Weight Loss and Popularity

My friend said that after she lost about 30 lbs (140 lbs-110 lbs), she immediately became a lot more popular. People started talking to her more. She got more invitations to events and things. She even got asked out by a few boys. 

Do you think that skinnier people are more popular? What have your experiences been in the past?

when I am having a "I feel sexy day".  but it's not about being thin.  it's about walking around knowing you're hot-  no matter what you weigh.  you naturally become more outgoing when you feel more confident and sexy.  it's just the nature of it. 

I've been thin, medium, heavy and obese. When I was thin I got more positive attention. I got waited on more quickly. I got better customer service. I received help more quickly.

I've seen experiments about this and my experiences mirrored those.

When your friend lost her weight did she become more outgoing and sociable?

It could have been her attitude that changed and made her more popular.

I know lots of larger people that are the life of the party, very popular and are confident.  It all depends on attitude and how you present yourself.

Original Post by spoiled_candy:

When your friend lost her weight did she become more outgoing and sociable?

It could have been her attitude that changed and made her more popular.

I know lots of larger people that are the life of the party, very popular and are confident.  It all depends on attitude and how you present yourself.

No--in fact, she became less and less confident, more quiet, more worried about her weight and less energetic because she lost her weight in an unhealthy way.

yup, unfortinately the masses apparently love skinny people and hate fat people.

Wow just goes to show you that some people don't get happy by losing weight and some 'friends' are just shallow.

Is she getting help for herself?  It sounds like she needs some support from a good friend that she can trust to help her adjust.

Original Post by spoiled_candy:

Wow just goes to show you that some people don't get happy by losing weight and some 'friends' are just shallow.

Is she getting help for herself?  It sounds like she needs some support from a good friend that she can trust to help her adjust.

She's recovering.

Anyone else have personal experiences with this? I haven't, but from what I've heard it's fairly common...trying to confirm (or not) this?

Research does indeed support this. Skinny people get more attention, are thought more highly of, get better medical care, etc, etc.

Personally, it never changed the relationships that mattered. The dating and friendships that are actually based on personality. But when it comes to getting talked to in a bar or on the street, oh yes, skinny wins.

Don't confuse skinny or thin with underweight, because overly thin people are just as "unappealing" as overweight people to the shallow-eye. A thin healthy weight is well healthy, and is naturally more attractive because we want ourselves a healthy mate. ;D Y'know to pop out babies or build that nest!

Unfortunately, I think this is true. :0 Though I've never been skinny(yet), I've certainly been treated like dirt on more than a few occasions because of my size. Do I think being skinny makes you queen? Nah, I think it just stimulates the eye a little more, maybe makes people more willing to figure you out. However, if you're a jerk, no amount of crunches can take that away. <3

I've known heavier popular people and thin people who were not popular. It's all about the 'tude and personality. I can see how a boost in confidence (from weight loss maybe) could also contribute.

I`ve been everything from extremely popular to pretty unpopular and it was always about the crowd I would hang out with. I highly doubt my weight has ever been an issue to anyone but myself.

i don't think it is directly weight loss but more the person feeling so much better about themselves because of it.

Original Post by moonikins:

I've been thin, medium, heavy and obese. When I was thin I got more positive attention. I got waited on more quickly. I got better customer service. I received help more quickly.

I've seen experiments about this and my experiences mirrored those.

when i started CC way back when, i had no clue about the weight discrimination thing. once i had been on here awhile and listened to people i found out about it. i had no clue so it was quite enlightening. one can learn sooo much here. :)

anyways, when im feeling ON and im out and about in RL, i like to shoot the **** with random people just to make the day go by. and i also smile at some people i dont know, i have no idea why...wtf?

anyways, i have tried real hard to include overweight people as much as possible, i guess because i have so much more compassion for them after being here so long. i have definitely noticed that a fair amount of them are suprised or not used to random crazy strangers being nice or chatty with them. you can soooo see it in their face. i think thats really sad.

Funnily enough i have actually found that since i have lost weight i have had more negative attention especially from girls which i have put down to jealousy.

Several years ago, when I was in college, I developed an eating disorder and lost about 15 lbs over the course of a couple months.  It was mainly due to lots of stress, and I felt awful, but I immediately noticed that people (especially my family) were over the moon with my "new look."  (To be fair, they still don't know that it was due to an eating disorder).  Several relatives even took me on shopping trips to buy me "cute clothes," and my friends started inviting me to more parties.  I was ashamed of the unhealthy way that I had lost the weight, but all the positive attention made it really hard to give up my bad habits.  I was finally able to give up the eating disorder after about a year, and gained back all the weight plus a few lbs more.  I got a lot of criticism about "letting myself go," but I knew I was doing the healthy thing. 

A few years later, I decided to get on CC and lose the weight the right way, and after losing 11 lbs, the positive attention is starting back up.  I take it with a grain of salt, because I know deep down that most of these people don't know the difference between "skinny" and "happy."  The hard part is learning to ignore the comments, both good and bad, because they only keep you from seeing the important things: being healthy, being happy, and having self respect. 

I have lost 44 pounds and still have a ways to go but I have noticed that people treat me differently. I get more walk-around smiles where before I got looks of disgust. I have always been a jolly fat person on the outside so in my case I don't think I am acting any differently.

It's true that some people are very prejudiced against bigger people - that's life.   They're also prejudiced against ugly people, disabled people, those with speech impediments and the old.  (You think you disappear off the social radar when you're fat... try getting old!!)

Although, when it comes to adolescents, if you're wearing the wrong type of trainers, need glasses or you're not listening to the right music you're a social outcast.   (Children can be very cruel.) 

NB... If you're unpopular, lose weight and suddenly the same people that ignored you now want to be your friend..... treat those people with the contempt they deserve.    

Original Post by rockyoursocks:

Do you think that skinnier people are more popular?

 Yes.  Duh.