[sid101]

Well if i may throw my opinion in to this i will use myself as my example.

Im 6foot 8 inches tall and i weight 220 pound give or take (probably give) i am overweight and i look funny in my wetsuit (shorty 3mm^^) and i have asked myself the same question as you are a couple fo times, i have tried to get in "shape" but i have not been able to most of the sports i do are more endurance than anything else and i think so is diving. Im not as overweight as the folks you saw and i think thats an extreme to things, i can see my feet pretty well and my belly doesnt fall down but is there.

Remember that diving doesnt require to be strong or fast but to have good endurance and good lungs, i also smoke wich should be bad for me while diving but my tanks last me the same and the non smoking divers, i also do trekking and can stand extended climbing periods pretty well, i think your body type doesnt quite reflect if you can or cannot do sports but it could give a hint about wich sports you can are more fit to do.

Also remember that overweight people have to move more mass for the same distance and of time so we are more about endurance than quickness. I wouldnt dare to try to outrun someone in shape but my endurance is either as good or better than some "in shape" people, not everyone is built the same but may have the same performance.

Off course if someone shos in shape would train the exact same as i do it would probably surpass me because they have to move less mass or maybe would put a smaller strain upon their muscles but at the same time maybe my limits have gone further since i have to keep up, it depends on a lot of variables.

I hope my opinion could be of any help.

I am not saying that smoking wont put a handicap in your while diving but not everyone responds the same to it. Off course i know diving smokers that can barelly go through oen tank without currents but also know some non-smokers that are the same, again not everyone is built the same.

Oh by the way, remember wetsuits are made for skinny people so even the slightest belly will look pretty big in one^^.