Is 5'3 and 120-117 pounds 'thick'? Is 'thick' another way of saying 'fat'?

Question

Hi. Can't believe I'm asking this. I'm a 23 year old who has struggled with weight due to a thyroid disease for years. For the past year I've consistently been at the gym for an hour about 4-6 days a week. I have muscle tone and definition, but I'll never be a thin model type- I'm more like a Scarlet Johansson (I've got hips and a butt). Anyhow...the other day a guy I know said I was "thick". I take that as saying I'm fat. Can anyone please explain? Do you think that being 5'3 and athletic qualifies me as "thick"? Plus, what the heck does that word mean?

BtwTo give a better picture of what sizes I wear:

Size: 4-6 pants/skirts

Size: s/xs shirts

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Very sorry to hear about your thyroid disease. My mom once suffered from that. Hope your doctors have been helping!

Yes, "thick" is a very poor euphemism for "fat". You should have slapped that guy. I think it's actually worse calling someone "thick" than "fat", because "thick" specifically refers to one's appearance rather than their actual weight.

Remember though that when it come to appearance (and also health to an extent), not all areas are created equal. The area in women that guys are most critical about is the waist. You can have extra pounds in almost any other area, but so long as you have a slim waist, many guys will find you attractive. We are likely biologically programmed to think that way, because research has shown that thin waists are correlated with longevity much more so than fat percentages or body mass.

So really, clothing sizes mean nothing because the only measurement that really matters is the waist. Someone could actually be very petite and have almost no fat on them, but if they have the wrong body type, they won't be that attractive. That's why long ago, corsets were a regular part of a woman's wardrobe. So any exercises that target the waist will probably help the most.

Beyond that, neck, forearms and hands are also important.

TedStar · Accepted Answer

A general rule is that when a guy uses words like "thick" and "curvy' best believe that the girl being talked about is attractive. For a girl to be called those things from a GUY is a great thing for her. Exhibit a: link

Now when a female girl uses these words it could mean anything from link to link link to link

boysarefrommars · Accepted Answer

No! The guy was complimenting you on your figure. Trust me, thick is another way of saying you have a nice curvy figure-not stick thin like a model and not fat.

Judging from the size of your bottom half compared to your top, he was probably talking about your curvy hips and butt- most guys I've talked to are butt guys!

By the way, if you're thick then I'm thick because I'm 5'3 as well and between 112-115 pounds depending on when I weigh myself (yeah, it's very confusing). I'm 18, by the way. A lot of my friends love my figure and call me the "skinny" one, and you're only a few pounds more than me-there is no way you are fat!

Keep working hard at the gym, not to be skinny but I think it will help you feel better and more secure as well as strong, seeing what your body is capable of doing :)

theshewolf · Accepted Answer

i mean really you don't sound thick, I have a good friend I use to work with when I danced at a strip club, who is 5'3 135 pounds and she's a video model, well a pretty thick one, her names pretty mesha , you can probably find her on google, you sound more on the thin sound.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

That's not fat at all. That's not even thick.

They are different, thick is smaller than fat, obviously.

But you don't even sound thick, so I don't know why he'd say that. I guess some think we should all have Calista Flockhart's body. No thanks.

Ichron · Answer

That's a healthy weight according to the BMI scale.  The BMI scale is a bit flawed because very muscular people can seem overweight when they're not, but it's kind of the best tool we have to go by.  You're fine, don't worry about it.  You're actually pretty much right in the middle of the healthy weight range, and size 4-6 with s/xs is not overweight at all.  I think he was saying thick in that you're not scrawny and lacking curves, you've got meat on your bones where guys like it to be, but you're not fat.

HandsomeRaj · Answer

"Fat" means that your body has an unhealthy percentage of body fat.

"Thick" usually means that you are naturally curvy or muscular.

Though I personally don't prefer using the term 'thick' too since girls like yourself find it humiliating and negative.

Usually women that are fat are out of proportion. Stomach is sticking out past their breasts, or there is no waist definition in relation to the hips, etc.

On a thick girl, she has extra cushion, but it is in all the right places, in the right amounts and makes her curvy…not wide or round

AND with a waist line you've mentioned NO WAY you are fat.

As of that guy please understand everything is a matter of perception of an individual.

journeyman1126 · Answer

Thick means good things. Usually. Depends on bra/waist/hip sizes, and circumference of the arms and thighs.

I say that mainly because you sound hot already so I'd like to know those numbers. To get a better vision of your beauty. ::dirty old man laugh::

Here's the real deal:

If you have any kind of hourglass going on, don't worry about it. The most important measurement is waist-to-height ratio. Check this out and you may feel better. link

And don't forget to give me those digits. And maybe call me daddy. Cause I just eased your mind.

shadowscapes · Answer

1. Doesn't every fat person have thyroid disease?

2. 5'3 and 120 pounds is not fat at all. In fact, that's a perfect weight, in my opinion.

3. Thick doesn't mean fat. It means curvy. Some fat people call themselves thick as a euphemism, but with your height and weight, there is no way you can be fat.

4. Guys like WOMEN with curves. Not anoerexic models with the body of a 10 year old boy.

lefthand · Answer

Weight is not a good indicator of health or attractiveness. BMI does not account for serious athletic training, making most althetes technically obsess. What matters is do you find yourself attractive in your body? Being comfortable in your own skin is much sexier than how much skin you have.

AshBrown · Answer

First of all, don't worry; you are perfectly fine. The very fact that came all this way deapite the condition is laudable. My wife is the same and she has kind of used that as an excuse to say she cannot help it. BTW she is exactly your height.

As for thick - I hate to say this, but it could have been something in completely different context. Nothing to do with built.

loda1994 · Answer

thick means that you are neither fat nor skinny. it's actually quite the compliment. unless he's way of saying tells you otherwise.

you could always use your wardrobe to look better.

forgive me if I am being blunt but you have what every guy wants. which is big hips and butt and boobs. and unless you are obese there is nothing wrong with you. you could choose the clothes that focuses on these parts and wear them if your culture allows

OpenClose · Answer

That does not sound fat at all, but I suppose I could be wrong.

And no, there's a difference between thick and fat. Sometimes "thick" is used as a nice way of saying "fat", but there definitely is a difference.

Thick usually means you naturally carry more weight. A thick person generally looks better with a bit of extra weight. A fat person is outside their natural body weight. eg, one looks genetic, the other looks like a medical problem.

BCRanger10 · Answer

If this is what you're talking about... link I don't think I would call that "thick". To me (I could be wrong), "thick" is maybe a little above "curvy". I'd say you're "athletic".

I hope the thyroid disease is improving :-)

Prof_Don · Answer

No, "thick" means having a larger bone structure, more muscle, and slightly higher bodyfat # than a slender girl.

Thick is a natural bodytype; fat is having excessive bodyfat levels beyond a certain percentage regardless of what your natural bone structure and muscle mass is.

pianoman · Answer

usually when a guy tells me he saw a thick girl its in a "that girl is hot kinda way". specifically this friend is a gym rat and he loves a girl who doesn't look like she's going to snap in half and works out. I would take it as a complement

iPood · Answer

thick is being fat in all the right places. ie boobs, booty, or thighs. Must still have a slim waist though. Usually white girls aren't thick cause when they gain 5 pounds it goes straight to their gut

ryanhoward · Answer

Thick means fat, but you are not fat at all. Use a BMI generator (Google it!). BMI over 24 = Fat, but your probably 19-20 BMI. Don't worry about it. If your still worried send me a pic and I'll rate you.

Crispin7 · Answer

Thick means Your perfect for ravishing just getting right sexy and freaky. Not to skinny that you hurt and not enough on the fat side to be gross and can just bite into your butt and pound your p**** hard   Thick is good

stubbsy · Answer

The guy must of been referring to his brain cell, because regardless of size or shape, or even mentality, you do not call a woman "THICK" so he must of been referring himself as thick,x

Owls191 · Answer

120lbs at 5-3 is fine.  Thick is usually a good term.  A guy wouldn't say it to your face if he meant it in a bad way.   Some girls are really hot with a thicker body with legs and a nice ass.

RaptorHeyzues · Answer

thick means that its not just fat, but muscle. and trust me when I say being thick is one of the best body types for women. Most men don't like really skinny women.

Anonymous · Answer

I think you're fine. Stop worrying so much and anyways if a guy likes you... he should like you for who YOU are... if he doesn't then F him and move on to find someone better.

Personally I think you're fine the way you are. Heck I'd ask you out! ;)

Madlaugher · Answer

thick is used to describe a sexy ass woman, she's sexy because you can't see her rib cage she got some meat but not fat & that makes her sexy as hell

pezzonovante88 · Answer

When I use the term "thick" I usually mean bigger-boned. Some people are just bigger than others, but not necessarily fat.

When I'm referring to someone who has a few extra pounds, I might use a term like "chubby".

Is 5'3 and 120-117 pounds 'thick'? Is 'thick' another way of saying 'fat'?

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