paunch until last year, which I found strange because most people do start getting it in the mid 40’s to early 50’s. It just took me a bit longer. 🙂
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I know exactly what you mean. I can’t talk about this with anyone bc everyone is so fat now that I’m thin in comparison, but I’m actually not that thin, and certainly not thin compared to the old days. But my metabolism has slowed & I have a bad back, so it’s hard to lose weight back down to where I should be. In my opinion!
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I know exactly what you mean! If I’m 10 pounds over my “comfortable” weight, I start getting back trouble.
Living in a time when the ideal weight for someone 5’5″ was 110, it’s hard to embrace the new “skinny.”
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Ikr? I still remember the old MetLife charts. I’m 5’4”, small-boned, and should weigh 108, not 113. Lol. No idea what “they” say the right weight is now, probably 130.
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I agree, I have no idea what the “right” weight is considered these days. I’m 5’4 1/2″ and vacillate between 110 – 112, so we’re about the same size.
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I’m a big girl, a size 14 to 20 depending on style, cut and shop. 17 years ago I weighed eighteen and a half stone, and was a size 24. I was going to a wedding and the outfit I intended to wear didn’t fit, so it was a panic job into a shop and there I was……. a size 24 and feeling like an elephant.
It took me nine years to lose a stone. Now I’m five stone lighter than I was, but still a big girl. And you know what? I don’t really care so much.
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It really does get to that point. One day you look in the mirror to find that your mother is staring back at you.
That’s the moment you realize that the worlds finest clothing isn’t going to make a bit of difference, so why not be comfortable. 🙂
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My Mum has been staring back at me from the mirror for years. These days I live in mens joggers and ts as they’re more comfortable, longer in the leg and generous where it counts!
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Sounds VERY familiar. 🙂
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Pingback: Size Matters – This, That, and The Other
Men’s clothing is usually better made, too. 🙂
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I gave a like for the white bikini lady–hope she is not a guy!
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In this day and age, that’s always a consideration. 🙂
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