Too Much "Skinny" Not Enough "Healthy".

Tanisha1014

Okay, so, I have a tumblr account and I search tags from time to time such as "fitspo", fitness, weight loss. I constantly see pictures of girls with their hip bones, rib cages and spine protruding from their bodies. It pisses me off because I know there are other girls out there looking at that and inspiring to look like those images. It's just crazy to me.. but that's not the point, just something I everyday that bothered me.

The MAIN topic for this post is really just that it's also crazy how Society (I hate using that term, reminds me of people who talk like they know everything) focuses Weight Loss WAY TOO MUCH on being Skinny rather than being Healthy. "Skinny Cow (contradiction btw) Ice Cream" "Skinny Girl Cocktails" "Skinny Recipes" "Skinny Water". I also play this game called "Biggest Loser" and I stopped my workout for a minute when I heard the character say "You want to be skinny or not". It's just.... Skinny and Fit are NOT the same thing. It's also annoying to see weight loss commercials be of SKINNY WOMEN complaining about wanting to lose even more weight. Wth is that? Not every skinny person is healthy, not every skinny person can run miles. It's so sad. You don't have to be skinny to be healthy. I just want to be healthy and comfortable. I just hope young girls, maybe even grown women realize the difference. I just hope this makes people think different about the things they're doing.

pastryari

Not everyone has the same definition of skinny. Do I want to be skinny? Yes. Do I also want to be fit & strong? Yes. Maybe you equate skinny to hip bones & rib cages protruding but some people don't. When I think of those things, I think of unhealthy, underweight, etc. For some reason, the word skinny has a really bad stigma attached to it.

Tanisha1014

I mentioned two different things though. I said I see girls with hip bones and exposed rib cages claiming to be fit. Then I said the mainstream weight loss is about being skinny RATHER than being healthy. Healthy and fit aren't the same thing. I never said anything about skinny being a bad thing. I'm saying it's bad to assume everyone want's to be skinny.

SWilkins75

I totally agree with you.

soontobeskinnysara

agreed! my headline on here is "fit, not thin"

suzieqcookie

i know what you mean.. i saw a special k commercial last night and the girl trying to lose weight was already so thin she looked anorexic.

MissFit0101

I know the pictures you mean on tumblr. I have a tumblr account as well, it just happens to be where I blog about my running... and many of those pictures just make me sad.. really sad.

_KatieKat

...

pastryari

Forget it.

Rosa1213

I agree with you that an unhealthy-looking body is not the best inspiration. Like those girls with protruding vertebrae and ribcages. Even if those girls are really healthy, most of us can't look like that unless we become unhealthy.

I would like to be skinny, however, as well as healthy. Personally, I think it's possible for my body to achieve both simultaneously, because in my brain skinny doesn't equate to ribcages and vertebrae

londongirl2012

YES....Skinny is not Healthy in my opinion, being underweight can be worse for your health than being overweight and those with eating disorders have a mental disorder that is much more complex than just food. In my opinion health is the best reason to want to lose weight to lead a long, healthy life is far more appealing than to be 'skinny' and look good in clothes, yes thats 1 of the reasons but not my main reason. If I were heavier maybe I would see things differently, but health should be the main reason not vanity, and wanting to look like your fave celeb/singer!
Perhaps with the Olympics on, more athletes should be role models rather than celebs. although these days the two are often sadly confused e.g. David Beckham...

thebzax

i want to be slim, not skinny. i equate slim with health. skinny seems, to me, to be either a natural body state, or one achieved by eating less. to me skinny has no relation to whether someone is healthy, but slim makes me think of a healthy, fit body.

maybe that's just me!

MoreBean13

I've seen some outright scary stuff on Tumblr WRT diet and fitness. There's good stuff too, but too much potential for mindf*ck. I don't even look there anymore.

WendyFitMomCHANGED

Agreed that everyone has their version of what "skinny" means to them, but I totally know what you mean about media's ideal of "skinny" and it's not a good image. I don't want to be media or celebrity skinny. I want to be fit and in a healthy weight and body fat range for me.

Tanisha1014

WAIT WAIT. I think you guys aren't understanding what I'm saying lol. I'm saying how skinny and healthy are not the same thing because not every skinny person is healthy and not every healthy person is skinny.. I'm saying the mainstream Weight loss industry pushes more of a "skinny" image rather than a healthy one.

Trechechus

Yeah. I hate it when people tell me how thin or skinny I am. I know I'm being a butt because they are really just giving me a compliment and I should take it, but my goal is to be and stay fit, not to be skinny. Ah well. I just smile and say thanks, but I know what you're saying. It's sad watching people, men and women alike, starving their bodies because of some image that is impossible to maintain.

2012asv

I see what you're saying, but the word "skinny" is just catchier for marketing purposes.... I don't think they are actually promoting anorexia and things like that. And when they show "thin" women I'm pretty sure they're trying to send a message of the outcome rather than the starting point.

To me the word "skinny" is like the word "toning". Dont take it literally... its more of a generalization of an idea. I def. don't want to be skin & bones but i DO want to be thin and strong.

Priincess_Natalie

Okay the hip bones showing is not a sign of "too skinny". I'm 5'7", I weigh 130 lbs and I take damned good care of myself. My hip bones stick out a little when I'm standing but pretty bad when I'm on my back. I even had a rude comment made to me at the pool not just a couple of weeks ago. It was an overweight kid telling me that I'm too skinny because my bones show. His overweight mother thought this was hilarious. There is nothing "too skinny" about me. Don't just assume that if you can see someones bone structure that they are unhealthy. In fact, go look at my pics. You will see my hip bones. Now look at my other pics of my arms and my back. Do I look unhealthy and too skinny to you? I think, as unfortunate and embarrassing as it is, that I have rather large hip bones for the rest of my frame. If I weighed 100 lbs at my height this would be a different story but that's not the case.

PS. With my ribcage and hipbones showing I will tell you that I am fit

This isn't an attack but an attempt to help you see that some things are as simple as bone structure and not as unhealthy as you think. Some girls are too thin and don't have either of those things showing.

Tanisha1014

Okay the hip bones showing is not a sign of "too skinny". I'm 5'7", I weigh 130 lbs and I take damned good care of myself. My hip bones stick out a little when I'm standing but pretty bad when I'm on my back. I even had a rude comment made to me at the pool not just a couple of weeks ago. It was an overweight kid telling me that I'm too skinny because my bones show. His overweight mother thought this was hilarious. There is nothing "too skinny" about me. Don't just assume that if you can see someones bone structure that they are unhealthy. In fact, go look at my pics. You will see my hip bones. Now look at my other pics of my arms and my back. Do I look unhealthy and too skinny to you? I think, as unfortunate and embarrassing as it is, that I have rather large hip bones for the rest of my frame. If I weighed 100 lbs at my height this would be a different story but that's not the case.

I didn't say people with hip bones and other bones showing are unhealthy or too skinny. talked about how I see girls saying they want to lose so much weight to look like that. If your body was originally like that, that's fine. It's people who really crave to get down to that, ribs and all that puzzle me.

Tanisha1014

PLEASE make sure you read and understand 100% before getting offended. I see so many comments about things that I didn't even say.

Priincess_Natalie

PLEASE make sure you read and understand 100% before getting offended. I see so many comments about things that I didn't even say.

Read my entire post. I wasn't offended. I was trying to provide some insight that many people don't have. I'm not assuming you lack that insight but I know many do.

Priincess_Natalie

And you DID in fact relate bones showing with "too skinny" or being a negative thing. Still, I wasn't offended. Just trying to shed some light.

I agree with you that much of our society pushes more for thin than healthy. This isn't all of us though. I think it's sad and tragic to see people develop ED's to attain something unhealthy and unnatural for them. I'm currently trying to help someone with an ED right now and it's painful to watch someone go through it.

Tanisha1014

And you DID in fact relate bones showing with "too skinny" or being a negative thing. Still, I wasn't offended. Just trying to shed some light.

I agree with you that much of our society pushes more for thin than healthy. This isn't all of us though. I think it's sad and tragic to see people develop ED's to attain something unhealthy and unnatural for them. I'm currently trying to help someone with an ED right now and it's painful to watch someone go through it.

I did not relate it to being too skinny or unhealthy. and I know I didn't because that wasn't my point. For the 50th time. I was saying how it's crazy how girls ASPIRE to be that size. Idk what you're reading.

meshashesha2012

WAIT WAIT. I think you guys aren't understanding what I'm saying lol. I'm saying how skinny and healthy are not the same thing because not every skinny person is healthy and not every healthy person is skinny.. I'm saying the mainstream Weight loss industry pushes more of a "skinny" image rather than a healthy one.

yeah but the way you are wording it - even here with your clarification- tends to imply that one can't both skinny AND healthy.this is simply not 100% the case.

i used to play rugby with some downright skinny girls who were fit, healthy and had bones showing. all of that is going to depend on body type. for instance someone with a longer torso is going to be able to have visible ribs more so than someone like me with a short torso. i have a friend who's 5'7 pear shaped, long torso and 200 pounds (by no means skinny) and you can see her ribs. at the moment i have a lot of fat on my hips, but the last time i was at goal weight, my hip bones showed and i was super healthy, very fit and nowhere near skinny in terms of body fat percentage.


and don't get me wrong i understand what you are trying to say, but i think the way you trying to say it is what's causing confusion. it doesn't seem to acknowledge that women have different body types.

in any case, the issue for me isnt about what pictures people do or do not post on tumbler or anything else. what i wonder is why are girls looking to online pictures, magazines, ads etc to tell them what is beautiful? anytime anyone is looking to that type of stuff they are asking for trouble. the onus of change should be placed on changing THAT rather than trying to police ads and photos on tumblers. that's just my opinion

Priincess_Natalie

And you DID in fact relate bones showing with "too skinny" or being a negative thing. Still, I wasn't offended. Just trying to shed some light.

I agree with you that much of our society pushes more for thin than healthy. This isn't all of us though. I think it's sad and tragic to see people develop ED's to attain something unhealthy and unnatural for them. I'm currently trying to help someone with an ED right now and it's painful to watch someone go through it.

I did not relate it to being too skinny or unhealthy. and I know I didn't because that wasn't my point. For the 50th time. I was saying how it's crazy how girls ASPIRE to be that size. Idk what you're reading.

I have been nothing but friendly towards you and twice now you have been hateful. I even agreed with your point. The reason you can't understand how society views these things is because you obviously have an idea in your head and get nasty with anyone who disagrees or tries to broaden your perspective. On that note, have a wonderful day

Priincess_Natalie

WAIT WAIT. I think you guys aren't understanding what I'm saying lol. I'm saying how skinny and healthy are not the same thing because not every skinny person is healthy and not every healthy person is skinny.. I'm saying the mainstream Weight loss industry pushes more of a "skinny" image rather than a healthy one.

yeah but the way you are wording it - even here with your clarification- tends to imply that one can't both skinny AND healthy.this is simply not 100% the case.

i used to play rugby with some downright skinny girls who were fit, healthy and had bones showing. all of that is going to depend on body type. for instance someone with a longer torso is going to be able to have visible ribs more so than someone like me with a short torso. i have a friend who's 5'7 pear shaped, long torso and 200 pounds (by no means skinny) and you can see her ribs. at the moment i have a lot of fat on my hips, but the last time i was at goal weight, my hip bones showed and i was super healthy, very fit and nowhere near skinny in terms of body fat percentage.


and don't get me wrong i understand what you are trying to say, but i think the way you trying to say it is what's causing confusion. it doesn't seem to acknowledge that women have different body types.

THANK YOU. Watch out though, she's fixing to flip out on you. Refer to my posts about the same thing and her less than appropriate reactions to them.

PANZERIA

I totally agree with you. I hate seeing a victoria's secret model being used as the 'ultimate' look. It's not healthy. Just a stick with implants.

Be ready for the 'skinny brigade' tp come and tell you that you are a terrible person, that you're just jealous because you're not thin, and that skinny and fit are the same thing. Aaaand I'm out!

Priincess_Natalie

I totally agree with you. I hate seeing a victoria's secret model being used as the 'ultimate' look. It's not healthy. Just a stick with implants.

Be ready for the 'skinny brigade' tp come and tell you that you are a terrible person, that you're just jealous because you're not thin, and that skinny and fit are the same thing. Aaaand I'm out!

Whoever said that VS models were the ultimate look? I'm not going for that look and neither is anyone else I know. And by the way, they don't have implants.

Laces_0ut

victoria's secret models are pretty hot.

Tanisha1014

WAIT WAIT. I think you guys aren't understanding what I'm saying lol. I'm saying how skinny and healthy are not the same thing because not every skinny person is healthy and not every healthy person is skinny.. I'm saying the mainstream Weight loss industry pushes more of a "skinny" image rather than a healthy one.

yeah but the way you are wording it - even here with your clarification- tends to imply that one can't both skinny AND healthy.this is simply not 100% the case.

i used to play rugby with some downright skinny girls who were fit, healthy and had bones showing. all of that is going to depend on body type. for instance someone with a longer torso is going to be able to have visible ribs more so than someone like me with a short torso. i have a friend who's 5'7 pear shaped, long torso and 200 pounds (by no means skinny) and you can see her ribs. at the moment i have a lot of fat on my hips, but the last time i was at goal weight, my hip bones showed and i was super healthy, very fit and nowhere near skinny in terms of body fat percentage.


and don't get me wrong i understand what you are trying to say, but i think the way you trying to say it is what's causing confusion. it doesn't seem to acknowledge that women have different body types.

THANK YOU. Watch out though, she's fixing to flip out on you. Refer to my posts about the same thing and her less than appropriate reactions to them.

1. you said I'm IMPLYING IT. That's 100% not true. but that also proves that I DID NOT say that.
2. It's not my fault that you can't understand my point and thinking I'm being mean. this is the internet you know. Can't take everything personal.
3. Telling me I said something but not giving me proof doesn't make sense.
4. Define flipping out. Asking you where you're getting your accusations from is not flipping out.
5. You're being extremely sensitive.

PANZERIA

WAIT WAIT. I think you guys aren't understanding what I'm saying lol. I'm saying how skinny and healthy are not the same thing because not every skinny person is healthy and not every healthy person is skinny.. I'm saying the mainstream Weight loss industry pushes more of a "skinny" image rather than a healthy one.

yeah but the way you are wording it - even here with your clarification- tends to imply that one can't both skinny AND healthy.this is simply not 100% the case.

i used to play rugby with some downright skinny girls who were fit, healthy and had bones showing. all of that is going to depend on body type. for instance someone with a longer torso is going to be able to have visible ribs more so than someone like me with a short torso. i have a friend who's 5'7 pear shaped, long torso and 200 pounds (by no means skinny) and you can see her ribs. at the moment i have a lot of fat on my hips, but the last time i was at goal weight, my hip bones showed and i was super healthy, very fit and nowhere near skinny in terms of body fat percentage.


and don't get me wrong i understand what you are trying to say, but i think the way you trying to say it is what's causing confusion. it doesn't seem to acknowledge that women have different body types.

THANK YOU. Watch out though, she's fixing to flip out on you. Refer to my posts about the same thing and her less than appropriate reactions to them.

1. you said I'm IMPLYING IT. That's 100% not true. but that also proves that I didn't say ANYTHING about that.
2. Telling me I said something but not giving me proof doesn't make sense.
3. Define flipping out. Asking you where you're getting your accusations from is not flipping out.
4. You're being extremely sensitive.

Honestly, I would block her if I were you. Nothing you say will ever be 'okay' in her books. Being critical of people striving to just be 'dangerously skinny' is the ultimate sin to her. She's always looking for fights. Just leave her be.