On Weighty Issues

 


Why is it that in America we are so all or nothing with our weight? Nobody has a clue what a true average size is, and claims that clearly obese women are merely curvy while slender women are anorexic (or not "real" women) are preposterous. Here’s what I think. Oh, yeah, you saw that coming. NOBODY should be able to see every vertebra in your back or your chest bones. I don’t mean your clavicle, but the bones that lead from your sternum to your rib cage. These are bones that are only visible on death camp survivors, malnourished children, and yes, anorexic women.

Likewise, your thighs should not rub together to the point where they are chaffing you, your stomach should not lop over your belt, you should not look nine months pregnant when you’re not, and your arms should not be flapping like a flag in a 4th of July parade. These are characteristics of obese people (BMI of 30 or higher). In general you should not have an excess of fat on your body. It should look far more firm than giggly, whatever your age. This is the primary characteristic of being at a normal weight, period.

I’ve been thin, fat and everything in between. Right now I’m overweight (BMI between 25 and 29.9). My thighs rub but they do not chafe. Still, they feel gross without some intermediary fabric. My arms jiggle a little, I’ve been lucky in that regard. Nothing some weight lifting won’t help. I have a tiny spare tire, but no muffin top, thank you Jesus.  Spanx clears that right up! They are a miracle if you’re just overweight as opposed to obese. Beyond a size 12 for me, there would be no point in Spanx. I am just obese at that size and look it. I’m 5’3” and wear a size 10. Sometimes I squeeze into an 8. I am what the brothas call “thick.” I would prefer to just be slender/curvy like I was a mere 3 years ago. As long as I can manage my snack attacks and get my ass in the gym, it’s going to happen.

I hate being part of the overweight black woman statistic. Did you know that black women on average have higher rates of obesity than whites and Hispanics? I also learned the other day that being overweight in your prime years is linked to dementia. Yikes! Are you overweight? What are you doing to get slim? Or are you a psycho fat acceptance proponent. Yes, you read that right. I think fat acceptance is insane. But that’s another post for another day.