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pmpkn087
Life is good...
Member since 9/05 18504 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Fitness and peoples' perception
Do you think that FITNESS level plays a role in peoples' perception of you?
Do you think SIZE does? Do thinner people get treated better than larger people?
I know this is a loaded question, but I'm interested in hearing others' thoughts before I present my opinion/experience.
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Posted 8/18/08 3:48 PM  |
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Lisa
I'm a PANK!!!
Member since 5/05 22334 total posts
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Professional Aunts No Kids
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Re: Fitness and peoples' perception
Posted by pmpkn087
Do you think SIZE does? Do thinner people get treated better than larger people?
I definitely think so. Before I lost 187lbs I felt invisible. Like people looked past me and never made eye contact. Now, as I think back, did I put this "wall" around me or did people really treat me differently? I certainly don't feel that way today but I also think losing the weight help boost my confidence level in myself.
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| Posted 8/18/08 4:01 PM |
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azoodie
Member since 8/05 8377 total posts
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Team SEXY BACK
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Re: Fitness and peoples' perception
Yes and no. I think it really depends on the person and how they present themselves.
I was looking back at photos from a couple of years ago with my DH. He couldn't believe the outfit I had on. I guess I should attach a picture to show you what I am talking about. We were both laughing about it because we both couldn't believe this small little cardigan looked good  My point is and I do have one () is that even at that size I was so happy, friends with everyone and just had a lot of fun wherever I went. I don't think my personality has changed at all from losing weight. I have always been a very outgoing person and my weight and/or fitness level hasn't affected that in the slightest.
Did others look at me differently then compared to now? Of course they do. They've seen my transformation and they are amazed at how far I have come. Do they respect me any more than they used to? Again, yes and no. I don't think it was that I wasn't respected before, I think it's just for different reasons now.
Bottom line is, people who judge anyone based on how they look or treat them are in my opinion not worth the time of day. It's not really about appearance, it's what's within.
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| Posted 8/18/08 4:13 PM |
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DaisyGirl
LIF Adult
Member since 2/08 1650 total posts
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Re: Fitness and peoples' perception
Posted by azoodie
Bottom line is, people who judge anyone based on how they look or treat them are in my opinion not worth the time of day. It's not really about appearance, it's what's within.
ITA with this.
But in all honesty, I think the answer is yes, people view you differently and treat you differently.
Your true friends and those who love you will view you and see you the same.
But strangers will treat you differently. When I lost weight (about 30 pounds in all) I noticed that people, men especially were nicer to me. Little things, like holding the door open for me when I was on my way into 7-11 to get my morning coffee.
I also think that some of it has to do with the confidence you have when you feel good about yourself and your body. That effects people too.
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| Posted 8/18/08 4:31 PM |
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Beth
The Key to your new home....
Member since 2/06 24849 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: Fitness and peoples' perception
I think when you feel better about yourself- you project that
and people respond to that
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| Posted 8/18/08 4:34 PM |
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TaraHutch
True beauty
Member since 10/07 9888 total posts
Name:
Tara
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Re: Fitness and peoples' perception
Posted by Beth1210
I think when you feel better about yourself- you project that
and people respond to that
That's exactly what I was gonna say. I've been 50 lbs. overweight and I've been thin...once I shed the weight, I felt better about myself and had ten times more confidence and it definitely changed my life. Yet....sometimes I still feel like the girl that had an extra 50 lbs to lose. That's just me.
Now girls who carry themselves like supermodels whether or not they have the 'stereotypical' body- they amaze and inspire me. That comes from within and it's so powerful. Doesn't matter how thin I get - that's something I don't have.
So as you can see, I'm a strong proponent of what comes from 'within.' I'm just one of those girls that doesn't have that 100%
Message edited 8/18/2008 6:43:04 PM.
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| Posted 8/18/08 6:42 PM |
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Reese1106
Family of 4! :o)
Member since 8/06 6655 total posts
Name:
Theresa
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Re: Fitness and peoples' perception
Posted by pmpkn087
Do you think that FITNESS level plays a role in peoples' perception of you?
Do you think SIZE does? Do thinner people get treated better than larger people?
I know this is a loaded question, but I'm interested in hearing others' thoughts before I present my opinion/experience.
I don't know if fitness has ever played a role in people's perception of me but I can say it has played a role in my perception of others. I've always admired people who are dedicated to taking care of their health and make fitness a priority. That is not to say I am negative about people who don't work out. I just mean when I see people who do, and enjoy it, it makes me push myself harder and motivates me. Does that make sense?
As far as size, I definitely think it plays a role in perception. I've been very heavy and I've been thin. When I'm heavy, I don't feel good about myself. When I am a healthy weight, or thin, I definitely feel better about myself and I know it's reflected in my attitude.
I also think it has affected how other's have treated me. I can remember one incident where I was at a beach and this group of teenagers were making fun of me, saying some very not nice things. I was probably only 15 at the time and it really affected me. The thing that got me the most was I was a size 8 at the time and not fat by any means. However, not long after that, I was down to a size 2/4. It definitely affected how I saw myself.
I've always been outgoing and was never one to not do something because of my weight. However, I have a ton more confidence now that I'm healthier. I'm still working on getting to my personal "ideal" but it is what it is and however long it takes is okay with me.
I think I have learned as I've gotten older to cut myself some slack and realize that I am just happier when I'm healthier and that it's been for me to figure out what that size is.
Also I try very hard not to judge other people's weight because of what I've gone through personally.
It has taken me a long time to get to where I feel comfortable in my own skin.
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| Posted 8/18/08 9:25 PM |
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TheWhiteRabbit
Thru the rabbit hole!
Member since 7/06 4412 total posts
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Re: Fitness and peoples' perception
Message edited 6/4/2012 12:44:02 PM.
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| Posted 8/19/08 12:19 PM |
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pmpkn087
Life is good...
Member since 9/05 18504 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: Fitness and peoples' perception
I'm talking about strangers. People on the street. Or even people at work who you are cordial with.
My answer:
People absolutely have a more positive perception of you if you are thinner. I know it from experience. Example: I have been with my company for 8 years. For the first two years, I was pretty thin. I was a bigger size than I am now, but I had a tight 20 year old body as opposed to a flabby not yet 30 year old mommy body . Then I got fat(ter). Got preggo. Had baby. Stayed heavy. People stopped asking me to do things like they used to. They stopped saying hello to me in the halls. I was always the one saying hello first. Most people wouldn't stop to chit-chat anymore. Now, people say hello, they chit-chat, they ask me for my opinion, etc.
There is a woman at my job who is larger. She is so confident. She is the most confident person I know. She is treated how I was treated when I was heavier. Perceived to be lazy. Slow. I know this for a fact that is how people perceive her (which leads me to believe that is how they perceived me when I was heavier).
Walking down the street, people didn't look at me. They didn't smile, they didn't say good morning. If I initiated it, they would give me a little smile and walk away. Now, people approach me with a good morning. They make conversation.
It's really sad that it is this way, but that's the way it is.
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| Posted 8/19/08 2:49 PM |
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PrincessP
Big sister!!!!!!!!!!
Member since 12/05 17450 total posts
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Re: Fitness and peoples' perception
Hey steph...My answer...I think people that are too skinny also get looked down upon as anorexic etc... I think as long as you look healthy there is an all around respect. WIth that said...I will be on WW next week. You can be my cheerleader  
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| Posted 8/19/08 3:00 PM |
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