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

I'm not there yet either, BUT I have been able to enjoy so much more of life than food. I hike, bike, and walk more, travel more now and I'm more comfortable in my skin. I would trade that for eating the way I used to eat. I still enjoy my food. I drink less but other than that I just eat smarter.

i don't know about skinny, but being fit is. it's a really great feeling for your friends to invite you hiking, camping, rock climbing, or whatever, and you can say yes. and not only say yes, but not be the last one in the group huffing and puffing.

I feel it's worth it! I have seen other post this, but I have learned to handle stress much better because of exercise and not chosing to feel sorry for myself and stuff my face. I'm out trying new things in life and really starting to live my life finally.

I suppose it all depends on the individual. I just think there is more to life than food. And I know what I did was shut myself away from anyone and just eat. Bascially was depressed and scared to go out and live life. I was just letting my life pass me by.

Is skinny worth it? No, because it's not usually enough motivation to get to goal and stay there.
I said and did the same as the OP's friend many times - but it was because I didn't lose the weight in a way that worked for me. I would restrict my foods too much, try to work out too much and generally deprive myself. Not fun. And in that case, it totally wasn't worth it, especially since my goal was to get "skinny".

Is healthy worth it? Abso-freakin-lutely!
This time, my goal was more about getting healthy. And instead of depriving myself, I've learned to eat the foods I enjoy in smaller portions and/or with healthy substitutes. And I've found exercises that I actually enjoy. I've been at this for over 4 years and while I'm not quite to goal and may not be for another couple years, my health and general lifestyle has vastly improved. My blood pressure is at normal again, I'm able to do basic day to day tasks without getting winded, etc.

Yes, I've always thought it was worth it. Fat and jolly is not something I could be.

Now at age 52, my goals are more about health and fitness. Things like maintaining bone density and muscle and reducing risk of disease are my primary goals. And while "skinny" is not something I think about like I did as a teenager in the 70's, carrying too much fat is a risk factor for disease, so I think it's important to control that.

I don't restrict my food to the point that it makes my unhappy, but I certainly don't want food to my greatest source of happiness. I want to continue to be well enough to enjoy life outside the kitchen.

Not that this was easy, per se, but if I had known it was less of a challenge than I thought it would be, I'd have done this years ago. I'm not happier as a thinner person, I'm happier as a HAPPIER person. That came about when I developed a better relationship with food, allowed myself to take care of myself and considered myself worthy of the journey. The fact that I can fit into non-plus clothes (ie- I can shop in the section with the most clothes in the main part of the store, instead of a dark, unorganized corner), car seats and plane seats without an extender is just a really f***ing nice side effect.

I didn't go into this to be thin, I went into this to be healthier. The lifestyle I changed over to wasn't able to support me staying at a larger size. When I realized it was possible to lose weight without giving up foods I liked, actual weight loss goals came into the mix. Fun fact: my original weight loss goal was 20 pounds. And I just put in that goal because I needed to put something in.

So, yes. Worth it. Worth it times infinity.

There is a lot more to enjoy in life than food.

Aside from sex, not really.

^^ this. and man, fitsex is sooooooo much better than fat lazy sex.

+2 Completely agree.

Hells Yeah!

Honestly, it's all about how you take it. I think a lot of people deprive themselves of eating enough, getting a treat, over work themselves, etc which makes the lifestyle less enjoyable, but if you do allow yourself to not obsess over numbers, eat the right amount, and treat yourself well then the lifestyle is worth it. I personally wouldn't trade it for anything, And I mean this in the healthy fit way not so much skinny : )

I don't know what I will do personally when i get down to my goal weight. Will I try to lose more to fit better into my target BMI for my height or will I maintain? One thing I do know is that I will surely have a good cry if i reach my goals and find that it is more work than i find enjoyable. Right now I enjoy working out and eating healthy, it is a habit now. I think that id I found I wasn't happy at that point I would need to reevaluate my life

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.

I'm enjoying reading everyone's answers.

My goal is healthy and strong. I used to wish for "slim" (can't be skinny with this body type, unless I'm really unhealthy), but after having read so many weight-lifting comments here, I'd rather be strong.

My goal is also to learn what stuff contains so I don't have to count calories for the rest of my life. It's extremely boring and I prefer to pay attention now, then apply what I've learned and focus on other things. Hence lifestyle change. Stepping on the scale once in a while will always remain a routine, though, and if it would show more than during the previous weigh-in, then it's time to pay a bit more attention, I assume.

What hits me like a freight train just now is that I wouldn't mind one bit *not* fitting into my "skinny jeans", if it meant that they are too small because of muscles.

Having just lost 25 pounds, I can tell you I feel so much better both mentally and physically. I've been both over weight and slim several times, and trust me, slim feels way better. It used to be more about looks for me, but now I'm more concerned about health and having more energy. I feel better now than I have in a long time. It is sooo worth it.

I know someone who lost weight and maintained it for a bit, but then realized he wasn't able to enjoy life as much. He sort of thought "life is too short to be worrying about being thin". He has gained back the weight and now is a jolly, older man with no regrets regarding his lifestyle--which is so natural, so EASY and so "comfortable" for me to do.

I have such high hopes for how much better I will feel without the extra weight, but is it actually worth it? Does life then become less enjoyable because we're not quite as free-spirited when it comes to eating food?

Ya know what??!!?? This is a REALLY good question.

I was super stick like skinny for all of my young and middle aged life and HATED being skinny...now that I'm older and fat--I super HATE being fat too:grumble: If I had to choose to either be "stick skinny again" or obese/fat....wow, that's a really hard choice...but I'll say NEITHER. I think "skinny" looks just as unhealthy and unattractive as being fat looks. What I desperately want is to be slim and trim...neither skinny nor fat--but healthy and "womanly-shapely" looking...meaning about a size 7 or 8 to me, that's not skinny nor fat, but the perfect balance. I got a ways to go to get there--about 50 pounds to be exact:ohwell: ....but get there (size 7-8) I will--BUT, it's going to take a lifestyle change for me of healthy eating and drinking and THINKING and moving this body of mine more and forsaking a S.A.D.(Standard American Diet) and sedentary/privileged entitled and gluttonous/greedy slothful lifestyle!

Thanks for posting and I'm looking forward to reading the replies!

Personally for me, being "skinny" was never the goal. I've always aimed to be "fit." I can see how chasing a low number on the scale and aiming to just be skinny would be exhausting, because the concern day in and day out is what the scale shows you. I see it too often on here, people become so obsessed with the number on the scale and are absolutely miserable, I don't aim for that.

I aim to kick *kitten* in the gym lifting weights, hitting new personal goals, I love feeling strong, feeling confident, and I love the need TO eat more because I lift. I've gained weight since weight lifting, it's muscle. I have gone up 5lbs, but gone down two pant sizes, and a shirt size. It is worth it, because what I have learned is moderation; moderation is the key, not restriction. :drinker: