So tell us...is being skinny worth it?

I believe in living life to the fullest so I cheat on my diet when I want to but the good thing is now that I am trying to get this weight off I don't want to often so that's the great part. It's mind over matter and portion control,eat what you want just not all the time and don't over eat.

I'm no where near there yet but I can't imagine it NOT being worth it. I know that when I'm at a lighter weight, I feel healthier, stronger, & am ready to get outside & enjoy nature (not to mention LIFE) so much more. Curious to see what type of answer you get here.

While I am not quite at my goal yet, the improvements so far are totally worth it. I have learnt new coping skills, I am happy, active and a great role model for my children. There are so many facets to how I improved myself over the last 9 months, and really I don't find it to be that much of a drag. Ever time I truly want to indulgent in food, I do. Sometimes I make smarter decisions and sometimes I don't. Personally, I think that if it is that much "work" to lose weight or maintain your lighter weight, you are doing it wrong.

I don't think being "skinny" was really my goal, I wanted to be healthier and improve my fitness.

Being able to go for a six mile run when I'm stressed out has improved my coping skills.

Being able to regulate my food intake and being conscious of what I eat has allowed me to feel control over my eating and body that I lacked at 240+lbs.

Being able to be naked and not feel uncomfortable with my body has made me more relaxed and happy in my relationship.

Being able to fit in clothes where I live (Asia) instead of having to import them from the UK or US has saved my bank-book.

Being able to quit smoking and drinking in order to help me meet my fitness goals has lengthened my life.

Being able to eat and drink what I like but exercising MODERATION has meant none of this has felt like a chore.

So, although I am happier with what I see in the mirror, my life has changed in many more ways than just being "skinny". So IMHO, yes. Totally and utterly worth it. You couldn't PAY me to go back.

People often buy into this idea that being thin will solve all your problems. It doesn't. You're the same person when you lose weight just a smaller version. There are pros and cons to being at higher or lower weights!

While being skinny was never my goal, I can say that having been at maintenance for a year and half has been happy and positive. I never restricted my food choices, so moving into maintenance just meant more of the good things I was already eating. I have mastered the science and art of managing my food and exercise to sustainable levels.

I have all new clothes, I have a lot of energy. I sleep well. What's not to like about that?

I think it is worth it. When I lost weight, i felt more confident and wanted to do more things and go out more. I am happier and healthier.

I've personally always preferred being slim and fit. I eat around 2000 calories a day. Have vacations of eating 2500 to almost 3000 calories a day. In many ways I am very free spirited. Skinny dipping. Sexually. Etc. I love dancing. I love hiking, being active. But this is just my preference.

I was never so self-conscious in my life as I was when I was about 10 lbs "underweight". Naturally, that is. Still, strangers I didn't know comment on my body, ask me what size I was, make assumptions about what I did/didn't eat. I didn't want to wear tank tops or t-shirts, because I would, without fail, get a comment from sad middle aged woman about how tiny I was, and how did I maintain such a body? What's my secret, hmm?! So rude, invasive, embarrassing. People would assume I couldn't lift things, I was constantly mistaken for being 13-15 (I'm turning 21 this year...), bleh just a whole bunch of embarrassing things. Which is the reason I joined MFP, actually. To gain and maintain! I've got a petite frame, technically only meet a BMI of 18.something, but I fully fill out a size small now (up from XS) because of the way my weight sits on my frame, and the comments have finally stopped. I feel less androgynous, less boyish and finally a lot more feminine and womanly.

So, is SKINNY worth it? I wouldn't say it's something you should aspire to.... find a healthy medium/body type that works for you. Where you don't have to restrict or obsess over calories to maintain a certain weight, but also where don't feel like giving up and hiding under big t-shirts in the summer.

Who said you had to be skinny? You can get to a normal healthy weight and maintain. You can enjoy foods with out overdoing it. I just had 1/2c ben and jerry ice cream. Didn't need the whole container.

I'll never be skinny. It's not my body type but I'll be healthier. I'm short with a stocky build.

"Skinny" is such a bad word to use here... And a bad thing to aspire to.
But there are so many things in life to enjoy, and having good health and being in good shape will allow you to enjoy life more. And for longer of course.

It doesn't have to control your life. But it ultimately depends on your life goals.

I think being able to hike up and down hills and valleys is pretty rad.

I don't know what your friend was talking about. You can enjoy food and be slim. I eat whatever I want - I just don't eat a crap ton of it. I just now had a Peanut Butter Snickers...and I enjoyed it. Tomorrow I'm going for a hike and I'm packing potato chips as a snack. One of my favorite hobbies is planning, cooking and eating gourmet meals. But I also keep the portions reasonable and enjoy many physical outdoor activities as well. My balanced lifestyle is very satisfying to me.

You don't have to be deprived or punished to be at a healthy weight. Your friend probably used unsustainable means to lose the weight and then just reverted back to his old, comfortable lifestyle when he got tired of sacrificing. It's easy to use "miserable diet food" as an excuse.

If you design your lifestyle change to be a fun and positive experience it's easy to maintain. I've been maintaining here for 3 years now. :drinker:

There's no way I would rather go back to being 235 pounds.

I was happy at 235 pounds and had pretty great self-esteem. I ate what I wanted with reckless abandon and felt good about who I was as a person, but I didn't feel well physically, I couldn't do a lot of the things I wanted to do, and finding clothes that fit comfortably was difficult.

My goal is not to be skinny, my goal is to be healthy and active. I'm much happier now, at 160 pounds, not because of what size I wear or what the scale says, but because of how good I feel and all that my body has become capable of. I want to run races, bike to the next city for a weekend, and climb a volcano. My knees no longer hurt, I can go jogging or biking or take my dogs for a long walk, and buying jeans is no longer a day-long ordeal. Regular exercise and good nutrition has also alleviated a lot of my anxiety.

I eat all of the same foods I ate before - I just watch my portion sizes and make food choices based on my body's nutritional needs, which also helps me feel better and more satisfied overall. I would rather fit a single serving of Ben & Jerry's into my day and maintain my current lifestyle than have a giant, indiscriminate bowl of ice cream and give up any of my strength or endurance. I truly enjoy practicing moderation, and I find it very freeing.

But ultimately, it's a personal choice. What makes me happy may not make you happy. I don't think it's wise to base your happiness on the way your body looks or what the scale says, because some day we'll all be saggy and wrinkly, but you have to decide what will allow you to get the most out of life. It's different for everyone.