My goal is to be FIT, NOT SKINNY!

bonjour24

i get the point of view that you're trying to get across. i didn't think it was very difficult to get, either! you weren't having a dig at skinny people- you were just saying that skinny doesn't mean healthy- right? and it doesn't. but fat usually means unhealthy- you can be a fit fatty, but that extra layer of fat around your heart is never going to be good.

i've been on hundreds of diets before, with the goal of being skinny. none of them worked (there's a surprise).

this time my goal has been to get fit. and it has worked. i'm still chubby (30lbs overweight, from 90lbs overweight). but i've stuck with it for 18 months now. and i've gone from a couch potato to a marathoner. i'm always the fattest runner at races!

so, i'm a fitter fatty. and i'll take it. i may never get skinny (but i might- who knows!), but at least now i'm motivated enough to get my *kitten* off the couch and play with my kids, take the dogs for a run, and do other fun stuff.

catshark209

Women should have curves, not look like sticks.

Curves, yes. Not rolls. Not double chins, not front butts, not dimpled elbows and knees. :laugh:

MsTanya77

I agree 100%! I don't ever want to be thin!!!

PANZERIA

Women should have curves, not look like sticks.

Wrong. Women should look like however their own physical body allows. Whether that be with a few extra pounds, or naturally thin. There is no guideline to how women SHOULD look.

But if we're going on this route, all men should have no fat, ripped abs, and bulky arms. If we're going to place a guideline on how people 'should' look, might as well make it fair across the board, right?

bonjour24

Women should have curves, not look like sticks.

women can look however they want to. there are some naturally very thin women out there who look awesome, and some very chunky chicks who look fab and are happy with it.

i think what is more important is that people are happy with what they have. there's enough pressure from the media to look a certain way- we shouldn't be doing that to each other. live and let live!

catshark209

Women should have curves, not look like sticks.

women can look however they want to. there are some naturally very thin women out there who look awesome, and some very chunky chicks who look fab and are happy with it.

i think what is more important is that people are happy with what they have. there's enough pressure from the media to look a certain way- we shouldn't be doing that to each other. live and let live!

THIS

GelinaKnows

I think this was better meant for a blog & not a forum post. & to the person who said all women should have curves, I for 1 am overweight woman who does not have curves I am a stick straight up and down and I weigh around 140. I should weigh around 120 but no matter what my weight has been- and it has been everywhere from 100 to 160- I have no curves at all. So, I guess I'm not good enough for the thin people or the fat people right? I'm strong as hell though I'll tell you that much, and whether I was skinny stick or a fat stick, I can still kick some *kitten*! Oooh, this set of posts have really really rubbed me the wrong way!!! :explode:

ltkasmala

I don't think anyone should take offense.... I used to work with a gal maybe 20 years ago and she probably couldn't put on weight if she tried she was so thin. Yet she worked out at the gym and constantly was asked "Why are you here?" I guess some people don't understand fitness is a lifestyle regardless of your size or shape. I was very thin when I was younger and looked like a plank. Want to be thinner and weigh less due to heart issues but don't necessarily want to look like I did back then. I like my "curves"! My motto is "Strong is the new Skinny". Not original, but I do like the implications!

Silverkittycat

Women should have curves, not look like sticks.

I've got plenty of curves.
What if I didn't? Who are you to tell women what they should look like?

ishallnotwant

Do I want to be SKINNY?
No thank you! I'd rather be FIT! Skinny to me could equate to illness and sickness. It doesn't always equate to healthy. There are SKINNY Aids and Cancer victims.
Skinny people can be unhealthy and NOT fit. I think I've heard a word for that called Skinny -fat. It's very sad when I hear women say they want to be skinny. I know it may be a word and just semantics- I just cringe when I hear it. Can anyone relate? My goal is always to be fit and healthy.

I have five children. The youngest three are beautiful, scrawny little things. They are healthy, eat lots of great foods, and are very active. They don't gain weight easily at all. One of them even had to go through a barrage of tests because the doctor diagnosed her with "failure to thrive"-and it turns out she's just fine-and naturally very petite. The kids at school make fun of my little girls and call them sticks. My 9 year old's friends tell her that I put her in the dryer and shrunk her when she was a baby. They are made fun of and bullied. It's nice to know that you "cringe" when you hear women say they want to be skinny. I'm sure it would make my little girls feel even *better* about themselves to hear something like that. Yes, i'm sure you have been made fun of for being fat, and i'm sorry to hear it, but instead of making you resentful of all skinny girls, maybe it should make you a little more sensitive to the fact that they get tired of being made fun of as well. To be honest, reading your first paragraph just really p*sses me off, after having my ltitle girls come home crying so many times because of bullying at school. Skinny is NOT a bad word, and it's not a bad body type, either.

As an aside, you being morbidly obese is definitely not superior to a girl who is starving her way to 100 pounds at 5 foot 7-you both have problems and need help, just on different ends of the spectrum.

Skinny doesn't always equate to beauty. I've also seen gorgeous "fat" people. I hate that women especially are so brainwashed. I am cuter when I am fit- but I also know that I could be 130lbs and still not look perfect, I will still have a longer that I'd prefer face, a bigger than I'd want nose, and bags under my eyes that unless I go under the knife, are genetic features.

Skinny doesn't equate to having a perfect life. No one has a perfect life. Your life may be easier if you are fit- but your problems still don't go away magically. If you have depression or anxiety when you are overweight, unless you get therapy, chances are the depresison/anxiety will still continue. Weight loss doesn't change that- your MIND is what makes or breaks you.

People do not love you more if you are fit. If they do, they are not the quality people you'd want in your life anyway and you'd deserve more.

Some of your problems can go away when you lose weight though-you can be more active, healthier, and enjoy life when you're not huffing and puffing after one flight of stairs. People may not love you more when you are fit, but they certainly may enjoy your company more if you can get up and be active with them, and if you just generally feel healthier, more energetic, and better about yourself.

If people judge you, that's their issue, but remember skinny does not equate to beauty or necessarily good physical or mental health. You have to WORK hard to be fit- even thin people have to work hard to be fit.

How do you want your life? Anyone get me? If so msg me, add me, always up for new friends!

ETA: Well, I thought you were new, but apparently you've been on here for quite a while and have only lost 7 pounds? I took out my previous paragraph. I have to wonder, though, if perhaps you might be a bit resentful of others who have been able to lose weight and get "skinnier", and that might have something to do with your post? Just a thought...

Perhaps you should make friends and try to garner support from the forums rather than post strongly worded opinions that have the potential to alienate, and even hurt other people.

AlayshaJ

=.=

Laces_0ut

thin is fine. fit is fine. overweight is not.

Steven

Hi Folks,

I'd like to draw everyone's attention to a guideline that's being stepped on quite a bit in this thread.

4. Show Respect to All Groups and Individuals

No derogatory references to sex, gender, weight, body-type, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation, or endorsement of violence against any person or group, even if couched in humor, will be permitted. This includes expressing stereotypes about any group or community.

It's one thing to discuss and debate one's goals, but please refrain from making any further derogatory comments about some women's bodies or what women "should" look like.

Thanks for your cooperation,
Steven
MyFitnessPal Staff

Madelinew22

Haha some good stuff on this post! Lol

ladyraven68

thin is fine. fit is fine. overweight is not.

but what if you are overweight and fit? :ohwell:

KLovesTy

No hating here, I understand what you mean. this is all a damned if you do, damned if you dont on message boards you have to be very careful with how you say anything.

Laces_0ut

thin is fine. fit is fine. overweight is not.

but what if you are overweight and fit? :ohwell:

if you are overweight you are not fit.

ladyraven68

thin is fine. fit is fine. overweight is not.

but what if you are overweight and fit? :ohwell:

if you are overweight you are not fit.

What a ridiculous statement. What defines fit?

Heart rate?, Blood pressure?, cholesterol?, abilty to run 10K?, ability to do 100 push ups?

Laces_0ut

thin is fine. fit is fine. overweight is not.

but what if you are overweight and fit? :ohwell:

if you are overweight you are not fit.

What a ridiculous statement. What defines fit?

Heart rate?, Blood pressure?, cholesterol?, abilty to run 10K?, ability to do 100 push ups?

o i dont know...how about all the things we associate with being overweight? disease, stress on the body etc...

Madelinew22

thin is fine. fit is fine. overweight is not.

but what if you are overweight and fit? :ohwell:

if you are overweight you are not fit.

What a ridiculous statement. What defines fit?

Heart rate?, Blood pressure?, cholesterol?, abilty to run 10K?, ability to do 100 push ups?

o i dont know...how about all the things we associate with being overweight? disease, stress on the body etc...

What a rude things to say. I was considered over weight at 130 cuz of my height. But I was prob a hell of alot better in shape then someone in normal range. Bmi scales are a load of ****. And my step dad had high blood pressure cuz it runs in the family but I bet he's in better shape then some other ppl. Unless ur a doctor and u no this persons medical history quit being a asd and keep ur opinion to urself

ladyraven68

thin is fine. fit is fine. overweight is not.

but what if you are overweight and fit? :ohwell:

if you are overweight you are not fit.

What a ridiculous statement. What defines fit?

Heart rate?, Blood pressure?, cholesterol?, abilty to run 10K?, ability to do 100 push ups?

o i dont know...how about all the things we associate with being overweight? disease, stress on the body etc...

So you think that everyone who is overweight has all those problems, and nobody who is thin has them?

What a skewed idea you have.

Laces_0ut

I didnt mention BMI. i didnt say everyone who is overweight has every medical condition known to man.

I'm saying if you are carrying an extra 20, 30, 50 lbs etc...then you are not fit.

how am i wrong?

Laces_0ut

maybe we have different definitions of fit. fit to me includes having a BF% in the healthy range. and if you are outside of that then you are not fit.

ladyraven68

I didnt mention BMI. i didnt say everyone who is overweight has every medical condition known to man.

I'm saying if you are carrying an extra 20, 30, 50 lbs etc...then you are not fit.

how am i wrong?

How are you right?

Weight does not indicate fitness.
If I can run a 10k and my skinny friend can't run a mile, you think my weight still says that I'm the unfit one?

This is exactly what the original poster was talking about - people making assumptions about fitness based purely on size.

Laces_0ut

I didnt mention BMI. i didnt say everyone who is overweight has every medical condition known to man.

I'm saying if you are carrying an extra 20, 30, 50 lbs etc...then you are not fit.

how am i wrong?

How are you right?

Weight does not indicate fitness.
If I can run a 10k and my skinny friend can't run a mile, you think my weight still says that I'm the unfit one?

This is exactly what the original poster was talking about - people making assumptions about fitness based purely on size.

so if someone is 100 lbs overweight with a BF% near 50 and can run a 10k then they are fit? i say no.

ladyraven68

maybe we have different definitions of fit. fit to me includes having a BF% in the healthy range. and if you are outside of that then you are not fit.

There is no "maybe" about it.

ladyraven68

I didnt mention BMI. i didnt say everyone who is overweight has every medical condition known to man.

I'm saying if you are carrying an extra 20, 30, 50 lbs etc...then you are not fit.

how am i wrong?

How are you right?

Weight does not indicate fitness.
If I can run a 10k and my skinny friend can't run a mile, you think my weight still says that I'm the unfit one?

This is exactly what the original poster was talking about - people making assumptions about fitness based purely on size.

so if someone is 100 lbs overweight with a BF% near 50 and can run a 10k then they are fit? i say no.

If they have good cholestrol, great blood pressure, low resting heart rate, and can run 6 miles, you bet I think they are fit!

But then I'm not shallow enough to judge people on looks alone.

Silverkittycat

get over yourself. i'm not shallow. i'm just telling it like it is. even if that person meets your criteria right now he wont in the long run. thats why people are trying to lose extra body fat. because they are not fit.

you have a very distorted view of health and fitness. its this acceptance that being fat is ok under the right cicrumstances that is one of the reasons we are such a fat nation.

I agree, just adding something from Stanford Medical. "not limited to"?

Obesity has a far-ranging negative effect on health. Each year obesity-related conditions cost over 150 billion dollars and cause an estimated 300,000 premature deaths in the US. The health effects associated with obesity include, but are not limited to, the following:

high blood pressure - Additional fat tissue in the body needs oxygen and nutrients in order to live, which requires the blood vessels to circulate more blood to the fat tissue. This increases the workload of the heart because it must pump more blood through additional blood vessels. More circulating blood also means more pressure on the artery walls. Higher pressure on the artery walls increases the blood pressure. In addition, extra weight can raise the heart rate and reduce the body's ability to transport blood through the vessels.

diabetes - Obesity is the major cause of type 2 diabetes. This type of diabetes usually begins in adulthood but, is now actually occurring in children. Obesity can cause resistance to insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar. When obesity causes insulin resistance, the blood sugar becomes elevated. Even moderate obesity dramatically increases the risk of diabetes.
heart disease - Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) is present 10 times more often in obese people compared to those who are not obese. Coronary artery disease is also more prevalent because fatty deposits build up in arteries that supply the heart. Narrowed arteries and reduced blood flow to the heart can cause chest pain (angina) or a heart attack. Blood clots can also form in narrowed arteries and cause a stroke.

joint problems, including osteoarthritis - Obesity can affect the knees and hips because of the stress placed on the joints by extra weight. Joint replacement surgery, while commonly performed on damaged joints, may not be an advisable option for an obese person because the artificial joint has a higher risk of loosening and causing further damage.

sleep apnea and respiratory problems - Sleep apnea, which causes people to stop breathing for brief periods, interrupts sleep throughout the night and causes sleepiness during the day. It also causes heavy snoring. Respiratory problems associated with obesity occur when added weight of the chest wall squeezes the lungs and causes restricted breathing. Sleep apnea is also associated with high blood pressure.

cancer - In women, being overweight contributes to an increased risk for a variety of cancers including breast, colon, gallbladder, and uterus. Men who are overweight have a higher risk of colon and prostate cancers.

metabolic syndrome - The National Cholesterol Education Program has identified metabolic syndrome as a complex risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Metabolic syndrome consists of six major components: abdominal obesity, elevated blood cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, insulin resistance with or without glucose intolerance, elevation of certain blood components that indicate inflammation, and elevation of certain clotting factors in the blood. In the US, approximately one-third of overweight or obese persons exhibit metabolic syndrome.

psychosocial effects - In a culture where often the ideal of physical attractiveness is to be overly thin, people who are overweight or obese frequently suffer disadvantages. Overweight and obese persons are often blamed for their condition and may be considered to be lazy or weak-willed. It is not uncommon for overweight or obese conditions to result in persons having lower incomes or having fewer or no romantic relationships. Disapproval of overweight persons expressed by some individuals may progress to bias, discrimination, and even torment.

Bearface115

BUMP

catshark209

get over yourself. i'm not shallow. i'm just telling it like it is. even if that person meets your criteria right now he wont in the long run. thats why people are trying to lose extra body fat. because they are not fit.

you have a very distorted view of health and fitness. its this acceptance that being fat is ok under the right cicrumstances that is one of the reasons we are such a fat nation.

I agree, just adding something from Stanford Medical. "not limited to"?

Obesity has a far-ranging negative effect on health. Each year obesity-related conditions cost over 150 billion dollars and cause an estimated 300,000 premature deaths in the US. The health effects associated with obesity include, but are not limited to, the following:

high blood pressure - Additional fat tissue in the body needs oxygen and nutrients in order to live, which requires the blood vessels to circulate more blood to the fat tissue. This increases the workload of the heart because it must pump more blood through additional blood vessels. More circulating blood also means more pressure on the artery walls. Higher pressure on the artery walls increases the blood pressure. In addition, extra weight can raise the heart rate and reduce the body's ability to transport blood through the vessels.

diabetes - Obesity is the major cause of type 2 diabetes. This type of diabetes usually begins in adulthood but, is now actually occurring in children. Obesity can cause resistance to insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar. When obesity causes insulin resistance, the blood sugar becomes elevated. Even moderate obesity dramatically increases the risk of diabetes.
heart disease - Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) is present 10 times more often in obese people compared to those who are not obese. Coronary artery disease is also more prevalent because fatty deposits build up in arteries that supply the heart. Narrowed arteries and reduced blood flow to the heart can cause chest pain (angina) or a heart attack. Blood clots can also form in narrowed arteries and cause a stroke.

joint problems, including osteoarthritis - Obesity can affect the knees and hips because of the stress placed on the joints by extra weight. Joint replacement surgery, while commonly performed on damaged joints, may not be an advisable option for an obese person because the artificial joint has a higher risk of loosening and causing further damage.

sleep apnea and respiratory problems - Sleep apnea, which causes people to stop breathing for brief periods, interrupts sleep throughout the night and causes sleepiness during the day. It also causes heavy snoring. Respiratory problems associated with obesity occur when added weight of the chest wall squeezes the lungs and causes restricted breathing. Sleep apnea is also associated with high blood pressure.

cancer - In women, being overweight contributes to an increased risk for a variety of cancers including breast, colon, gallbladder, and uterus. Men who are overweight have a higher risk of colon and prostate cancers.

metabolic syndrome - The National Cholesterol Education Program has identified metabolic syndrome as a complex risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Metabolic syndrome consists of six major components: abdominal obesity, elevated blood cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, insulin resistance with or without glucose intolerance, elevation of certain blood components that indicate inflammation, and elevation of certain clotting factors in the blood. In the US, approximately one-third of overweight or obese persons exhibit metabolic syndrome.

psychosocial effects - In a culture where often the ideal of physical attractiveness is to be overly thin, people who are overweight or obese frequently suffer disadvantages. Overweight and obese persons are often blamed for their condition and may be considered to be lazy or weak-willed. It is not uncommon for overweight or obese conditions to result in persons having lower incomes or having fewer or no romantic relationships. Disapproval of overweight persons expressed by some individuals may progress to bias, discrimination, and even torment.

YUP