Hate the term skinny fat

Lillymoo01

Someone mentioned this term in the forums the other day and it bothered me and got me thinking. It is such a negative term which just further teaches us to be ashamed of not having the perfect body. I was even doing some reading about it from body building websites who talked about how unhealthy being skinny fat was.
Looking at the diagrams given I would be skinny fat because I still have a few fat reserves here and there. Does that mean I am unhealthy? I have decided no. I have a BMI of 21.5 and a body fat percentage of 25% according to scales. Both are within a healthy range for my aging female years. In fact I believe I would be healthier now than if I went down another 10%.
In this day and age it seems so many are striving for perfection rather than just good health. This just makes us more insecure about ourselves and our body image which is not healthy for our mental health.
Maybe we need to stop striving so hard for the perfectly toned body with little body fat and begin striving for overall health, both physically and mentally. Maybe we need to embrace our bodies which are not perfect. If other parts of our life are suffering because of our fixation on trying for perfection then we are not living a healthy balanced lifestyle.

Lillymoo01

The same could be said about our diets. It is sad how many stress about the fact that they cheated by eating something they deemed they should not be eating, or by going over their calories for a day. I have read where people will not go out socially when food is involved because it means deviating from their diets. We are social beings so how is this healthy?

2essie

I totally agree. I think we get too obsessed with the whole diet thing sometimes. As we get older I think we come to accept ourselves with all our little flaws. They are just not important as long as we hare healthy and happy, that is what matters

tomteboda

It drives me nuts because it's abused to mean "person who isn't a fitness model/bodybuilder" colloquially. I blame Dr. Mark Hyman (who writes for the Huffington Post) for popularizing this irritating term. Of course, he's a peddler of detox "courses" and the like.

Medically, it was a common-man term used to describe people whose BMI is in the healthy range, but body fat % is dangerously high. The people of concern are those with Metabolic Syndrome who are of "normal" weight by BMI. Those people are "thin but display the biological risk-factors for disease often associated with obesity", ergo, "skinny-fat".

But the way it's thrown around on these boards you're right, it often borders on body shaming or as a social pressure for unrealistic expectations. Personally I'd rather people use the more precise medical terminology but I do realize that such hopes are unlikely to be filled.

bellymonsterb

tomteboda wrote: »

It drives me nuts because it's abused to mean "person who isn't a fitness model/bodybuilder" colloquially.

Medically, it was a common-man term used to describe people whose BMI is in the healthy range, but body fat % is dangerously high.

This. This second is the definition I'm aware of, and it's been confusing me no end seeing so many people talk about being skinny fat, it's almost as if there's an epidemic. Your post has actually cleared things up for me.

AnvilHead

Lillymoo01 wrote: »

Someone mentioned this term in the forums the other day and it bothered me and got me thinking. It is such a negative term which just further teaches us to be ashamed of not having the perfect body. I was even doing some reading about it from body building websites who talked about how unhealthy being skinny fat was.
Looking at the diagrams given I would be skinny fat because I still have a few fat reserves here and there. Does that mean I am unhealthy? I have decided no. I have a BMI of 21.5 and a body fat percentage of 25% according to scales. Both are within a healthy range for my aging female years. In fact I believe I would be healthier now than if I went down another 10%.
In this day and age it seems so many are striving for perfection rather than just good health. This just makes us more insecure about ourselves and our body image which is not healthy for our mental health.
Maybe we need to stop striving so hard for the perfectly toned body with little body fat and begin striving for overall health, both physically and mentally. Maybe we need to embrace our bodies which are not perfect. If other parts of our life are suffering because of our fixation on trying for perfection then we are not living a healthy balanced lifestyle.

Then "skinnyfat" (at least in the medical sense) doesn't apply to you if your bodyfat percentage is in the normal/healthy range. MONW ("Metabolically Obese, Normal Weight", which is the clinical term for "skinnyfat") is used to describe people who are in the normal/healthy weight range but have bodyfat levels of an obese person and can suffer diseases/illnesses associated with obesity. It has nothing whatsoever to do with aesthetic perfection. It's a valid term and a valid concern for those who meet the parameters.

Lillymoo01

AnvilHead wrote: »

Lillymoo01 wrote: »

Someone mentioned this term in the forums the other day and it bothered me and got me thinking. It is such a negative term which just further teaches us to be ashamed of not having the perfect body. I was even doing some reading about it from body building websites who talked about how unhealthy being skinny fat was.
Looking at the diagrams given I would be skinny fat because I still have a few fat reserves here and there. Does that mean I am unhealthy? I have decided no. I have a BMI of 21.5 and a body fat percentage of 25% according to scales. Both are within a healthy range for my aging female years. In fact I believe I would be healthier now than if I went down another 10%.
In this day and age it seems so many are striving for perfection rather than just good health. This just makes us more insecure about ourselves and our body image which is not healthy for our mental health.
Maybe we need to stop striving so hard for the perfectly toned body with little body fat and begin striving for overall health, both physically and mentally. Maybe we need to embrace our bodies which are not perfect. If other parts of our life are suffering because of our fixation on trying for perfection then we are not living a healthy balanced lifestyle.

Then "skinnyfat" (at least in the medical sense) doesn't apply to you if your bodyfat percentage is in the normal/healthy range. MONW ("Metabolically Obese, Normal Weight", which is the clinical term for "skinnyfat") is used to describe people who are in the normal/healthy weight range but have bodyfat levels of an obese person and can suffer diseases/illnesses associated with obesity. It has nothing whatsoever to do with aesthetic perfection. It's a valid term and a valid concern for those who meet the parameters.

You are correct there AnvilHead but, if you go to body building sites rather than medical sites I would be viewed as skinny fat by all the diagrams they display hilighting this 'epidemic'. They have misused a medical term to make it something it is not and all it becomes is body shaming by those who think muscles with very little body fat is the ideal in health and fitness.

Chef_Barbell

I hate the term toning. There's always going to be something people use incorrectly.

danadikay4239

My younger sister is "skinny fat". She has normal weight, but when we measured her waist an hips for a sewing pattern, we saw that her waist is one size bigger than the rest of her body. We made one of those Internet tests and if we can believe them, she's "skinny fat". She also has symptoms like tiredness, she has no energy, she's getting dizzy after sports in school. That's not healthy.
I don't think the term "skinny fat" applies on you, like AnvilHead just said. But there are many people this term applies on. So maybe you should just check if you are "skinny fat", because being skinny fat means a lot of health problems, as I could research.

yondaime8

I got called skinny fat. While asking for advice to recomp
I got a BMI of 23 and body/fat ratio of 14%. I simply didn't care, i am proud of what i achieved so far (really did not even believe i'd get close to where i am now in my life)! Body shaming exists in various forms, even ripped dudes in gym changing rooms body shame each other whereas they all have greek gods' physique. Learning how to accept words like those and using them to fuel one's will and desire to achieve their best form is a delicate form of self control.

AnvilHead

Lillymoo01 wrote: »

AnvilHead wrote: »

Lillymoo01 wrote: »

Someone mentioned this term in the forums the other day and it bothered me and got me thinking. It is such a negative term which just further teaches us to be ashamed of not having the perfect body. I was even doing some reading about it from body building websites who talked about how unhealthy being skinny fat was.
Looking at the diagrams given I would be skinny fat because I still have a few fat reserves here and there. Does that mean I am unhealthy? I have decided no. I have a BMI of 21.5 and a body fat percentage of 25% according to scales. Both are within a healthy range for my aging female years. In fact I believe I would be healthier now than if I went down another 10%.
In this day and age it seems so many are striving for perfection rather than just good health. This just makes us more insecure about ourselves and our body image which is not healthy for our mental health.
Maybe we need to stop striving so hard for the perfectly toned body with little body fat and begin striving for overall health, both physically and mentally. Maybe we need to embrace our bodies which are not perfect. If other parts of our life are suffering because of our fixation on trying for perfection then we are not living a healthy balanced lifestyle.

Then "skinnyfat" (at least in the medical sense) doesn't apply to you if your bodyfat percentage is in the normal/healthy range. MONW ("Metabolically Obese, Normal Weight", which is the clinical term for "skinnyfat") is used to describe people who are in the normal/healthy weight range but have bodyfat levels of an obese person and can suffer diseases/illnesses associated with obesity. It has nothing whatsoever to do with aesthetic perfection. It's a valid term and a valid concern for those who meet the parameters.

You are correct there AnvilHead but, if you go to body building sites rather than medical sites I would be viewed as skinny fat by all the diagrams they display hilighting this 'epidemic'. They have misused a medical term to make it something it is not and all it becomes is body shaming by those who think muscles with very little body fat is the ideal in health and fitness.

Bodybuilders in general are beyond neurotic about their physiques and anybody who isn't packing tons of muscle mass and shredded to sub-10% bodyfat is considered skinnyfat in their eyes. *shrug* Nothing you can do about other peoples' opinions. I guess the best advice would be to not hang around on bodybuilding sites, because they're never going to change.

mengqiz86

What chart/diagrams are you referring to that categorize you as "skinny fat"? The BMI and BF% you are at shouldn't put you in that category..

The term "skinny fat" has its merits - when used in the right context, referring to somebody with normal BMI below 25, but high body fat percentage (above 30% for females). At that point, it is not just a matter of appearance or perfection or vanity, it's a matter of health risks such as visceral fat deposits.

SCoil123

I like the term when used correctly. The problem I see is that it often isn't. I have a friend who is the same weight and around the same height at I am. We are both at the highest end of our "healthy" weight range and still losing but my bf% is 25% and hers is around 30%. This happened because on our weight loss journies she used extreme calorie restriction with no activities to maintain muscle mass. I am concerned for her health and long term mobility. I think these are the cases where the term is appropriate, although as a friend I would never call her skinny fat but instead stay focussed on my concern regarding her muscle loss.

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld

I've never actually sat and thought how the words would sound to people.

I've used it to explain to people why they shouldn't under eat and that they should protect their lean muscle mass.

I genuinely thank you for the thread. I'll find different words to explain it now.

AnvilHead

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »

I've never actually sat and thought how the words would sound to people.

I've used it to explain to people why they shouldn't under eat and that they should protect their lean muscle mass.

I genuinely thank you for the thread. I'll find different words to explain it now.

You could describe it as a friend once did when referring to another mutual friend: "He looks like a Basset Hound. If you held him up by the collar, he could turn around in his own skin."

Seffell

The term describes people of healthy bmi and obese fat %.
Why are people upset by a term for a specific condition?
I am skinny fat now and the fact that I know what this means makes me NOT being upset by my body shape because I know that I can change my shape by working out a bit (and recomposing my body instead of losing more and more weight). Healthy fat % is important for overall well-being too, not just your bmi.

PAV8888

gebeziseva wrote: »

The term describes people of healthy bmi and obese fat %.
Why are people upset by a term for a specific condition?
I am skinny fat now and the fact that I know what this means makes me NOT being upset by my body shape because I know that I can change my shape by working out a bit (and recomposing my body instead of losing more and more weight). Healthy fat % is important for overall well-being too, not just your bmi.

Because people use the term when they don't see a six pack.

gebeziseva wrote: »

The term describes people of healthy bmi and obese fat %.
Why are people upset by a term for a specific condition?
I am skinny fat now and the fact that I know what this means makes me NOT being upset by my body shape because I know that I can change my shape by working out a bit (and recomposing my body instead of losing more and more weight). Healthy fat % is important for overall well-being too, not just your bmi.

Because people use the term when they don't see a six pack.

And there is a heck of a lot of difference between a normal weight/normal physique person, a metabolically obese normal weight person, and a person with a physique that manages to show through as ripped even though they have excess skin following significant weight loss!

Lillymoo01

gebeziseva wrote: »

The term describes people of healthy bmi and obese fat %.
Why are people upset by a term for a specific condition?
I am skinny fat now and the fact that I know what this means makes me NOT being upset by my body shape because I know that I can change my shape by working out a bit (and recomposing my body instead of losing more and more weight). Healthy fat % is important for overall well-being too, not just your bmi.

Because the term is overused rather than being used by correct medical terms. If I had a fat percentage higher than 30% (which is the maximum for an acceptable range for a female) with my current weight that is one thing. I'd still have health problems. However, because I still have a nice healthy supply of fat reserves around my butt, thighs and upper arms many 'gym junkies' would also relate that term to me.

Thinking about it, it is not the term that is the issue, it is the overuse of it to all that don't have that perfectly toned body. It is like we are inferior and unhealthy because we are not striving for a 6 pack and a low body fat %.

Someone had done a remarkable job with weightloss and posted his after photos on this site. He looked good and should have been proud of himself. Someone then had the audacity to mention the words 'skinny fat'. It got my blood boiling because this didn't apply to him in the slightest. He didn't have a perfectly toned body but he was definately fit and healthy and it was obvious that he was exercising while losing weight.

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld

Lillymoo01 wrote: »

gebeziseva wrote: »

The term describes people of healthy bmi and obese fat %.
Why are people upset by a term for a specific condition?
I am skinny fat now and the fact that I know what this means makes me NOT being upset by my body shape because I know that I can change my shape by working out a bit (and recomposing my body instead of losing more and more weight). Healthy fat % is important for overall well-being too, not just your bmi.

Because the term is overused rather than being used by correct medical terms. If I had a fat percentage higher than 30% (which is the maximum for an acceptable range for a female) with my current weight that is one thing. I'd still have health problems. However, because I still have a nice healthy supply of fat reserves around my butt, thighs and upper arms many 'gym junkies' would also relate that term to me.

Thinking about it, it is not the term that is the issue, it is the overuse of it to all that don't have that perfectly toned body. It is like we are inferior and unhealthy because we are not striving for a 6 pack and a low body fat %.

Someone had done a remarkable job with weightloss and posted his after photos on this site. He looked good and should have been proud of himself. Someone then had the audacity to mention the words 'skinny fat'. It got my blood boiling because this didn't apply to him in the slightest. He didn't have a perfectly toned body but he was definately fit and healthy and it was obvious that he was exercising while losing weight.

That's awful in the context of a success thread.

However I don't like the phrase Gym junkie either,

rybo

The term, when used properly is completely valid as pointed out a couple places above. Unfortunately in the health & fitness world many, many terms get used improperly or are individually defined so often, that they become meaningless(*cough*clean eating)
Also why let one small subset of people (body builders) have such an impact on you?

Lillymoo01

rybo wrote: »

The term, when used properly is completely valid as pointed out a couple places above. Unfortunately in the health & fitness world many, many terms get used improperly or are individually defined so often, that they become meaningless(*cough*clean eating)
Also why let one small subset of people (body builders) have such an impact on you?

When that one small subset of people think it is their business to shame others for their imperfections rather than encourage and praise for achievements reached it can become a problem. We are all here because we are striving for better health. Encouraging and teaching people to do a mixture of cardio and strength training to encourage fat loss without muscle mass loss is important for this overall health.

Reading through so many of these threads though, you can see that too many are fixated on this ideal. They feel guilty if they have what they consider a cheat meal, they feel embarrassed because they can't accept that their bodies aren't perfect which is totally different than being healthy. There are so many threads about recomp. Are they wanting to do with because of health as they are actually skinny fat, or how about we use the correct medical term rather than the body builders term, metabolically obese normal weight, or they they doing it because of this continual pressure put on us for perfection? Are they continually driving themselves to get fitter and stronger because they are never satisfied with their results?

Health is so much more than just our physical appearance.

nvmomketo

IDK. Skinny fat seems like an apt term. It applies to people who are a smaller or slender size but have excess body fat, probably around the waist, and not a lot of muscle. It's a term reflecting health more than appearance, IMO.

Seems to me that the objection is more for people who use the term incorrectly rather than the actual term, skinny fat.

SusanMFindlay

danadikay4239 wrote: »

My younger sister is "skinny fat". She has normal weight, but when we measured her waist an hips for a sewing pattern, we saw that her waist is one size bigger than the rest of her body. We made one of those Internet tests and if we can believe them, she's "skinny fat". She also has symptoms like tiredness, she has no energy, she's getting dizzy after sports in school. That's not healthy.
I don't think the term "skinny fat" applies on you, like AnvilHead just said. But there are many people this term applies on. So maybe you should just check if you are "skinny fat", because being skinny fat means a lot of health problems, as I could research.

Having your waist be "one size bigger than your hips" just means your body has an apple shape rather than a pear shape. There's absolutely nothing you can do about that! You could just as easily say that the person has "hips one size smaller than their waist".

Being tired and getting dizzy are things to worry about - and would make me suspect inadequate nutrition. If it's not that, it merits a trip to the doctor's office.

But not having the exact proportions that clothing pattern manufacturers deem ideal is *not* a medical problem.

jemhh

Lillymoo01 wrote: »

rybo wrote: »

The term, when used properly is completely valid as pointed out a couple places above. Unfortunately in the health & fitness world many, many terms get used improperly or are individually defined so often, that they become meaningless(*cough*clean eating)
Also why let one small subset of people (body builders) have such an impact on you?

When that one small subset of people think it is their business to shame others for their imperfections rather than encourage and praise for achievements reached it can become a problem. We are all here because we are striving for better health. Encouraging and teaching people to do a mixture of cardio and strength training to encourage fat loss without muscle mass loss is important for this overall health.

Reading through so many of these threads though, you can see that too many are fixated on this ideal. They feel guilty if they have what they consider a cheat meal, they feel embarrassed because they can't accept that their bodies aren't perfect which is totally different than being healthy. There are so many threads about recomp. Are they wanting to do with because of health as they are actually skinny fat, or how about we use the correct medical term rather than the body builders term, metabolically obese normal weight, or they they doing it because of this continual pressure put on us for perfection? Are they continually driving themselves to get fitter and stronger because they are never satisfied with their results?

Health is so much more than just our physical appearance.

Wait, what? I don't understand what you are getting at in your last paragraph. It reads as if you think wanting to recomp is a negative or unhealthy goal. And what's wrong with wanting to get fitter and stronger continually?

I don't consider this to be a bodybuilding site and have no memory of large numbers of the people who do happen to lift (whether specifically for bodybuilding or not) shaming others for their imperfections. If a person asks specific questions they are answered and I don't doubt that there is an *kitten* bodybuilder or two, just as there are *kitten* runners and yogis, but there's your post reads as if there a glut of this activity when there is not.

AnvilHead

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »

Lillymoo01 wrote: »

gebeziseva wrote: »

The term describes people of healthy bmi and obese fat %.
Why are people upset by a term for a specific condition?
I am skinny fat now and the fact that I know what this means makes me NOT being upset by my body shape because I know that I can change my shape by working out a bit (and recomposing my body instead of losing more and more weight). Healthy fat % is important for overall well-being too, not just your bmi.

Because the term is overused rather than being used by correct medical terms. If I had a fat percentage higher than 30% (which is the maximum for an acceptable range for a female) with my current weight that is one thing. I'd still have health problems. However, because I still have a nice healthy supply of fat reserves around my butt, thighs and upper arms many 'gym junkies' would also relate that term to me.

Thinking about it, it is not the term that is the issue, it is the overuse of it to all that don't have that perfectly toned body. It is like we are inferior and unhealthy because we are not striving for a 6 pack and a low body fat %.

Someone had done a remarkable job with weightloss and posted his after photos on this site. He looked good and should have been proud of himself. Someone then had the audacity to mention the words 'skinny fat'. It got my blood boiling because this didn't apply to him in the slightest. He didn't have a perfectly toned body but he was definately fit and healthy and it was obvious that he was exercising while losing weight.

That's awful in the context of a success thread.

However I don't like the phrase Gym junkie either,

I agree. It has a very unhealthy and negative connotation, as the term is commonly used in context with illicit drug users/dealers involved in criminal activity. The phrase "gym junkie" paints people who exercise in a very unfavorable light and could be considered as shaming/ridiculing such people. At least the term "skinny fat" has a factual, objective medical basis and a proper contextual usage.

newheavensearth

I can't stand the term skinny fat either. MONW is better but the terminology will never become mainstream. Normal weight people are being shamed with this term for not having the desire to train, eat, or look like a physique athlete. They're not lazy, they just have a different set of priorities and goals. And there are some people who just can't achieve that look without supplementation or possibly steroids. Not worth it IMHO. In my case, I've finally reached a healthy weight, but thanks to tons of loose skin I'm not in a hurry to get removed, I'm going to have that skinny fat look. Oh well.

kshama2001

I'd like to take this opportunity to point out that there are other reasons for strength training than obtaining an "ideal physique", namely for the health of your bones and muscle.

I just spent an hour at the nursing home this afternoon - what a depressing place! Many people end up in a nursing home because they no longer have the strength (i.e. muscles) to get on and off the toilet or in and out of bed.

Let 84 yo Ruth Bader Ginsburg be an inspiration to us all: http://www.health.com/fitness/ruth-bader-ginsburg-workout

newheavensearth

kshama2001 wrote: »

I'd like to take this opportunity to point out that there are other reasons for strength training than obtaining an "ideal physique", namely for the health of your bones and muscle.

I just spent an hour at the nursing home this afternoon - what a depressing place! Many people end up in a nursing home because they no longer have the strength (i.e. muscles) to get on and off the toilet or in and out of bed.

Let 84 yo Ruth Bader Ginsburg be an inspiration to us all: http://www.health.com/fitness/ruth-bader-ginsburg-workout

Of course there are other reasons besides looks. I come from a family where height loss from osteoporosis is unfortunately common. That's one of my motivations for strength training. But I can lift till the cows come home and still look skinny fat for reasons as stated above. And others strength train for health and functional fitness but don't want to take it to the level of a physique athlete. And also don't deserve the title "skinny fat".

Lillymoo01

jemhh wrote: »

Lillymoo01 wrote: »

rybo wrote: »

The term, when used properly is completely valid as pointed out a couple places above. Unfortunately in the health & fitness world many, many terms get used improperly or are individually defined so often, that they become meaningless(*cough*clean eating)
Also why let one small subset of people (body builders) have such an impact on you?

When that one small subset of people think it is their business to shame others for their imperfections rather than encourage and praise for achievements reached it can become a problem. We are all here because we are striving for better health. Encouraging and teaching people to do a mixture of cardio and strength training to encourage fat loss without muscle mass loss is important for this overall health.

Reading through so many of these threads though, you can see that too many are fixated on this ideal. They feel guilty if they have what they consider a cheat meal, they feel embarrassed because they can't accept that their bodies aren't perfect which is totally different than being healthy. There are so many threads about recomp. Are they wanting to do with because of health as they are actually skinny fat, or how about we use the correct medical term rather than the body builders term, metabolically obese normal weight, or they they doing it because of this continual pressure put on us for perfection? Are they continually driving themselves to get fitter and stronger because they are never satisfied with their results?

Health is so much more than just our physical appearance.

Wait, what? I don't understand what you are getting at in your last paragraph. It reads as if you think wanting to recomp is a negative or unhealthy goal. And what's wrong with wanting to get fitter and stronger continually?

I don't consider this to be a bodybuilding site and have no memory of large numbers of the people who do happen to lift (whether specifically for bodybuilding or not) shaming others for their imperfections. If a person asks specific questions they are answered and I don't doubt that there is an *asparagus* bodybuilder or two, just as there are *asparagus* runners and yogis, but there's your post reads as if there a glut of this activity when there is not.

Because you have to reach a point where you need to be satisified with where you are at. There is nothing wrong with doing these things if they are being done for the right reasons, for better overall health and wellbeing. We can however push ourselves too far when our health begins to suffer. Too little body fat is also unhealthy. Fatigue of a body that has been pushed to its limits is unhealthy and puts you at greater risk of injury.

You are right that this body shaming does not happen much here but the fact that it did the other day is one time too many. I'd also say that this forum is much better and more supportive than others out there with a general acceptance that there is no one size fits all. My biggest concern is the guilt that people seem to feel about falling short of their goals and the terminology we use that increases that guilt. Cheat days and fat skinny are just two commonly used. No one should ever feel guilty about not being perfect.

Lillymoo01

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »

Lillymoo01 wrote: »

gebeziseva wrote: »

The term describes people of healthy bmi and obese fat %.
Why are people upset by a term for a specific condition?
I am skinny fat now and the fact that I know what this means makes me NOT being upset by my body shape because I know that I can change my shape by working out a bit (and recomposing my body instead of losing more and more weight). Healthy fat % is important for overall well-being too, not just your bmi.

Because the term is overused rather than being used by correct medical terms. If I had a fat percentage higher than 30% (which is the maximum for an acceptable range for a female) with my current weight that is one thing. I'd still have health problems. However, because I still have a nice healthy supply of fat reserves around my butt, thighs and upper arms many 'gym junkies' would also relate that term to me.

Thinking about it, it is not the term that is the issue, it is the overuse of it to all that don't have that perfectly toned body. It is like we are inferior and unhealthy because we are not striving for a 6 pack and a low body fat %.

Someone had done a remarkable job with weightloss and posted his after photos on this site. He looked good and should have been proud of himself. Someone then had the audacity to mention the words 'skinny fat'. It got my blood boiling because this didn't apply to him in the slightest. He didn't have a perfectly toned body but he was definately fit and healthy and it was obvious that he was exercising while losing weight.

That's awful in the context of a success thread.

However I don't like the phrase Gym junkie either,

Sorry I should have termed it more appropriately as there is definately a negative connotation that I didn't think about when writing it. Going to the gym is a healthy part of wellbeing if it works for you. Nothing negative about that at all. I should have phrased it as those that spend exessive amounts of time working out at the expense of other important things.

kimny72

Lillymoo01 wrote: »

jemhh wrote: »

Lillymoo01 wrote: »

rybo wrote: »

The term, when used properly is completely valid as pointed out a couple places above. Unfortunately in the health & fitness world many, many terms get used improperly or are individually defined so often, that they become meaningless(*cough*clean eating)
Also why let one small subset of people (body builders) have such an impact on you?

When that one small subset of people think it is their business to shame others for their imperfections rather than encourage and praise for achievements reached it can become a problem. We are all here because we are striving for better health. Encouraging and teaching people to do a mixture of cardio and strength training to encourage fat loss without muscle mass loss is important for this overall health.

Reading through so many of these threads though, you can see that too many are fixated on this ideal. They feel guilty if they have what they consider a cheat meal, they feel embarrassed because they can't accept that their bodies aren't perfect which is totally different than being healthy. There are so many threads about recomp. Are they wanting to do with because of health as they are actually skinny fat, or how about we use the correct medical term rather than the body builders term, metabolically obese normal weight, or they they doing it because of this continual pressure put on us for perfection? Are they continually driving themselves to get fitter and stronger because they are never satisfied with their results?

Health is so much more than just our physical appearance.

Wait, what? I don't understand what you are getting at in your last paragraph. It reads as if you think wanting to recomp is a negative or unhealthy goal. And what's wrong with wanting to get fitter and stronger continually?

I don't consider this to be a bodybuilding site and have no memory of large numbers of the people who do happen to lift (whether specifically for bodybuilding or not) shaming others for their imperfections. If a person asks specific questions they are answered and I don't doubt that there is an *asparagus* bodybuilder or two, just as there are *asparagus* runners and yogis, but there's your post reads as if there a glut of this activity when there is not.

Because you have to reach a point where you need to be satisified with where you are at. There is nothing wrong with doing these things if they are being done for the right reasons, for better overall health and wellbeing. We can however push ourselves too far when our health begins to suffer. Too little body fat is also unhealthy. Fatigue of a body that has been pushed to its limits is unhealthy and puts you at greater risk of injury.

You are right that this body shaming does not happen much here but the fact that it did the other day is one time too many. I'd also say that this forum is much better and more supportive than others out there with a general acceptance that there is no one size fits all. My biggest concern is the guilt that people seem to feel about falling short of their goals and the terminology we use that increases that guilt. Cheat days and fat skinny are just two commonly used. No one should ever feel guilty about not being perfect.

To be fair though, you've managed to shame a lot of other people in order to make your point - bodybuilders, people who do cheat meals, people who are recomping.

I agree that skinny-fat Is overused as an insult for people deemed "not fit enough". But putting down other people's goals isn't so nice either. Striving to better yourself is an awesome goal in my book. It is totally possible to be happy with your body but still want to improve, or reach new fitness goals.

Personally, I hope I always have a fitness goal I'm striving for. Luckily I have a ways to go before anyone will be accusing me of trying to be too fit lol