too FAT to touch their toes?

[jenk]

Sky News reports that a British survey showed that 53% can't touch their toes and a quarter of the women can't do up their bra. The survey was carried out by the LA Fitness gym chain* and included questions about running, sit-ups, and other exercise as well.

But it's the choice of headline that made me wonder. Too fat to touch their toes? Or too inflexible? Perhaps too arthritic. Or too many past back or joint injuries. But I seriously doubt that it's the fat itself that is causing the problem.

See, I am very fat. I am the sort of fat most people simply can't become - they don't have the genes. I weigh damn close to 400lbs; my measurements are 59-57-68, and yes, that's inches.

And guess what?

• I can touch my toes. It's easy - sit cross-legged. :)
• I can also stand up, bend over, and touch my toes. I can also touch my toes while seated, or while one foot is on the back of the couch.
• I do 20-30 stomach crunches and cobra a few times a week.
• Yes, I do and undo my bra the traditional way - hands behind my back.

I do not claim to be in perfect health. Walking a mile is a good workout for me, which is why I do it every few days. My balance isn't what I want it to be, which is why I do yoga and squats. I also can't do the yoga pose in my icon. And yeah, it's a bit scary to reveal the things I can't do here.

But it's not that I'm too fat. It's that I'm not strong / balanced / flexible enough. So I'm working on it.

*Yes, I have no reason to believe these numbers are accurate.