Thinner = happier?

fteale

Apparently one of the reasons given for why they started dieting by almost every anorexic is that thin people seem to be happier, so if someone is upset with life it is easy to think it'll be improved by losing weight.

Do you think this is true? Are thinner people happier? Or is it just a perception spread about by magazines, advertising and the media?

christine24t

Definitely a perception! Like money, it might make things easier but it doesn't necessarily make you happy or fulfilled.

RDH0513

No way. In my world, stronger=happier

JennBennett410

I believe it is how you feel, some people relate how they look to their happiness. Personally, being smaller makes me feel happier in certain aspects in my life. For example, I am happier that I am not late to work anymore because I don't have to try on 23948203489 outfits to find one that doesn't make me feel like I look like a giant.

misssmiles

i've battled depression at every weight... one thing i know for certain exercise = happier!

KarenBorter

Personally I was falling into a downward spiral of depression due to my weight. I was "only" 40 lbs heavier but at 47 and single that was something I couldn't face. I was drowning myself in vodka every night and never going out because nothing fit. I was in denial and depression. When I decided to do something about it I knew I had to quit drinking first ... I have since lost the weight (hit goal in February of this year started in September of 2010) and I haven't been this happy in a long time.

Sure it's perception but so is initial motivation to lose weight people do it for many different reasons.

I think that "my skinnier" makes "me happier"

divades

Happiness is a state of mind. Which is why there are so many stories of people losing excess amounts of weight and gaining it back. Mental, emotional clearing and personal growth work are just as important as the physical part of it. Nobody or nothing can make you happy--they can only ADD to your existing happiness. People will disappoint you and things can go just as fast as they come. It is something you have to find in yourself no matter what state/place you are in.

TS65

Apparently one of the reasons given for why they started dieting by almost every anorexic is that thin people seem to be happier, so if someone is upset with life it is easy to think it'll be improved by losing weight.

Do you think this is true? Are thinner people happier? Or is it just a perception spread about by magazines, advertising and the media?

No, I've been both. We all have insecurities whether we are fat or thin. They may be different issues, but they are issues nonetheless.

If money and being skinny made you happy, hollywood wouldn't have so many divorces. It's all a fairy tale. **aren't I little miss happy thoughts today? LOL!**

karenkwalker

Happiness comes from the inside out. It has to do with knowing and being comfortable with who you are. Appearance is outside in - how much is enough - if your motivation is for others to tell you - you look great, etc. It's a slippery slope - that's why Anorexics think they are fat and keep trying to lose more and more to get that outside acceptance. Eating disorders are mainly about control - so if you are struggling with an eating disorder - try and get at what you feel out of control with in your life (ie: relationships, etc.) Happiness is as much a state of mind as anything else we tell ourselves. You have to be your own best friend, love yourself ultimately! Peace.

SammyPacks

Depression can always relate to self-image but that isn't always the case... maybe overall they're happier because they are healthier and feel better about themselves... but I think sadness can strike at any moment (more girls than guys LOL)

Bella1hud

Sadly sometimes we think that if we only looked different ... thinner, bigger/smaller boobs/belly/butt you name it, better hair, on and on... then we would be happy. But we need to be reminded that we are all unique and are all beautiful in our own way! Yes it feels great to feel like I am finally overcoming the bad/unhealthy habits that I have developed over several years, but if that is where I am seeking my happiness, I will be sadly disappointed if that's all there is to my live.

Media/makeup companies etc are billion dollar industries that work very hard to say that we need THEIR product to be perfect....

trinityj1

I definitely think healthier = happier, and a lot of people need to be thinner to get there, but just being thin isn't going to make you happy. Even just being healthy isn't going to make you happy, you have to work on the underlying causes of your unhappiness and dissatisfaction. Getting fit might be enough if your health/weight was keeping you down, but it's not usually that simple.

hottamolly00

No way! I think the reason I got fat was because I was "Fat and Happy!" I LOVE having a beer once in a while and not having to worry about a few extra calories. I don't want to be freakishly skinny... just fit!

LikeNoOneElse84

If a person is healthier, and feel confident about their body then they are of course happier. And that for a lot of people means losing weight. I don't think anyone is happy being overweight and unhealthy.

ppiinnkkmmoonn

umm i still have plenty of bad days but at least im tired from other things and not a 323 pound body

Seajolly

I think confidence makes you happy. When I look good, I'm confident. My lowest weight was about 30 pounds less than I am currently and I can tell you for sure that I was happiest when I was smallest because I felt confident to wear anything I wanted. I was also exercising A LOT when I was at my smallest and I think that had a lot to do with it. So I think feeling confident makes me happy, and that confidence could come from my weight, from exercise, eating well, etc.

mark03264

I was once a happy fat person and now I am a happy thin person. Attitude is the key.

katnz17

I think fit people are happier. But you can be fit and still not described as 'thin'. I think sometimes people mix the two up in their minds.

But as someone pointed out, how you feel about yourself can go a long way toward happiness.

AnnaPixie

I think if the ONLY reason you are down in the dumps is because you are overweigth, then Yes, losing the weight will make a big difference.

But......

losing weight wont solve your life issues. And most of the time we get fat because of life issues!

:flowerforyou:

Brandicaloriecountess

Media perception.

I have love my life now, and I loved my life and was a happy person 49 pounds ago. I made changes to be more healthy and look better in my clothes, NOT to be "happier".

frogmanjared

As someone who's been underweight my entire life, I can say that I am not happy about the way I look, nor have been treated my entire life. Both sides have it rough, even the gym rats get crap from other people... nobody's safe. I'm finally not underweight anymore, but because I have very little body fat % I still look scrawny and still, the first thing people say when they meet me is something about my weight. Its strange, when people are overweight, others talk behind their back, when you're underweight, they say it straight to your face, as if you can't do anything about it. The important thing is finding people to call your friend that won't make fun of your weight, and give you some honest "tough love" when you ask. That's why I have so few close friends.

arielsinlove

Thinner=happier shopping for me I'm a pretty happy girl now, but the hissy fit I have when I try on a really cute shirt that just doesn't quite fit will be avoided, and that makes me happy!

fteale

If a person is healthier, and feel confident about their body then they are of course happier. And that for a lot of people means losing weight. I don't think anyone is happy being overweight and unhealthy.

They may not be happy about their weight, but there are plenty of happy larger people.

fteale

I think to get seriously overweight in the first place I think you are probably not happy about something. I doubt there are many people who overeat who aren't emotional eaters. So simply getting thinner won't solve the problem, because the problem was the reason they got big in the first place.

beccarockslife

In my experience no. I was very thin as a teenager and very miserable. I've been miserable as a fat person too. I'm happy now and still fat but once I sorted my head and dealt with what was actually making me unhappy I got on with dealing with being healthy.

Lots of people think that it's being fat that makes them unhappy, but how did they get fat in the first place and why? I find that if you dig deeper most people were unhappy first and fat is a symptom, much like thin is a symptom of anorexia.

FTIM2015

For me, yes it does. My depression only started when I had gained weight, for me fat=depressed, when I was slimmer I was much more outgoing and confident.

Tracenspace

No, but I do know that for me depression causes weight gain. And happiness helps me to lose.

hyper588

No one element of your life can make or assure your "happiness". However, being overweight can be a factor which adds to an individual's unhappiness. In many cases, it is hard to stick with a healthy life-style program because the goal seems overwhelming, which begets frustration and eventually a sense of helplessness.

I had bulimia 30 years ago, before it became a household word. At the time, I had no idea why I was behaving that way, but luckily nature took it coarse and I dealt with the stressors that had lead to my unfortunate coping strategy and I returned to normal eating pattern. My awareness about my poor coping strategies (to life's stressers) came 15 years later when another distructive compulsion surfaced.

I have SLE Lupus, with major depression being one of my lead flare symptoms. For me depression and unhappiness are not the same thing. Depression is a medical symptom that has to be addressed with medication, just like the Lupus rash, protein in urine, arthritis, et al.

Unhappiness, on the other hand, takes internal exercises--to form and maintain a positive frame of mind. I like to keep a list of affirmations that I review once or twice a day. Relationship with a higher power. Love keeping a gratitude and accomplishment journal.