Why are so many women in their early to mid 20s already so heavy? Is this mainly a USA phenomenon?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I recently spent a number of years in an Eastern European capital. Young women there used to be thin and many still are, but the current generation of young women are different from their mothers and older sisters because they are now drinking as much as the men. And people drink HARD there. And smoke, and drug use is high. And fast food is now freely available. Obesity is spreading, and there are plenty of unhealthy looking young women. The previous poster who talked about how young American women don't look "fresh" compared to Russian women hasn't been home recently, I don't think.

Totally agree. Not only has PP not been back home recently, but he also neglects to mention what most Eastern European women tend to look like after they hit 30. I think American women tend to age way better. (I'm Eastern European.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was wondering just the opposite OP. I live in Georgetown, and I see so many fit young women going to Soul Cycle, yoga, etc. that I don't think girls/young ladies every looked this great. Maybe it's an urban vs. suburban thing.

I had the same experience at my neighborhood pool in NE DC this weekend. Most all of the younger people were slim/fit and attractive and every time I turned around more were coming! I'm usually with my kids and don't pay attention to what's happening on the adult side of the pool.

Give them a few years and see what happens.

Insert a tracking device on them and look them up 2-3 years from now.

This was my experience living in DC. We were in Logan Circle and everyone around us was very slender/fit. Moved to MoCo burbs a few years when we had kids and I'm BY FAR the thinnest person here. And I'm 5'3" and 115, not a stick. People aren't obese or anything, but most carry 15-20 extra lbs.

I think the weight gain happens in large part because people drive everywhere as opposed to walking. There's a nice playground within a 10 minute walk of our house. Everyone around us drives there instead of walking. I'm also out walking daily, pushing a stroller all over the neighborhood (two small kids) - rarely do I run into other moms doing the same. I am a runner and rarely see others out running in my neighborhood. In Logan Circle I never failed to see other runners even very early in the morning, in any weather.

My relative was one of those slender/fit women that you saw running around DC.

Then guess what happened?

She got married, left DC, moved to the suburbs and had 3 kids.

She is now quite heavy.

Her parents are wealthy and her husband is too.

The thing is, I totally get it. In DC I really didn't have to make a huge effort to be fit. We were an almost 20 minute walk from the Red Line (my work commute), and in general I walked everywhere - grocery store, meeting friends, etc. And I had plenty of time for the gym or a leisurely 3-5 mile run apart from that. Now I'm in the suburbs, I have kids and a commute. I have to wake up at 5:30 AM in order to get a short run in a few times a week. After work I rush to get the kids fed and then, unless it's freezing or pouring, we head outside for a walk. I'm slender but I'm always tired. (What I'm not is wealthy...)

Logan Circle resident and runner here. I swear its a mafia. If you go running anytime around lunchtime or on the weekends, the rush hour traffic on the sidewalks is insane.

That's why I love it. Being surrounded by a community of people who exercise normalizes it.

Stop generalizing.

People exercise in the suburbs too.

Of course. But they typically aren’t exercising simply by daily living. That’s the point. I also believe that by having to run errands on foot you have to stay fit. Being overweight in a city is harder than in the suburbs. You can’t just drive from point A to point B and hide in your car.

But suburbanites have more time and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors once they are home. more.cooking at home and fresher air. Their kids are outside playing and so are they.

Also, mental health in the burbs is much better than in urban areas.

LOL that's actually the opposite of what happens. Most suburbanites are commuting 45 minutes - 1.5 hours in this area to get home. That's 2-3 hours of your day you don't get back and you certainly can't use to workout, walk, go outdoors etc.

Most people are desperate to move closer in BECAUSE they get that time back. I know walking to work in under 10 minutes makes me the envy of my co-workers who take a train in from Springfield, VA every morning (especially post-DST when they have to get up before dawn to trek in).

Those of us out in the suburbs have a ton more yard work than you do. I do my own house and yard work and, believe me, it is a much more grueling workout than a 10 minute walk down a sidewalk....and I also take a daily walk but that's beside the point.

You do an hour of yardwork daily?

Because I live in a city and do about an hour of walking to/from work.

If everyone is getting so much exercise in the burbs to counter the car commute than why are so many people who live in the burbs fat??

I have two acres so there is always something that needs doing - mowing, weeding, trimming, mulching, dead heading, planting, shoveling, etc. Always.

If it's not yard work, then it's a project of some sort - designing a fire pit with seating for instance or reorganizing the garage. Oh, and that doesn't include all the housework I do. Plus I take a daily 40 minute power walk. Walking 30 minutes to/from work would be easy by comparison.

HAHA, city girl admits it's 30 minutes to get to work. She doesn't count sitting in the metro as not walking.

Also walking for work is not nearly the same as coming home getting workout clothes on and going for a real walk.

If you compare SES, burbs are not fatter.

I don’t ride the metro. You seem jealous or insecure. Regardless I’m not in a competition. Like most people, I would be heavier if I lived in the burbs and commuted via car or metro.

The fact you think walking for exercise in workout clothes is better than walking to work shows how little you know about city living. Like most suburbanites, you’re having to go out of your way, including changing clothes, to get in some form of exercise.

[Anonymous]

Poor diet, little exercise.

/thread

[Anonymous]

what a mean question, what is wrong with you?!

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I was wondering just the opposite OP. I live in Georgetown, and I see so many fit young women going to Soul Cycle, yoga, etc. that I don't think girls/young ladies every looked this great. Maybe it's an urban vs. suburban thing.

I had the same experience at my neighborhood pool in NE DC this weekend. Most all of the younger people were slim/fit and attractive and every time I turned around more were coming! I'm usually with my kids and don't pay attention to what's happening on the adult side of the pool.

Give them a few years and see what happens.

Insert a tracking device on them and look them up 2-3 years from now.

This was my experience living in DC. We were in Logan Circle and everyone around us was very slender/fit. Moved to MoCo burbs a few years when we had kids and I'm BY FAR the thinnest person here. And I'm 5'3" and 115, not a stick. People aren't obese or anything, but most carry 15-20 extra lbs.

I think the weight gain happens in large part because people drive everywhere as opposed to walking. There's a nice playground within a 10 minute walk of our house. Everyone around us drives there instead of walking. I'm also out walking daily, pushing a stroller all over the neighborhood (two small kids) - rarely do I run into other moms doing the same. I am a runner and rarely see others out running in my neighborhood. In Logan Circle I never failed to see other runners even very early in the morning, in any weather.

My relative was one of those slender/fit women that you saw running around DC.

Then guess what happened?

She got married, left DC, moved to the suburbs and had 3 kids.

She is now quite heavy.

Her parents are wealthy and her husband is too.

The thing is, I totally get it. In DC I really didn't have to make a huge effort to be fit. We were an almost 20 minute walk from the Red Line (my work commute), and in general I walked everywhere - grocery store, meeting friends, etc. And I had plenty of time for the gym or a leisurely 3-5 mile run apart from that. Now I'm in the suburbs, I have kids and a commute. I have to wake up at 5:30 AM in order to get a short run in a few times a week. After work I rush to get the kids fed and then, unless it's freezing or pouring, we head outside for a walk. I'm slender but I'm always tired. (What I'm not is wealthy...)

Logan Circle resident and runner here. I swear its a mafia. If you go running anytime around lunchtime or on the weekends, the rush hour traffic on the sidewalks is insane.

That's why I love it. Being surrounded by a community of people who exercise normalizes it.

Stop generalizing.

People exercise in the suburbs too.

Of course. But they typically aren’t exercising simply by daily living. That’s the point. I also believe that by having to run errands on foot you have to stay fit. Being overweight in a city is harder than in the suburbs. You can’t just drive from point A to point B and hide in your car.

But suburbanites have more time and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors once they are home. more.cooking at home and fresher air. Their kids are outside playing and so are they.

Also, mental health in the burbs is much better than in urban areas.

LOL that's actually the opposite of what happens. Most suburbanites are commuting 45 minutes - 1.5 hours in this area to get home. That's 2-3 hours of your day you don't get back and you certainly can't use to workout, walk, go outdoors etc.

Most people are desperate to move closer in BECAUSE they get that time back. I know walking to work in under 10 minutes makes me the envy of my co-workers who take a train in from Springfield, VA every morning (especially post-DST when they have to get up before dawn to trek in).

Those of us out in the suburbs have a ton more yard work than you do. I do my own house and yard work and, believe me, it is a much more grueling workout than a 10 minute walk down a sidewalk....and I also take a daily walk but that's beside the point.

You do an hour of yardwork daily?

Because I live in a city and do about an hour of walking to/from work.

If everyone is getting so much exercise in the burbs to counter the car commute than why are so many people who live in the burbs fat??

I have two acres so there is always something that needs doing - mowing, weeding, trimming, mulching, dead heading, planting, shoveling, etc. Always.

If it's not yard work, then it's a project of some sort - designing a fire pit with seating for instance or reorganizing the garage. Oh, and that doesn't include all the housework I do. Plus I take a daily 40 minute power walk. Walking 30 minutes to/from work would be easy by comparison.

Do you work?!? Because with all of the housework and yardwork you’re describing it seems like you don’t. If I lived in the burbs and didn’t work I can see how I could maybe make time daily for exercise and get exercise through normal housework

But I have a job and prefer to have a job. This involves getting to the job. I don’t have time for crazy amounts of yard and housework nor do I have interest in that. I much prefer to get exercise through errands and getting to/from work. I would be heavier if I had to commute via car because I’d have to try to fit in exercise AFTER my car commute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was wondering just the opposite OP. I live in Georgetown, and I see so many fit young women going to Soul Cycle, yoga, etc. that I don't think girls/young ladies every looked this great. Maybe it's an urban vs. suburban thing.

I had the same experience at my neighborhood pool in NE DC this weekend. Most all of the younger people were slim/fit and attractive and every time I turned around more were coming! I'm usually with my kids and don't pay attention to what's happening on the adult side of the pool.

Give them a few years and see what happens.

Insert a tracking device on them and look them up 2-3 years from now.

This was my experience living in DC. We were in Logan Circle and everyone around us was very slender/fit. Moved to MoCo burbs a few years when we had kids and I'm BY FAR the thinnest person here. And I'm 5'3" and 115, not a stick. People aren't obese or anything, but most carry 15-20 extra lbs.

I think the weight gain happens in large part because people drive everywhere as opposed to walking. There's a nice playground within a 10 minute walk of our house. Everyone around us drives there instead of walking. I'm also out walking daily, pushing a stroller all over the neighborhood (two small kids) - rarely do I run into other moms doing the same. I am a runner and rarely see others out running in my neighborhood. In Logan Circle I never failed to see other runners even very early in the morning, in any weather.

My relative was one of those slender/fit women that you saw running around DC.

Then guess what happened?

She got married, left DC, moved to the suburbs and had 3 kids.

She is now quite heavy.

Her parents are wealthy and her husband is too.

The thing is, I totally get it. In DC I really didn't have to make a huge effort to be fit. We were an almost 20 minute walk from the Red Line (my work commute), and in general I walked everywhere - grocery store, meeting friends, etc. And I had plenty of time for the gym or a leisurely 3-5 mile run apart from that. Now I'm in the suburbs, I have kids and a commute. I have to wake up at 5:30 AM in order to get a short run in a few times a week. After work I rush to get the kids fed and then, unless it's freezing or pouring, we head outside for a walk. I'm slender but I'm always tired. (What I'm not is wealthy...)

Logan Circle resident and runner here. I swear its a mafia. If you go running anytime around lunchtime or on the weekends, the rush hour traffic on the sidewalks is insane.

That's why I love it. Being surrounded by a community of people who exercise normalizes it.

Stop generalizing.

People exercise in the suburbs too.

Of course. But they typically aren’t exercising simply by daily living. That’s the point. I also believe that by having to run errands on foot you have to stay fit. Being overweight in a city is harder than in the suburbs. You can’t just drive from point A to point B and hide in your car.

But suburbanites have more time and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors once they are home. more.cooking at home and fresher air. Their kids are outside playing and so are they.

Also, mental health in the burbs is much better than in urban areas.

LOL that's actually the opposite of what happens. Most suburbanites are commuting 45 minutes - 1.5 hours in this area to get home. That's 2-3 hours of your day you don't get back and you certainly can't use to workout, walk, go outdoors etc.

Most people are desperate to move closer in BECAUSE they get that time back. I know walking to work in under 10 minutes makes me the envy of my co-workers who take a train in from Springfield, VA every morning (especially post-DST when they have to get up before dawn to trek in).

Those of us out in the suburbs have a ton more yard work than you do. I do my own house and yard work and, believe me, it is a much more grueling workout than a 10 minute walk down a sidewalk....and I also take a daily walk but that's beside the point.

You do an hour of yardwork daily?

Because I live in a city and do about an hour of walking to/from work.

If everyone is getting so much exercise in the burbs to counter the car commute than why are so many people who live in the burbs fat??

I have two acres so there is always something that needs doing - mowing, weeding, trimming, mulching, dead heading, planting, shoveling, etc. Always.

If it's not yard work, then it's a project of some sort - designing a fire pit with seating for instance or reorganizing the garage. Oh, and that doesn't include all the housework I do. Plus I take a daily 40 minute power walk. Walking 30 minutes to/from work would be easy by comparison.

HAHA, city girl admits it's 30 minutes to get to work. She doesn't count sitting in the metro as not walking.

Also walking for work is not nearly the same as coming home getting workout clothes on and going for a real walk.

If you compare SES, burbs are not fatter.

I don’t ride the metro. You seem jealous or insecure. Regardless I’m not in a competition. Like most people, I would be heavier if I lived in the burbs and commuted via car or metro.

The fact you think walking for exercise in workout clothes is better than walking to work shows how little you know about city living. Like most suburbanites, you’re having to go out of your way, including changing clothes, to get in some form of exercise.

I have lived in the city... breathing smoke while I walked in my suit and sneakers. It's not a work out.

You actually seem jealous or insecure. I prefer to get home to a place that I love to live and is healthy. I don't walk on concrete anymore. I walk in the woods, it's glorious.

I have a quick commute (20 minutes), telecommute 2 days a week and am home at 4 every day. I have no less than 5 hours ever night to do whatever I please. I also have a kitchen big enough to cook at home so I don't have to do takeout and the kids have woods, and friends and park to play in... instead of being stuck inside.

Too bad your stressful job leaves you with no time to yourself and the only workout you can get is walking to work. Geez 30 minutes each way, you should try to get a place closer, that is a killer commute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was wondering just the opposite OP. I live in Georgetown, and I see so many fit young women going to Soul Cycle, yoga, etc. that I don't think girls/young ladies every looked this great. Maybe it's an urban vs. suburban thing.

I had the same experience at my neighborhood pool in NE DC this weekend. Most all of the younger people were slim/fit and attractive and every time I turned around more were coming! I'm usually with my kids and don't pay attention to what's happening on the adult side of the pool.

Give them a few years and see what happens.

Insert a tracking device on them and look them up 2-3 years from now.

This was my experience living in DC. We were in Logan Circle and everyone around us was very slender/fit. Moved to MoCo burbs a few years when we had kids and I'm BY FAR the thinnest person here. And I'm 5'3" and 115, not a stick. People aren't obese or anything, but most carry 15-20 extra lbs.

I think the weight gain happens in large part because people drive everywhere as opposed to walking. There's a nice playground within a 10 minute walk of our house. Everyone around us drives there instead of walking. I'm also out walking daily, pushing a stroller all over the neighborhood (two small kids) - rarely do I run into other moms doing the same. I am a runner and rarely see others out running in my neighborhood. In Logan Circle I never failed to see other runners even very early in the morning, in any weather.

My relative was one of those slender/fit women that you saw running around DC.

Then guess what happened?

She got married, left DC, moved to the suburbs and had 3 kids.

She is now quite heavy.

Her parents are wealthy and her husband is too.

The thing is, I totally get it. In DC I really didn't have to make a huge effort to be fit. We were an almost 20 minute walk from the Red Line (my work commute), and in general I walked everywhere - grocery store, meeting friends, etc. And I had plenty of time for the gym or a leisurely 3-5 mile run apart from that. Now I'm in the suburbs, I have kids and a commute. I have to wake up at 5:30 AM in order to get a short run in a few times a week. After work I rush to get the kids fed and then, unless it's freezing or pouring, we head outside for a walk. I'm slender but I'm always tired. (What I'm not is wealthy...)

Logan Circle resident and runner here. I swear its a mafia. If you go running anytime around lunchtime or on the weekends, the rush hour traffic on the sidewalks is insane.

That's why I love it. Being surrounded by a community of people who exercise normalizes it.

Stop generalizing.

People exercise in the suburbs too.

Of course. But they typically aren’t exercising simply by daily living. That’s the point. I also believe that by having to run errands on foot you have to stay fit. Being overweight in a city is harder than in the suburbs. You can’t just drive from point A to point B and hide in your car.

But suburbanites have more time and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors once they are home. more.cooking at home and fresher air. Their kids are outside playing and so are they.

Also, mental health in the burbs is much better than in urban areas.

LOL that's actually the opposite of what happens. Most suburbanites are commuting 45 minutes - 1.5 hours in this area to get home. That's 2-3 hours of your day you don't get back and you certainly can't use to workout, walk, go outdoors etc.

Most people are desperate to move closer in BECAUSE they get that time back. I know walking to work in under 10 minutes makes me the envy of my co-workers who take a train in from Springfield, VA every morning (especially post-DST when they have to get up before dawn to trek in).

Those of us out in the suburbs have a ton more yard work than you do. I do my own house and yard work and, believe me, it is a much more grueling workout than a 10 minute walk down a sidewalk....and I also take a daily walk but that's beside the point.

You do an hour of yardwork daily?

Because I live in a city and do about an hour of walking to/from work.

If everyone is getting so much exercise in the burbs to counter the car commute than why are so many people who live in the burbs fat??

I have two acres so there is always something that needs doing - mowing, weeding, trimming, mulching, dead heading, planting, shoveling, etc. Always.

If it's not yard work, then it's a project of some sort - designing a fire pit with seating for instance or reorganizing the garage. Oh, and that doesn't include all the housework I do. Plus I take a daily 40 minute power walk. Walking 30 minutes to/from work would be easy by comparison.

Do you work?!? Because with all of the housework and yardwork you’re describing it seems like you don’t. If I lived in the burbs and didn’t work I can see how I could maybe make time daily for exercise and get exercise through normal housework

But I have a job and prefer to have a job. This involves getting to the job. I don’t have time for crazy amounts of yard and housework nor do I have interest in that. I much prefer to get exercise through errands and getting to/from work. I would be heavier if I had to commute via car because I’d have to try to fit in exercise AFTER my car commute.

Of course people work and do housework and yardwork. So sad! What type of job do you have that you have not time at home. Are you young and have no seniority at work?

YOu sound like you wake, walk, work, walk and then do nothing with your life. That sounds like a sad life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Human physiology has not changed over the past fifty years. People didn't have iron discipline back in the 40s--we were addicted to cigarettes and alcohol. We had more physical jobs and fewer cars. Humans are pleasure seekers. Now we are also addicted to food and electronics.

I grew up in the 70s and we ate occasional junk food, but were too poor to eat out regularly and didn't have a TV. In the 80s we smoked, drank slimfast and diet coke for meals, and walked everywhere. We were skinny, though.

Well, the depression and wartime rationing took the place of havign iron discipline in many cases.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Human physiology has not changed over the past fifty years. People didn't have iron discipline back in the 40s--we were addicted to cigarettes and alcohol. We had more physical jobs and fewer cars. Humans are pleasure seekers. Now we are also addicted to food and electronics.

I grew up in the 70s and we ate occasional junk food, but were too poor to eat out regularly and didn't have a TV. In the 80s we smoked, drank slimfast and diet coke for meals, and walked everywhere. We were skinny, though.

Well, the depression and wartime rationing took the place of havign iron discipline in many cases.

Yes, that's the point. For nearly all of human history, people didn't have unlimited access to food. Now we do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Human physiology has not changed over the past fifty years. People didn't have iron discipline back in the 40s--we were addicted to cigarettes and alcohol. We had more physical jobs and fewer cars. Humans are pleasure seekers. Now we are also addicted to food and electronics.

I grew up in the 70s and we ate occasional junk food, but were too poor to eat out regularly and didn't have a TV. In the 80s we smoked, drank slimfast and diet coke for meals, and walked everywhere. We were skinny, though.

Well, the depression and wartime rationing took the place of havign iron discipline in many cases.

Yes, that's the point. For nearly all of human history, people didn't have unlimited access to food. Now we do.

Yeah, that's why Eastern Europeans/Russians are getting bigger now after years of rationing, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Human physiology has not changed over the past fifty years. People didn't have iron discipline back in the 40s--we were addicted to cigarettes and alcohol. We had more physical jobs and fewer cars. Humans are pleasure seekers. Now we are also addicted to food and electronics.

I grew up in the 70s and we ate occasional junk food, but were too poor to eat out regularly and didn't have a TV. In the 80s we smoked, drank slimfast and diet coke for meals, and walked everywhere. We were skinny, though.

Well, the depression and wartime rationing took the place of havign iron discipline in many cases.

Yes, that's the point. For nearly all of human history, people didn't have unlimited access to food. Now we do.

Yeah, that's why Eastern Europeans/Russians are getting bigger now after years of rationing, etc.

Yeah, it takes some time because the eating habits of the rationing generation have to shift over time toward a different mindset in the younger generation. But it will happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was wondering just the opposite OP. I live in Georgetown, and I see so many fit young women going to Soul Cycle, yoga, etc. that I don't think girls/young ladies every looked this great. Maybe it's an urban vs. suburban thing.

I had the same experience at my neighborhood pool in NE DC this weekend. Most all of the younger people were slim/fit and attractive and every time I turned around more were coming! I'm usually with my kids and don't pay attention to what's happening on the adult side of the pool.

Give them a few years and see what happens.

Insert a tracking device on them and look them up 2-3 years from now.

This was my experience living in DC. We were in Logan Circle and everyone around us was very slender/fit. Moved to MoCo burbs a few years when we had kids and I'm BY FAR the thinnest person here. And I'm 5'3" and 115, not a stick. People aren't obese or anything, but most carry 15-20 extra lbs.

I think the weight gain happens in large part because people drive everywhere as opposed to walking. There's a nice playground within a 10 minute walk of our house. Everyone around us drives there instead of walking. I'm also out walking daily, pushing a stroller all over the neighborhood (two small kids) - rarely do I run into other moms doing the same. I am a runner and rarely see others out running in my neighborhood. In Logan Circle I never failed to see other runners even very early in the morning, in any weather.

My relative was one of those slender/fit women that you saw running around DC.

Then guess what happened?

She got married, left DC, moved to the suburbs and had 3 kids.

She is now quite heavy.

Her parents are wealthy and her husband is too.

The thing is, I totally get it. In DC I really didn't have to make a huge effort to be fit. We were an almost 20 minute walk from the Red Line (my work commute), and in general I walked everywhere - grocery store, meeting friends, etc. And I had plenty of time for the gym or a leisurely 3-5 mile run apart from that. Now I'm in the suburbs, I have kids and a commute. I have to wake up at 5:30 AM in order to get a short run in a few times a week. After work I rush to get the kids fed and then, unless it's freezing or pouring, we head outside for a walk. I'm slender but I'm always tired. (What I'm not is wealthy...)

Logan Circle resident and runner here. I swear its a mafia. If you go running anytime around lunchtime or on the weekends, the rush hour traffic on the sidewalks is insane.

That's why I love it. Being surrounded by a community of people who exercise normalizes it.

Stop generalizing.

People exercise in the suburbs too.

Of course. But they typically aren’t exercising simply by daily living. That’s the point. I also believe that by having to run errands on foot you have to stay fit. Being overweight in a city is harder than in the suburbs. You can’t just drive from point A to point B and hide in your car.

But suburbanites have more time and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors once they are home. more.cooking at home and fresher air. Their kids are outside playing and so are they.

Also, mental health in the burbs is much better than in urban areas.

LOL that's actually the opposite of what happens. Most suburbanites are commuting 45 minutes - 1.5 hours in this area to get home. That's 2-3 hours of your day you don't get back and you certainly can't use to workout, walk, go outdoors etc.

Most people are desperate to move closer in BECAUSE they get that time back. I know walking to work in under 10 minutes makes me the envy of my co-workers who take a train in from Springfield, VA every morning (especially post-DST when they have to get up before dawn to trek in).

Those of us out in the suburbs have a ton more yard work than you do. I do my own house and yard work and, believe me, it is a much more grueling workout than a 10 minute walk down a sidewalk....and I also take a daily walk but that's beside the point.

You do an hour of yardwork daily?

Because I live in a city and do about an hour of walking to/from work.

If everyone is getting so much exercise in the burbs to counter the car commute than why are so many people who live in the burbs fat??

I have two acres so there is always something that needs doing - mowing, weeding, trimming, mulching, dead heading, planting, shoveling, etc. Always.

If it's not yard work, then it's a project of some sort - designing a fire pit with seating for instance or reorganizing the garage. Oh, and that doesn't include all the housework I do. Plus I take a daily 40 minute power walk. Walking 30 minutes to/from work would be easy by comparison.

Do you work?!? Because with all of the housework and yardwork you’re describing it seems like you don’t. If I lived in the burbs and didn’t work I can see how I could maybe make time daily for exercise and get exercise through normal housework

But I have a job and prefer to have a job. This involves getting to the job. I don’t have time for crazy amounts of yard and housework nor do I have interest in that. I much prefer to get exercise through errands and getting to/from work. I would be heavier if I had to commute via car because I’d have to try to fit in exercise AFTER my car commute.

Of course people work and do housework and yardwork. So sad! What type of job do you have that you have not time at home. Are you young and have no seniority at work?

YOu sound like you wake, walk, work, walk and then do nothing with your life. That sounds like a sad life.

It’s a sad life to not do housework and yardwork? Why would I do that when I can pay someone else to do it? That’s awesome you enjoy raking leaves and cleaning toilets but I don’t. I prefer playing with my children and socializing with my children.

You certainly made a lot of assumptions based on my response. You have concluded I have a sad life, I’m not senior at work, I’m young, all I do is work and walk etc. I never said any of this. I did say I wouldn’t have the time to do yardwork and housework if I lived in the burbs and had to commute. I’d have two less hours every day to enjoy my life.

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Anonymous wrote:I was wondering just the opposite OP. I live in Georgetown, and I see so many fit young women going to Soul Cycle, yoga, etc. that I don't think girls/young ladies every looked this great. Maybe it's an urban vs. suburban thing.

I had the same experience at my neighborhood pool in NE DC this weekend. Most all of the younger people were slim/fit and attractive and every time I turned around more were coming! I'm usually with my kids and don't pay attention to what's happening on the adult side of the pool.

Give them a few years and see what happens.

Insert a tracking device on them and look them up 2-3 years from now.

This was my experience living in DC. We were in Logan Circle and everyone around us was very slender/fit. Moved to MoCo burbs a few years when we had kids and I'm BY FAR the thinnest person here. And I'm 5'3" and 115, not a stick. People aren't obese or anything, but most carry 15-20 extra lbs.

I think the weight gain happens in large part because people drive everywhere as opposed to walking. There's a nice playground within a 10 minute walk of our house. Everyone around us drives there instead of walking. I'm also out walking daily, pushing a stroller all over the neighborhood (two small kids) - rarely do I run into other moms doing the same. I am a runner and rarely see others out running in my neighborhood. In Logan Circle I never failed to see other runners even very early in the morning, in any weather.

My relative was one of those slender/fit women that you saw running around DC.

Then guess what happened?

She got married, left DC, moved to the suburbs and had 3 kids.

She is now quite heavy.

Her parents are wealthy and her husband is too.

The thing is, I totally get it. In DC I really didn't have to make a huge effort to be fit. We were an almost 20 minute walk from the Red Line (my work commute), and in general I walked everywhere - grocery store, meeting friends, etc. And I had plenty of time for the gym or a leisurely 3-5 mile run apart from that. Now I'm in the suburbs, I have kids and a commute. I have to wake up at 5:30 AM in order to get a short run in a few times a week. After work I rush to get the kids fed and then, unless it's freezing or pouring, we head outside for a walk. I'm slender but I'm always tired. (What I'm not is wealthy...)

Logan Circle resident and runner here. I swear its a mafia. If you go running anytime around lunchtime or on the weekends, the rush hour traffic on the sidewalks is insane.

That's why I love it. Being surrounded by a community of people who exercise normalizes it.

Stop generalizing.

People exercise in the suburbs too.

Of course. But they typically aren’t exercising simply by daily living. That’s the point. I also believe that by having to run errands on foot you have to stay fit. Being overweight in a city is harder than in the suburbs. You can’t just drive from point A to point B and hide in your car.

But suburbanites have more time and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors once they are home. more.cooking at home and fresher air. Their kids are outside playing and so are they.

Also, mental health in the burbs is much better than in urban areas.

LOL that's actually the opposite of what happens. Most suburbanites are commuting 45 minutes - 1.5 hours in this area to get home. That's 2-3 hours of your day you don't get back and you certainly can't use to workout, walk, go outdoors etc.

Most people are desperate to move closer in BECAUSE they get that time back. I know walking to work in under 10 minutes makes me the envy of my co-workers who take a train in from Springfield, VA every morning (especially post-DST when they have to get up before dawn to trek in).

Those of us out in the suburbs have a ton more yard work than you do. I do my own house and yard work and, believe me, it is a much more grueling workout than a 10 minute walk down a sidewalk....and I also take a daily walk but that's beside the point.

You do an hour of yardwork daily?

Because I live in a city and do about an hour of walking to/from work.

If everyone is getting so much exercise in the burbs to counter the car commute than why are so many people who live in the burbs fat??

I have two acres so there is always something that needs doing - mowing, weeding, trimming, mulching, dead heading, planting, shoveling, etc. Always.

If it's not yard work, then it's a project of some sort - designing a fire pit with seating for instance or reorganizing the garage. Oh, and that doesn't include all the housework I do. Plus I take a daily 40 minute power walk. Walking 30 minutes to/from work would be easy by comparison.

Do you work?!? Because with all of the housework and yardwork you’re describing it seems like you don’t. If I lived in the burbs and didn’t work I can see how I could maybe make time daily for exercise and get exercise through normal housework

But I have a job and prefer to have a job. This involves getting to the job. I don’t have time for crazy amounts of yard and housework nor do I have interest in that. I much prefer to get exercise through errands and getting to/from work. I would be heavier if I had to commute via car because I’d have to try to fit in exercise AFTER my car commute.

Of course people work and do housework and yardwork. So sad! What type of job do you have that you have not time at home. Are you young and have no seniority at work?

YOu sound like you wake, walk, work, walk and then do nothing with your life. That sounds like a sad life.

You gotta love someone who lives in the burbs bragging about all of the yardwork and house cleaning they do! Hilarious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look I understand a little weight gain at 41, 42 or 43 or even at 31, 32 or 33.

But at 21? 22? 23?

Early to mid 20s are supposed to be one's one prime pencil thin swimsuit worthy years.

Because they think they have to eat everything that's available.


I also think YOU are trying to start some shit. Let them eat and fatten themselves. It's really not your business.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Look I understand a little weight gain at 41, 42 or 43 or even at 31, 32 or 33.

But at 21? 22? 23?

Early to mid 20s are supposed to be one's one prime pencil thin swimsuit worthy years.

Because they think they have to eat everything that's available.


I also think YOU are trying to start some shit. Let them eat and fatten themselves. It's really not your business.

I'm not sure why people are so triggered by these threads. Slightly reducing the strong explicit cultural expectation to be thin has resulted in ... people being fat. And we're shocked, shocked I tell you.