So tell us...is being skinny worth it?

Cortneyrenee04

I'm not there yet either, BUT I have been able to enjoy so much more of life than food. I hike, bike, and walk more, travel more now and I'm more comfortable in my skin. I would trade that for eating the way I used to eat. I still enjoy my food. I drink less but other than that I just eat smarter.

Canuname

hedean said:
"Yes I believe that I'll one day agree with you. I can't imagine finally reaching my goal and then saying eh, I'd rather just be fat and lazy again."

First off I have to say that just because someone is over weight doesn't make them lazy. There are many reasons why people are overweight.

Second, it is a lifestyle choice. If the person isn't as happy when they are watching everything they eat and want to stop and they are happier than all the power to them. I think it is more about being happy in the skin you are in than a number on a scale.
I for one have sacrificed a lot to get where I am now and don't plan on ever going back. When I reach my goal I might eat more like I did but in moderation.

Capt_Apollo

i don't know about skinny, but being fit is. it's a really great feeling for your friends to invite you hiking, camping, rock climbing, or whatever, and you can say yes. and not only say yes, but not be the last one in the group huffing and puffing.

devil_in_a_blue_dress

...

Sigh.

There is really no reason why, if you are approaching diet and exercise moderately, you can't enjoy all the things.

I enjoy being thinner than I once was because I feel more comfortable (ie less stuffed -- into my own skin, clothing etc and less joint pain) but I still enjoy all the foods --- all the celebrations --- all the things. I just make sure I am active enough to support what I am eating.

Amym26

I feel it's worth it! I have seen other post this, but I have learned to handle stress much better because of exercise and not chosing to feel sorry for myself and stuff my face. I'm out trying new things in life and really starting to live my life finally.

I suppose it all depends on the individual. I just think there is more to life than food. And I know what I did was shut myself away from anyone and just eat. Bascially was depressed and scared to go out and live life. I was just letting my life pass me by.

Brooke4206

For me, being skinny is worth it.. but i can definitely relate. I actually have lower confidence now because I constantly worry about my weight. When I was heavier I didn't really think/worry about it. I worry about everything I eat and if it will benefit my body or make me gain weight.

MinnieInMaine

Is skinny worth it? No, because it's not usually enough motivation to get to goal and stay there.
I said and did the same as the OP's friend many times - but it was because I didn't lose the weight in a way that worked for me. I would restrict my foods too much, try to work out too much and generally deprive myself. Not fun. And in that case, it totally wasn't worth it, especially since my goal was to get "skinny".

Is healthy worth it? Abso-freakin-lutely!
This time, my goal was more about getting healthy. And instead of depriving myself, I've learned to eat the foods I enjoy in smaller portions and/or with healthy substitutes. And I've found exercises that I actually enjoy. I've been at this for over 4 years and while I'm not quite to goal and may not be for another couple years, my health and general lifestyle has vastly improved. My blood pressure is at normal again, I'm able to do basic day to day tasks without getting winded, etc.

devil_in_a_blue_dress

There is a lot more to enjoy in life than food.

Aside from sex, not really.

bcattoes

Yes, I've always thought it was worth it. Fat and jolly is not something I could be.

Now at age 52, my goals are more about health and fitness. Things like maintaining bone density and muscle and reducing risk of disease are my primary goals. And while "skinny" is not something I think about like I did as a teenager in the 70's, carrying too much fat is a risk factor for disease, so I think it's important to control that.

I don't restrict my food to the point that it makes my unhappy, but I certainly don't want food to my greatest source of happiness. I want to continue to be well enough to enjoy life outside the kitchen.

zillah73

I had a lot of notions about what life would be like if/when I lost weight. I thought people would think I was beautiful (based on being told "you have such a cute face, you'd be beautiful if you lost weight" so many times), thought I'd be beating the fellas off with a stick. None of that has happened. However; while it isn't what I thought it would be it really exceeds all my expectations in terms of quality of life. There are few things that feel better than to be able to put down both armrests and buckle my seat belt on an airplane, to be able to run a 10k, to be able to shop for clothes wherever I want and not just Lane Bryant and small plus sized departments. I feel much healthier, more vibrant and more excited about leading a long fulfilling life. I'm not "skinny" yet but I've come a long, long way toward getting closer to a healthy weight and it is absolutely worth it.

postrockandcats

Not that this was easy, per se, but if I had known it was less of a challenge than I thought it would be, I'd have done this years ago. I'm not happier as a thinner person, I'm happier as a HAPPIER person. That came about when I developed a better relationship with food, allowed myself to take care of myself and considered myself worthy of the journey. The fact that I can fit into non-plus clothes (ie- I can shop in the section with the most clothes in the main part of the store, instead of a dark, unorganized corner), car seats and plane seats without an extender is just a really f***ing nice side effect.

I didn't go into this to be thin, I went into this to be healthier. The lifestyle I changed over to wasn't able to support me staying at a larger size. When I realized it was possible to lose weight without giving up foods I liked, actual weight loss goals came into the mix. Fun fact: my original weight loss goal was 20 pounds. And I just put in that goal because I needed to put something in.

So, yes. Worth it. Worth it times infinity.

Capt_Apollo

There is a lot more to enjoy in life than food.

Aside from sex, not really.

^^ this. and man, fitsex is sooooooo much better than fat lazy sex.

Holly_Roman_Empire

There is a lot more to enjoy in life than food.

Aside from sex, not really.

^^ this. and man, fitsex is sooooooo much better than fat lazy sex.

+2 Completely agree.

iPlatano

There is a lot more to enjoy in life than food.

Aside from sex, not really.

^^ this. and man, fitsex is sooooooo much better than fat lazy sex.

+2 Completely agree.

+3 Who else agree?

Summer_Lunatic

Hells Yeah!

IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym

I don't know about skinny, but being healthy is worth it. Being fit is also worth it. I live life to the fullest and didn't have to give anything up to become healthy and fit.

runway12

Honestly, it's all about how you take it. I think a lot of people deprive themselves of eating enough, getting a treat, over work themselves, etc which makes the lifestyle less enjoyable, but if you do allow yourself to not obsess over numbers, eat the right amount, and treat yourself well then the lifestyle is worth it. I personally wouldn't trade it for anything, And I mean this in the healthy fit way not so much skinny : )

MissAnjy

That happens to people who deprive themselves and limit themselves from having what they want.

I'm thin and I eat pizza, sushi, chips, cake, cookies, drink pop, drink beer, drink whiskey, bagels, fast food....you name it, i eat it.

It's all in MODERATION, and its all done with portion control.

I eat what I like. I eat what I enjoy. If I go to a restaurant, I eat what I want.

I work out.

I still live life. So I don't mind being thin......it works for me. I have enough energy to do all the things I want, and I eat the things I want. I just don't eat it in massive amounts made for 4 people (well.......not always anyways )

wisteriafleur

I don't know what I will do personally when i get down to my goal weight. Will I try to lose more to fit better into my target BMI for my height or will I maintain? One thing I do know is that I will surely have a good cry if i reach my goals and find that it is more work than i find enjoyable. Right now I enjoy working out and eating healthy, it is a habit now. I think that id I found I wasn't happy at that point I would need to reevaluate my life

Lleldiranne

I can't say whether being skinny is worth it ... I've never been "skinny." Nor do I want to be.

But I can tell you that being fit and healthy is worth it. Being able to help move my parents when it's just me and my husband doing most of the lifting, being able to keep up with my kids ... and setting the example of healthy living for them, being able to fit in clothes, having healthy blood pressure and blood lipid and sugar levels, and much more. Yes, that's worth it.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy life. We go out to eat. I eat dessert. I enjoyed family dinner for Easter and didn't worry about restricting. But I balance it out. I exercise a couple times a week, I try to eat mostly nutrient-dense foods, and stay within reasonable calories most of the time. It's an over-all healthy lifestyle that I aim for, not just a number on the scale.

neveragain84

I don't think being "skinny" was really my goal, I wanted to be healthier and improve my fitness.

Being able to go for a six mile run when I'm stressed out has improved my coping skills.

Being able to regulate my food intake and being conscious of what I eat has allowed me to feel control over my eating and body that I lacked at 240+lbs.

Being able to be naked and not feel uncomfortable with my body has made me more relaxed and happy in my relationship.

Being able to fit in clothes where I live (Asia) instead of having to import them from the UK or US has saved my bank-book.

Being able to quit smoking and drinking in order to help me meet my fitness goals has lengthened my life.

Being able to eat and drink what I like but exercising MODERATION has meant none of this has felt like a chore.

So, although I am happier with what I see in the mirror, my life has changed in many more ways than just being "skinny". So IMHO, yes. Totally and utterly worth it. You couldn't PAY me to go back.

Nnekababy

I believe being fit and healthy is all that matters...moderation in food intake...moderation in maintenance of the body...not fat not skinny..just being fit!..

AglaeaC

I'm enjoying reading everyone's answers.

My goal is healthy and strong. I used to wish for "slim" (can't be skinny with this body type, unless I'm really unhealthy), but after having read so many weight-lifting comments here, I'd rather be strong.

My goal is also to learn what stuff contains so I don't have to count calories for the rest of my life. It's extremely boring and I prefer to pay attention now, then apply what I've learned and focus on other things. Hence lifestyle change. Stepping on the scale once in a while will always remain a routine, though, and if it would show more than during the previous weigh-in, then it's time to pay a bit more attention, I assume.

What hits me like a freight train just now is that I wouldn't mind one bit *not* fitting into my "skinny jeans", if it meant that they are too small because of muscles.

TheStephil

I don't find it hard to track what I eat. It's just something I do now. Occasionally I take breaks when it's more effort than its worth (all day festivals, vacations, etc.) but on a daily basis, it's easy. I love lifting and I need to eat the right way to support my lifting. If I was to go back to how I was before I started tracking I wouldn't be able to continue to lift as I am now and that just seems foolish.

I eat more on a daily basis now than I did before I was tracking but I eat good food and not just a bunch a junk food.

GracieGag

Having just lost 25 pounds, I can tell you I feel so much better both mentally and physically. I've been both over weight and slim several times, and trust me, slim feels way better. It used to be more about looks for me, but now I'm more concerned about health and having more energy. I feel better now than I have in a long time. It is sooo worth it.

SnicciFit

I know someone who lost weight and maintained it for a bit, but then realized he wasn't able to enjoy life as much. He sort of thought "life is too short to be worrying about being thin". He has gained back the weight and now is a jolly, older man with no regrets regarding his lifestyle.

I have such high hopes for how much better I will feel without the extra weight, but is it actually worth it? Does life then become less enjoyable because we're not quite as free-spirited when it comes to eating food?

I've been "skinny" and still unhealthy & unhappy. "Skinny" (whatever that means!) definitely doesn't equal happy. I've also been fat and miserable. Now, I am healthy & strong and I am happy. If you are chasing "skinny" and willing to do ridiculously stupid things to get and keep your "skinny", you are likely to be very unhappy. If you are chasing "healthy & happy" you will probably be much happier. Skinny is usually achieved by things like diet pills, extreme calorie restriction (often paired with large amounts of cardio) and other silly things. Healthy is usually achieved by balancing your diet & exercise with sleep and other factors that affect your health (including having a decent social life and eating foods that you love).

NewLIFEstyle4ME

I know someone who lost weight and maintained it for a bit, but then realized he wasn't able to enjoy life as much. He sort of thought "life is too short to be worrying about being thin". He has gained back the weight and now is a jolly, older man with no regrets regarding his lifestyle--which is so natural, so EASY and so "comfortable" for me to do.

I have such high hopes for how much better I will feel without the extra weight, but is it actually worth it? Does life then become less enjoyable because we're not quite as free-spirited when it comes to eating food?

Ya know what??!!?? This is a REALLY good question.

I was super stick like skinny for all of my young and middle aged life and HATED being skinny...now that I'm older and fat--I super HATE being fat too:grumble: If I had to choose to either be "stick skinny again" or obese/fat....wow, that's a really hard choice...but I'll say NEITHER. I think "skinny" looks just as unhealthy and unattractive as being fat looks. What I desperately want is to be slim and trim...neither skinny nor fat--but healthy and "womanly-shapely" looking...meaning about a size 7 or 8 to me, that's not skinny nor fat, but the perfect balance. I got a ways to go to get there--about 50 pounds to be exact:ohwell: ....but get there (size 7-8) I will--BUT, it's going to take a lifestyle change for me of healthy eating and drinking and THINKING and moving this body of mine more and forsaking a S.A.D.(Standard American Diet) and sedentary/privileged entitled and gluttonous/greedy slothful lifestyle!

Thanks for posting and I'm looking forward to reading the replies!

Chimis_Siq

For me I hate to use the word skinny. I want to be healthy. I want to FEEL great. This will come at whatever weight I am at. Being heavier I was unhealthy and now that Im getting healthier, I happen to be losing weight. My end goal is health. I want to be strong. I want to be able to do pushups, to run, to do a pull up to not have to worry about a "max" weight limit on ziplinging, air balloon rides, roller coasters, etc.

skeo

Personally for me, being "skinny" was never the goal. I've always aimed to be "fit." I can see how chasing a low number on the scale and aiming to just be skinny would be exhausting, because the concern day in and day out is what the scale shows you. I see it too often on here, people become so obsessed with the number on the scale and are absolutely miserable, I don't aim for that.

I aim to kick *kitten* in the gym lifting weights, hitting new personal goals, I love feeling strong, feeling confident, and I love the need TO eat more because I lift. I've gained weight since weight lifting, it's muscle. I have gone up 5lbs, but gone down two pant sizes, and a shirt size. It is worth it, because what I have learned is moderation; moderation is the key, not restriction. :drinker:

ValeriePlz

I have loved reading everyone's answers.

After losing almost 25 lb. and gaining lots of muscle and cardiovascular health, I can say it is absolutely worth it, even if I feel hungry a lot.

My husband was out of town and I had to haul a really heavy thing up some stairs, but I can do it now because of the weight lifting. High blood pressure runs in my family, but mine went from 120/80 to 96/60. I sleep extraordinarily well now. I appreciate food more. I feel more comfortable in my clothing. It's worth all the hours at the gym, and all the calories refused!