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

I think it depends on your mind frame.

I think a lot of people go into it, expecting themselves to magically be happy once they hit a certain number. That's bad. That encourages disordered thinking and low self esteem. Because once you hit that number, it either won't be enough or you'll be so stressed about staying there that you'll lose your sense of living life to the fullest. You shouldn't go into it thinking "I want to be skinny so I can wear 'x' without looking like 'x'" or "I want to be skinny so I can be happy".

Our society puts too much emphasis on being 'happy' with our weight. This is backwards, if you ask me. It encourages disordered thinking. It does two things: It either encourages people to want to lose weight for superficial reasons, or (in your friend's case) encourages them to accept their unhealthy lifestyle because 'at least they're living'. I have, too often, seen overweight people brag about how they are happy because they can eat a box of Ho Ho's and not have to worry about weight. This line of thinking isn't any better than thinking "I'll be happy when I only weigh 'x'".

I always tell people... don't think of it as a diet. That implies that you have to change everything. It has negative attachments to the word. Think of it as a lifestyle change. You don't have to stop eating 'x' just because you want to lose weight. When you lose weight, don't think about losing weight. Think about getting healthy. If you're healthy when you're overweight (and contrary to belief, some people ARE), that's fine. If you're healthy at a BMI of 25, don't sweat it. And don't always even listen to the doctor. My sister was told she should lose weight until she's 115 lbs. This is bloody ridiculous. She wasn't 115 even at her smallest weight. She was 115 in middle school. One should NOT be told to strive for their middle school body. There is an unhealthy obsession with weight. With being skinny or, on the opposite side of the coin, 'curvy'. People too often lose sight about what's most important: eating simply to survive and exercising because being sedentary isn't good for anyone.

I'm not skinny, being 180 pounds at 5' 11". But the 60 pounds I have lost has been worth the effort it took. I have more energy and find myself spending less time in front of this keyboard, which is a good thing. As far as being happy, that is a whole other thing. When I was young, and truly skinny, I had a period of my life when I was depressed. It had nothing to do with weight, but more to do with bad relationships and bad decisions. And when I was at 250 pounds a few years ago, I was happy. The one should have nothing to do with the other. Your job, your friends, your family, your marriage, your economic situation and your health are all things that can make you happy or unhappy. But your weight should only be a concern as how it relates to your health.

Be careful what you say because apparently someone on here has an issue with certain posts. Everyone have a great Sunday morning. :ohwell:

yes, many do not like hearing " only dogs like bones". Especially from a young women that had gastric bypass surgery.

This is really a good question and something I have asked myself. Is it worth it to work a workout into an already tight schedule and to not have a huge latte when I am tired and my day has been crap... but to me it is. It is not about thin or skinny it is about healthy. I have lost 16lbs so far and life is easier. I can get in and out of the car easier, I can walk up and down stairs without being winded, I don't have to worry if my belly is poking our or how bad my back fat looks, I don't have to worry about my blood work.. I know everything is just fine because I have done the work.

My goal is to live the best life I can to the fullest and choosing to be overweight is just going to limit me and be one more thing to cramp my journey. So its totally worth it to me!!

I don't know, am I classed as skinny ?

Feeling good and looking good is incredible!
It shows the world that you value yourself and your health more than a few minutes of endulgence every meal.
Everyone has there own motivation. I love clothes and fashion! I used to see so many different outfits I loved, but knew I could never wear them. The joy I get out of choosing my clothes for the style and not for how they make my body look is fantastic, so yes, being fit is worth it in my opinion.
Besides, Its not like you have to give up any of those foods to be skinny. There is no rule book that says if you eat a cookie ever in your life again you won't succeed. The great thing about all this is you CAN have your cake and eat it too!

I'll say that I had a much more relaxed relationship with food before I started all this. Food was just something I ate to get me through the day. I would eat when I was hungry, never planned my meals, never really gave it a second thought. Back then I always said if I could take a pill and not have to eat I would. Unfortunately I was just ignorant, naive and made bad choices cause I didnt know any better.

I'm much happier with how I look now, I can share countless NSV's, I'm able to physically do pretty much whatever I put my mind to and I can wear almost all the clothes I never could before. The positives seriously are AWESOME

However, I know this isn't the case for everyone. I Have a very obsessive personality and I've always become really good at whatever I wanna get really good at. I've spent a LOT of time reading, researching, learning how to cook, reading labels etc that calorie counting and food has almost taken over my life. I've developed a very bad relationship with food even tho on the outside I seem to be doing everything right, and I am most days. Its the internal dialogue and just constant battle in my mind that bothers me. I know too much about food now. I cant relax about it like I would before. When we're out for dinner I'm always wondering how much oil they've used preparing the food, estimating calories, wondering if/what I should leave on the plate so I dont over eat, never chosing what I WANT from the menu, but what I know will fit in my day. Food isnt 'enjoyable' anymore cause I'm not letting myself enjoy it.

I KNOW that I can easily slide over to the dark side if I'm not careful. I know I'm smart enough to not do it but its hard man... I'm telling you. Its a toss up for me deciding if my mental state now is worth the weight I've lost. I'm gonna say yes for now but If I knew then what could happen I'm not sure I woulda started the journey.

:noway: :ohwell: :flowerforyou:

Nah, I don't want to be skinny. I want curves and muscles and strength.

I'll say that I had a much more relaxed relationship with food before I started all this. Food was just something I ate to get me through the day. I would eat when I was hungry, never planned my meals, never really gave it a second thought. Back then I always said if I could take a pill and not have to eat I would. Unfortunately I was just ignorant, naive and made bad choices cause I didnt know any better.

I'm much happier with how I look now, I can share countless NSV's, I'm able to physically do pretty much whatever I put my mind to and I can wear almost all the clothes I never could before. The positives seriously are AWESOME

However, I know this isn't the case for everyone. I Have a very obsessive personality and I've always become really good at whatever I wanna get really good at. I've spent a LOT of time reading, researching, learning how to cook, reading labels etc that calorie counting and food has almost taken over my life. I've developed a very bad relationship with food even tho on the outside I seem to be doing everything right, and I am most days. Its the internal dialogue and just constant battle in my mind that bothers me. I know too much about food now. I cant relax about it like I would before. When we're out for dinner I'm always wondering how much oil they've used preparing the food, estimating calories, wondering if/what I should leave on the plate so I dont over eat, never chosing what I WANT from the menu, but what I know will fit in my day. Food isnt 'enjoyable' anymore cause I'm not letting myself enjoy it.

I KNOW that I can easily slide over to the dark side if I'm not careful. I know I'm smart enough to not do it but its hard man... I'm telling you. Its a toss up for me deciding if my mental state now is worth the weight I've lost. I'm gonna say yes for now but If I knew then what could happen I'm not sure I woulda started the journey.

:noway: :ohwell: :flowerforyou:

I have the same mind set as you do unfortunately. My whole day revolves around fitness and food. I can't stop thinking about how certain foods will effect me or I feel as if the world is going to end if I don't work out. Im also isolating myself from any activity that involves food I'm not comfortable with. Like the movies, going out to dinner, amusement parks. The worst part is the strain its put on my relationships. I feel my boyfriend of almost 4 years and I are growing apart in some ways because he isn't into fitness like I am and I dedicate so much of my time at the gym it makes it hard for us to spend quality time. My hope is once I lose these last 10 pounds I can relax a bit more and adventure out of my comfort zone and spend much more time with family and friends.

This question has been haunting me. I'm far from skinny, but the forty pounds I've lost in the past two years has had an undeniably positive impact on my health. Tracking calories has become a game for me, and I continue to enjoy my favorite foods in smaller portions. The daily exercise has increased my stamina. In most ways I'd say the lifestyle changes have been worth it.

Still, to be honest, part of me longs to be a lazy lumpkin eating as much as I want of whatever I want.