"You're too skinny!" Do others ever make you question your maintenance weight?

nickatine

farfromthetree wrote: »

It is embarassing when people say that because I never know how to respond. It's just because they are not used to seeing you as "thin" yet. If you were always 125 no one would say anything. I think you look great and your calorie range shows you have a healthy perspective. I think the best response is something like "No, I am fine and I feel great!"

I totally agree. I got similar Responses when I dropped a ton of weight few years back. It will take time for people to get used to the new you, but they will.

FatFreeFrolicking

Tinabob777 wrote: »

FatFreeFrolicking wrote: »

As someone who was significantly underweight from birth to age 18, I heard "You're too skinny!" and "Eat a cheeseburger!" a lot. My favorite was when people tried to say I was anorexic. My reply was usually something along the lines of, "Anorexics eat over 2500 calories?"

I was naturally thin and petite. I was a competitive gymnast and cheerleader for over 10 years. That was just how I was built.

When someone comments on your weight, simply tell them "thank you for your concern but my doctor assures me I'm healthy as can be." That will usually shut them up.

My youngest daughter (11) has some health issues and she is super super skinny, despite eating loads of foods. She is always looked at funny and then I get judgemental stares. I will have to start coaching her on what to say to people who will eventually start saying stuff like this.

That ticks me off!

I don't understand why people automatically assume 'eating disorder' when a person is very thin. Such a sad world we live in.

It's horrible to have to tell your child what to say if someone comments on their weight but unfortunately, it's the reality. IMO, it's best to prepare her for the worst now than her not be prepared at all. Kids can be nasty nowadays.

It's also important that she knows she can confide in you about topics that are difficult to talk about! So kudos to you!

JazzFischer1989

Girl, you just ignore them. You look great and clearly you're getting enough calories so don't pay attention to the haters. Everyone's a critic.

I grew up hearing "you're too skinny" and probably will until the day I die. It is what it is.

elansc

LOL It is weirdly comforting to hear how many of you get the "you are too skinny" comment -- I get it too -- and after losing 80 lbs (I do think part of it is the comparison to the obese me and the skinny me) I say (very enthusiastically) "OH THANK YOU VERY MUCH, THAT IS SO KIND OF YOU TO SAY" with a huge stupid grin on my face. The confused look on their face is just too priceless and I get a kick out of it every time (I know I am being a brat but I am having way too much fun with it to stop!).

mzbek24

I get it a bit, I'm 4kg bigger than the minimum weight for my height according to bmi, and I want to maintain at around the minimum, because I have a small frame and I also want to be faster, for my running. If you feel happy with how you look at your maintenance weight and are perfectly healthy, tell them so. People like to assert their personal preferences, but I just think "Too skinny for what?" your preference? okay thanks for letting me know, but I'll be doing what I prefer, as it is my body, thank you.

canadjineh

A lot of it has to do with your previous weight... the weight I am at now is actually 12 lbs more than my 25 yo weight (17% bf then, 18% now at 51 yo) although I have been close to this weight all my life. I only gained 31 lbs over 4 years when I got ill - that still only put me in the overweight category by 2 lbs, so I never get those comments. BUT if you were quite heavy and that's how most people know you, when you lose the weight you look so different to them that they may not be able to envision you at a healthy weight and worry about you. They have no frame of reference for how you look at a healthy weight, that's why "you look too skinny." Good for you!

DoneWorking

I got all of this when I lost my weight too. It was mostly because the people in my circle never saw me when I was thin. If they persisted, my comeback was to rattle off my doctor's phone number, and ask them to give him a call and tell him he doesn't know what he's talking about." That ended it right there.

50452

Tinabob777 wrote: »

FatFreeFrolicking wrote: »

As someone who was significantly underweight from birth to age 18, I heard "You're too skinny!" and "Eat a cheeseburger!" a lot. My favorite was when people tried to say I was anorexic. My reply was usually something along the lines of, "Anorexics eat over 2500 calories?"

I was naturally thin and petite. I was a competitive gymnast and cheerleader for over 10 years. That was just how I was built.

When someone comments on your weight, simply tell them "thank you for your concern but my doctor assures me I'm healthy as can be." That will usually shut them up.

My youngest daughter (11) has some health issues and she is super super skinny, despite eating loads of foods. She is always looked at funny and then I get judgemental stares. I will have to start coaching her on what to say to people who will eventually start saying stuff like this.

Yes, definitely coach her. It is very important to give our children the words they need when faced with oppositional situations. They, especially shy children, don't usually have the words.

ElkeKNJ

When I first got that comment three years ago, it was all I needed to eat all the weight back again, and even more. This time round, I'll try to keep the weight off, and not listen to those comments. It is hard enough as it is not trying to overeat. I am too short for my weight....

lauriesue

I'm 53, 5'5' and went from 170 to 121 over about 9 months with the Act Now program through the hospital; no diet, just healthy choices and education with a lifestyle coach toto teach us and guide us through the process; all for $150! Funded through the state to prevent diabetes and heart disease. My blood numbers and BMI are completely in normal range. I no longer have acid reflux, my knees don't hurt. For my maintenance my coach and I settled on 1800-2000 calories a day. I too run and also bike and rock climb. I think your caloric goals and weight are realistic for your activity. People are surprised when they see me, but I tell them about my journey and let them know that I am just back to what was a normal size for me most of my life. Luckily I live in Bozeman, MT. and there are a lot of fit and slim folks. I don't get any negative vibes about my weight loss. Keep on doing what you're doing.

shreddedtrooper

I get this as well.. just "move along move along"

Have a witty comeback when needed and for the others just change the subject. If they continue to press the issue then let them have it! haha

Christine_72

I get it all the time too. Only because I've lost a lot of weight on my face, my collarbones jut out and my arms are pin skinny, all 3 places I never carried any weight on to begin with!! So annoying :grumble: . But I've still got a belly and inner thigh chub. I'm 5"8 and 140lbs so not anorexic.

slimandsmiling

I knew I was big and needed to lose weight .. now people tell me...don't lose anymore or you were fine as you were.. but I didn't feel fine and now I feel happy and attractive..why can't people say wow well done x...I think you look great by the way xx I realise this journey was for me so I don't need to take on what other people think xx

Christine_72

slimandsmiling wrote: »

I knew I was big and needed to lose weight .. now people tell me...don't lose anymore or you were fine as you were.. but I didn't feel fine and now I feel happy and attractive..why can't people say wow well done x...I think you look great by the way xx I realise this journey was for me so I don't need to take on what other people think xx

I know right!!!! We get negative remarks when we're overweight, and now we're copping them for apparently being "underweight". I quit trying to please everyone a long time ago....

MissMelissa514

I hear that at work all the time. I'm 5'7" and went from 196lbs to 132lbs. I get the "you're too skinny" "you look sick" "eat a steak" comments all the time. It seems like it's always the overweight people that say that kind of thing to me though, so I just smile and keep going because I know how hard I worked for it. I did it for me. I'm proud of myself and so is my family and that's all that matters. Don't worry about what anyone else says. If you're happy and healthy, that's what counts.

astrose00

OP, I think you look great! Keep doing what you're doing and ignore casual, stupid, mindless comments from people.

meljustcole

Actually, my best friend told me that 2 yrs. ago when I reached my goal weight. She told me she thought I looked too skinny at 128 lbs. and a size 6. I'm 5'4. She's a size 2 and 5'6. It hurt. I had a lot of other things going on in my life at that time and I just gave up and wound up gaining half of the weight back. I will NOT let anyone discourage my goals this time. If I'm happy...then so be it. It just goes to show you that whether you're overweight, underweight or "perfect"....you can't please everyone, so why try? Just do it for yourself!!

happygalah

My stock response is a puzzled look and "Why would you think it's ok to say that to me?"

KharismaticKayteh

I'm the kind of person who... I don't go out of my way to be rude, but if I feel a person is rude to me, I don't usually have a problem snapping back in a way that they might think is rude. Which means if someone told me I was too thin, I would be more than happy to smile back and say to them, "Telling a person they're too fat would be hurtful and rude, so don't you ever tell me again that I'm too thin." The only person's body anyone should worry 'bout is their own.

SweatLikeDog

In the eyes of the obese, the jealous, and the socially impaired you will always be too skinny. Tell you family members that support cuts both ways. Goes around, comes around.

ndj1979

OP - if your current profile pictures are accurate/current then no you do not appear to be too skinny at all ….just keep doing what you are doing and try not to give a damn about what others think

MelissaH0910

arditarose wrote: »

I get that at 135 and 5'4". I'm definitely not "too skinny" and I still plan on getting smaller. I'm tired of hearing it.

This.

I also get "Why do YOU go to the gym? You're already so skinny" a lot. It's annoying.

kellygirl5538

People are just jealous

yesimpson

MelissaH0910 wrote: »

arditarose wrote: »

I get that at 135 and 5'4". I'm definitely not "too skinny" and I still plan on getting smaller. I'm tired of hearing it.

This.

I also get "Why do YOU go to the gym? You're already so skinny" a lot. It's annoying.

I always find that sort of thing hilarious. There's a woman at work who even just last week said the following to me:
"Why are you eating salad? If I was as skinny as you I'd eat chips all the time". Then you might not be skinny very long with that motto.
"Why bother going for a run if you're already slim? It's not doing any good". Of course the only benefit to exercise is to help lose weight.
"Men don't like women who watch what they eat." Right. OK. Thanks for letting me know the view of the male hive mind.
"You should eat a burger". I will. Tomorrow night. Hence the salad today.

Josalinn

Women are expected to have a little padding in most eyes of society. So since they are not used to seeing that, they probably can't differentiate between an athletic 18% and barely enough 13%.

A lot of people are saying "it's none of their business" or people shouldn't say anything about anybody else's weight" but if someone with your stats dropped another 15-20 pounds that person would be very underweight. If people held to the "I shouldn't say anything" mentality then no one would say anything. If it was then determined that person had an eating disorder that had gone unchecked for years then I think that the forums would be saying someone should have spoken up sooner. So where is the line?

For the most part, I think that people should keep their mouth shut, but there should be a few people that you trust enough to tell you if you are starting to look bony or sick and to not get upset by it. I think you look great and healthy and you have wicked taste in clothes.

kindrabbit

I was told I look anorexic recently. My reply? (sarcastically) excellent!! That' just the look I was going for - cue eye roll and walk away!

audmixer

I heard the "you're too skinny" comments as well, it was just because people were so accustomed to seeing me at 250lbs for so long that when I gradually lost 100lbs over 3yrs it was shocking for them to see me at 150lbs. Now that I've maintained my new healthstyle/weight for the past 2yrs those comments have changed to "you look so great" & "you're an inspiration". It just takes people time to adjust to your new look. Heck, it took time for me to adjust to my new look as well.

Katherinewalters8

I hear it everyday.

dakotababy

I would just reply with "you are having issues adjusting to my appearance - which should be none of your business anyway."

angelgreathouse9

I was getting it quite a bit about 10lbs ago at around 143... now at 133 and people have learned it is my body I eat ALL the time and I am healthy, so yeah they have shut their mouths. Its cazy how strangers think because I'm the lady who rings them up every morning that they can just voice their opinions about my body... well I have my own opinions and by the time I'm done they know if they aren't going to say something nice not to say anything at all... I don't give a beep about their opinion this is my body!