Apparently Kim Kardashian felt the need to”dispel the myth” that she is plus-sized, (without, of course, resisting the temptation to imply that anyone who actually is plus-sized is lazy and unhealthy).
Not particularly newsworthy, but who am I to tell folks not to roll their eyes at such eyerollworthy nonsense? What I didn’t particularly appreciate were comments on an online fat acceptance community that flat-out rejected the idea that Kardashian could possibly be, as she claimed, a “size 2.” As I responded:
We know that BMI is BS. Dress sizes? Are on a whole ‘nother level of unreality.
I was searching for something else and came upon this old post from the Fatshionista LJ community about adult size ranges and fat acceptance. What really fascinated me upon this viewing was how greatly the height and weight ranged among folks who wore the same dress size. One woman wore a Size 14 when she was 5′10″ and 165 pounds. Another wore the same size at 5′4″ and 205. One woman wore a Size 14 at 6′1″ and 250.
Do I think any of these women are lying? Absolutely not. Attaching numbers to our bodies– and attaching any sort of judgment (even scare-quoted “scientific” judgment) to those numbers– is inherently arbitrary. Our desire to make sense out of the chaos is understandable and deep-seated and rooted in all kinds of unhealthy and oppressive ideas. That’s why things like the BMI Project, the Normal Breast Gallery and the Photographic Height/Weight Chart are so reassuring. There’s really not a lot of sense to be made, and that’s okay.
As someone in recovery for an eating disorder, I don’t like to step on the scale very frequently. I have done so a couple of times since I started this project, and the numbers were fascinating. As part of my desire to erase the meaning I’ve assigned to those three digits, I’ve decided to submit my photo to the Photographic Height/Weight Chart. But before I do, I’d like to invite you to step right up and guess my weight! That’s right! Win a generic chartreuse SpongeBob SquarePants knock-off!
You already have an advantage over The Rotund’s readership– you know I’m just a hair over 5′2″, you know my dress size and even some of my measurements (which are still pretty close to the ones I listed in Size Chart Woes). All you have to do is guess my weight.
The last time I stepped on the scale was the day I wore this outfit:
What say you? I’ll be compiling the guesses over a one-week period, and then I’ll let you know the results and do the big reveal. I was serious about that SpongeBob, too.
Related posts:
OK, I’ll start. I think you weigh between 165-170. Please don’t be upset if it’s actually lower than that!
I just wanted you to know that this has become one of my absolute favorite blogs to read. (I found you from the LJ Fatshionista community.)
Thank you so much! And– *raises right hand*– I do solemnly promise that no one’s guess will offend (or delight) me.
Great post. I am shitty at guessing weights, ages, etc., but having commented on this post, I feel like I must play along, so my guess is 162lbs. Yes, 162 exactly; I don’t know why.
I could complain about the BMI all day, every day.
You’ve seen me, more or less– my BMI is… 43-ish? At 5′1″ and 227.
Solid 14! 39-32-45! 33% body fat! But *morbidly obese*, according to the BMI.
Thanks, Titilayo. Your input has been recorded for posterity.
Right, Dot? Your measurements are eerily similar to mine and you’re just an inch shorter. Maybe I weigh 227. It’s still anybody’s guess.
I’d say 145 lbs. I arrived at this figure by extrapolating my stats and all types of randomness!
I’m gonna guess 165? and 5′6”?
oh heck, i didn’t know there was a prize on the line!!! dammit. :pouts:
Maria– I’m 5′2″! Does that change your guess?
Amen to this post. I looked up the people that are the same height/weight as me, and they look great! However, I think I look terrible. So interesting..and challenging.
I”m not guessing your weight/height because I think you look incredible, and there’s no guessing attached to that.
I’ll go out on a limb and say 170?
132
and drop dead gorgeus
i’m going to guess 152? but i really have no idea!
140?
You look like you have quite a bit of muscle in addition to your curves. That makes guessing very, very difficult! Still.. I’ll throw out a number in the hopes that I’m somewhat close. 164?
It’s difficult to say, though. I know that most people assume I weigh very little because I look extremely thin, but I weigh a good 20lbs more than most of the other people I meet who appear to be my same size. Weight is so strange when it comes to women. It’s so strange it’s almost completely irrelevant. On a side note? You have the most amazing waist/hip ratio! You look like a 40’s pinup girl!
You wear a two at Old Navy? Or did I read that wrong?
I’m going to guess 195 but I think you could be anywhere from 160-215. We carry our weight similarly and when I was around your size people always guess I lot lower than I really weighed.
Thanks, seimei. Reader, yes, I have been known to wear a 2-4 at Old Navy (I’d say a 6 in non-stretchy pants), though I don’t shop there often anymore. I find that Old Navy/Gap/Banana Republic run about a size apart on average, which means I wear about a size larger at Gap and about two sizes larger at BR. This is a not-very-stretchy Gap Size 6 (the same skirt in a Size 4 fit much better), and this Gap dress is a Size Small. Go figure?
[...] Guess my weight and win a prize! And yes, I actually got you a prize– it’s brand-name and everything. Pooh and Tigger, “Disney Cuties” (”Pseudo Anime”) style! I’m sending them to the person with the best guess– or one each to the two closest guessers, in case of a tie. So go for it! And remember, I’m 5′2″. [...]
I was going to enter, but it’s not shoes your offering.
I’ll guess anyway… 152
120?
YES! okay, 5′2”, busty, but a size two at old navy?
let’s say 143.
Hmm…146? Hope I am not too late, but I am guessing I am!
Not too late, Alexis! Just under the wire.
[...] big Guess My Weight reveal! And awarding of Pooh-themed stuffed [...]