This girl has more courage than I ever could!

So, there's a new contender to the Miss UK title, 17 year old Chloe who is anything but a size zero model. She's out there to tell people to be happy with their bodies, which I think is a good message overall. Now, I think it takes a lot of self-esteem and courage to put yourself out there for the media to devour when you know that anything over an American size 0 is considered a cow. But I feel terrible for her because of all the horrible comments people are making to her below.

The question addressed by these "commentators" (who should know better than to post these things when someone has put themselves out there) is:

Has there been too much alteration to the idea of "curvy" versus "overweight"?

What do you guys think?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/article s/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=5527 92&in_page_id=1773&ico=Homepage&i cl=TabModule&icc=picbox&ct=5

Yes, I agree, it's definately inspiring. And as much as I believe that we need more diversity in our images of beauty, I do have to admit one thing. I looked over meggo's pics, and I think the other poster is right, she is gorgeous at both 155 and 162. She had said she is a size 10/12...I think I would be a lot more comfortable supporting an image of beauty like hers, one that is far from a size 0, curvy and undeniably healthy-looking. One that does not give the impression to anyone of glorifying obesity, but that DOES have a reasonable, attainable, womanly shape. I am SO middle of the road :S

i don't agree with making girls think that they need to be a "size 0" in order to look good.  however, all this discouragement against being super skinny is making people think its ok to be fat, being fat is just as bad as being super skinny is. 

I think it's so hard to strike a happy medium.  Who in hollywood has a realistic healthy body?  J-Lo?  Beyonce?  Is even that too unrealistic?  Who would be good role model that people would say, "Hey, she looks healthy and realistic" ??  Weight is a double edged sword.  Too thin or too heavy is both considered unhealthy.  Even a "healthy" weight can be unhealthy if achived through an eating disorder.  As a person recovering from an ED I can say there is so much internal conflict when it comes to food and weight.  I think the fact that you can't just "quit food" like you can drinking or drugs makes it that much harder.  I wish the answer about this girl being attractive, healthy whatever was black and white but it's not.  I wish there was one easy solution and standard that everyone could follow but there is not. 

I think the only person we can really worry about is ourselves.  I admit it does hurt when some critisizes this girl's looks because it only makes you second guess yourself and how your body looks.  I do think she is attractive but I can also understand why people are worried about her health.  I know I'm just rambeling.  I wish the answers were cut and dry.

She's very pretty.  The swimsuit is a shame though.  Looks like it barely covers her nipples.

I'm going to echo whatever one else is saying.  I cannot believe that she is 176lbs.  I'm just a little taller than her and 176 is my goal weight.  I'm 190 now and thinner than she is.  If in fact she does weigh 176, she must have little to no muscle tone.

She probably is a size 14 US though.  I can believe that, at least in the upper body.  To whoever said size 6 or 8 would be good for her, 5'10" and a size 6 or 8 is pretty stinking small unless the person has a small frame.  This person does not have a small frame.  She'd be lucky to squeeze into a US12.  I wore a size 14 at 225lbs and at 165lbs.  For us big framed girls it's about our bone structure, not just our fat.  Her hip bones and ribcage cannot be shaved down.

My husband thinks she's hot.

It's great that she's confident, but I think that overweight models are just as bad as underweight ones.

She's overweight.. it's not pretty. And I don't think you should strive to be like that, I was just thinking about that today. With regular exercise and a 1,500 - 1,800 calories diet, you won't be that big.

I've seen better plus women, being a model isnt about what you weigh its about looking good and she fails at that, even if she lost weight she wouldn't look good,

Its clear that shes just a token gesture, she got in because she is fat and proud not because she was better than the other contestants,

i'm going to stir the pot a bit more. A good, healthy debate is interesting as we're all on this site for one thing: dieting. Whatever you call it, gain, maintain, lose, or the usual "getting healthy", CC is still a "dieting" website and it's interesting to read all of these posts about how everyone feels on this.

We've gone a bit off topic here and off to debating whether or not she really does weigh 176lbs. It also wasn't meant to open the flood gates of personal attacks i.e. calling her "fat" or techraven "evil" or "Hitler" was pretty childish and uncalled for. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and each person probably represents thousands of others who feel the way they do.

My original question was:

In today's society, do you feel that the definitions of "curvy" versus "overweight" have been changed? Rightly so? Incorrectly?

 

Also, here is another (not so nice) article written about her. She's definately put herself in a spot where she'll be debated about, criticized and praised. I'm pretty sure she knew this would happen. Like I said. This girl has got courage and really is happy with herself as it takes a lot of self esteem to put yourself up for the critics.:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/ article.html?in_article_id=554870&in_page _id=1879

I lean on the side of it being a negative image to reflect to society that being her size is a healthy way of living, just as promoting an 85lb stick as being a healthy and attractive individual is wrong.

On the side of me being a guy who loves thickness, she's freakin' hot.

I just think it's funny that some people here are judging her by their own standards. If she is happy with herself...why do you all care so much? It's my belief that some people are threatened by changing standards of beauty because they are so insecure in themselves. Are they afraid that they themselves might not be in vogue? Especially when some are obsessively watching their weight in order to be accepted...or to like themselves. The truth is, when you accept and like yourself, you are far more attractive  to others no matter what your weight.

She has a remarkable amount of courage.
I doubt she is 176, and I doubt she is 'healthy' as she stands.
Her body fat % is probably near where mine is, and I'm 5'6" and 176. (I think we look a bit alike body shape wise, though my hips and thighs aren't that large)

I don't think she promotes OBESITY, as she does have a waist, and isn't just a fat tub of lard sitting around. Yes, she is over weight, there is no denying that.

One thing I've found interesting recently is that they've banned underweight models, fearing girls going to anorexia and bulimia.

But, they aren't banning overweight models? Somewhat a double standard. (which is funny that I'm saying this as I admire plus size models who are healthy and fit!)

I don't think she's curvy. She's overweight to me but as long as she's happy with it she's happy with it and i'm happy for her.

I always consider curvy as in bigger in size but with muscles and curves, duh!

Also, here is another (not so nice) article written about her. She's definately put herself in a spot where she'll be debated about, criticized and praised. I'm pretty sure she knew this would happen. Like I said. This girl has got courage and really is happy with herself as it takes a lot of self esteem to put yourself up for the critics.:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/ article.html?in_article_id=554870&in_page _id=1879

I am APALLED that the headline of this second article calls her fat and lazy. Wtf?? Who even allowed that trash to be printed?? Fat, yes ok that's a little rude but not completey untrue, but attaching the word lazy to that statement is incredibly unfair. The article does not uncover any hidden truths, like maybe they had hidden cameras that showed footage of Chloe laying around all day eating bonbons...noooo...it seems they attached it automatically, as though all fat people are necessarily lazy, oooohhhh that makes me so MAD and depressed. Why not just say fat, stupid, smelly and lazy. A-holes.

BMI doesn't give the whole picture, you really need to know the body fat % as well, but that girl appears to lack the tone I'd expect to see in claiming to have a BMI of 25.

Anyway, I call shenanigans. That girl is WAY MORE than 176 lbs.

Here's a picture of girl that's by no means a raging hulk, but works out and has a BMI of 25. Here's another girl.

Notice the marked difference.

She looks closer to this girl, judging by the legs and face.

I think most girls with ED's would veiw her as "fat" and might find her completely repulsive. It would horrify them to look like that.  The only one who can really judge her is herself. I think she put herself out there proudly...not to ask anyone if they thought she was overweight or for their opinions. I am glad she feels good. I hope this whole experience empowers her. But it seems like rude, arseholish people are going to do the opposite if they can. Perhaps she has better things to do than count grapes or check herself in the mirror every two minutes. I know I do. I would hope most people would have more interesting hobbies than that.

Original Post by noka_poka_dot:

My original question was:

In today's society, do you feel that the definitions of "curvy" versus "overweight" have been changed? Rightly so? Incorrectly?

Sorry, I didn't realize I was off-topic. I think the definition of size across the board is being sliced, diced and rehashed to support the interests of companies selling clothes and the expanding public at large.

My wife is 5'10". She had a bmi of 16 before children and 20-21 after. She was trying on pants and found that a different cut of pants at the same store "dropped" her from a size 6 to a size 4.

She asked my opinion to which I responded, you look better in the other pants (size 6) besides it's just a tag, it's not like you miraculously got skinnier putting on the size 4 pants.

But what do I know?... she bought them because they said she was a size 4, but hey she's the one that's going to wear them, so whatever works for her.

Personally I think we should just go to inches or centimeters and be done with it.
 

I think she looks unhealthy. Not extremely unhealthy, but unhealthy enough that i dont feel it should be glamorized. She's campaigning against 'size 0' people. So combat it with a healthy BMI! just some nice curves and an imperfect bikini bad like most people have. She is very brave, but i think she is a little mislead. I'm torn on the issue, she does look very nice in the non-bikini photos. I dont think its right to encourage or condone obesity. Its enough of a problem for so many as it is.

and nasuoni:

"One thing I've found interesting recently is that they've banned underweight models, fearing girls going to anorexia and bulimia.

But, they aren't banning overweight models? Somewhat a double standard."

good point!

 

this wasn't a fitness competition, this was a beauty pagent and I am sure that she is not the only person who has won a beauty pagent and been unhealthy.

And, how a person looks in a picture with bad lighting, bad angling, etc is generally a far cry from what they look like in person. not to mention with clothes on in person.

and as far as healthy is concerned, there are plenty of people that try to eat their fruits and vegetables, and work out a couple of times a week and still have a lot of cushion for the pushin.  lets not assume that she is going home and stuffing her face with donuts and sitting on the sofa all night.

i'd LOVE to look like her in a bikini. people are @ssh0les. she looks great, and takes some of the pressure off easily-influenced women to be as thin as possible.