is being skinny worth it?
Replies
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Do they seriously charge people like that?
I didn't have to buy two seats on an airplane,
Yeah, because space on an airplane is limited and fuel is expensive.0 -
really, is it worth all the time and effort that women put into eating foods they don't really love, exercising when they'd rather not, and just not being truly happy to be "skinny?" what do men/women really think about skinny women, and what do you women think about society and feeling like you must achieve a certain body image to be considered attractive? do you wish you could just eat and not exercise and let your body do what it wants and be happy like that, or do you feel content with eating diet foods or restricting calories, daily exercise, and feeling the pressure to be skinny?
this is not meant to offend anyone of any body type, i'm just curious as to what you all think! society frustrates me sometimes.
Do I wish I didn't have to exercise and eat right? Kind of. In the same way I wish I didn't have to pay bills or obey the speed limits or wear clothes all the time.
But I'm an adult now, and I have to do some things I'd rather not.
I don't eat "diet foods" or restrict myself, though, beyond making sure I eat fairly healthy. I enjoy the exercise I do. And I feel no pressure to be skinny.
^^^^^I completely agree with this.0 -
I think the fixation with skinny is what is at fault.
Health and fitness are far more interesting than feeling the breeze between your thighs.0 -
Health and beauty are two different things. I wish that the reality were different, but I think that being thin is often worth it. We live in a sexist society in which women are pressured be thin.0
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Edit: Originally just replied "By other women." but to expand on that; the culture that pressures women into being slim is largely publicised through magazines and advertising; a lot of which is written for and by women. Men have some influence for sure, but not nearly all of the blame can be put there.Health and beauty are two different things. I wish that the reality were different, but I think that being thin is often worth it. We live in a sexist society in which women are pressured be thin.0 -
I hate that there is an assumption that you can't possibly LOVE healthy foods and LOVE working out. I absolutely love fresh fruit, roasted vegetables, fresh fish, etc. I can't stand eating fried foods-- I think they taste bland and make me feel sick after I eat them. I don't eat candy or baked goods because they taste sickly sweet to me.
I think there's no greater feeling that finishing a great workout--it's not something that I dread doing, in fact, I look forward to it everyday.
Are there "bad" foods I like? Of course-- I love a good wine or beer and have a serious problem if I start in on a bag of fruit/nut trail mix.
I do these things because I enjoy them, and I want to protect my health. Obviously it's a great "side effect" that it keeps me in shape.0 -
really, is it worth all the time and effort that women put into eating foods they don't really love, exercising when they'd rather not, and just not being truly happy to be "skinny?" what do men/women really think about skinny women, and what do you women think about society and feeling like you must achieve a certain body image to be considered attractive? do you wish you could just eat and not exercise and let your body do what it wants and be happy like that, or do you feel content with eating diet foods or restricting calories, daily exercise, and feeling the pressure to be skinny?
this is not meant to offend anyone of any body type, i'm just curious as to what you all think! society frustrates me sometimes.
Do I wish I didn't have to exercise and eat right? Kind of. In the same way I wish I didn't have to pay bills or obey the speed limits or wear clothes all the time.
But I'm an adult now, and I have to do some things I'd rather not.
I don't eat "diet foods" or restrict myself, though, beyond making sure I eat fairly healthy. I enjoy the exercise I do. And I feel no pressure to be skinny.
^^^^^I completely agree with this.
I second that!0 -
Who gives a toss what others think !!!. Too much thinking is the problem. I work as a Paramedic and I can assure you I never take any really old really fat people to hospital. Because they just don't get really old. All the 90 plus people who get to hospital are skinny, so whether its exercise or eating better, skinny is good for living longer.0
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Is being in the normal weight range worth it yes. Skinny would be nice. Hopefully
I get to avoid :
1. chemo - you are at higher risk of cancer if you are obese
2. emergency room- you are at higher risk of stroke,heart attack and diabetes if you are obese
3. heart surgery- see above
4. medications- you have to take meds to counteract your diseases you contract from being overweight
5. doctor visits- you have to see the doctor to get the meds and the procedures
6. People who are obese have a harder time breathing and get more skin rashes. Those people need
oxygen and medications.
Need I say more? Yes I miss Oreos and all that junk but I can have one or two here or there I just have to watch it.0 -
The larger I got, the more I started avoiding certain activities.
I went on vacation and my legs chafed so bad from walking around an amusement park all day that my inner thighs bled.
I started wearing pants with waistbands that stretched because it was a struggle to get my jeans on my ever-growing body.
I became winded doing simple tasks.
I have relatives with diabetes and family members who have died from heart disease.
I started to dread doctor appointments because I was worried about what they would say. I'm in my twenties, and that's ridiculous.
I was worried that I would get eventually get too big for snow-skiing, hiking, or roller coasters.
I was avoiding having my picture taken.
The summer heat was starting to become miserable.
I was spending a lot of money eating out. (I still eat out just less often!)
I was spending money buying bigger clothes as the selection of stores dwindled.
Special events (funerals, parties, job interviews) became a major pain. My nice outfits became a waste because I could never go back the next year and wear that same dress again.
I was tired, lethargic on most days.
It affected my confidence; therefore, affecting the way I tackled even non-weight related issues.
I started to feel jealous/insecure with my boyfriend even though he wasn't treating me differently. It was my own mental demons.
I don't wish to be skinny. I just don't want to feel ^^ those things again. I'm nowhere near society's standards of "skinny." I'm currently a size 12 and slightly less than 20 pounds overweight by the BMI scale. But...I feel better, am less stressed, sleep better at night, and have more energy. All of my choices have been worth it.0 -
I don't necessarily think being skinny is worth it, and that was my goal when I started this endeavor.
I do think that being fit, healthy, confident, strong and more emotionally balanced is definitely worth it.
I believe that being free of the shame and guilt I felt when I would binge and attempt to fix the difficulties in my life by consuming massive amounts of food is worth it.
I believe that the pride and sense of accomplishment, not to mention the endorphin rush, that I get when I accomplish a workout or fitness goal that I never dreamed I would be able to do is worth it.
I believe that my daughter would tell you that having a healthy, active mom who isn't ashamed to attend events and socialize with other parents is worth it.
I believe that being able to do things without worrying about a weight or size limit (horseback riding, amusement park rides, flying on a plane) is worth it.
Would I put forth this much effort simply to be a size that society deems attractive or acceptable? Probably not, but I've learned that there is a lot more to this than a number on a scale or a size on a tag in my jeans.
Hits the nail on the freaking head.
And I'd also like to say that I don't do anything I don't like. I don't eat foods I don't like. I don't do exercise I don't like.
Everything I'm doing now are things that I at least enjoy, if not love. I eat good tasting food - most of it is healthy, but some of it is "junk". I run and take spin classes and I really enjoy both. I lift weights and I love that. This lifestyle is not an imposition on me.0 -
no0
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I think being skinny is worth it.. Why you ask?
It's because I eat what I want, when I want with in reason. I do exercise I like, and if I don't feel like it, then I don't do it.
I also get to wear awesome clothes, and feel better emotionally and physically... which is the biggest benefit of all.0 -
I eat the foods I love, all of them, just not in huge portions. I sometimes exercise when I'd rather not, but I've yet to regret it. Exercise makes me feel great physically, emotionally, and I can do things now that I never thought I'd be able to do. That makes me feel like a rock star.really, is it worth all the time and effort that women put into eating foods they don't really love, exercising when they'd rather not, and just not being truly happy to be "skinny?" what do men/women really think about skinny women, and what do you women think about society and feeling like you must achieve a certain body image to be considered attractive? do you wish you could just eat and not exercise and let your body do what it wants and be happy like that, or do you feel content with eating diet foods or restricting calories, daily exercise, and feeling the pressure to be skinny?
this is not meant to offend anyone of any body type, i'm just curious as to what you all think! society frustrates me sometimes.
It's not about "skinny" for me, nor about what other people think of the way I look (although it's nice to get compliments). For me, it's about being fit, healthy, reducing the risk of illnesses that run in my family, managing depression, not being controlled by emotional eating, taking responsibility for my health and happiness, fitting into the kinds of clothes that really suit me, being able to buy clothes in any shop in the high street etc etc.
Do I wish I could eat whatever, whenever and never exercise? Not really to be honest, because I like the feeling that I'm taking responsibility for my health. Do I wish I didn't have to count calories and think about food so much all the time? Definitely. But, to me, it's a small price to pay for all the above benefits.
I do get what you're saying though. I do see people, especially women, chasing some impossible physical perfection and making themselves miserable in the process. That, to me, is not worth it.0 -
It's worth it more for a healthy body and lifestyle more than anything. But along with being fit you gain confidence. ESPECIALLY if you've worked your *kitten* off for it.0
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yes.0
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Health and beauty are two different things. I wish that the reality were different, but I think that being thin is often worth it. We live in a sexist society in which women are pressured be thin.
So you fight it, you don't conform to it. Be healthy, fit and happy. Find a job (and a spouse/partner) where you are valued for your mind and not your appearance. "Society" can go screw if it wants me to be something I'm not and to suffer and be unhealthy to get there.0 -
really, is it worth all the time and effort
No.0 -
Who wants to be skinny? I just want to be healthy. Skinny is over rated, healthy is amazing.0
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I will never been what society views as "skinny."...I'm just going for what I want. So..its worth it to me..but I would NEVER go to extremes to be "skinny" F that...0
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I hate that there is an assumption that you can't possibly LOVE healthy foods and LOVE working out. I absolutely love fresh fruit, roasted vegetables, fresh fish, etc. I can't stand eating fried foods-- I think they taste bland and make me feel sick after I eat them. I don't eat candy or baked goods because they taste sickly sweet to me.
I think there's no greater feeling that finishing a great workout--it's not something that I dread doing, in fact, I look forward to it everyday.
Are there "bad" foods I like? Of course-- I love a good wine or beer and have a serious problem if I start in on a bag of fruit/nut trail mix.
I do these things because I enjoy them, and I want to protect my health. Obviously it's a great "side effect" that it keeps me in shape.
Yes, yes and yes!!
I don't eat "diet foods" while fantasizing about gorging myself on McDonalds. I eat healthy, whole foods that I love to eat. It is rare that I crave junk food like burgers and fries, and over the top sweet pastries. I do like to splurge on some dark chocolate, wine, beer and cheese.
I also love to work out! I don't work out so that I can eat more - I eat more so that I have lots of energy to work out hard! It's fun and challenging and energizing!
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Same thin MyownSunshine said on page one.......0
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Health and beauty are two different things. I wish that the reality were different, but I think that being thin is often worth it. We live in a sexist society in which women are pressured be thin.
So you fight it, you don't conform to it. Be healthy, fit and happy. Find a job (and a spouse/partner) where you are valued for your mind and not your appearance. "Society" can go screw if it wants me to be something I'm not and to suffer and be unhealthy to get there.
Every flippin' word of this!
I was an itty bitty little skinny thing with a boyfriend who thought I was getting fat when I crept up to about 115 pounds. I was a lot happier at my highest weight with a husband who worships every inch of my body.
Now, as somewhere between the two, I realize that I think my body is the best it's ever looked, and that I feel healthier and stronger than ever, but honestly... what size I am has no direct impact on my happiness. I'm still the same person whether I'm skinny, chubby or somewhere in between.
The world is not magically an easier place. I still have to scoop the cat box. People don't walk up to me and hand me money. Life is the same.0 -
I'm treated a world differently. I'm happier. I'm healthy. I feel good. Everyday I work hard, but it's been worth it to me. Some days I wish I could just give up. Eat more, relax, but then I remember how good I feel. How much energy I have! How fun it is to shop and I keep going. 0
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Skinny? No
Skinnier? Yes
To me skinny is the opposite side of the spectrum as being overweight. I want to be in the middle where I am healthy, fit, and feel great!
Not to mention if you were super skinny I feel like you would have no energy...I couldn't handle that.0 -
Not at all.
At the end of last year/beginning of this year, I lost 13 pounds eating unknowingly below my BMR. I was constantly hungry, always thinking about food, and had no energy. I looked freaking amazing, but I was weak as hell. This was NOT worth it.
(Not to mention the fact that I gained 7 pounds back quick smart while overseas...)
Being in SHAPE however, is. Sure I need discipline not to go overboard at times, but just by eating 150-200 cals more a day, I have much more energy to lift, feel better, and the weight is coming off at a slow, but maintainable pace. I get to eat more, so I'm not constantly missing foods or thinking about eating. Also I'm starting to look daymn good with some muscle tone!!
And junk food is yucky...Give me a yummy bowl of Protein oatmeal with nuts & seeds over KFC any day!!!0 -
I think it's mostly health that we should be doing it for...
And I don't eat anything I hate. There are plenty of choices out there to find food you love that will fit your plan. I also love my workouts. I hate cardio so I don't do it too much and stick to weights. Theres got to be some form of exercise that each person likes even if it's just walking with somebody.
You don't have to eat the typical diet foods or do some hardcore workouts that you hate. Find stuff you like to do that just gets you off your butt and experiment with foods to find stuff you like. It doesn't have to be an absolutley terrible experience. I wouldn't say being 'skinny' is worth it. Being fit and healthy is definitely worth it though.0 -
I actually like the healthier food I'm eating better than the old way. In fact, I unintentionally didn't eat any fast food for about 3 months after starting on MFP and decided one day I wanted McDonalds, so I did. Honestly, it didn't taste the way I remembered. I'd rather eat the food I cook than that.
To your other points, whether I'm fat or skinny, I"m going to have to walk up stairs sometimes, walk around all day shopping or doing whatever, I'm still going to have to clean my house and work in my yard. Dragging a sadly out of shape 217 pounds on my body was H-A-R-D. I'd prefer to be able to do these things without wheezing, feeling like my heart is gonna explode, or being unable to walk right for a couple days. Probably there are some women who at 5',6" and 217 who are very fit and have none of the above issues. But that does not describe me. And with every few pounds I lose, these things get easier. Part of that is from exercising almost daily but the other part, I'm betting, is just dragging fewer pounds around with me.
As far as "society" goes, whether we like it or not, whether it should be or not, appearance does matter. The trick is to not compare yourself to others. You work with what you have and do the best with what you've got! You can't get hung up on supermodels or actresses or what type that boy back in high school liked the best (which was not YOU), or what is trendy now. I have always admired other women who get up each day (like my mom) who always tried to be and look her best. She has always been committed to health, exercise, etc, and she wouldn't have been caught dead in the grocery store in her pj's. From watching her all my life, it seemed not so much because of what others would think of her, but what SHE would think of her if she didn't do these things, that it would feel like she had just given up on life, or something.0 -
Yes it's worth it. I'm healthy, happy, and I fit into my clothes. I feel like me again so absolutely totally worth it!0
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yes0
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