Stop calling me too skinny!

YES! This is also happening to me! I am 5'4 and about 115lb got tested for 19% body fat a few weeks ago, I still have some fat in the middle and on my legs, I eat a healthy mostly plant based/vegan diet I still consume honey but thats it,I don't eat crappy processed foods, I watch my protein, iron etc. and make sure I get all my nutrients, I work my muscles 3-4x a week and get in cardio as well. I have been told "eat something", "it's called food, try it sometime" and "you looked fine before (at 130+)". It is really hard when people sometimes don't realize I do it to be healthy not just to lose weight, I want to be healthy on the inside, so when people think I can eat a cookie because I'm smaller, I say no because it's unhealthy and I don't want it that often. I also think people that are unhealthy get defensive and don't understand, and I try to stay calm and tell myself that they are mentally not where I am, and until they are they won't get it. Hope this helps you feel like you are not alone, message me anytime. I am also just set to maintain my weight and if my body loses it, it's because my body wants to, not because I'm depriving it, I eat until I'm full at least 3x a day and snack, I just think the kinds of food your eating is important, and my body will find it's ideal weight as long as I'm doing the right things. Don't give up, stay healthy if you want and don't worry about what they say, as long as you are being healthy about it your just fine!

I find this thread fascinating. It really shows the powers of personal bias, perception and context.

First, to get it out of the way, the coworkers and anyone one else crossing boundaries are rude and their behavior is inexcusable.

But is it reasonable to assume that every naysayer has nefarious intentions?

We can minimize her husband by trivializing his concerns as "all about boobs", but do you really think that's his motivation? Really?

Yes, there are jealous and catty people in the world, there are also people that are concerned when they see a very thin person only nibble on a carrot stick.

I think that the better advice would be to tell her to have her weight and bodyfat checked officially and get an understanding if she is truly in the range of good health.

Amen sister! I am going through the same thing...I am around 118 and am 5'2. I have around 21% body fat as well which isn't bad I know, BUT I still have some fat I would like to lose. I want to eat healthier and tone my body but everyone is giving me hell about it >:( I feel that with my height I could still lose a good few pounds and still be very healthy which is what I'm trying to do! Keep up the good work and don't listen to others..you're not starving yourself...you're eating zucchini! I think youre doing great

"Thank you for offering me some of that cake, it looks delicious! But I am so full for breakfast/lunch/dinner, do you mind if I wrap it up and take it home?"

*throws it out on the way home or gives it to friend/boyfriend*

My husband started this process before me and is almost at his goal weight, actually a weight slightly above his suggested BMI because, trust me, he wasn't that when I met him and was scrawny. BMI doesn't account for everything. So, anyway, he is really close to his goal (I still have a way to go) and I think he looks pretty nice. His parents told him he looks sick! He's lost too much weight. Seriously? He looks healthy! He just had his physical- he's doing fine and I am really proud him. It kind of ticks me off that they aren't encouraging our healthy eating habits. Most everyone else says how much healthier he looks. Keep eating healthy and taking care of yourself. Those people just don't like to be reminded that they aren't.

oh my cry me a river but look your on the lower side of a healthy weight for ur height any lower and u will be under so ya eating a piece of cake aint gonna hurt you i dont thnk these ppl r being mean or rude or are jealous of what youve done and i mean if your own husband is making comments about it then maybe you do need to move your thoughts away from loosing weight and lift sum weights or something and no im no where remotly close to being jealous and thats why im saying this i have no desire to be "skinny" im not envious of skinny girls or anything but there is a such thing as too skinny and im affraid your headed in that direction

I got confused somewhere around where the third period should have been and stopped reading. The only thing I could tell is that it wasn't exactly supportive and comes across as very rude to someone who needs support. If you have constructive criticism for the OP, then maybe you should try to put it in an understandable, friendly format.

To the OP: I've been there. I've been skinny my whole life. I've been asked things from "Are you anorexic?" to "Are you on drugs?" right to my face. The fact of the matter is, I wasn't healthy. I did eat, but I didn't eat right. I'm actually still working on eating right, but it gets better each day. I also had no muscular strength at all, so now I lift weights. It's taking time, and initially I lost some weight, but I'm seeing some contours and increased stamina come along. I feel better than I ever have. Now, I do still often hear things like "Why are you watching what you eat?" (it's so I can make sure I'm eating right) and "Why do you work out, you're already tiny?" (Because tiny does not mean healthy, and not exercising is not healthy). The comments are changing now though, there are people noticing the developing muscles who compliment the work.
Basically, as you seem to already know, skinny does not mean healthy. You need to find out what your actual body fay percentage is, eat a healthy, balanced diet, and exercise. If you don't want to lose more weight, I suggest some cardio for general health, and weight lifting to build muscle mass. I know how much it sucks for people to make comments like the ones you deal with, but we're the only ones who can take control and get healthy. It's going to take a lot of determination and work, but you'll grow to love your body and feel stronger than you ever thought possible.

OP: it could be a jealousy thing. Some folks hate seeing others succeed where they can't.

You may just have to get mean with them. Tell them, "I know what I'm doing, I don't need your advice. Don't bring it up again.".

I know exactly what you are going through, because I am on the same boat right now. I am 5'1.5" and weighs 101 lb with a BMI lower than 19. The truth is that even with my body fat at around 21%-22%, I still have somewhat visible love handle & muffin top and troubled inner thigh. Get a body fat scale that will also tells you muscle% (I have this one: http://www.amazon.com/Omron-HBF-514C-Composition-Sensing-Monitor/dp/B0020MMCDE/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1343658230&sr=8-5&keywords=body+fat+scale)

At this point, you need to monitor your body fat% and muscle% to make sure that you are actually on the right track, get rid of the body fat, not the muscle. And what you should be focus on is not weight loss, you should be doing some muscle building. Simply burning fat away is not going to give you the great abs & shape, you need to combine cardio and strength training to get the slim and tone body. Good luck!!