Do you have to be Thin in LA? (Oakland: neighborhood, college)

[clouded]

Originally Posted by ifailed2mention

I'm planning on moving to LA early next year. I am a photographer, just graduated from college on the east coast. I have lived in fresno before, and have been to LA many times, so I know what is in store for me as far as crime and what not... But I was wondering about getting a job. Does size determine pretty much everything in la? I am not thin, but I am not expecting to be a model or super star actress, I just want to be a successful photographer.

HA!!! I became thinner when I came here. Why?

1). More nice days year round means I'm more active.
2). More food options that aren't soaked in grease (yes the grease still exists, more fast food options in LA than anywhere I've ever been EVER).
3). Gas is more expensive so I walk more...
4). Switched from beer to wine (the ol' less is more theory).
5). Trader Joe's (this can also make you fatter, bad example).

I'd say (as the others did) you'll be filming the size zero's on master cleanse more than you'll ever need to be one yourself. Not everyone here is thin, actually not even close. Sure when I'm west of Sepulveda looking at all the shirtess people feeling like a pasty bag of gel it makes sense but I noticed much more thin people in say NYNY.

Your fine, LA will love you the way you are, so should you!!

[Texasturkey]

Originally Posted by Mike121

Los Angeles is a city of achievers, and as such, it is important to be in shape to project an image of success. Health and confidence come in all shapes and sizes, but, you will do better in this town if you are the healthy and confident version of you. I am not suggesting that you try to become what the horrid women's magazines have decreed. But, most people in high image industries spend some time exercising or doing sports. You should, too.

Los Angeles, City of Achievers?

Where in Los Angeles? Los Angeles city or county?

There are several districts in LA that have a wide range of people in demographics, income and level of education. In the city of LA, there are almost 4 million people. In the county of LA, there are almost 10 million people (2005). In the city of LA, 25.5% of people have Bachelor Degrees. I live in a suburb 25 miles from Los Angeles bordering OC. To my latest knowledge, on my block, there are only 3 people with Bachelor's Degrees. There are mostly working class people living here and the most commom occupation for men is construction worker. Maybe in the westside of LA or in South Bay (Los Feliz, Culver City, Westwood, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Bel Air, Marina Del Rey, Burbank, Weschester, Pacific Pallisades, Palos Verdes, Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach) you may see a more educated and achievement-oriented population. LA is so diverse and it depends on if the people choose to stay in their neighborhoods in which they grew up or move to a more affluent area to begin their careers.

[HotFudge]

I would worry more about having connections than looks.

[justhere]

Originally Posted by SandyCo

If you're good enough at your job, it won't matter what your weight is (with the exception of jobs like actor, model, or porn star, of course! ).

This is so true. There was one lady who was a temp that used to come to our office, she was bald! Just had some salt & pepper peach fuzz, older woman, had adopted her granchild as her own child because her daughter was all drugged out. This lady knew computers like nobody's business - learned computers back in the 70s! She always dressed professional with an artistic flair. Eventually she told us she suffered from alopecia and got tired of faking it with wigs. She was kinda eccentric, but everytime she came she brought tons of snacks . Our office would always request her because even though she was eccentric and not necessarily one of the beautiful people on the outside, she was on the inside. You could count on her to show up on time, do the work like she was asked to do it and do it like she liked what she did for a living -- that's a big plus IMHO.

[bayarea-girl]

In LA it matters a lot about your look and who you know. Since you are behind the camera it doesn't matter as much but more people are more health and fitness conscious than other parts of the country. I believe LA has more gyms, plastic surgeons, health food stores than most states. So the emphasis on looks is pretty significant.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by bayarea-girl

In LA it matters a lot about your look and who you know. Since you are behind the camera it doesn't matter as much but more people are more health and fitness conscious than other parts of the country. I believe LA has more gyms, plastic surgeons, health food stores than most states. So the emphasis on looks is pretty significant.

Some info here, but what it really means is up to interpretation

The strongest cities in America: we took the 25 most populous cities in the country, applied nine criterions of strength and determined America's most muscular | Muscle & Fitness | Find Articles at BNET

this one has LA not even in the top ten

The Fittest and Fattest Cities in America - Men's Fitness

and then as a state, California is about in the middle



There may be a lot of thin people in LA, but unfortunately there are an awful lot of obese people too.

I think it correlates more strongly with socio-economic standing than geographical location.

or in other words:

"Tight butts get rich husbands"

"A guy will marry the best looking girl he can afford."

[bayarea-girl]

Charles, wow good to know. Do you really believe the stats? When I use to live in LA there was a lot of pressure to look GREAT all the time. Being overweight, unattractive, or unfashionable was not an option.

[Radical Raul]

The phrase 'glamor' is much more appropriate.

California is more 'glamor' driven than most states. Rarely do you find a man or woman who does not dye their hair.

[bayarea-girl]

Radical Raul, glamor is the correct term. You are sooooooo write about the hair dye.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by bayarea-girl

When I use to live in LA there was a lot of pressure to look GREAT all the time. Being overweight, unattractive, or unfashionable was not an option.

Depends what part of LA. The neighborhoods with $200K+ median incomes? Lots of hot moms. Very associated with economic position.

What about the other 95% of LA? Fat, smoking, medically unmanaged, out of shape people are everywhere.

You go to the affluent part of any city and the people are beautiful there too.