Overweight Divers

[Lulubelle]

Originally Posted by freeski4ever

I'm not trying to be rude by any means, and I understand that in today's society, being 20-30 lbs overweight is acceptable, but I thought that scuba divers would be in-shape, physically fit individuals. Please feel free to comment or provide insight, but please don't flame!!

Oh freeski4ever, the can of worms you have opened It is good that you asked not to be flamed, and your question seems honest and earnest. Some of the people from the rest of this thread need to be torched, however. Not for having a frank discussion about being overweight and diving, but for the judgment many have rendered upon those of us who are.

Some of the assumptions made by folks posting on this thread are simply appalling. I am glad that you are so perfect that you feel entitled to judge others. Perhaps those of you who have are compensating for some deficiencies in yourselves? Small feet perhaps?

I am currently 60 pounds overweight, 5'10", and I did not do a darn thing to bring myself to this position. I will spare you the details. I am doing everything I can to return myself to a healthier weight, but I maintain my focus on being as fit as I can be regardless of the weight that I carry.

I eat maybe 1500 calories a day and exercise daily. I hate fast food, don't eat meat (other than chicken and fish), abhor anything that is fried or which has cream, etc. As for activity...This morning at 7 I was kickboxing. Tonight I am going dancing of a kind that will make me sweat all night. Tomorrow I am going for an 6-8 mile hike. I am constantly looking for opportunities to be fit. And I AM fit, for a big girl. Perhaps there is something unusual with my metabolism (and, by the way, some of you do not know very much about metabolism...it is far more complex than even most physicians understand...an area where I used to do research), but at the end of the day, the only tools I have to work with are diet and exercise. My focus is a healthy one, to eat healthy, exercise, and be as fit as I can. And to feel good about the results, whatever they may be. The only thing that makes this difficult is the judgment of the world. Everyone thinks they know how I live simply because of my size. Thankfully, some of the weight landed in the right places, and my life is full of people who like me as I am. I am pretty, have banging legs, a great face, and cleavage that enthralls many.

Scuba IS an appealing sport for us big girls. It is another way to be active and big people are just as fascinated with the world under there are you are. It does give a nice opportunity to take a load off of my tiny ankles and ex-runner's knees and still be active. I love the feeling of weightlessness, and I move with grace while swimming with the sharks. And I am a damn good diver. So judge not.

Instead, try taking taking a different perspective on things. Even if someone is overweight and does have lifestyle issues that have led them there, notice that they are choosing something active and fun. Help them if they need or want your help. And try to see them instead of just their body weight. There is beauty in every person if you are looking. No question, one has to be medically able to dive, and there will be many, skinny and not, who shoudn't go.

So, sorry for sounding off all, but this big girl has to go get ready to go cajun/zydeco dancing. Some of you will be spending your energy finding fault with others, so have a fun time doing that this evening.

[detsgtdavis]

Way to go Lulubelle!!!!!!!

[lvshell]

very well said lulubelle!

[Lulubelle]

Originally Posted by detsgtdavis

Way to go Lulubelle!!!!!!!

Thanks homeboy (and lvshell)! Hey, to digress from this thread a bit, I'm assuming you dive Morehead and environs since you are a local NCian. How cold should the bottom of our ocean (120 ft) be in a couple of weeks? I have some new equipment I want to get wet before I go on a liveaboard in January. And I have issues with quarry diving, have never done it and really don't want to. Gotta swim with the sharks.

[detsgtdavis]

I think the water temp on the bottom will be around 68 / 71 in a couple of weeks. They may be at those temps already. I have not been doing any diving this time of the year but I am planning on changing that this year.

You might want to comfirm the temps with Joeforbroke or one of the other guys or gals from NC.

[davidlkc]

I have a friend who was very new to diving and she is overweight... I think she's like 5'8" and 250lbs at least! but hey, she's not only a giant on the land but also underwater! calm, very good buoyancy and was good at controlling her breaths and knew what she was doing. She was my buddy the whole trip and didn't give me any trouble at all. IMO Fat or not fat don't really matter when it's about scuba diving...

[warscout2]

I mean whales are huge we don't put them on diets so they can dive

[Swanny]

I got paired up with a guy this summer that weighed at least 320 lbs. He was a good diver though, and the only issue we had was getting the weight belt around his gut.

[Lulubelle]

Nice post swanny. I am a big girl, size 16, 5'10", and although a relatively new (less than a year) I am told that I look like I have been diving for 10 years and that I am very good in the water. The hardest part for me is getting off of the boat! I have tiny ankles, and between the extra 50-60 pounds I carry, the 16-18 pounds that I must add, and my equipment, it is hard to walk across the deck. But in the water, we all weigh the same if we are doing the job right!

I am VERY active, lots of hiking, kickboxing, and general fitness, so that helps!

[beperkins]

Think of it this way, at least bigger people have a little more insulation for cold water diving.