What are some good reasons to be thin?
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I think a lot of the negative connotations of "thin" are related to societal expectations, and most often applied to men. That is, "thin" as "skinny" or "scrawny", as opposed to "built" or "muscular". The media ideal for a man is to be built, so "thin" is levelled as an insult.
It's far more rare to hear "thin" as an insult being directed at women in 2014 in western countries. Except maybe by old-world Italian or Jewish grandmothers. "Eat something, you're too thin!"
"Thin" can be negative in the context of eating disorders, of course. It can also be negative in the context of people who truly don't have enough to eat, which, let's not forget, still affects millions of people around the world.
Having a little extra fat on your bones used to be a sign of wealth and status, because it meant you could afford to have enough to eat and to live a life of luxury. It's only in relatively recent modern history that we as a society have gotten so rich that we see more obesity among the poor and less among the rich. In the context of human history, this is a bit of an anomaly.
It is an interesting wealth paradox to be in a society that is so awash in food that people actually have diseases related to overeating and actually struggle to not eat as much as they could. It would be a very strange concept to people in most times and places.0 -
Wheelhouse15 wrote: »It is an interesting wealth paradox to be in a society that is so awash in food that people actually have diseases related to overeating and actually struggle to not eat as much as they could. It would be a very strange concept to people in most times and places.
Indeed. And due to food deserts, educational inequalities, and the fact that the rich can afford to spend more time at the gym or with personal trainers (or, heck, plastic surgery), now we have a weird reverse situation where being thin is a sign of luxury and status.0 -
Wheelhouse15 wrote: »It is an interesting wealth paradox to be in a society that is so awash in food that people actually have diseases related to overeating and actually struggle to not eat as much as they could. It would be a very strange concept to people in most times and places.
Indeed. And due to food deserts, educational inequalities, and the fact that the rich can afford to spend more time at the gym or with personal trainers (or, heck, plastic surgery), now we have a weird reverse situation where being thin is a sign of luxury and status.
I'll have to dig up the study but I remember hearing that for women there is a negative correlation between income and weight but for men it's positive. It seems that because men in lower income brackets tend to be the ones with manual labour jobs while women tend to work out more as they rise in income.0 -
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BZAH, I got there with a LOT of help, not just lifestyle changes. I have a team assigned to me including a Dietitian, a Physio therapist, a Psychologist, and a Surgeon. I had gastric bypass surgery this past summer, losing 40 lbs before surgery and now 40 lbs afterwards. Your mom is right to be concerned if she can do this on her own.
We each do what works for us. I don't have a team assigned to me (since I didn't have bypass surgery) but I'm determined to lose over 100 pounds. Including what I lost prior to finding MFP, I'm close to 60 down right now. Losing another 50 will happen. That's what's so great about being able to use MFP, IMO, the tools are free and the process works!
I think her mom CAN do it on her own, if she has the right mindset.
Awesome progress! That's amazing. And thank you for the kind words.0 -
That's a great one!I'll throw out another silly reason. I used to drop food on myself all the time. All my shirts were littered with "phantom" stains from it. I always thought it was because I ate fast or was clumsy. As I lost weight I noticed I didn't have the same problem. I still eat fast and still am clumsy. Sauces still end up on my chin etc. I figured out that the reason I don't get food on myself though is because I'm actually sitting closer to the table now. The food is either falling back on my plate and/or the fork/spoon doesn't have to hover over my belly for those extra seconds before getting to my mouth. Sounds silly but it's true.
Texting is easier when your fingers are less fat, too.
There are so many small reasons why it's better to be thin.
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kelly39014 wrote: »As opposed to being overweight just looking for some extra motivation!
To fit between the bars in a jail break attempt.0 -
Haha that's funny the reason I am calling it thin is because when I used to be average my mother would tell me you're too thin! But I feel like society has a certain image we need to obtain to fit in to the ideal image of what's attractive vs what's not and it makes me feel like why should I have to be a certain weight just to appease society? But really in the long run I have really made up my mind that I'm doing it for me not for anyone else so I think that's enough motivation to keep myself going and not caring what anyone thinks as I continue to lose weightkelly39014 wrote: »As opposed to being overweight just looking for some extra motivation!
To fit between the bars in a jail break attempt.
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loribethrice wrote: »More clothing choices
Cheaper clothing choices (plus size clothes are always more expensive)
Better bathing suits
Easier to buy bras
Can shop in the juniors section if you need more selection
THIS!!
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Let's play a game, hot or not.
J-Lo?
Shakira?
Sofia Vergara?
They thin?0 -
As long as you stay healthy, then yeah, to hell with what others think, and do it for you.kelly39014 wrote: »But really in the long run I have really made up my mind that I'm doing it for me not for anyone else so I think that's enough motivation to keep myself going and not caring what anyone thinks as I continue to lose weight
I'm just saying that I think there is a real shift happening, that the twig figures we loved of yester-year are being supplanted by the non-heroin chic.
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Only valid answers are:
True
OMG
10/10 Would bang.0 -
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hahahaha.0
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My biggest motivation is my wedding in October 2015 and the dresses I'll be trying on in August 2015, but I have a thousand other reasons to get to my goal weight and be healthy, most of which have already been mentioned by other users (clothing, feeling good, easier to move around, easier on the aging process, doctors not bringing up your weight as an issue, etc).0
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Totally works. If that's how the list goes though, add in Minaj and Perry too.0 -
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More sex.0
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Hey-o!0
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Reasons to be thin
Feel confident about your body as a woman with a child I know what it's like to second guess your body
Wear whatever clothes you like.... skinny jeans, crop tops, hot pants, bikinis, and look hot wearing them
Less wear and tear on joints
Look good
Healthier
Be more attractive to guys /your partner. Guys ask for your phone number and I have a bf but that still makes me feel better when they ask 0 -
TastesLikeBurning wrote: »If you park too close to a car, it's easier to get out of the vehicle.
Especially if you have a 2 door car, as I've found out recently with my new car.0 -
Indeed. And due to food deserts, educational inequalities, and the fact that the rich can afford to spend more time at the gym or with personal trainers (or, heck, plastic surgery), now we have a weird reverse situation where being thin is a sign of luxury and status.
I don't believe you need money to be thin.
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No, but being thin is becoming a sign of status, in an interesting reversal.0
This discussion has been closed.
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