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

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.

+3 Who else agree?

That there is little else to enjoy in life other than food and sex? No, disagree. While I do enjoy sex and food, there are many, many other things to enjoy.

If you only mean that fit sex is better than fat lazy sex, then I don't know that I can answer. I didn't enjoy sex any less when I was heavier, but I was only 30 lbs overweght. If that were 130 lbs overweight, I might agree.

Does life then become less enjoyable because we're not quite as free-spirited when it comes to eating food?

**** no.

I'm able to do a LOT more things I wanted do once I got back in shape. And I still get to eat any food I like.

There's more to life than stuffing your gut....

I enjoy being *fit* not being skinny. I've got a small frame, so relatively speaking I think most average people would say that I've been "skinny" most of my life.

What I enjoy about maintaining a healthier lifestyle is I feel more confident about myself and my abilities. I feel stronger, both emotionally and physically. I challenge myself much more, in all aspects of my life. I feel like I'm treating myself well, how I should be treated. I enjoy buying and wearing clothes I feel and look good in. I'm a nicer person. I try many more new foods than I did when I was used to eating crap. I love how much more energy I have. I feel like I'm living up to my potential.

For me, I guess it's sort of like breaking up with an old boyfriend and finding a new one who treats me better than anyone else ever did, except that it's Me doing it for Me. It's just an amazing feeling. I would never go back.

Totally worth it! Life is just all around better. I have more strength, energy, endurance, and confidence. I have changed, not just physically but mentally, emotionally, and maybe even spiritually as well. I feel much more in tune with my body. I feel so much better about myself and how I look but also I actually physically feel better too. I love getting out and doing things because I have the strength, energy, and endurance to do so. All physical activities are more enjoyable. I like eating to fuel my body. I usually don't want to splurge or eat like crazy anymore but sometimes I'll want to and I will. That's a part of enjoying life too, it just shouldn't be a major part. It's easier not to though because normally when the thought creeps into my mind I think of how hard I have worked and all that I have accomplished and all of that extra food no longer seems worth it or very interesting.

All that being said, I will say that even though I was aware of how I looked before and embarrassed and wished that I had a smaller body, now that I am where I had hoped to be I am extra aware of how I look. I would have been thrilled to look this way before I started but I am still finding things that I don't like and have had to come to terms with the fact that I will never have "the perfect body" it will always be a lifelong journey full of new goals and challenges and I will always be looking to improve and be better. I think that's a good thing. My biggest complaint is that sometimes ignorance is bliss. It was nice to eat whatever I wanted without thinking about what it was doing to my body and thinking about how many calories I was consuming. I never have that "luxury" anymore. Even on days that I allow myself to eat extra it is always in mind. Its a good thing because even on days that I don't track and eat whatever I want I don't let myself go too crazy. It was easy to say oh well what's another piece of cake or two when I wasn't as small but after working so hard and finally being at a place where I like the way I look I feel like I put a lot of extra pressure on myself to look good. Sometimes that gets overwhelming. All in all though it just means that its worth it. I feel the pressure because I know that I NEVER EVER want to allow myself to go back to my old ways.

I'm almost 40 and not looking to be "skinny"...just want to get and stay in good shape...being healthy is my biggest goal!

I am not at my goal weight yet but I must say just losing a few pounds I definitely feel better and don't want to lose this good feeling. I'm happier at the end of the day especially with my kids and my husband which is most important to me.

So do I think it's worth it?

YES I DO...WELL WORTH IT!

I, personally, hate the word skinny. My goal is to be fit, it's to continually test myself and reach new limits. If I had stuck to my original goal of "I just want to lose weight", sure I would've relapsed because there was no future with that. I think it's important to have more of an in depth thought process than just losing weight. Health is another important reason to get into shape. I will admit there is a tinge of vanity in my motivations too. I love the way I look now. I Feel much better about my outer appearance now than I ever have. This is worth it to me.

I haven't read them all, but I'm in for it not being about "skinny" but healthy, active and happy. It's not about dieting, it is about making different choices. Your friend sounds like he unfortunately couldn't find a happy medium, and that part does take time; but once you do, the things you gain such as confidence and energy are worth all the gold in the world. If you do it right, it will become a habit to do enough of the good things that will keep you healthy and fit to outweigh the few bad options you'll want to choose on occasion. :drinker: Good luck to you!!

I haven't seen this mentioned, but if "being skinny" is a goal, I can see why once you reach the goal, you're like, "meh". Nothing happens. You're just there now. The thing is, since being skinny isn't my goal, I will never reach a goal, per se. I have a goal to be fit, and that definition keeps changing. First it was to run 5 miles, then it was to run a half marathon, then it was to deadlift 300 lbs, now it's to dead lift 400 lbs. And, the goal just keeps moving and changing and getting more challenging. And, in training for the goals, there are nutritional requirements, and other things that you have to tend to and you can't ignore. When I get bored with lifting, maybe I'll get into rock climbing, or mountain bike riding, or who knows where life will take me and what kind of fitness goals I set. But, whatever they are, I do know that I'll keep challenging myself because I like it. I love the whole process from planning, training, eating, and then achieving. It's an amazing feeling. And, when you look back 5 years, and say, I did this, and this, and this, and this. It's an incredible feeling.

So, screw being skinny. That's a stupid goal. I get why people say that, and I think initially that is probably what most people think or start our doing. But, through that process, you should be discovering new things about yourself, and taking full advantage of that, and pushing yourself to do more.

I think for people that continue to maintain and hold off the weight, this is what they do. They continually find new ways of pushing and doing more. So, you never really reach a goal and stop. When you hit one goal, you set your sights higher, and hit the next one, and just keep moving forward blasting through goals. And, what's cool is, at least for me, the goals are always like a year-long journey. So, it takes a long time to get there, and it's awesome when you do it. And, it feels so good, right there and then, you start spinning in your mind about what the next goal will be.

I find this reply very inspiring over all.
I can deadlift 90lbs... noob lifter (2 months), and I love that I can squat twice as much as my DH!

i think you mean your DW

I think for people that continue to maintain and hold off the weight, this is what they do. They continually find new ways of pushing and doing more. So, you never really reach a goal and stop. When you hit one goal, you set your sights higher, and hit the next one, and just keep moving forward blasting through goals. And, what's cool is, at least for me, the goals are always like a year-long journey. So, it takes a long time to get there, and it's awesome when you do it. And, it feels so good, right there and then, you start spinning in your mind about what the next goal will be.

THIS.

I haven't seen this mentioned, but if "being skinny" is a goal, I can see why once you reach the goal, you're like, "meh". Nothing happens. You're just there now. The thing is, since being skinny isn't my goal, I will never reach a goal, per se. I have a goal to be fit, and that definition keeps changing. First it was to run 5 miles, then it was to run a half marathon, then it was to deadlift 300 lbs, now it's to dead lift 400 lbs. And, the goal just keeps moving and changing and getting more challenging. And, in training for the goals, there are nutritional requirements, and other things that you have to tend to and you can't ignore. When I get bored with lifting, maybe I'll get into rock climbing, or mountain bike riding, or who knows where life will take me and what kind of fitness goals I set. But, whatever they are, I do know that I'll keep challenging myself because I like it. I love the whole process from planning, training, eating, and then achieving. It's an amazing feeling. And, when you look back 5 years, and say, I did this, and this, and this, and this. It's an incredible feeling.

So, screw being skinny. That's a stupid goal. I get why people say that, and I think initially that is probably what most people think or start our doing. But, through that process, you should be discovering new things about yourself, and taking full advantage of that, and pushing yourself to do more.

I think for people that continue to maintain and hold off the weight, this is what they do. They continually find new ways of pushing and doing more. So, you never really reach a goal and stop. When you hit one goal, you set your sights higher, and hit the next one, and just keep moving forward blasting through goals. And, what's cool is, at least for me, the goals are always like a year-long journey. So, it takes a long time to get there, and it's awesome when you do it. And, it feels so good, right there and then, you start spinning in your mind about what the next goal will be.

I find this reply very inspiring over all.
I can deadlift 90lbs... noob lifter (2 months), and I love that I can squat twice as much as my DH!

i think you mean your DW

Dead Weight?

I think it is totally worth it if you find that good balance. You still need to enjoy your life and have fun, so if you restrict yourself from everything you love for the rest of your life you will be miserable.

So with that said, I have lost the weight, I have worked on my body shape, and I splurge... it's great.

I was a miserable, unhappy mess when I was overweight - the confidence I have now, the self esteem I have now, and the ability to put anything I want on and not feel uncomfortable or gross in it is worth every sacrifice I made.

Worth it for me too. I love feeling confident and energetic. I feel much more comfortable in my own skin than I did pre-MFP. I want to go out more and do fun active things like dancing and hiking. I get to buy cute, trendy clothes and feel happy and cute in them. Plus, I still eat the foods I want. I just eat them in moderation and I workout.

I'm not skinny. I don't want to be skinny. I wear a size 8-10 UK (4-6 US) and I'm quite content not to go lower than that.

No, I don't want to get fat again, but instead of starving myself I built myself a new lifestyle that means that I am fit and strong and I'm having fun doing it.

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I am a lot slimmer than I was. That's worth it.

I am a lot fitter than I was. That's worth it.

I am a hell of a lot stronger than I was. That's definitely worth it.

I eat MORE than I did when I was fat. That should seal the deal!

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If you're starving, you're doing it wrong.

If you're living in total self-denial, you're doing it wrong.

If you're focusing on being skinny, whatever the cost... you're doing it wrong.

100% worth it! I feel so much better both mentally and physically now. I have much more energy, it's not a chore just to do the simple things, such as rolling over in bed. I no longer feel embarrassed to go out in public. I feel like it has given me a new lease on life, and will work hard the rest of my life to never go down the morbidly obese road again!

As soon as I'm safely under 200lbs I'm done. I have no wish to be skinny, just a lot healthier.