Readers Respond: Plus-Size, Full-Figured, or Something Else?

Do you refer to yourself as plus-sized, fat, full-figured, curvy, or something else? I was thinking about that the other day, and there seems to be some very defined camps for terminology.

Do you have a preferred term? Is there any one term that you don't like? For the record, I'm known to say "I'm not exactly a small girl..." whenever I refer to myself!

Adorable big girl

I never describe myself in any other term than adorable because that is how I am... no matter if I am at my size 14 or back up to my size 20 I am still adorable... and that is all that I need to be. Society really puts pressure on the big girl and I refuse to give into it. I am a big girl and I am proud of it. I worked hard to get this adorable body! No matter what the term you refer to describing yourself all that matters is how you see yourself and liking yourself!

—Curve_Appeal

fat

I HATE the way fat/plus sized women get called curvy these days, not all plus sized women are curvy, you couldn't call me curvy by a long shot, I am rotund, like a ball on sticks, thats just how I am. I know I am fat, I have a huge belly and thick neck and big upper arms, fat or big, even when slim I am big though as I have large bones, I was never built to be small and thin.

—Guest Ali

I say plus sized

I was traumatized by the word fat (well, actually, fatty) as a child and can't get over it. Even though I respect people who re-purpose the word. I generally say plus sized, and embrace it. I remember as a kid it was so hard to find anything that fit and looked cute- now, even though I am at the largest size I've ever been at, I'm able to find oodles of cute things to wear.

—Guest Nicole

Fluffy

I often say I'm not fat I'm fluffy. I'm a full size 28. But it doesn't help that my hubby is a skinny size 30 waist. A 4x looks huge next to a medium. Sadly I try not to go out with him much anymore. It's hard to be plus size and proud when kids make piggy noises when you go out and yell hey kool aid when you wear red. What does it really matter what we call ourselves when others minds are as small as their waists.

—Guest CharmBaby

call me

Why do we have to be called anything but my name? I do not mind looking at sizes. I can find my size if it is available. Don't give me a lable. I am a woman and I know my size. Please just have great sizes in 22 on the rack and I will buy them!!

—Guest smartnwise

I say big or plus-sized

I probably use "big" the most because I'm tall as well (5 feet 9 inches and I wear heels a lot) I agree in principle with the idea that fat shouldn't be a bad word, but I'm still not comfortable saying it about myself. I get why some people like to say they're 'real-sized' but I don't say that because it sort of implies that thinner women aren't 'real' or that body size is the most important thing about you. Every woman is 'real', whatever her body looks like.

—Guest Meredith

Plus-size

I've always identified myself as plus-size. The phrase "full-figured" always reminds me of bra ads... not something I want to associate with my overall self-image! I don't have a problem identifying with BBWs or being curvy, but since I'm more fat than curvy, I prefer "plus-size". :o)

—Guest Rosebriar2

curvy/ voluptuous

I love my body. I'm 5'7" and a size 14. My measurements are 40"-32"-45". I admit. I do have times when I'm uncertain about my body, but I find it in me to say I'm beautiful no matter what mind state I'm in. I'm 18, and all the girls my age on t.v. and in magazines parade around in their size 4 bikinis. I find that the more I love myself, the easier it is to be okay with seeing this all the time. I used to get really discouraged and depressed, but not so much anymore. I realize that I probably love myself and take care of myself more that most celebs anyway. Sure, they may work out 4 hrs a day, but it's all part of their career. I'm sure they have days where they wish they could eat a big slice of chocolate cake every once in a while like "normal" people... What I've also noticed, is that the more you love yourself, the easier it is to be the best you you can be, in every aspect. I've lost about 35 lbs, and I couldn't have done it so happily with out working on my heart first...

—Sylvia91

plus-size

to me, in reality plus size but i do like full-figured, its kinda of sexy

—Guest tina

PLUSH

I'm plush-sized, and thrilled that there's finally pretty clothes in larger sizes. When I was younger, there was nothing out there but polyester pull-on pants and tent dresses. We've come a long way, and I guess they realized that our money is just as good as anyone else's.

—Guest Kittenish

fat/fluffy

Fat or fluffy depending on how Im feeling on that day..I HATE the term obese...I think it's because it reminds me of the word "beast". Too negative and mean for me!

—Guest Nicole

Big and Beautiful

I think of myself as curvy and voluptuous...I have lost a few pounds recently, and I am about I size 20 now. I think the most important thing is being happy and comfortable with who you are, and work to develop the most beautiful you, curves and all. There is something very sexy about a confident, curvy woman who takes pride in herself and doesn't let the size 2's of today's image-obsessed society get her down. You should be healthy, but happy. Celebrate your curves!

—Guest Sarah

twice the woman...!!!

well, actually, i normally use 'full figured' or ''woman's'' sized. there have been times, however, when i'm being put down by some anorexic twig of a little girl, that i'll let her know that i'm "twice the woman" that she'll ever be!!!! i was at the doctor's yesterday, and while i am more than the actuarial tables would want, my blood pressure is great, i don't have diabetes, and my cholesterol is amazing!!! so, when you come down to it, i'm healthy, and i revel in it!!!

—Guest cathryn

fat and beautiful

I am horizontally-challenged like I care! but just forget it... I am fat and I am sexy and beautiful and there is no one that can be like me.... I m just glad to be alive!!! and I still make my man crazy lol!!!

—Guest teema

Curvy Big

I tend to call myself curvy and big, which are two things I always am and always will be. I am medium tall, but I have a large frame, with wide shoulders, big muscles and er, stacked. If I were to go on Survivor, I'd still come home a size 14, I'd think. I have fat, but without getting to into the language that's become common (people of color, etc.) fat is a transient state, not a state of permanent being, the only thing, the whole of a person, the defining thing.. And while I can't say i don't have a fair bit of it, I see people in size 8s that have more er, junk in various areas. At what exact point does a person become thin/medium/fat? I don't consider myself plus-size as a lot of plus doesn't fit me.

—Guest K