Scorpiogal
New member
I'm certainly not arguing that initial attraction is important. My point is that my weight-loss motivation comes from within, and if any man dared to judge me based on a few extra pounds, they can go to hell. That's all
The Anti Gym
- Thread starter Wild Vulpix
- Start date
I'm certainly not arguing that initial attraction is important. My point is that my weight-loss motivation comes from within, and if any man dared to judge me based on a few extra pounds, they can go to hell. That's all
SakanaUshi
New member
I saw a really interesting special on Discovery about the science of sex appeal. It's not just that we're shallow and stupid. It's more that we're lazy. But I have to go, so I'll post later.
fatshowdown
New member
why do i need to put a stupid title here every damn time
I agree with some of what you said, but for different reasons, NOT because we are "stupid shallow zombies".
"Back in the day" Fat people were desireable because it was directly correlated with wealth, not with beauty and health. If you had money, you could afford to eat plenty, and fatness showed that. Or if you go back even further it correlated with survival, people with more fat signified they were good at hunting/gathering food.
However if you look at a timeline, really fat people from medieval times would be less fat than really fat people today (there would also be less of them, the only fat people back then were royalty/nobility), even though there are no benefits of being fat today. We just keep getting fatter and fatter when there is no need.
Now that science has improved, and we know that being fat is not enjoyable nor is it healthy (who wants to have trouble bending over and putting their effing shoes on...THEN be out of breath afterward?), our minds have indeed switched to being attracted to healthier-looking people. Its been proven that healthier people have sharper minds, better sex, and an overall happier existence. So why would we NOT want to be healthier and leaner?
However, it IS a little different for women because some cultures really did actually see heavier women as beautiful, and there is actually 1 such culture that I know of that still sees it that way. One way to notice this is to look at the trends in art over hundreds of years (at one time, paintings reflected a plump belly, round bottom, and smaller chest on women was the pinnacle of feminine beauty).
Sooo, it seems that it could be a combination of BOTH society norms AND health benefits.
If we didn't put any importance on physical attractiveness we wouldn't be human beings. All of us want to be physically attractive, if it weren't for physical attractiveness none of us would be here, because no one would want to have sex with anybody. Its something in our brains that is just natural.
TRUE attraction comes AFTER physical attraction, when you start to really know and love your significant other just for being who they are.
I agree with some of what you said, but for different reasons, NOT because we are "stupid shallow zombies".
"Back in the day" Fat people were desireable because it was directly correlated with wealth, not with beauty and health. If you had money, you could afford to eat plenty, and fatness showed that. Or if you go back even further it correlated with survival, people with more fat signified they were good at hunting/gathering food.
However if you look at a timeline, really fat people from medieval times would be less fat than really fat people today (there would also be less of them, the only fat people back then were royalty/nobility), even though there are no benefits of being fat today. We just keep getting fatter and fatter when there is no need.
Now that science has improved, and we know that being fat is not enjoyable nor is it healthy (who wants to have trouble bending over and putting their effing shoes on...THEN be out of breath afterward?), our minds have indeed switched to being attracted to healthier-looking people. Its been proven that healthier people have sharper minds, better sex, and an overall happier existence. So why would we NOT want to be healthier and leaner?
However, it IS a little different for women because some cultures really did actually see heavier women as beautiful, and there is actually 1 such culture that I know of that still sees it that way. One way to notice this is to look at the trends in art over hundreds of years (at one time, paintings reflected a plump belly, round bottom, and smaller chest on women was the pinnacle of feminine beauty).
Sooo, it seems that it could be a combination of BOTH society norms AND health benefits.
If we didn't put any importance on physical attractiveness we wouldn't be human beings. All of us want to be physically attractive, if it weren't for physical attractiveness none of us would be here, because no one would want to have sex with anybody. Its something in our brains that is just natural.
TRUE attraction comes AFTER physical attraction, when you start to really know and love your significant other just for being who they are.
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ChefChiTown
New member
See, I don't buy that. Obviously, we have different opinions on this and I just want you to know that I'm not like putting you down or anything; just voicing my opinion.
Physical attraction is BS. If you talk on the phone with somebody a lot (for example) and get to know who they are as a person, you can be attracted to them without even knowing what they look like. CAN people be physically attracted to someone? Yes, absolutely. That's called lust. But, you don't have to be physically attracted to someone at all (or even before) you get to know them as a person and develop feeings for them.
Personally, I just think it's all a societally driven standard that people need to be physically attractive in order to attract other people. We are force fed this notion that we need to look a certain way and dress a certain way, or else we won't attract a mate. Since those looks have changed over the years, that only tells me that we just follow along with whatever society deems to be "sexy" and attractive.
It's all a trend and eventually it will die. What is attractive now won't be attractive in the future. Why? Not because it all of a sudden gets ugly, because it will all look exactly the same...it's because of society and people just follow along with the trends and fads of life without using their own hearts and thinking for themselves.
fatshowdown
New member
I feel put down Chef...I feel put down...
BUT...if physical attraction is seriously THAT much BS, why are we on this forum?...HHHMMMMmmmm......PURELY for support in being healthy? Or also for support to look better NAKED?! I confess I'm here for both, I'd like to not suffer from a cardiovascular-disease-related death when I turn 30, but I'd also like to proudly own one of those full-length mirrors.
There IS such thing as being attracted to someone's personality, but not the persons physical appearance. Well, according to women anyway.
God knows plenty of us dudes, whether we're skinny or fat, have gotten that load of crap before.
But ultimately we are all unique individuals with our own personal preferences and point of views.
...even though I'm right in everything and you are right in NOTHING! HAH!
ChefChiTown
New member
I'm on this forum because I'm a fat pig. I want to lose weight for two reasons:
1) My health
2) Other people judge me for my looks and I can't beat that
I can't control what society does or how it molds other people. The only thing I can control is myself. I know when to stop fighting a losing battle and I can't defeat the brainwashing power of society, so...I give up.
I'm going to lose weight to get healthy, but I'm also losing weight so I can give into the whole idea of having a sexy image. I can't even count the number of women who have told me how amazing I am (funny, smart, sensitive, caring, honest, blah blah blah), but won't go out with me. I'm not want women want, as far as looks go.
Personally, I don't care how someone looks, but a lot of other people do. What works for the goose doesn't necessarily work for the gander, but sometimes a goose has to fly along side of everybody else to get what they want. I want a woman to give me a chance for once instead of judging me based on my looks. So, I'm giving into the whole idea of having a sexy body and flying along with everyone else on this one.
In case you are wondering; YES, I am actually a goose.
SakanaUshi
New member
Okay, back from the museum.
The whole physical attractiveness thing is pretty well documented scientifically. We look for physical clues about a person's health, wealth, and fertility. Men with broad shoulders, a square jaw, defined muscles, and a deep voice tend to have more testosterone, which increases fertility. Women find these things more attractive in general. Same goes for obvious signs of wealth: a nice car, nice clothes, having a job title that implies wealth, etc. Wealthy men are able to provide for a family. Women also like commitment. Manliness, wealth, and commitment. Man-boobs aren't manly. And being fat doesn't imply wealth the way it used to.
Of course, personality and intelligence play a role, but it rarely gets to that point if the women isn't interested in the first place.
On the reverse, women are more able to conceive when they aren't too big, and an hourglass figure is also a good sign: narrow hips aren't good either. Healthy skin and hair are signs of good nutrition. Big breasts suggest an ability to feed babies. A higher voice is a sign of increased estrogen levels, which improve fertility. This is all hard-wired, mind you. We look for these clues instinctively... at least, the research seems to suggest as much.
Yes, history has seen times when "big" women were attractive, but that was mostly a matter of big hips and breasts, not guts. The proportions of old school fertility goddess were a bit odd, but they weren't necessarily fat.
Anyway, that's mostly regurgitated from what I remember of the special. It makes sense. It's not just societal views being forced on women. That happens, but it doesn't have to do with men finding women attractive. The problem is the model-skinny ideal, not the idea that obesity is unattractive.
The whole physical attractiveness thing is pretty well documented scientifically. We look for physical clues about a person's health, wealth, and fertility. Men with broad shoulders, a square jaw, defined muscles, and a deep voice tend to have more testosterone, which increases fertility. Women find these things more attractive in general. Same goes for obvious signs of wealth: a nice car, nice clothes, having a job title that implies wealth, etc. Wealthy men are able to provide for a family. Women also like commitment. Manliness, wealth, and commitment. Man-boobs aren't manly. And being fat doesn't imply wealth the way it used to.
Of course, personality and intelligence play a role, but it rarely gets to that point if the women isn't interested in the first place.
On the reverse, women are more able to conceive when they aren't too big, and an hourglass figure is also a good sign: narrow hips aren't good either. Healthy skin and hair are signs of good nutrition. Big breasts suggest an ability to feed babies. A higher voice is a sign of increased estrogen levels, which improve fertility. This is all hard-wired, mind you. We look for these clues instinctively... at least, the research seems to suggest as much.
Yes, history has seen times when "big" women were attractive, but that was mostly a matter of big hips and breasts, not guts. The proportions of old school fertility goddess were a bit odd, but they weren't necessarily fat.
Anyway, that's mostly regurgitated from what I remember of the special. It makes sense. It's not just societal views being forced on women. That happens, but it doesn't have to do with men finding women attractive. The problem is the model-skinny ideal, not the idea that obesity is unattractive.
fatshowdown
New member
AAaaaawwww, Chef, I'd totally go out with you. I'd PROBABLY even be the bitch if we did. I like you THAT much, and we're not...even...gay.
ChefChiTown
New member
Or...are...we? DUN DUN DUUUUUN!!!
No, but seriously, we're not. Not that there's anything wrong with that! (Seinfeld)
fatshowdown
New member
G
Guest
Guest
If someone will pay to be degraded - and their world revolves around shallowness - they deserve to have their money taken away by that low-life supposed-trainer.