Lifestyle

10 Things Skinny People Don’t Worry About

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10 things skinny people don't worry about

As a fat girl, I am constantly thinking about how my gigantic-ness is going to get in the

way of something or someone else.

I am forever wondering what’s happening in the minds of the people around me. I also admit I am so guilty of the jealousy that comes from not being the skinny one in the room. It’s not that I want to be YOU… it’s just there’s so many things I think you don’t have to worry about.

So, skinny girls, I bet you don’t worry about these things.

(And just for one second… let’s say… I know you’re human and you worry about body image related things all the time too. Just not these.)

fat people problems

ROLLER COASTER SEATS

I have to look at the seat and tilt my head sideways and try to figure out if all of me is going to fit into that small space. And if I sit… will that bar come down over my boobs? And then you play the game in your head like… ok it looks like I can fit BUT what if I don’t… I might die if I try to get in there and can’t and then have to walk the roller coaster walk of shame. Lots of time I just don’t tempt fate because there is no way I’m going to sit in that tester seat with everyone walking by.

PICNIC TABLES

Picnic tables are like the fat person’s teeter tottering nightmare. Skinny people just sit down. Fat people have to be like a physics mastermind. We evaluate exactly where we can sit so that we don’t throw off the balance of the table. Then you better bet we’re fully aware when anyone from the table stands up. It’s never a comfortable place for us to be.

CORPORATE OUTINGS/UNIFORMS

I’ll never forget the time my boss asked me to write down my size so that I could be given a corporate shirt for an upcoming outing. You’ll never believe how embarrassing it was when I arrived at the outing with instructions to put the shirt on and come down to the first meeting. I had to ask the corporate overlords if they had a bigger size because the sizing of the women’s jacket was so much smaller than expected.

AIRPLANE OVERCROWDING

With all of the drama in the news about people complaining about being sat next to a fat person on an airplane, I have to admit anytime I travel I do everything within my power to be sure I’m not even getting close to the person next to me. I find myself trying to do a sly perimeter check to be sure non of my assets are drooping over into their space. I would be totally mortified if the person next to me complained about how much space I was using.

Summer Plus Sizes

SEAT BELTS

Speaking of airplanes… there is no way I’m asking for an extender. Also, there’s no way that skinny people can understand what it’s like to wear a car seat belt. It digs into my neck. It pulls tight when it’s supposed to be loose. It’s just an uncomfortable proposition everytime. And let’s not even talk about what happens when I’m pregnant.

EATING OUT

Skinny people might understand this if they order a meal the size of their head. BUT… fat people get side eye from the people around them no matter what they order. We know you’re looking at us. And I promise you I’m not going to gain anymore weight than you are eating the same meal you are. Your side eye bugs me but I’m likely still going to eat what I want. For me in particular… it’s no more or less than the average eater.

WEARING SHORTS OR LEGGINGS

I own leggings. Like 3 pairs… maybe. I do not own a single pair of shorts. I’m not saying that I think being fat means you shouldn’t wear shorts. I’m just saying that I don’t wear them for fear of showing up on People of Walmart. There’s no rule or magic weight number that says when you’re too big to wear shorts or leggings. But you know that people are judging. You don’t know if you’re looking like a giant Michelin man or if you’re looking stylish. And you’re also wondering deep down inside if you should really care.

PLASTIC CHAIRS

It only takes one episode of America’s Funnies Videos to realize that you want absolutely NOTHING to do with a plastic chair of any sort. Especially if any one- including a small child- has ever sat in one before. I avoid those things like the plague because I’m sure it’ll do that spill over backwards broken leg thing you find all over internet bloopers. I’m pretty sure I’d like to keep my pride in tact through the end of the picnic.

SHOPPING IN THE MATERNITY SECTION

No, not when you’re pregnant. I mean if I can’t find the plus size clothes in the store, they’re likely in the maternity section. Yes. Fat and pregnant are the same thing right? So just shove those clothes together. The worst part… when you are pregnant finding cute plus size maternity clothes is like searching for a unicorn.

DIRTY LOOKS

Guess what? I might be fat but everyone else in my life isn’t. So when I walk into a skinny person’s store to shop for a scarf, I always get those dirty looks like… what are you doing here?! Seriously, my bottom might be wide but my neck isn’t. Neither are my earlobes or my feet or my wrists. I promise… I’ll leave enough clothes for the skinny people.

I know, I know…. I should just lose weight so I don’t have to worry about these things anymore, right? Sure! You are absolutely right! I would never worry about a roller coaster seat again! But I’m sure I would have something new to worry about. The key here is find my OK. You can stare at me in the store or the restaurant if you want- but I promise it’s not going to change how I feel about myself. Yep, I worry about picnic tables and seat belts but I’m still good just being me. So if you’re a fat girl like me… I think you’ll understand.

Fun and Funky Plus Size Dresses

#sonottogether

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17 Comments

  1. Kellie, I loved this post. It was honest, straight forward, and humorous at times. I don’t consider myself “skinny” but “average” may be the best description. However you’re right, I don’t worry about most of these things. I never think twice when sitting on a plane and as a restaurant blogger I don’t really factor eating out into anything other than what it is. I’m really really sorry that these are concerns that you’ve dealt with. But if it’s any consolation, I do have worries that are similar to yours but in another area. I’m a dark skin Jamaican American and a lot of the time I worry about walking into certain stores in Beverly Hills and getting the same response you get in clothing stores, “what are you doing here”. It’s unfortunate for the both of us but it happens. I guess I say that just to say, even though we’re not the same we have some similar experiences and I hope you don’t have to go at it alone. If you ever feel like you are, talk to me and let’s get through it together =]

    P.S. This line “a physics mastermind” was hilarious!

    1. You Rock Danielle! I am fully aware that I do not exist on an island!! I hate that we have to worry about these things… all of us. Like going into a store and being worried about the color of your skin! Ridiculous! This is exactly why I wrote this!! Hey we have an awesome group of women working to live an unfiltered life sounds like you would be a perfect addition!!
      Here’s a link- Check it out and see if it’s for you! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1364578263556127/

  2. This article was very well written. My mom is about 5 ft tall and very tiny and has the opposite problem with roller coasters. She is terrified if she gets in she will fly out during the ride!! Everyone has something!

  3. What a beautiful and honest post. It sucks that anyone is judged for appearance, and I’m sorry you have had to deal with this crap. I’m on the heavy side of medium, and while those issues aren’t mine in particular, I have worries that other people never have to give a second thought to, so I get it.

    Thank you for your honesty.

  4. I LOVED this… but trust me, reformed bigger/ “skinny” girls do worry about the side eye too! and the looks over what we’re eating. We just don’t always have people *actually* doing it sometimes, and it’s still in our mind that they are.

    But I loved this, and it’s 100% truthful – it’s sad that this happens, but it’s great to write something like this to get the stigma out there and hopefully it does something to change it.

  5. I’ve been all sizes actually so I do know how it feels. I hate the way society is in this regard. You don’t know anything about a person and find them guilty on how they look. Skinny isn’t that attractive in my opinion but we should ll get to be what we want.

  8. Thank you for your honesty. I try to think of myself as a compassionate person, however, I was completely unaware of some of these things that you describe experiencing. Reading this does make me feel disheartened, but you are raising awareness and that is absolutely key to change. Kudos to you <3

  9. I agree with your points, but I also agree with Jayce [from the comments above here]. I feel no matter our size, we feel a certain way and think certain thoughts. I’ve been up and down on the scale, and you are right when you mention that if you changed sizes you would find something else to worry or think about. It does not matter what our size is as long as we love ourselves for being that size. If not, then it is important to do something about it. Great post! It was beautifully written!

  10. Amazing post! I have been overweight and now I’m about average (and I have to work extremely hard at it), but I get so angry when people bring up “thin shaming”… yes, everyone has insecurities, but naturally thin people could not possibly understand the struggles that us naturally fuller figured people have to go through on a daily basis.
    Kisses,
    Sarah
    EverydayStarlet

  11. This is so true but I think everyone has issues with their bodies. When it comes to weight, some people have it easy though and never gain. It’s not fair!

  14. Interesting! I opened this article wondering if there would be some similarities to tall people, as I’m about 6′ tall. It sounds like we have our very own set of challenges, however, and this gave me an appreciation.

  15. I pinned this post because I really enjoyed your perspective. It’s true, I haven’t thought about a lot of these. I mean, I wouldn’t call myself “skinny”, but I guess enough so that most of these have never crossed my mind. I will say that the airplane stuff applies to traveling with kids or being tall too. It’s like, don’t touch the seat in front of you or next to you kids, and don’t rock to hard because what if their tray is down behind us? Heaven forbid their flight be ruined by my child being, well, a child. And being a tall woman I have to be or so careful about crossing my legs because I don’t want to bump anyone. Ugh, honestly, airlines need to worry less about the bottom line and more about the comfort of their passengers. But I guess that will never happen …. anyway, sorry I ranted way too long about that, lol.

  16. All true! There’s a carnival right around the corner from me this weekend…and I LOVE rides…but haven’t even ATTEMPTED one in like 15+ years cuz I just KNOW that safety bar will not close over my belly. Or if it does, I won’t be able to breathe and will pass out from asphyxiation and die on the roller coaster. THAT wouldn’t be embarrassing.

    I just found your blog and am going to follow!

    Bettye