Do girls in their early 20s all get fatter, and then either stay fat or get fit?

Question

It seems like most girls who are teenagers are in pretty good shape. Youth, not working out I imagine.

And then it seems that most girls get bigger in their early 20s. This probably happens because of metabolism slowing down, or because they start drinking beer?

Could be a number of things.

But then women almost 30, or early 30s are either really good looking, or really big. I almost want to say that a significant number, over 60% are either really fit, or really big. So the "average" size which should cover at least 70% is not so common.

So, are these fit women always fit? Or do women all get big for various reasons in their early mid 20s, and only some come out with sexy bodies?

Darkfairie17 · Accepted Answer

Well I think a lot of different things are at play.

As another poster said, sometimes people who were overweight in their teens are more health conscious because they have actually had to exercise and learn healthy eating. Some people just coast on having a fast metabolism (I have seen this). Several girls I grew up with were skinny as kids and teens, they teased me about being overweight (even though my weight is hard to control due to a health condition that I have had for over 14 years). But I manage to lose weight, then gain when my health condition gets worse (it seems to be a cycle). But anyway, now that they are older they are bigger than me!

I think this is mainly because they never had to learn how to eat healthy and take care of themselves. I had to learn at a young age how to eat well and exercise. Even though I don't look skinny, I am still healthy. My weight stays pretty stable now. But those girls basically still eat poorly and drink heavily. I think that is part of the problem. People take their health for granted, but if they actually had a condition or had to worry about something healthwise I'm sure they would appreciate it a lot more!

As people get older, they start to care more about their health. I'm getting that now as I am getting older a lot of my friends who wouldn't talk about health are now giving me unsolicited advice (a lot of it is old wives tales) about weight loss and health. I think as we get older we start to see how things can go wrong. More people who are older will have chronic health conditions.

I unfortunately got my health condition when I was a kid. So for me I have had to deal with my friends not understanding what it's like to live with an illness and not always have complete control of one's health.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

All growing up I was the fat kid. I was on diets starting at around 10 years old. I was always at the top of the healthy bmi weight range or above it and all the other girls in elementary school, middle school, and high school were so skinny and little.

In college I started gaining even more weight until I was obese. At 225lbs I couldn't face myself in the mirror anymore. I couldn't pretend I wasn't that bad because I was horrible. I knew that deep down there was a hot girl just dying to get out. I started crazy dieting...then I added in working out,then I added in weight lifting. At 23 I am in the best shape of my life and almost underweight at 5'8 and 125lbs.

Now I always see the girls who were so thin and now they struggle with diets and don't know the first thing about how to lose weight because they never had to try growing up. They just had fast metabolisms.

Personally, I think it's better to date a former fatty because you have safety in knowing they will likely never get that way again after making such drastic life changes. I've kept my weight off for over 2 years and I know I'll never be fat again.

Izzy2102 · Accepted Answer

Men and Women get bigger as they get older. Tons of teen girls are really really skinny and just get to normal weight in their 20s. Girls that have been a bit bigger in their teens, often get even more big.

And obviously moving out for college is big a change. Most meal plans serve bs and even those that are self catering often don't really know how to cook and rely on junk food much more than at home. I've seen that with my housemate. Two of them were from malaysia and gained 18 lbs in the first 3 months. The other two were from the US and they pretty much lived off sugary ceral,canned soups, ramen and grilled cheese sanwiches. That's a big difference to food their mommys made so they both gained about 10lbs during the first semester. Eventually that will get better as they get older and learn how to cook though

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

My dad has a theory and it is as follows:

Women only look good until they get married, then they don't have to anymore. Now why is this you ask? When you get married they no longer want to have sex and become repulsive on purpose in order to not be desirable enough for sex. Also after child birth they are fat and undesirable and finally because when they get bored and divorce us, we now have to pay for them to stay home and eat all the bon bons they want while watching soaps and being fat.

My parents are happily married 25 years.

martyfellow · Accepted Answer

It'sw just a question of attitude and culture; some women are always fit, and some are always too plmp, at aqy age. Even tenage girls are mostly overweight these days in most of the US.

In China it's often ahrd to tell mom form the duaghter when you're not very close to them, they both look great. But you can flirt with Mom much more easily.

BrighteyedAsh · Answer

I'm 26 and due to better health awareness and taking the time to learn to cook and wanting to stay at least moderately fit, I'm still in great shape. More of my balance is because I like to be active and walk many places, than say, directly work out. I do work out occasionally too, when I have time. I enjoy it...when I was 17-18 I worked out A LOT, so I do kind of have an appreciation for the 'pains' of working out and a good starting structure...so when I do have work out spurts, I'm dedicated to it past the pains.

Also, because when you get about this age you realize healthy people generally live longer and feel better overall. (;

peace-love-couture · Answer

Well, I go to a private university and the girls here come in thin or in shape and leave that way...

Wealthy kids tend to prioritize health and appearance more than people of other socioeconomic classes...plus, the dining hall is open from 7am to 8pm, but the salad bar is sometimes the only thing available, so we tend to make healthier eating choices

Drinking beer has little to do with it because the girls who drink with weight in mind tend to get plastered...it has a name, alcoholrexia or something like that...more drinking means they eat less and consume less calories

I think it's just laziness...I mean, my mom has always been athletic and in her 20s she started body building, then got pregnant, but got back into it a little and she's always maintained that muscular, toned look...

I'm small and doubt I'll ever balloon up and in fact, birth control makes me eat less so idk. Hopefully I'll stay fit, because it's a lifestyle for me and I really enjoy working out and eating healthy.

Nicci · Answer

I just don't get what you're even asking, no we don't all just get fatter, a lot do because of many different reasons, like if you've found a person to marry, you generally stop trying to attract the opposite sex = trying less to stay in shape, getting a full-time job makes it harder to find the time to work out, having children obvious makes you look bigger and that kind of weight is very hard to get rid of.

This is a bit silly this question, because we're not all the same, and there are many different reasons why someone gets fatter or why they decide to stay in shape.

A woman who has stayed in shape could be for many reasons, she either hasn't found someone yet she wants to spend her life with, probably hasn't had children yet, purposely wants to stay in shape no matter what etc etc.

There are too many reasons to mention.

emzy-89 · Answer

The main contributor is that our metabolisms slow down dramatically as we age. However, if you exercise on a daily basis and eat a healthy diet then you can keep yourself in good shape.

Anonymous · Answer

Bodies change, it's not necessarily "getting fatter", but it's silly to believe that a woman (or a man) will keep the teenage body forever. It doesn't have much to do with eating more, or eating differently, it's just the way that the human body is. Having said that, people do require a smaller calorie intake as they get older, so yes, if people don't adjust their intake it will result in them gaining fat. It's the same for guys though, I mean hardly any guy looks the way he did with 16 when he's in his mid 20s, or even older.

The women who are fit in their 30s: it's partly down to genetics and partly because they've figured out how to adjust their lifestyles to their age and to what their body requires. So it's partly/minimally down to "luck" but a lot of it is being aware of how the body works AND caring enough.

bubbiexo · Answer

I graduated, gained 30 pounds and then I lost 40. I've never been in better shape. I was small in High School, but I weigh less and wear smaller sizes now than I did then. (I've been graduated for 4 years.)

Some girls can keep their weight under control, some will gain weight because of the new "eating freedom" or the fact that meal times aren't as structured, or for any number of other reasons.

Then some will continue to gain weight, maintain their weight, or become more fit.

aGuyfromTexas · Answer

Hell yeah dude, I've notice this in Texas too. 3 Years ago I graduated from high school, and all of Ms. Beautiful that I went out with started to get really HUGE and they're barely 21 :O. My Sister's Friends they're so freaking gorgeous and they're in their 30s now, I asked most of them if they were HUGE back in their 20s. They literally showed me of their pictures and they were pretty big, but they went back into fitness, and got a really hot body.

girloncue · Answer

Girls in their early 20s tend to be on their own for the first time, so they may gain some weight learning how to cook and eat better. It is their choice whether or not they want to lose the weight. Some women may not even care, some try hard but just can't get it off and give up.

Anonymous · Answer

I'm 20 and I've actually lost weight (around 20lbs) but this is because I found out that I was gluten, lactose, egg, peanut, etc intolerant and stopped eating those foods.  Now I'm 120lbs.  Since I have gone to college I work out at the gym more though so I guess I am more fit.

justme20 · Answer

I notice there are a lot of fat guys in college too. I guess weight happens to both sexes at an early age :)

Lafemmedeschats · Answer

Depends. I literally haven't gained or lost weight since grade eight and I am 19

Anonymous · Answer

At some point you are what you are. Time shows that.

upood · Answer

College makes people gain around 15lbs.

Anonymous · Answer

You are what you eat!

Do girls in their early 20s all get fatter, and then either stay fat or get fit?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

Do girls in their early 20s all get fatter, and then either stay fat or get fit?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

We're glad to see you liked this post.