Do I look skinny?

Owlibee

I have had some useful advice on here on how to help me gain weight and deal with my issues and I am taking it on board

However I am still very concerned with my body shape. I know I keep asking for advice and you are all probably sick of me by now!

Finally got the courage to upload a pic of me in my bikini (which never gets worn due to my insecurities to how skinny I look) http://www.myfitnesspal.com/photos/view/68176868

I am most concerned over my hip bones. I wonder is there a way to help the fat gain around my hips more? is there any exercises to help. Do I focus on my legs in order to do that?

I am clueless at weight training or exercises to help gain weight.

jfauci

I don't think you look too skinny. As for gaining, I don't think you can target areas for gaining. My suggestion is to do weight training and target all areas. Do legs one day, arms the other, etc. I found that even though my weight stayed the same, once I started working out and building muscle, my hip bones protruded less.

lucky_duck18

You look great! Dysmorphia is very hard to come to terms with, perhaps you should seek professional guidance. I wish you luck in recovery.

Graelwyn75

Nope, you do not look skinny, it is definitely the remnants of your anorexia speaking there, as in, you are still seeing what you saw then, which is quite unusual as it is normally the reverse. I had severe anorexia myself at 18, but have never seen myself as smaller than I am in the many years since. I am surprised, however, that you still have the dysmorphic view even when looking at photos of yourself? You look totally normal and a healthy weight. You need to try and work on disregarding what you think you are seeing, accepting it is faulty cognition and simply working on being healthy and fit rather than messing about with your weight and trying to force your body to be something it is not. Maybe you are not going to a higher weight, because your body is perfectly happy and healthy at your current weight and this is good. It shows things are working properly in spite of your ED history.

Suggest making some fitness goals or other life goals and simply laughing at the image you think you see in the mirror as it is not what is actually there. You are not that emaciated anorexic anymore. That was then, this is now. I really hope you can overcome this issue as you deserve to have some peace of mind and to see yourself as you truly are.

In terms of weight training... either look up Stronglifts 5x5 on the internet, which is very simply and progressive and has videos showing what to do, or get a book called 'New Rules Of Lifting For Women'. If you do not have access or cannot get access to a gym, or some weights, then look at bodyweight exercises in books called 'You Are Your Own Gym' or Bring It!' by Tony Horton.

JoRocka

I cannot see you're pictures at work.

But- I wanted to say- we aren't sick of you- but we are concerned for you. The focus is very much on "how do I look"... and nothing tangible- with an end goal that can be clearly defined.

I think it's really important for you to start doing something you LIKE doing- going for walks- invest in a bike- rollar blades- rock climbing- something- and set a some tangible goals.

You're focus is on something completely subjective and you're mind will play tricks on you- you will NEVER be satisfied or meet with a satisfactory end with "how do I look" as an end goal. Being able to really grab on to hard successes that you can measure- and meet out will really go a long way to improving how you feel about yourself.

Quick example- I have fat thighs- I have always had fat thighs- sometimes I have melt downs when I'm emotionally broken and I'm sitting and I see 2 big piles of blubber in front of me.

And then I go to the gym- and I can pick up some REALLY heavy stuff. And then I remember why I love my legs- because without them- I got nothing on picking stuff up. The picking stuff up outweighs my highly subjective opinion of my "blubber" legs. Because picking up 300+ pounds is awesome.

Chenry18

I think you look great; you don't look too skinny at all!

klouise1811

You look awesome

larainew

Your body shape looks pretty ideal to me. It's time to worry about something else, maybe set a goal that's not about weight. I haven't seen any of your other posts, btw, so that's just based off this one.

sexysmartlove

Nope. You look healthy.

Sora4ever

You look healthy, curvy, and beautiful!

SomeNights246

Nope, you do not look skinny, it is definitely the remnants of your anorexia speaking there, as in, you are still seeing what you saw then, which is quite unusual as it is normally the reverse. I had severe anorexia myself at 18, but have never seen myself as smaller than I am in the many years since. I am surprised, however, that you still have the dysmorphic view even when looking at photos of yourself? You look totally normal and a healthy weight. You need to try and work on disregarding what you think you are seeing, accepting it is faulty cognition and simply working on being healthy and fit rather than messing about with your weight and trying to force your body to be something it is not. Maybe you are not going to a higher weight, because your body is perfectly happy and healthy at your current weight and this is good. It shows things are working properly in spite of your ED history.

(I just reread through it and saw that you have battled anorexia, too. Which might make this even more interesting, or not. I'm not sure. Should have read closer the first time! My apologies. )

Believe it or not,it is actually quite common in ED recovery to see oneself as smaller. It is a stereotype that it is usually the reverse! Many people recovering from anorexia realize what the illness has done to their body, and because of how drastically and frequently the body of someone with an ED changes, the mind seldom ever has time to 'catch up' with the body. Leaving them as seeing themselves as larger or smaller than they are. I still struggle with not the former, but the latter. In the early stages of my recovery, I was still losing weight. Now, I've gained a bit and gained a tad bit of muscle (not much, but enough to logically see a difference) and still struggle seeing me now as I keep seeing me then. If that makes sense. It's normal to see yourself as larger or smaller when you have an eating disorder. Inf act, the reflection can change literally day by day.

I do think the OP looks healthy and at a great weight for her body shape/size. My first thought when looking at that picture was exactly that. The one thing I could recommend is some toning in certain areas, but not knowing how far she is in recovery - I hesitate to recommend even that (if she's not too far in, exercise could trigger - or it could not, everyone is different and I'm sure she knows if it would!). I think you look great, OP. Good luck in whatever your goals are now. And good job on recovery. :flowerforyou:

Missfit35

Perfect!

Holla4mom

I have to admit that I was expecting to see someone severely underweight and unhealthy looking.

You actually look great and healthy. You should be very, very proud of the work you have done to overcome your ED and make this amount of progress!!

I do recommend continuing to work with a therapist who has experience with BDD. This is just a part of your continued recovery as your mind catches up with the wonderful changes you have made.

You look fantastic, really, but I know it doesn't matter what others say if you can't see it for yourself.

marquishagetaka

yes you do - looks good!

F00LofaT00K

You look like a perfectly healthy weight to me. What does your doctor have to say about your weight?

RougeSara

You look absolutely fine. Not too skinny at all:)

justcallmedave

you look great

zoeysasha37

I think you look good. You look like a normal healthy young girl.

MyChocolateDiet

U look good.

p8liwag

You look healthy. . Keep up the good work

KatyE213

You look fantastic! Believe me, there are 100s of people on here who would LOVE to look how you look in that bikini!

jenilla1

You don't look skinny. You don't look fat. You look healthy. If you're looking for a way to enhance your already nice figure, you could consider weight training to build some definition. I love it myself! :flowerforyou:

Slinky_BraveHeartBunsOfSteel

You look fantastic! Believe me, there are 100s of people on here who would LOVE to look how you look in that bikini!

True!

tweetiejovi

Wow you look great I would kill to look like you do xx

I_need_moar_musclez

You look slim, not skinny. You look fantastic!

Falcon

if I had a body like that I would be showing it off at the beach every chance I got.

Don't let your mind play tricks on you. You look great.

sarahmoo12

I personally think you look perfect in your pic.
Might be an idea to have a wee health check up though just to get a professional opinion and maybe chat about how your feeling in your body right now

nutritionist101

Owlibee You are beautiful the way God made you!

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IvyLuci

I don't think you look skinny,you look like I would like to look some day :-)

If I might suggest something? Shoulders back, chest up, chin high. It will make you look stronger and more confident, after a while your mind will catch up (or as my dance teacher says, fake it till you make it :-D)

laurie04427

You look awesome, I wouldn't change a thing

shmoony

I think you could actually stand to drop a few if that makes you feel any better.