Is Being Really Lean Really Worth It?

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  • NavyKnightAh13
    NavyKnightAh13 Posts: 1,394 Member
    It was an interesting read. But as my doctor told me "your genetics has a role." Sadly, my genetics aren't great (thus how I ended up with asthma in the first place. Family history of asthma and copd) and I will never be tiny or skinny. According to my doctor if I can get down another 10, i might be just in the right range because most of my family members are overweight or obese.

    The other thing is if I spent hours upon hours in the gym, i probably would be better off. But the bottom line is, I am a mom, a wife, a sports correspondent, and a college student. So I don't have the time to be gym rat. I also would be miserable because there are certain things I like to eat and I refuse to give them up in order to be lean as can be.

    Heck i finally had a piece of pizza last night and i enjoyed it :drinker:
  • phatguerilla
    phatguerilla Posts: 188 Member
    She makes some decent points throughout the article but it should only be applied to people looking to step on stage, but its exactly the sort of thing that people with 10-20kg extra who yo-yo diet will use as an excuse not to put in some hard work.

    I also personally find it really annoying when people talk about 'naturally slim' individuals, maybe there are a couple of people out there who consistently eat 4000 calories on a daily basis and remain slim but the vast vast majority of people who are considered naturally slim are eating healthy and exercising regularly. I think it undermines her overall point to stick with this myth so rigidly.
  • abnerner
    abnerner Posts: 452 Member
    Everybody is different. -> INCORRECT, we are all humans and our body's all behave, react and adapt in the exact same way, there's a whole science around it, its called human biology.

    :noway: Really? All of us are the exact same? So that is why some of us (me included) plateau for 7 months while doing the exact same thing as other people, while they lose weight? Exact same way....ha!
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    Great article! It makes a good point that it's ok to be normal, and not everyone is trying to be a fitness competitor or model. Personally, I am still working on reducing body fat, but my initial goal is to get down to 30%. I might go down to 25% or so, but I have no desire for "six pack abs" or whatever. My husband already told me he'd force-feed me chocolate if I get too skinny. :laugh:

    But in "everyone is different," it should also be noted that everyone has different fitness goals, and that's ok. Some women *want* to be at 15% BF, and that's ok too. :smokin:
  • agdyl
    agdyl Posts: 246 Member
    Everybody is different. -> INCORRECT, we are all humans and our body's all behave, react and adapt in the exact same way, there's a whole science around it, its called human biology.

    EXACT same way? Rubbish.

    It is not rubbish.

    *eyeroll*

    Of course it's rubbish. We do not react in the *exact* same way. Most people are broadly similar within a fairly decent range of parameters, although there are outliers as well.

    If we reacted in the exact same way, there would be no need to include more than one person in any clinical trial.

    Amen.

    When my weight fluctuates by 10lbs, almost all that difference is directly on my waist. And I can get a nice flat stomach, have all my ribs sticking out and still have plenty of fat on my butt and upper thighs. Those places are the absolute last thing to budge on me. My mother in law on the other hand has very toned legs, a tiny butt, and a big belly. Totally the opposite of me.


    What is that? - it's genetics. Why do you think we label body types as apple or pear or hourglass shapes? Because we hold fat in different places. If we were exactly the same we'd all lose fat in exactly the same way but we don't.
  • jwdieter
    jwdieter Posts: 2,582 Member
    She makes some decent points throughout the article but it should only be applied to people looking to step on stage, but its exactly the sort of thing that people with 10-20kg extra who yo-yo diet will use as an excuse not to put in some hard work.

    That's true. But people will only do what they want to do. If getting under 30% BF means giving up the beer sundaes, maybe that's the line that won't get crossed - where losing fat isn't worth the lifestyle change.

    Agree there's a bit of a disconnect when people blame genetic differences on beer o'clock results. But what can ya do.
  • Deipneus
    Deipneus Posts: 1,861 Member
    Agree there's a bit of a disconnect when people blame genetic differences on beer o'clock results. But what can ya do.
    No doubt about it. Then there are those who are genetically predisposed to be lean and muscular, with some effort, and they think they did it all by themselves. It's always some combination of both.
  • elkahallick
    elkahallick Posts: 1,138 Member
    I think it's worth it, but didnt realize it until I got there
  • 36jessica
    36jessica Posts: 319 Member
    If you feel good about yourself and where you're at doesn't include any health issues, then just be you. You are one of the very few people who I've seen on MFP that is acutally happy with themselves. KUDOS!!!!
  • RoadsterGirlie
    RoadsterGirlie Posts: 1,195 Member
    I'm leaner than most with around 16/17% body fat.

    I can guarantee you that I am not miserable. Quite the opposite.
  • tricksee
    tricksee Posts: 835 Member

    So are you saying you get laid more at 8% body fat than say 14%?

    I never got laid at either... True story.
  • tracieangeletti
    tracieangeletti Posts: 432 Member
    I have spent the better part of the last year and a half being very rigid in my diet and exercise. It was what I needed to get to where I am now. I still have work to do but I'm at the point that I realize that I can't continue like this and enjoy my life like I'd like to. So I am now learning balance. I'm learning that having ice cream occasionally is not going to kill me or make me fat. That I can take a day off from exercise without repercussions. Bottom line is life is meant to be lived and enjoyed. I want to be fit and happy and I'm working on finding the balance for both. I'm going to be the best and happiest me I can be regardless of what bf% I end up at.
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    I like this article. I am one that maintains a lean physique easily and healthfully when I take the steps to work at it. I am happy where I am at. There is also room for improvement and I work on that, but I'm not going to be obsessive about it and I am going to appreciate and enjoy where I am at (a very healthy place).

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