Why do some people say I'm skinny when I'm not?

TheatreLover23
TheatreLover23 Posts: 73
in Health and Weight Loss
Ok so I'm 5'8" and 193lbs. I wanna see "189 or lower soon because I've been in the 190s for a while which I don't understand. Anyways one of my cousin says that I don't have a stomach. Well I still kinda do. When I stand up a have a little tummy, but when I sit down, I HAVE a stomach. I tried to tell them. Also some people say "You're skinny". Uh, no I'm not. I'm still considered overweight. I'm not fat, but just slightly overweight. Good compliment, but still got a few pounds to go. Has that happened to any of y'all?
Do you think some people are jealous of giving a compliment?

Replies

  • knot_enough
    knot_enough Posts: 176 Member
    are these people, by any chance, heavier set than you are?
  • itsscottwilder
    itsscottwilder Posts: 317
    Because they love you and they want you to love you as much as they do.

    They don't realize that wanting to be fit isn't always equal to hating yourself.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    Yup! I figure it's a few things:

    You haven't lost much (at least per your ticker, maybe you lost a bunch before you joined MFP?) but for me, after losing almost 90 pounds, I appear to be "skinny" compared to my former self.

    They are big and/or are used to seeing the general population (as we get larger, obesity epidemic and all) so you seem tiny in comparison.

    They're just being nice. Sometimes this can also come from a concern that you're starving yourself to get skinny...

    Alterior motives - deep down they don't want to you to get smaller and make them look bad so they'd rather have you stay a little.

    And sometimes there's just no explanation. A male acquaintance of mine told me a while ago that I'm getting too skinny. Yeah, sure, with at least 15 more pounds to lose (if not 20-25) I'm definitely nowhere near "too skinny". This confused me because he's a guy who's really into fitness (power lifter) and should know the difference between overweight and too skinny. I just had to laugh and shake my head at that one.
  • Koholint
    Koholint Posts: 104 Member
    Be gracious about it. "Thanks, I'm working hard to get to where is healthy for me/where I want to be though."

    Also, you may see yourself as being overweight, but honestly... There are many other people trying to lose more weight that would LOVE to be starting where you are instead of the longer journey they're on (myself included.) The perspective personally helps me be thankful and keep myself in check.
  • rcadogs
    rcadogs Posts: 23 Member
    When I stand up a have a little tummy, but when I sit down, I HAVE a stomach.

    I have the same problem. I'm at least 10-20 pounds over weight for my height: 5'4" and currently 147 lbs. I noticed a slight change in how much fat there is around my hips. Slowly, but surely the fat is getting less and less.
  • TheatreLover23
    TheatreLover23 Posts: 73
    You guys are right. Although I am happy about that compliment, I was just confused because I'm not even thin, but it's flattering. Thanks everyone =)

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