Adele and weight comments

RonMexico

Adele has hit back at Karl Largerfeld's "too fat" comment, insisting she is proud of her figure.

The Chanel creative director, who now claims his remark was taken out of context, complemented the 'Someone Like You' singer on her beauty in Paris'

Metro newspaper earlier this week, but then appeared to accuse her of being a "little too fat".

He has since apologised, but Adele, 23, says she has never aspired to be stick-thin.

She said: "I've never wanted to look like models on the cover of magazines.

"I represent the majority of women and I'm very proud of that."

While her spokesman declined to comment on Lagerfeld's remarks, Adele maintains that she likes herself exactly as she is.

She told People Magazine: "I'd lose weight if I was an actress and had to play a role where you're supposed to be 40 pounds lighter, but weight has nothing to do with my career.

"Even when I was signing [a contract], most of the industry knew if anyone ever dared say [lose weight] to me, they wouldn't be working with me."

She is due to give her first performance at Sunday night's Grammy Awards - where she is nominated in six categories - since undergoing surgery on her vocal chords.


Read more: http://www.breakingnews.ie/archives/2012/0209/entertainment/adele-responds-to-largerfeld-too-fat-comment-539193.html#ixzz1lzUACKIx

Ok a few points here:

I think Karl Lagerfeld should probably have been a bit more careful when making his comment, or indeed maybe he shouldn't have made it all. Weight is obviously a sensitive issue for a lot of people.

The bit in bold about Adele not wanting to be stick-thin looks like it was the journalist putting words in her mouth. The part in quotes was where she said she didn't want to look like a model on the cover of a magazine.

However the next bit I found to be quite the claim. In my opinion Adele is certainly not representative of the majority of women. Am I incorrect in thinking this? I do think that she is overweight and I don't think it is something that should be celebrated.

I also found her comment about weight having nothing to do with her career to be equally odd. Of course it has nothing to do with your career, but it has everything to do with your health.

The reason why I am posting this is that I have noticed a lot of talk recently about the whole "big is beautiful" and "A real woman has curves" being used to justify being overweight and also another trend of equating being thin with being miserable. What about simply being proud to be healthy?

Is there a growing narrative that overweight is the new "normal" and that it is ok because you are "happy"?

Would appreciate your opinion on this.

She's a size 16 according to google (I don't know what she looks like) and the average dress size in the UK also according to google is indeed a 16

Babooshka

RonMexico wrote: »

Ok a few points here:

I think Karl Lagerfeld should probably have been a bit more careful when making his comment, or indeed maybe he shouldn't have made it all. Weight is obviously a sensitive issue for a lot of people.

The bit in bold about Adele not wanting to be stick-thin looks like it was the journalist putting words in her mouth. The part in quotes was where she said she didn't want to look like a model on the cover of a magazine.

However the next bit I found to be quite the claim. In my opinion Adele is certainly not representative of the majority of women. Am I incorrect in thinking this? I do think that she is overweight and I don't think it is something that should be celebrated.

I also found her comment about weight having nothing to do with her career to be equally odd. Of course it has nothing to do with your career, but it has everything to do with your health.

The reason why I am posting this is that I have noticed a lot of talk recently about the whole "big is beautiful" and "A real woman has curves" being used to justify being overweight and also another trend of equating being thin with being miserable. What about simply being proud to be healthy?

Is there a growing narrative that overweight is the new "normal" and that it is ok because you are "happy"?

Would appreciate your opinion on this.

The "Real Women" topic and plenty of arguing has been done to death on Boards, do a search.

She doesn't look obese to me if that's what you're insinuating. She is not an athletic looking person but so what, she isn't obese and if you don't think he should have said what he said, why drag it up? Big is beautiful argument is going on since the Renaissance, doesn't make it true and maybe some people are lazily using it as an excuse not to go for a jog, but not all.

I don't know what you mean about the "majority of women" either.
I have never seen so many underweight and overweight people on the planet as I have now, going to polar extremes seems to be the order of the day. And most of it is all done to please others. So, let's all watch our own weight, and keep quiet about everyone elses. Shhhh.:(

Storminateacup

Yes. It's their own business. A bigger person might not be healthy but it's just affecting them... All those skinny people "concerned" about bigger peoples health, I'm sure are the picture of health themselves, no drinking, no drugs, no smoking, no eating processed food?? Like hell.

IMO it's got nothing to do with being concerned about anothers health and everything to do with insecure people having "reasons" trying to make people feel bad about themselves...

Doesn't he represent Chanel? Where all the Chanel models look like they could use a couple mugs of complan and a good Sunday dinner, which i'm pretty sure is more of a danger to health.

Adele is amazing and she is beautiful

Penny Dreadful

bluewolf wrote: »

She's a size 16 according to google (I don't know what she looks like) and the average dress size in the UK also according to google is indeed a 16

Which really only means that the average UK woman is overweight.

Lagerfeld himself was obese at one stage and lost a whole lot of weight so I'm sure he is aware of how difficult it is to do and keep off.

Being overweight is unhealthy for a myriad of reasons. People seem to find it ok and acceptable to tell someone they are " a skinny b1tch" but if you tell someone that they are overweight its cruel, offensive, mean, etc.

The amount of health problems coming down the line at Western society because being overweight has become ok is very worrying.

RonMexico

Ok interesting. I did a bit of googling myself there and found this:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/nov/26/obesity-uk-eu-survey


Basically an EU survey has found that UK women top the obesity league, and UK men are second. Figures also reveal that more young people are obese in Britain than any other country in Europe

Ireland came second in the same survey apparently.

In my opinion size 16 is overweight. Adele does not look like she has what is considered a healthy BMI. Maybe I am wrong on this and I am open to correction.

EDIT: Maybe I am wrong to say that size 16 is overweight. I think maybe using dress size as an indicator might be wrong, I don't know.

Penny Dreadful

Penny Dreadful wrote: »

Which really only means that the average UK woman is overweight.

I was answering "do you think she is representative of women" in the OP
the answer seems to be yes regardless of whether they are overweight or not

Penny Dreadful

bluewolf wrote: »

I was answering "do you think she is representative of women" in the OP
the answer seems to be yes regardless of whether they are overweight or not

Fair enough........little scared as I wasn't having a go. Really just agreeing.

Lia_lia

Haha, it's Karl Lagerfeld, what do people expect.


Fairplay to Adele for speaking out, though. Not a huge fan of her music but it really is none of anyones business what size she is. Obesity is a problem today, but so are eating disorders/unhealthy lifestyles in general. From what I can see Adele seems much healthier than most celebs out there these days.

I'm sick of hearing about weight. The (western) world has become obsessed with it.

Penny Dreadful

Storminateacup wrote: »

Yes. It's their own business. A bigger person might not be healthy but it's just affecting them... All those skinny people "concerned" about bigger peoples health, I'm sure are the picture of health themselves, no drinking, no drugs, no smoking, no eating processed food?? Like hell.

IMO it's got nothing to do with being concerned about anothers health and everything to do with insecure people having "reasons" trying to make people feel bad about themselves...

Doesn't he represent Chanel? Where all the Chanel models look like they could use a couple mugs of complan and a good Sunday dinner, which i'm pretty sure is more of a danger to health.

Adele is amazing and she is beautiful

It doesn't really. Thats like saying that anytime a rich famous person is criticised its because the ordinary people are "just jealous".

My mother is overweight. Its unhealthy and I am concerned about it. Many people tell me that "ah sure she's grand" etc etc etc but she is my mother and I know that being overweight can cause/ excaberate joint problems, type 2 diabetes, influence certain cancers, stroke, heart disease etc etc. I love her and want her to be alive and healthy.
When I talk to her about this it certainly doesn't make me feel better about insecurities I may or may not have.

Storminateacup

Penny Dreadful wrote: »

It doesn't really. Thats like saying that anytime a rich famous person is criticised its because the ordinary people are "just jealous".

My mother is overweight. Its unhealthy and I am concerned about it. Many people tell me that "ah sure she's grand" etc etc etc but she is my mother and I know that being overweight can cause/ excaberate joint problems, type 2 diabetes, influence certain cancers, stroke, heart disease etc etc. I love her and want her to be alive and healthy.
When I talk to her about this it certainly doesn't make me feel better about insecurities I may or may not have.

Do you have the same amount of concern for Adele as you have for your mom?

seamus

RonMexico wrote: »

EDIT: Maybe I am wrong to say that size 16 is overweight. I think maybe using dress size as an indicator might be wrong, I don't know.

It is wrong, more-or-less, because dress size is an absolute measure rather than a proportional one.

So in the same way that a 32" waist on a 6 foot man will look very slim, a 32" waist on a 5 foot man may put him in the overweight category. For women, a size 16 on a 6 foot woman probably puts her slap bang in the "normal and sexy" category, but on an average height women puts her in the overweight category.

It's hard to tell with Adele as many of the pictures seem to be heavily airbrushed and there's a lot of focus on her beautiful face rather than full-body shots, even on the red carpet.

A quick google image search though gives a lot of variance, which indicates to me that while she may not aspire to be stick-thin, she does struggle a lot with her weight and goes up and down quite often. She's probably a lot like Charlotte Church - she holds excess weight extremely well and still looks good, but is usually on the "slightly overweight" side except for some brief periods of being overweight or normal weight.

Penny Dreadful

Lia_lia wrote: »

Haha, it's Karl Lagerfeld, what do people expect.


Fairplay to Adele for speaking out, though. Not a huge fan of her music but it really is none of anyones business what size she is. Obesity is a problem today, but so are eating disorders/unhealthy lifestyles in general. From what I can see Adele seems much healthier than most celebs out there these days.

I'm sick of hearing about weight. The (western) world has become obsessed with it.

In some ways very negatively i.e. aneroxia nervosa and other eating disorders but more so too accepting of what had become an unhealthy lifestyle.
If exercise and healthy eating could be given on prescription it would be.

She seems to vary

http://www.billboard.com/photos/stylus/1019539-adele-BRIT-617-409.jpg
http://blog.debenhams.com/BeautyClub/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/adele.jpg
http://thecount.com/wp-content/uploads/adele.jpg

although apparently

In a recent interview, given just after her dramatic weight loss from her throat surgery...

Penny Dreadful

Storminateacup wrote: »

Do you have the same amount of concern for Adele as you have for your mom?

Of course not, I was using my mother to illustrate that you can have genuine concern about excess weight. It is not fake concern to make me (or someone else) feel better about something else.

The increase so normalising of excess weight has made it acceptable when it shouldn't be. Being overweight is dangerous. Being underweight can be dangerous too. However, there is not likely to be an epidemic of anorexia nervosa sweeping Ireland soon but there is, on its way, a serious problem with obesity and people being overweight, from children to adults.

Scarinae

Penny Dreadful wrote: »

Which really only means that the average UK woman is overweight.

Lagerfeld himself was obese at one stage and lost a whole lot of weight so I'm sure he is aware of how difficult it is to do and keep off.

Being overweight is unhealthy for a myriad of reasons. People seem to find it ok and acceptable to tell someone they are " a skinny b1tch" but if you tell someone that they are overweight its cruel, offensive, mean, etc.

The amount of health problems coming down the line at Western society because being overweight has become ok is very worrying.

If he was obese, surely he must know how hurtful such comments can be? Most people who are overweight are highly aware of it, especially people who are in the public eye.

I don’t see why he made the remark about Adele in the first place – why single her out? Adele is a singer, not a model, it’s not as if she makes her money from the way that she looks. Surely her size is irrelevant?

I do find it annoying the way the term ‘real women’ seems to be used to mean ‘overweight women’ (are slimmer women not real?!), but I find it even more annoying the way you can’t read an article about Adele without some reference to her weight. If she was a guy, I don’t think there would be as much focus on her size.

RonMexico

I only used the Adele story as it got me thinking about the whole weight thing. Obviously nobody would like their weight to become a national debate.

Despite people thinking that weight is a private issue well I have to disagree as the issue of weight is going to only become more and more a public issue in the years ahead as the implications of being overweight put an enormous burden on our health system.

Do you think that what is considered to be "healthy" in Ireland today is in fact "unhealthy" in terms of BMI? Is that something that can even be accurately judged?

seamus

Fishie wrote: »

I do find it annoying the way the term ‘real women’ seems to be used to mean ‘overweight women’ (are slimmer women not real?!)

It's been stolen/bastardised somewhat. From what I remember of the term "real women" coming in, it was used more in defiance of the Kate Moss catwalk model body style with knees bigger than their thighs and pointy hip bones. "Real woman" was supposed to refer to a woman who doesn't look like a heroin addict.

But it's since been stolen by people in denial who don't seem to realise there's a happy medium between "catwalk model" and "beached whale".

KKkitty

Adele looks miles better than some of the emaciated models on the catwalk. So what she may be overweight for her height but why should she change for anyone. It's her body and she can do what she likes with it. The media has a big part to play in weight problems. One day they applaud someone for embracing their curves and the next they have a part to lose x amount of weight in a space of time. Healthy body weights are obtained by a proper eating plan and adequate exercise but it's down to the individual whether they want to lose it or not.

RonMexico

KKkitty wrote: »

Adele looks miles better than some of the emaciated models on the catwalk. So what she may be overweight for her height but why should she change for anyone. It's her body and she can do what she likes with it. The media has a big part to play in weight problems. One day they applaud someone for embracing their curves and the next they have a part to lose x amount of weight in a space of time. Healthy body weights are obtained by a proper eating plan and adequate exercise but it's down to the individual whether they want to lose it or not.

True, I just took concern with her comment about being representative of the majority of UK women. I don't think she meant that she was representative of them being overweight (as that survey revealed) I think she said that to justify her weight as being normal/healthy.

ThinkAboutIt

She's a "real" woman.

*Please note, some people may use the word "fat" instead of "real."

Penny Dreadful

Fishie wrote: »

If he was obese, surely he must know how hurtful such comments can be? Most people who are overweight are highly aware of it, especially people who are in the public eye.

I don’t see why he made the remark about Adele in the first place – why single her out? Adele is a singer, not a model, it’s not as if she makes her money from the way that she looks. Surely her size is irrelevant?

I do find it annoying the way the term ‘real women’ seems to be used to mean ‘overweight women’ (are slimmer women not real?!), but I find it even more annoying the way you can’t read an article about Adele without some reference to her weight. If she was a guy, I don’t think there would be as much focus on her size.

Or maybe hearing a "hurtful" comment made him realise that he had a serious health issue and so took charge and changed? Maybe being scared of saying something to someone about their excess (and so dangerous) weight has helped to cause the public health issue?

Penny Dreadful

RonMexico wrote: »

True, I just took concern with her comment about being representative of the majority of UK women. I don't think she meant that she was representative of them being overweight (as that survey revealed) I think she said that to justify her weight as being normal/healthy.[/QUOTE]

One thing is for sure, normal (common, frequent, etc) doesn't always equate to healthy.

Penny Dreadful

KKkitty wrote: »

Adele looks miles better than some of the emaciated models on the catwalk. So what she may be overweight for her height but why should she change for anyone. It's her body and she can do what she likes with it. The media has a big part to play in weight problems. One day they applaud someone for embracing their curves and the next they have a part to lose x amount of weight in a space of time. Healthy body weights are obtained by a proper eating plan and adequate exercise but it's down to the individual whether they want to lose it or not.

We encourage people to stop smoking despite the fact that it is their body, their health to do as they wish with.
We encourage people to drink less despite the above too.

You change for yourself and your health.

Cherry Blossom Girl

I thought the same thing when I heard this on the radio today. There is a difference between being a healthy weight and having curves and being overweight. Adele is definitely overweight. Given that she is a public figure, she has a responsibility to her fans and the public to set a good example. Being overweight and celebrating it is not a good example, just like being too thin is not a good example either. I wish that more celebrities (both overweight and underweight) would use their public voice to encourage and partake in healthy living instead of celebrating their extremes.

However, I do admire her for being brave enough to launch her career when she knew that she would get comments about her weight, and no, her weight does not take away from her talent at all.

The whole "big beautiful women" thing really irks me, it's basically giving women an excuse to be overweight and not feel compelled to do something about it. It's especially troublesome in today's society where the levels of obeisity are rising every year. I know that being anorexic or underweight is seen as a lot more harmful than being overweight, but they are both equally damaging IMO.

Dolbert

Why oh why must every single female celebrity's weight be commented on ad nauseum? It shouldn't matter a jot whether she's overweight/ underweight or not. I also despise the way that if a female celebrity is deemed to be under/ overweight, she's criticised for somehow 'glamourising' an unhealthy body image, merely by existing.

I've recently started adopting the 'End Fat Talk' philosophy. If my friends start going on about weight, I'll steer the subject elsewhere. By constantly talking about these topics we end up egging each other on to measure our self worth in terms of body mass. It is very difficult to change when the media feeds into weight obsession like this.

Lia_lia

Bright__Eyes wrote: »

Given that she is a public figure, she has a responsibility to her fans and the public to set a good example.
.

No she doesn't. She didn't get in the public eye to make people think it's okay to be overweight, she is a good singer and that's why she is famous.

Dolorous wrote: »

Why oh why must every single female celebrity's weight be commented on ad nauseum? It shouldn't matter a jot whether she's overweight/ underweight or not. I also despise the way that if a female celebrity is deemed to be under/ overweight, she's criticised for somehow 'glamourising' an unhealthy body image, merely by existing.

Exactly!

Penny Dreadful

Dolorous wrote: »

Why oh why must every single female celebrity's weight be commented on ad nauseum? It shouldn't matter a jot whether she's overweight/ underweight or not. I also despise the way that if a female celebrity is deemed to be under/ overweight, she's criticised for somehow 'glamourising' an unhealthy body image, merely by existing.

I've recently started adopting the 'End Fat Talk' philosophy. If my friends start going on about weight, I'll steer the subject elsewhere. By constantly talking about these topics we end up egging each other on to measure our self worth in terms of body mass. It is very difficult to change when the media feeds into weight obsession like this.

Because all too often being a female celebrity is based around how you look. Movie and TV actresses (and increasingly) actors will only have successsful careers if they are considered to be attractive. Being overweight is not found to be attractive for many different reasons.
Then if you add in many singers, especially those of the Britney Spears ilk and XFactor creations, how you look and how your image is received is vital to your success. This applies to women and men.

I do find it interesting though, that despite the media turning like a pack of rabid dogs on anyone (especially any woman) who doesn't fall into their acceptable standard for weight, dress, financial stability, charity do gooding, there is a huge obesity problem. If the media was truly that powerful in influencing people about their weight etc, wouldn't there be an issue and problem with most people being underweight and malnourished instead.

KKkitty

RonMexico wrote: »

KKkitty wrote: »

Adele looks miles better than some of the emaciated models on the catwalk. So what she may be overweight for her height but why should she change for anyone. It's her body and she can do what she likes with it. The media has a big part to play in weight problems. One day they applaud someone for embracing their curves and the next they have a part to lose x amount of weight in a space of time. Healthy body weights are obtained by a proper eating plan and adequate exercise but it's down to the individual whether they want to lose it or not.

True, I just took concern with her comment about being representative of the majority of UK women. I don't think she meant that she was representative of them being overweight (as that survey revealed) I think she said that to justify her weight as being normal/healthy.

For some women it's so easy to put on weight but not as easy to lose it. Most of her material is about a lost love so maybe she comfort eats as a form of escape too. Her lifestyle on the road can't help either. She probably doesn't have time to sit and eat properly and as she doesn't incorporate a dance routine into her songs she's not very active on stage. Her family and friends probably know she won't lose weight and don't pressure her.

Ickle Magoo

It's one person I don't know bitching about another person I don't know - seriously, who cares?!

Never mind weight, what's with the obsession with what anyone with a whiff of celebrity say and do like they are making an important social commentary rather than just filling up space in the tabloids? If Adele is overweight then that's for herself, her doctor and her loved ones to deal with; me, I couldn't give a monkeys.

Actually, after years of "heroin chic" (I mean ffs, what kind of message does THAT send out!) - women who represent all parts of the shape spectrum are a welcome change.

KKkitty

Penny Dreadful wrote: »

KKkitty wrote: »

Adele looks miles better than some of the emaciated models on the catwalk. So what she may be overweight for her height but why should she change for anyone. It's her body and she can do what she likes with it. The media has a big part to play in weight problems. One day they applaud someone for embracing their curves and the next they have a part to lose x amount of weight in a space of time. Healthy body weights are obtained by a proper eating plan and adequate exercise but it's down to the individual whether they want to lose it or not.

We encourage people to stop smoking despite the fact that it is their body, their health to do as they wish with.
We encourage people to drink less despite the above too.

You change for yourself and your health.

That's true. Some people don't want to make changes no matter how good the consequences are.

Penny Dreadful

Ickle Magoo wrote: »

It's one person I don't know bitching about another person I don't know - seriously, who cares?!

Never mind weight, what's with the obsession with what anyone with a whiff of celebrity say and do like they are making an important social commentary rather than just filling up space in the tabloids? If Adele is overweight then that's for herself, her doctor and her loved ones to deal with; me, I couldn't give a monkeys.

Actually, after years of "heroin chic" (I mean ffs, what kind of message does THAT send out!) - women who represent all parts of the shape spectrum are a welcome change.

and on that, wisest of all notes I'm off. Happy Friday ladies!!

ted1

The actual comment he made was

a little too fat

which she is. the fact that she represents the majority of people these days are over weight doesn't make her a hero.

the bottom line is the world is getting a little too fat.

this includes men and women, myself included.

Cherry Blossom Girl

Lia_lia wrote: »

No she doesn't. She didn't get in the public eye to make people think it's okay to be overweight, she is a good singer and that's why she is famous.

Yes I am aware that she is famous because of her talent, I haven't claimed otherwise. You obviously didn't read my post carefully.

My point is now that she is a public figure with people who look up to her and admire her, she is responsible for the image that she portrays to them and the example that she sets. It's a side-effect of being famous.

Ickle Magoo

ted1 wrote: »

The actual comment he made was which she is. the fact that she represents the majority of people these days are over weight doesn't make her a hero.

She's not trying to be a hero - she's a bloody singer. She doesn't represent the WHO, she's not attempting to sell records based on her fitness levels, she sings! Should the Irish Dental Association be publishing articles demonising Shane McGowan as epitomising the dental issues of the youth of today? Perhaps AA could take random pops at one of the Gallagher brothers?

Celebrities, like joe bloggs public, have their foibles. It's nothing more than tabloid trash to gloss over their actual achievements and purpose for being in the public glare in order to pass judgement on some other aspect of their life.

Dolbert

Bright__Eyes wrote: »

My point is now that she is a public figure with people who look up to her and admire her, she is responsible for the image that she portrays to them and the example that she sets. It's a side-effect of being famous.

So celebrities shouldn't be allowed to come in all shapes and sizes? Give over. Maybe we should also ban celebrities who smoke/ drink/ have speeding tickets. Her role is not to 'set an example', it's to be a singer, simple as.

Lia_lia

Bright__Eyes wrote: »

My point is now that she is a public figure with people who look up to her and admire her, she is responsible for the image that she portrays to them and the example that she sets. It's a side-effect of being famous.

Well, I don't think so. She is not responsible for what her fans do. And she should not feel obliged to set any example at all just because she is famous.

Cherry Blossom Girl

Dolorous wrote: »

So celebrities shouldn't be allowed to come in all shapes and sizes? Give over. Maybe we should also ban celebrities who smoke/ drink/ have speeding tickets. Her role is not to 'set an example', it's to be a singer, simple as.

I never said, nor do I think that people can't be different shapes and sizes so I dunno where you pulled that from?
Like I've said twice already, it's a side-effect of being famous. I know she is a singer first and foremost and that is her main concern.

I couldn't give a crap if Adele was 20stone, it doesn't bother me, but it's wrong to claim to represent "real women" in order to justify being an unhealthy weight, be it over or underweight.

Ickle Magoo

Was it a carefully designed response she spent hours deliberating on in order to make a statement and push that idea - or did she make a throwaway comment to a passing journo because someone wholly unrelated to her decided to make a comment about her to boost their own column inches...?

Think it's a more than a little unfair to be picking apart her choice of phrase on a topic of discussion that she did not start and I'm sure wanted no part of.

RonMexico

Bright__Eyes wrote: »

I couldn't give a crap if Adele was 20stone, it doesn't bother me, but it's wrong to claim to represent "real women" in order to justify being an unhealthy weight, be it over or underweight.

Yep there is the nut of it.

RonMexico

Ickle Magoo wrote: »

Was it a carefully designed response she spent hours deliberating on in order to make a statement and push that idea - or did she make a throwaway comment to a passing journo because someone wholly unrelated to her decided to make a comment about her to boost their own column inches...?

Think it's a more than a little unfair to be picking apart her choice of phrase on a topic of discussion that she did not start and I'm sure wanted no part of.

Maybe so but this type of comment is becoming more and more prevalent.

Ickle Magoo

Possibly because of the growing numbers of people (read cash for gossip mags and tabloids) who take celebrities, what they say and how they look far, far, far too seriously...

RonMexico

Either way it is an unhealthy message that should not be accepted.

Ickle Magoo

The world is full of unhealthy messages - the dumbing down of society with the whole "celebrity" gossip/bitch about culture is unhealthy...

Dolbert

Bright__Eyes wrote: »

I couldn't give a crap if Adele was 20stone, it doesn't bother me, but it's wrong to claim to represent "real women" in order to justify being an unhealthy weight, be it over or underweight.

She never claimed to represent "real women", she said she represented the majority of women which is factually true. It was journalists who hijacked her quote to use the phrase "real women", a phrase which, for the record, I despise.

neuro-praxis

I just want to add one thing to this conversation on whether or not Adele can do whatever the fuc|< she likes to her body (yes is the answer to that):

Research has shown that focusing excessively on the stigma surrounding excess weight actually serves to increase obesity problems. Therefore this very thread is adding to the problem of obesity.

I'm overweight. My weight has fluctuated since childhood. I am finding addressing my weight much easier now that I am giving myself permission to be happy with myself. To hell with what anyone has to say about my weight, dressed up as "concern" for my health. The small number of people who actually might be concerned for my health are interested in me, not on the number on the scale.

Seriously, I am done with the fat stigma. I don't care what anyone thinks of me, or any other woman's body. I just don't care. I am happy with me, my husband is happy with me, lumps and all, and my focus now is on caring for all aspects of myself, and trusting that weight will fall into place as I do so.

It's not about big being beautiful. It's about me being beautiful, no matter what my size or shape. And recognising that beauty isn't all about aesthetics. Our bodies are instruments, not ornaments.

PS Adele is freaking gorgeous

Giselle

RonMexico wrote: »

Either way it is an unhealthy message that should not be accepted.

Nobody listens to Adele to find out her thoughts on obesity though, do they?

Personally I don't care what her thoughts are on global warming, healthy eating, the current Euro crisis or basically anything other than what her role is, a singer (and even then I'm not interested).

The only reason we're giving the topic air is because she's a)recognizable, and b)female.

I don't think Jack Black has ever had his weight picked apart or his comments - which may be completely unrelated to the topic - analysed.

But she's a woman who apparently claims to not be ashamed to be fat, which is a huge sin in the eyes of the media.

She's overweight, its her business. She's not a weightwatchers spokesperson, she's a singer.



edit: to echo NP above, her face is absolutely extravagantly beautiful and I had no idea she was chubby until I read this thread. That face though! Wow.

RonMexico

Giselle wrote: »

RonMexico wrote: »

Either way it is an unhealthy message that should not be accepted.

Nobody listens to Adele to find out her thoughts on obesity though, do they?

Personally I don't care what her thoughts are on global warming, healthy eating, the current Euro crisis or basically anything other than what her role is, a singer (and even then I'm not interested).

The only reason we're giving the topic air is because she's a)recognizable, and b)female.

I don't think Jack Black has ever had his weight picked apart or his comments - which may be completely unrelated to the topic - analysed.

But she's a woman who apparently claims to not be ashamed to be fat, which is a huge sin in the eyes of the media.

She's overweight, its her business. She's not a weightwatchers spokesperson, she's a singer.

With an impressionable fanbase. Again I am more interested in what she said as being indicative of a growung narrative that overweight = real woman. As a country with a huge obesity problem this sentiment needs to change regardless of who voices that line, be it Adele, Miss Piggy or your mother, sister, whoever. I'd also include the male equivalent of big burly man etc

blatantrereg

I'd be critical of this bit only:

"I represent the majority of women and I'm very proud of that."

Now, arguing that her weight is her own business is positive. Arguing that her weight has no impact on her ability or worth as a singer or as a person is positive. However with this statement she goes beyond that. She suggests that being overweight is something to be proud of in itself. That's a destructive message to convey. She's in a position where she ought to take responsibility as being a role model.

If she said "would they ever **** off and mind their own business" I'd be much more impressed.

Giselle

RonMexico wrote: »

With an impressionable fanbase. Again I am more interested in what she said as being indicative of a growung narrative that overweight = real woman. As a country with a huge obesity problem this sentiment needs to change regardless of who voices that line, be it Adele, Miss Piggy or your mother, sister, whoever. I'd also include the male equivalent of big burly man etc

Seriously, I don't think anyone thinks the whole Real Woman thing is anything other than another way of saying chunky these days. I think to begin with it was meant to mean real as in not air-brushed or artifically perfected like a magazine photo, the whole world knows its meaning has been hijacked at this point!

I'm 93lbs and 4ft 11, does that mean I'm artificial?

tatumkelly

RonMexico wrote: »

EDIT: Maybe I am wrong to say that size 16 is overweight. I think maybe using dress size as an indicator might be wrong, I don't know.

Overall I think size 16 is overweight. I've just lost 7 1/2 stone, and dropped from size 26 to size 14. I still have about 3 stone to lose to get to my recommended weight, maybe some size 14 women are slimmer than I am...I guess it's to do with height/bone structure rather than just looking at the dress size alone.

Lia_lia wrote: »

I'm sick of hearing about weight. The (western) world has become obsessed with it.

The constant media focus on weight is causing 2 key issues... severely underweight and morbidly obese people. It's a vicious circle really. Both have severe health repercussions which shouldn't be ignored. At the end of the day, nobody should be allowed judge someone because of their weight. A lot of the time, if someone is overweight, they would love to be slimmer but issues like low self esteem keep them from a gym etc. It was a huge thing for me to step into a gym and keep at it, bit fat sweaty mess that I was...I felt like people were judging me. But I persevered and feel amazing now.

The best thing we can do, is be more supportive or people we know who are in need of lifestyle adjustments.

KKkitty wrote: »

Healthy body weights are obtained by a proper eating plan and adequate exercise but it's down to the individual whether they want to lose it or not.

+1

Penny Dreadful wrote: »

Or maybe hearing a "hurtful" comment made him realise that he had a serious health issue and so took charge and changed?

Perhaps, but nobody has the right to make comments that will hurt another person. Does being cruel towards someone else make us any more attractive or intelligent?? :rolleyes: