'Size Zero'

[Babyboonie]

This is a debate that can go on and on and everyone will have different opinions! Unfortuantely I have a slow metabolism aswell as polycystic ovaries (which seems to make it near on impossible to lose weight around my middle - god only knows what Victoria Beckhams secret is!!), and am currently slightly overweight at the moment.

There was a programme aired in the UK a couple of weeks ago that was highlighting some of the issues with people trying desperately to get down to size zero. Louise Redknapp (used to be in a girl group called Eternal - can't remember if they ever released anything in America), was given the challenge of slimming down to a size zero within 6 weeks. She is naturally quite a small person anyway as well being healthy and fit so she really did have to put her body under immense pressure to lose the weight. She was practically spending 3 hours a day in the gym and barely seemed to be eating anything at all - yet this was the regime given to her by the "professionals". By week 4 her doctor advised her to stop the programme immediately as it was affecting her some functioning of her vital organs and her immune system aswell. Needless to say, she had got to the point where she was determined to make a point that it could be done, so continued. She did get down to size zero within the time frame - but she certainly didn't look all that healthy, she looked pale and exhausted. It also took her a further 4 weeks to get back into her normal healthy eating routine as her body couldn't digest the food properly.

I suppose the moral of this is that there is so much pressure for young girls to be slim that they are putting their bodies through this - which does unfortuantely result in eating disorders.

In an ideal world we would all accept the way we look and the way others look - but we are certainly not in an ideal world!

[wolflady]

I don't think I have a metabolisim at all! j/k

And I feel as if clothes are getting smaller. Granted I've gained weight, but I see an extra large now and I wonder what I'm supposed to cover my other half with?

I hear that. Actually, it is a fact that clothing sizes (where I live) ARE smaller than the same sizes in most other states. So, basically a large is really a medium and so on, which is just rude IMO. It just really irritates me that everyone is expected to be impossibly thin, and when I go shopping...nothing fits me. Everything left on the racks are smalls, extra smalls and mediums...since all the "normal sized" people probably already picked through what little we have available to us.
I'll admit that the media puts this stress on thin=beautiful, so I have self-esteem problems. I didn't used to feel as bad about myself when I was in shape, but now that I'm out of shape and a huge fat cow...it's really depressing. It makes it moreso when I can't even find clothes that fit, and the fact that all sizes run small here. That's just rediculous to me. I hate looking in magazines, because the "hangars" (aka...the impossibly thin women) that model the clothes do not help me at all figure out if that outfit would look good on me. I would be more incline to purchase clothes if I saw them on a normal person, or someone who is pear-shaped. I'm not straight up and down...I have curves. I've also noticed the trend here for everything (on top of already being small) to be skin tight, or tube shaped. I really hate shopping...
It also irriates me when tiny people complain about being fat. If only they could walk a day in my shoes, they would have no reason to complain! *snicker* A very slim colleague here at work was just saying how fat she was (she's a size 8 - which to me...is a small normal size for a woman, and she looks thin) and wanted to get back into her 3's. Ugh...

[Whisk_Luva]

Everyone just thinks men like women who are size zero. LIE! what is there to hug and hold with someone is size zero? it would be like hugging a pile of bones. So everyone- EAT UP!

[ramanth]

On the other side of the spectrum concerning the differences in US and UK sizes... wedding dresses are in UK sizes (for reasons unknown to me), but anyway.... imagine my surprise when the dress they give me is a size 18!!

A bit of hit on the self esteem there.

[Babyboonie]

On the other side of the spectrum concerning the differences in US and UK sizes... wedding dresses are in UK sizes (for reasons unknown to me), but anyway.... imagine my surprise when the dress they give me is a size 18!!

A bit of hit on the self esteem there.

I hear you! My experience of ordering my wedding dress for my wedding 18 months ago was mortifying. I am a very self conscious person at the best of times, so wasn't looking forward to the whole shopping for dresses when they are all a standard size. However, I was determined to lose weight before the wedding as every bride is, and managed to lose 2 stone prior to me actally ordering my dress. So I went in reasonably confident and was then told that wedding dresses in the UK come up TWO sizes smaller - meaning you have to order a dress that is two sizes more than your usual size....needless to say, my new found confidence was shattered!

[Muddy4paws]

I dont envy anyone under a size 12, I dont think I've ever seen much clothing for anyone under a 12 in many shops and I do alot of shopping! I'm a size 16 and I find it hard enough to find clothes lately because everyone is so obsessed with being so much skinnier!

There was a show on tv showing that the average shop only puts out 2 size 16's in their stores for each clothing item and the rest are 12's and 14 which drives me crazy! I know I should diet but its easier said than done! I know its sad and its going in the wrong direction but the majority of people like myself are bigger and I think clothing companys need to be realistic in size because I look about when im shopping and to everyone thin person there are like 4 bigger people and I think they should be reastic and make clothing for biggers people too.

I know of a few shops that sell bigger sizes but when you compare the range of clothing to the "skinnier" section of the store its like they cant design for bigger girls! Most tops look like tents and they lack so much design it really puts me off buying them. which them makes me depressed that I cant always look nice and wear the latest fashions.

I know I should stop moaning and go on a diet but as I said its easier said than done!

[mike001]

I think it has to do with a person's metabolism and the style of clothing. sizes don't really matter, I think these small sizes tend to make you think you're thin when in fact you're not. Depends on your activity level and how your body burns off calories. Some people can go all day and still be on the heavy side while others stay small and eat junk food without a thought. I don't put much faith in sizes, if something fits and looks good on me, then I wear it.

[Miss Z]

I watched the programme on Louise Redknapp too and it was pretty gruesome stuff. If you aren't naturally that size then it's madness trying to get to it. I couldn't sacrifice my hair, skin and health purely to be tiny!

Reading through the responses from UK residents in particular, I must say that up here the shops seem different. There's plenty of really nice clothing for size 14 and upwards in the latest styles, but hardly ever anything less than a 12 left on the rails! Seems unless you're bang in the middle, like Muddy4paws said, you can never be satisfied.

[animal_rescue]

Ugh! Honestly I hate when people pick on me because I'm so thin. The nerve of people that WATCH me eat just to wonder "where I put it all?" I'm constantly harrassed for being too thin when I don't even think I'm thin!(I don't think I'm fat either, just regular) It's one of my biggest pet peeves actually. Sorry you have to deal with that Zara, I know it's gotta suck.

[Argranade]

I honestly think you look awsome Zara,

I seen your photos on PT and I never even thought of too skinny when seeing them,

When I was younger I looked too thin and I still am, at 17 years old I only weight 99 when I just checked right now lol, but usaly weight 100 to 103 I think it's just I have been sick these past few days and skipped alot of my meals.

I don't look like realy thin but I love my body shape, as said it's the inside that counts.

Everyone should be happy with them selfs no matter what, I mean if you think your set for it go ahead and gain or loose a few pounds but please don't go over board.

At least we have a home, food and don't have to worry about bombs, starving ect ... if you think about compared to millions of people around the world we have it good and we should think less of our selves and help others more.

[barncat]

As a large size woman I often have problems finding clothes that are well made and professional looking and don't cost a fortune! We don't expect toy poodels and bernese mountain dogs to look the same or wear the same collars. I wonder when people will get the ideas that not all people need to look the same to be beautiful or healthy.....

So bless you, petites and talls and plus-sizes. Human diversity is a good thing, in my opinion.

[Cataholic]

I just look for sweats with a drawstring. Solves all my fat fashion dilemnas!

[buttercup132]

Everyone just thinks men like women who are size zero. LIE! what is there to hug and hold with someone is size zero? it would be like hugging a pile of bones. So everyone- EAT UP!

My bf seems to like me just fine..everyone is different..I actually find what you said VERY offensive...It's not as easy to just "eat up" if you read through other peoples posts you would have seen I said that I eat ALOT more then my parents but dont gian weight. I was on a get fat diet when I was younger to try and gain weight its not easy! Thats like saying fat people stop eating so much , I think we all know that dosent work and there are alot of larger people who eat perfectly fine and healthy but still are bigger and dont loose weight.

[columbine]

Why try to norm
The human form
In its wealth of shape and size?
Stay small or grow
Buy clothes or sew
It's hearts that know, not eyes!

[dogzr#1]

That's my problem too, Zara. It's a pain in the arse to find pants. Most of the time they are too big at the waist, but perfect length. However, I am lucky and have a good size body. Like not nasty skinny but not quite 'average'. I get lots of compliments because of that. I eat just as much as I always do, but my lucky genetics prevents me from gaining weight.

I don't think that banning a certain size will make girls gain weight, or lose it. It will just make shopping a lot more difficult. Ugh, the problems of weight these days. I remember when I started middle school my mom had to tell me not to worry about what kids told me concerning my weight. She was always made fun of in school for being too skinny because the 'in' weight back then was to be 'average' to slightly chubby, not super skinny. I wish it was still like that. *sigh*