Body type

Avatar for travkitty
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-05-2003
Body type
29
Sun, 07-31-2005 - 6:27pm

Ok, one of the other discussions leads me to this question. I'm having a hell of a time settling on a body type to put on my profile. At what point does average become "a few extra pounds"? Granted, I'm losing that last bit of weight on my butt, so in a couple months it will be a moot point, but how do you think men perceive an average, "extra" & curvy woman's body?

Annie

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Avatar for northwestwanderer
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: travkitty
Sun, 07-31-2005 - 8:12pm

I'm a size 18 and I put a few extra pounds...because I don't consider myself to be a BBW, and I'm not particularly curvy or full-figured (both of which make me think "on the heavy side, with big boobs"). I suppose I could put stocky or heavyset but those seem more like masculine adjectives to me.

If and when I ever get down to a 14, I would consider myself to be about average.

I think many men do think that if you put average, you're a bit overweight, and if you put a few extra pounds, you're really a BBW, on the theory that people lie or exaggerate in their profiles. That's why it's important to have a full length shot (assuming they even get to the point of looking at your photos...I think many men see "a few extra pounds" and go to the next profile).

Sheri

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-19-2004
In reply to: travkitty
Sun, 07-31-2005 - 8:51pm

I'm very curvy...I'm a size 16 and I consider myself a bbw. lol

It's obvious there isn't "one size fits all" even for the BBW category.

Avatar for northwestwanderer
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: travkitty
Sun, 07-31-2005 - 9:18pm

Interesting. I wouldn't think that category starts until size 22-24 or so. I've asked a couple of my guy friends to be honest with me about whether they would consider me in that category (and they know me well enough to know I want an honest answer and wouldn't freak out if they were honest) and they all said, "no absolutely not".

I also looked at pictures on a website of an organization that does BBW dances in the area and based on the photos of the women who attend, I definitely would feel uncomfortable going to one (as in they would think I was too thin and trying to show them up or something).

Sheri

Avatar for travkitty
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-05-2003
In reply to: travkitty
Sun, 07-31-2005 - 9:22pm
I actually have a pretty small waist, but those genetically bigger "birthing hips" which make me have to wear a bigger jean size to get the things over my hips. So, I wear a 12 or 14 in jeans right now. I can never find anything small enough in plus size women sections, so I shop in the Misses. Do you guys think that were qualify me as average? Most of my guy friends tell me I'm average, but I don't know if they're being nice or honest.
Avatar for northwestwanderer
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: travkitty
Sun, 07-31-2005 - 9:24pm

Yes, I think that is average.

Sheri

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-19-2004
In reply to: travkitty
Sun, 07-31-2005 - 9:37pm

Like I said, I consider anything over average to be a bbw, or plus size if you will.

on the bbwdating.com site, there are really big women (over 22) and then plus size, (16-20) so it's all in how you look at yourself if you just look at yourself as a few extra lbs than you wouldn't feel comfortable calling yourself a BBW...at a size 16, I know I'm not just a few extra lbs...and I'm "overweight" but I'm curvy in all the right spots so I guess that would qualify me as a big beautiful woman but definitely not the "average" size that's out there.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-19-2004
In reply to: travkitty
Sun, 07-31-2005 - 9:37pm
A size 12 is pretty average.
Avatar for travkitty
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-05-2003
In reply to: travkitty
Sun, 07-31-2005 - 9:47pm
I know I should put a full body shot on my profile, but for some reason I look like a size 18 or 20 in pics. I look AWFUL in pictures, have never had one taken that truly reflected me below the waist. Ugh! Anyone else with that problem?
Avatar for northwestwanderer
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: travkitty
Sun, 07-31-2005 - 11:52pm

Ah, ok, no, I didn't get that from your previous post. To me, what you are calling plus size is a different category from BBW. I see the "a few extra pounds" choice on match as the category between average and big and beautiful (if match had the option of plus size, then I'd choose it, but it doesn't).

It's the difference between, say, Emme (who I would call plus size, not BBW), and Camryn Mannheim or Queen Latifah before she lost weight. Or perhaps the difference between having a BMI that's "overweight" vs. "obese".

Interesting discussion!

Sheri

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2004
In reply to: travkitty
Mon, 08-01-2005 - 9:41am
Yes, most pictures make me look like I'm an 18-20+, and I'm actually a 14-16 (and dropping - I've been losing a little weight).

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