Why do you want to be thinner?

Lia_lia · 06-06-2012 11:50pm

^

I just think commenting on someones weight-loss if I know they have been trying to lose weight is nice. But I see what you mean, if one was to tell someone they were overweight and should lose weight as it's a danger to their health...there would be war! I have kinda said to people they should try and lose weight before. I'm just a really blunt/honest person, not a great personality trait.

I have had loads of people comment on my weight before (whether it be weight-loss or an increase in weight) and they used to bother me alright, but now I've just learned to not care what anyone says about me.

Sea Filly · 07-06-2012 8:08am

Stheno wrote: »

It seems far more acceptable to comment on those who are too thin than those who are too fat, and in some sense to denigrate them.

Stheno wrote: »

I often get lovely comments about my clothes/makeup whatever, but if someone points out body features or that I'm slim/thin/skinny I view it negatively, just as someone who may be struggling with weight might be the same, yet it seems its far more socially acceptable to comment on someone being too thin than it is the opposite?

It's more socially acceptable to comment, both positively and negatively, on someone's thinness because being thin is socially and culturally desirable.

shimmery · 08-06-2012 10:26pm

I am actually going to put the weighing scales up in the attic tomorrow. It has a hold over how I feel about myself and I'm sick of it.

miec · 09-06-2012 7:42pm

In answer to the original Ops question, I want to be slimmer because of health, energy and confidence. I'm overweight, at my heaviest now, and over the years my weight fluctuates. I used to be very active but less so in recent times. A few weeks back I saw a photo of myself and I looked really plumpy (fat) and I hated looking like that so have cut back on food (cakes etc) and started going to the gym. Already I feel like I'm toning up and I know in time I will fit into my old clothes and feel better about myself, have a less painful knee, be able to run up the stairs and be fitter.

But in saying all this I think at the moment there is an extreme focus on body size. Most women's magazines are obsessed with who has gained weight and who has lost weight, I think it is terrible when slim women are called skinny bitches and larger women are referred to as 'real women' to me it is a slap in the face to all women. Yes I'm a larger woman, and even when I was a slim woman I was broad so I'll never be petite looking, but to say because I am large that makes me more 'real' is an insult. All women are real. Also I do my best not to comment on women's body sizes, although I do want to have a slim buffed up body like I see in the gym and that is for me not society. Being overweight is very unpleasant, sometimes really affecting the health, I know that I am much more tired and feel less inclined to do things because it takes more effort. It is not a nice rut to get into and if I don't do something now I'll become obese and for me that would feel awful.

PrincessLola · 10-06-2012 1:22am

Stheno wrote: »

That's what has essentially caused me to adopt what someone said earlier, and just tell people they look really well/I like their outfit etc.

I no longer comment on weight.

Some people struggle to keep their weight down, some struggle to keep their weight up. It seems far more acceptable to comment on those who are too thin than those who are too fat, and in some sense to denigrate them.

I often get lovely comments about my clothes/makeup whatever, but if someone points out body features or that I'm slim/thin/skinny I view it negatively, just as someone who may be struggling with weight might be the same, yet it seems its far more socially acceptable to comment on someone being too thin than it is the opposite?

You cannot pretend that we live in a cultural vaccum.

I say this as a slim person myself, Western society values thinness in women. You cannot pretend that very thin women have it just as bad as very fat women. They do not. It is always going to be much harder to be overweight in our culture.

Madam_X · 10-06-2012 5:45pm

I agree PrincessLola. Programme on the other night called Bulging Brides - so many weightloss programmes! I was expecting women who were very overweight and needed to lose the weight mainly for health reasons and using their impending weddings to motivate themselves, which I personally wouldn't view as a bad thing. Eh... the girl I saw was about a size 10 and just wanted to fit into a too-small wedding dress! Her personal trainer was speaking to her as if she was obese! I know a personal trainer is supposed to be tough on clients but it was unpleasant viewing. Ok it was her choice but it struck me as distasteful. She looked the same after the brutal regime! And it was scales, scales, scales - not a great yardstick when a person only needs to tone up.

I think there is too much stock placed in the scales. There are cases of people being really disappointed because of seeing no difference in their weight, yet they LOOK slimmer and their clothes are looser. The scales only gives part of the full picture. And 10.5 stone could be the correct weight of one woman whose height is 5 ft 5", a bit overweight for another. Build is an important variable factor also. If you're a curvy woman with big boobs etc you will naturally weigh more than a woman whose build is more slender.

A lot of exercise will build muscle too and I know someone made the point that a lb of muscle is the same weight as a lb of fat, but a muscular thigh will weigh more than an untoned one. Water retention causes weight gain also, so don't feel disheartened if you're working hard and it isn't reflecting on the scales.

Jackobyte · 14-06-2012 4:22am

Went on some diet pills before and they didn't work for me. Starved myself and that didnt work either.

I've just learnt to accept my weight. Yes of course I'd love to be trimmer but then again, size isn't everything I guess. Unless it affects my health.

And I'm a very... feminine man, people have told me.. I seemed to just have this way of thinking. size size size. (yes, fitting the stereotype of a feminine man ><) but then I looked at the bigger picture and I have a boyfriend who loves me and I feel great in my own skin.
And I'm young and have life to look forward to

Probably went off track in this thread tbh. Sorry. But answering the question, yes id love to be slimmer but I've learnt to accept myself

analucija · 14-06-2012 10:17am

I'm getting a bit sick of complaints over magazines (mostly tabloids) and rubbish TV programs. If people won't watch them and won't read them and they'll disappear. I'm pretty sure Living TV would be making Panorama like programs if they'd be as popular.

Anyway I like how clothes look on me when I'm slimmer and also putting on excessive weight is usually sign of unhealthy living for me (I know some people put on weight quicker than others). I'm OK with being size 12 although 10 is better, but once I go towards 14 I know I should look after myself a bit better. I don't have weighting scales at home and and years ago when I got rid of them I actually lost some weight and maintained it and then I got pregnant.

It's a lot easier when you don't live under daily pressure of checking how much you gained or lost and reasoning that you just had a big glass of water or your hair is a bit wet.

Ilyana · 14-06-2012 2:30pm

I weighed myself twice in the last month. My period was due the first time and the numbers on the scale left me in tears. The second time, I was 5lbs lighter and delighted with myself. However, I looked essentially the same both times, give or take some bloating. It's wrong that a bathroom scales should have such a hold over my self esteem, and I'm finally learning that being healthy is worth far more than being a pound lighter than last week.

Right now I'm a size 10-12, and this is the yardstick I'd rather use - along with general wellbeing and fitness. My BMI is a little close to the overweight side of normal, but I intend to just get moving more and eating better - starting today. It's as much about my state of mind as my weight; if I don't look after myself then I become lethargic and negative. That is a far bigger incentive to be healthy, than a number on a screen.

Sea Filly · 14-06-2012 2:38pm

One good reason I like being thinner is that I just feel more comfortable, if that makes sense. I didn't like having a big tummy, or feeling blown-up and bloated or not being able to see my cheekbones.

Wibbs · 17-06-2012 5:43pm

D-gal this is hardly an appropriate thread for your post. Even more it's very close to shilling. No more please. Post deleted

Little My · 17-06-2012 9:01pm

Not sure if this has been linked to already but it is definitely worth a read if not.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/jun/10/body-image-anxiety-eva-wiseman?fb=native&CMP=FBCNETTXT9038

mood · 17-06-2012 9:55pm

No I don't want to be thinner. I wouldn't mind being a bit bigger.

MissMoppet · 18-06-2012 4:46am

I want to be thinner to feel better about my body.

cuilteanna · 18-06-2012 5:49pm

I lost over 8.5 stone for health reasons, but now that I've put back nearly two stone of that it's more about liking how I used to look - saggy skin and all - and wanting to fit back into the nice clothes I've accumulated since I reached my goal. When I was morbidly obese I wasn't all that bothered until I had to dress up for something, so health was the only motivation strong enough to make me take action. Now it has become mostly vanity, LOL, though I seem to have regained mostly around my waist which is particularly unhealthy as well.

A neighbour commented in passing this morning that she barely recognises me any more, and all I wanted to do was stop and tell her that I'm only barely fitting in jeans two sizes larger than what she last saw me wearing. I suppose it's a good lesson in others seeing us differently than we see ourselves.

PrincessLola · 20-06-2012 11:22pm

cuilteanna wrote: »

I lost over 8.5 stone for health reasons, but now that I've put back nearly two stone of that it's more about liking how I used to look - saggy skin and all - and wanting to fit back into the nice clothes I've accumulated since I reached my goal. When I was morbidly obese I wasn't all that bothered until I had to dress up for something, so health was the only motivation strong enough to make me take action. Now it has become mostly vanity, LOL, though I seem to have regained mostly around my waist which is particularly unhealthy as well.

A neighbour commented in passing this morning that she barely recognises me any more, and all I wanted to do was stop and tell her that I'm only barely fitting in jeans two sizes larger than what she last saw me wearing. I suppose it's a good lesson in others seeing us differently than we see ourselves.

You're still 6.5 stone lighter than you were, thats great

Regaining weight after weight loss is a huge problem, in my experiene its harder to keep weight off than lose it in the first place, because when you gain weight you gain extra fat cells, and those fat cells don't disappear when you lose it again, they just shrink.

gjc · 20-06-2012 11:27pm

I need to lose weight as I have a cholesterol level of 10 (age 39), believe me I am not fat perhaps I should lose 1 stone, but I have it in my head that losing a stone will help, gp recognises that im not overweight in fact average weight for my age (he said that he has patients that are as thin as whipets with high cholesterol and patients who are 20 stone with spot on cholesterol) i'm on tablets...yet I feel I need to lose it...finding it very very hard to shift the weight

kanedaly60 · 25-06-2012 1:42am

I'm not sure how to describe my relationship with my weight.

From the age of about 7 I had body image issues. I was an average slim child, but I felt self conscious in shorts and uncovered arms. I remember telling my mother I would get lipo on my thighs as a child.

I lost a lot of weight when I hit my teens. First unconsiously, then I stopped eating and developed bulima. I am attractive and got attention from boys and it spiraled. Then at some point I started binge eating and since then I've see-sawed between the two.

In the last two years I improved a lot. I exercise, and I don't act so drastically regarding my weight. I looked well and I felt comfortable for the first time in years.

I can't deal with stress and a breakup and college exams/sudden unemployment have made me recently gain a stone rapidly, through comfort eating. I now dress differently, feel differently, and isolate myself a bit socially. My boyfriend loves me but I don't feel as comfortable with him looking at my body anymore. I know my problem is being lazy and eating too much refined carbs, but I have yet to break the habit.

Basically as other posters have stated I want to be thinner to make myself feel more comfortable, and I think my weight has a knock on effect on my socialiblity, my relationships and how I present myself. It has a direct impact on my self worth.

Princess Peach · 28-06-2012 1:32pm

I want to bring up a point here that I found from the "plus size women" thread, don't want to drag that off topic. It's about the gender issues regarding weight loss.

Wibbs said that he has lost weight and not having been overweight there were negative comments made about it. Now if an average weight girl loses weight, for whatever reason, normally the comments are positive. Say a size 12 girl falls to a size 8, most people will compliment her. It's usually not until someone becomes underweight that concerns are raised.

Seems a lot more acceptable for women than men, even though in either case there could be health or mental issues involved. Maybe because generally women buy into the media more? I'm thinking of magazines here. Every womens magazine has a diet page, but apart from mens fitness magazines the likes of GQ do not focus on mens physical appearance.

Just makes me wonder is it the culture among women that fuels the media, bringing it full circle, or is it the media fuelling women? And why is it not so prevalent among men?

analucija · 28-06-2012 4:03pm

I don't know. I my best male friend is battling his weight since I remember, my brother who used to be a bit overweight is an expert on any kind of a diet. The horror when he saw me eating crisps with a sandwich once!

My BF is also very self-concuss regarding his weight issues. The only man that I know who is not is my father and he should be. I have a lot of male friends and I wouldn't say my weight issues would be any worse than theirs. Only people don't necessary notice if man gains or loses half a stone, the weight gain or loss usually has to be bigger. And sometimes the issues have more to do with body definition and not actual weight.

Dolbert · 28-06-2012 4:14pm

Yes, but if a man loses too much weight it's often commented on negatively (unless he was obviously overweight to start with). Female weight loss is almost always commented on positively in my experience, whether she needed to lose it or not.

analucija · 28-06-2012 4:27pm

Dolorous wrote: »

Yes, but if a man loses too much weight it's often commented on negatively (unless he was obviously overweight to start with). Female weight loss is almost always commented on positively in my experience, whether she needed to lose it or not.

"Ideal" female size is probably comparably smaller than male but I heard comments being made for men and women. I know a girl who is constantly compared to dried up prune behind her back and she is size 8. And I think that can be the main difference, a lot more comments about girls are made behind their back while men are told stuff into their face (by their friends).

Raspberries · 28-06-2012 5:06pm

I'm going to preface this post by stating that I haven't read the whole thread.
If someone asked me the question 'why do you want to be thinner?' in the street, I would say that it's for me, and no-one else.

But that's a lie. I want to be slimmer because I don't want to be the 'fat' friend anymore, I don't want to be passed over in a nightclub, I want people to look at me and think, wow she's got a great figure! I want people to say, have you lost weight?

I know, stupid reasons. But I do want to be slimmer for more important reasons too. I am overweight for my height. I am carrying my weight across my middle, which is unhealthy as research states that it could cause heart problems, diabetes, etc. There is a history of diabetes in my family on both sides, so statistically I am very likely to develop it if I don't look after myself. There are also issues with obesity, blood pressure and heart problems in my family so I don't want to put myself at risk of these problems too through my own laziness and greed.

I don't think of it as wanting to be thin though. I think that I need to eat healthier and being more active. I have started to become more active, and that is a big step for me. And I am enjoying it, which is surprising, because I thought I would have to force myself to do it!

Stheno · 29-06-2012 12:01am

Princess Peach wrote: »

I want to bring up a point here that I found from the "plus size women" thread, don't want to drag that off topic. It's about the gender issues regarding weight loss.

Wibbs said that he has lost weight and not having been overweight there were negative comments made about it. Now if an average weight girl loses weight, for whatever reason, normally the comments are positive. Say a size 12 girl falls to a size 8, most people will compliment her. It's usually not until someone becomes underweight that concerns are raised.

Seems a lot more acceptable for women than men, even though in either case there could be health or mental issues involved. Maybe because generally women buy into the media more? I'm thinking of magazines here. Every womens magazine has a diet page, but apart from mens fitness magazines the likes of GQ do not focus on mens physical appearance.

Just makes me wonder is it the culture among women that fuels the media, bringing it full circle, or is it the media fuelling women? And why is it not so prevalent among men?

I had this recently to my face and by comments to my other half, that I had gone from being acceptably thin, to unhealthily skinny

Comments ranged from (to him) "is she sick/has she a problem to (to me) "Are you ok, you look awful and have lost a lot of weight/are very pale, look very tired"

I was getting over a very stressful time in work and the death of a close relative, I was eating at least three times a day, but obviously stress played a part.

I suppose the best I can say here is that there is a tipping point for people being overweight or underweight (strangely enough I'm not underweight, bmi is 19.5) where it's acceptable to pass remarks if that makes any sense, regardless of trauma, stress, underlying illness etc, and it doesn't matter if your too fat or too thin, once you are outside someones norm they will comment.

Not being someone who reads anything other than the normal papers on a day to day basis, usually for politics/economics, I've no idea if the media influence it, but it appeared my weight loss (about a stone I guess, I don't know what I weigh and how much I lost) triggered others to feel they could comment ad nauseum

Lia_lia · 29-06-2012 1:27am

About the male thing...

My brother was just saying yesterday how he is sick of hearing ads on tv/radio/everywhere about losing weight because all he wants to do is put on weight! He even said "why are there never any ads about diets to put on weight?" :rolleyes:

Although he is not as scrawny looking as he was when he was younger (he is 20 now) his body fat usually lies between 5 and 7%. He weighs himself most days and at the moment weighs about 60kg. And he is about 6'! And the majority of that is muscle...he goes to the gym everyday and lifts weights. But he is constantly giving out about how little he weighs..in fairness though he has a very small appetite and can only eat a certain amount in one sitting...same as me.

So it works both ways I guess!

poppyvally · 29-06-2012 10:51pm

I am 5ft 6ins( used to be 5ft 7& half) I was 12st am now 8st 12lbs. To me overweight = fat =cholesterol = stroke or heart attack. I would love to be heavier, I think fattish women are beautiful...well most of them but for purely health reasons, I have to keep the weight down..& it sucks!

Stheno · 30-06-2012 12:27am

poppyvally wrote: »

I am 5ft 6ins( used to be 5ft 7& half) I was 12st am now 8st 12lbs. To me overweight = fat =cholesterol = stroke or heart attack. I would love to be heavier, I think fattish women are beautiful...well most of them but for purely health reasons, I have to keep the weight down..& it sucks!

Plenty of "thin" people have cholesterol problems, it's not exclusively related to being overweight, nor does it necessarily cause strokes.
Being on the pill can cause stroke, I'd a very healthy, fit 27 year old colleague who suffered one.
Heart attacks have loads of causes, I've to go for tests a I might be prone to one due to genetics.
Smokers add risk (and I smoke) more to all of those.
Your waist size apparently is a very good indicator of your health when compared to your hip size.

None of those conditions are exclusive to being overweight tbh.

An overall health review might ease some of your concerns?

Sala · 04-07-2012 10:31am

I wan't to be thinner so I look better and feel more comfortable. Even if clothes are the right size I don't think they are as comfortable if you are carrying a bit of weight. I have put on weight, it is slowly creeping on over the years, so I need to nip it in the bud now! I am not overweight "officially" but I still would like to lose some - I always feel better at the lower end of the healthy range for my height. It is about being confident in your own body - it is much better to dress up to look good, rather than to dress with a view to hiding certain things

cynder · 04-07-2012 3:52pm

Lia_lia wrote: »

About the male thing...

My brother was just saying yesterday how he is sick of hearing ads on tv/radio/everywhere about losing weight because all he wants to do is put on weight! He even said "why are there never any ads about diets to put on weight?" :rolleyes:

Although he is not as scrawny looking as he was when he was younger (he is 20 now) his body fat usually lies between 5 and 7%. He weighs himself most days and at the moment weighs about 60kg. And he is about 6'! And the majority of that is muscle...he goes to the gym everyday and lifts weights. But he is constantly giving out about how little he weighs..in fairness though he has a very small appetite and can only eat a certain amount in one sitting...same as me.

So it works both ways I guess!

That's my nephew only his 6 foot 2 and eats a whole family size KFC bucket in one sitting, his a bottomless pit, yet doesn't put on weight, smokes, drinks, he doesn't exercise as such but works and goes to college, he walks everywhere.

His 24. He is very scrawny. I say he must have a very fast metabolism.

LenaClaire · 04-07-2012 7:25pm

grindelwald wrote: »

That's my nephew only his 6 foot 2 and eats a whole family size KFC bucket in one sitting, his a bottomless pit, yet doesn't put on weight, smokes, drinks, he doesn't exercise as such but works and goes to college, he walks everywhere.

His 24. He is very scrawny. I say he must have a very fast metabolism.

My Uncle was like that until he was 40. Could not put on weight for any money but as soon as he hit 40 he had an instant potbelly

nibzc22 · 04-07-2012 10:11pm

I want to be thinner to feel better about my self & to able to fit into the clothes I used to! That's the worst bit for me

Seraphina · 07-07-2012 5:04pm

I find this whole thread a bit odd. I know it's just because it's phrased a certain way, and it probably means nothing, but I don't want to be 'thinner' and I don't understand why everyone seems to want it.

I want to be fitter, stronger, healthier. I want a flexible and functional body, that lift, swing or pull itself out of sticky situations. I never want to feel tired or out of breath after something as simple as climbing the stairs.

I don't actually want to be thin. I want my body to follow it's own curves naturally. I have shaped muscular shoulders from climbing, a strong core from yoga and some serious power in my ass and legs from cycling everywhere ( it's the only way to travel

). This has given me an hourglass shape that a lot of people have commented on. And it was never really the aim of any of my exercise.

I will never be thin. I don't have the bone structure for it, and I simply don't care. I'm happy, healthy and energetic

beks101 · 07-07-2012 8:17pm

Seraphina wrote: »

I find this whole thread a bit odd. I know it's just because it's phrased a certain way, and it probably means nothing, but I don't want to be 'thinner' and I don't understand why everyone seems to want it.

I think the thread title was a play on the fact that 'losing weight' seems to be a Holy Grail of sorts for most women these days, as reflected in many of the threads and posts in this forum. An attempt to acknowledge and address this recurring theme of weight loss, dieting, gyming, fitting into a certain size, reaching a certain weight...moreso than a blanket claim that absolutely every woman on the face of the planet wants or should want to be thinner.

I'd be the same as you Seraphina, having been through the process of losing my curves (and my mind) to an unhealthy quest for 'thinness'. Most women who have responded to this thread appear to be the same. Health, vitality, fitness, strength, peace of mind...goes without saying, far more important to me at this stage than fitting into a size or hitting a weight that I have to fight my body's natural rhythm to get to. I run a lot so my legs are strong and shapely; when I was thin they were weak and twig-like. It's against my genes and my body's natural state to not be curvy, to not have an ass, hips and boobs.

But that's not to say I didn't want that celebrated 'celebrity body' for a long time, and that's not to say it's something I don't still struggle with sometimes. Seeing that I'm not the only one - and that these struggles can be common for many otherwise healthy women - has made this thread incredibly therapeutic and insightful - and even comforting, for me.

cynder · 15-07-2012 8:47pm

Read in the journal today that those who are slightly over weight live longer than those who are of normal weight or who are underweight.

http://www.thejournal.ie/these-are-the-surprising-things-that-can-help-you-live-longer-518863-Jul2012/

Mc Kenzie · 15-07-2012 9:38pm

I guess id just feel id be more attractive or look better if i was a bit slimmer. sometimes i dont feel in proportion as im not skinny but pretty flat chested so it would seem better for me to be slimmer and in proportion.

LegacyUser · 15-07-2012 11:50pm

Totally going unregistered for this reply as a few people I know in real life know my username so bear with me.

I've always been overweight and have been to Unislim, WW and a gym many times over the past 8ish years. Bullied in school, called names by customers in work (I worked in a pub and drunken pi$$heads would always make smart comments) and I've always been treated differently by those who didn't know how much of a legend I am

. I did manage to lose about 2 stone but I just let things slide and the weight crept back on with a few more stone too.

I'm at my heaviest now (a horrific 18 stone) and I constantly have my size on my mind, along with food calories/my image/poor health/clothes that just are lucky to fit rather than clothes I actually like/always being in the back in photos in an attempt to hide the weight/ upcomming events that require formal clothes/boys, or lack thereof/my impression in interviews/college etc.

My health is dire and I can't even enjoy a walk in the park with the nieces and nephew without getting out of breath. My clothes are baggy and ugly and no matter how nice my hair and make-up is, I can never see past the double chin. High heels would be great of my feet could cope with hauling my fat a$$ around the place!

I never go out anymore. I've feigned sickness and pretended not to see the text invitation to go to the pub until it's late enough for me to reply saying that there's no point in me going out now. But definitely 'next time'.

I'm sick of being the 'funny' one. Of being bubbly and a laugh. which are fine, but sometimes thats just a polite way of saying chunky monkey!!!

Last week I decided the weight wasn't just going to take a running jump by itself so I joined a gym and banished the rubbish food from the house. I know I can shed these stones that I feel are sitting on my shoulders rather than actually on my stomach!

I hope you lovely ladies of the lounge will forgive me for my rambling essay! But this is also inspiration for me cos when times are tough and that burger is looking good, I can just reread this and get a boost.

So to sum it all up, the reason I want to be thinner is to banish the CONSTANT body/weight thoughts from my head. The huge boost in my health, mentally and physically, is my goal. The nice clothes and the confidence will just be added perks.

That and high heels....

Precious flower · 16-07-2012 5:02pm

I'd like to be 'fit' instead of thin. I don't think anyone should aim for being thin as such. You may look thin but may not be healthy, so I'd rather be toned and healthy than a twig and unhealthy! :pac:

PrincessLola · 17-07-2012 6:35pm

Precious flower wrote: »

I'd like to be 'fit' instead of thin. I don't think anyone should aim for being thin as such. You may look thin but may not be healthy, so I'd rather be toned and healthy than a twig and unhealthy! :pac:

I guess I'm just weird but even as a little girl I always wanted boobs and hips, not to be a stick. (I had decided I would keep money between my boobs when I grew up)
I didn't want to look like a Disney Princess I wanted to look like Jessica Rabbit, becuse I always thought she was badass :pac:

Galwayguy35 · 17-07-2012 7:15pm

Lia_lia wrote: »

About the male thing...

My brother was just saying yesterday how he is sick of hearing ads on tv/radio/everywhere about losing weight because all he wants to do is put on weight! He even said "why are there never any ads about diets to put on weight?" :rolleyes:

Although he is not as scrawny looking as he was when he was younger (he is 20 now) his body fat usually lies between 5 and 7%. He weighs himself most days and at the moment weighs about 60kg. And he is about 6'! And the majority of that is muscle...he goes to the gym everyday and lifts weights. But he is constantly giving out about how little he weighs..in fairness though he has a very small appetite and can only eat a certain amount in one sitting...same as me.

So it works both ways I guess!

He is light for a guy who is 6ft tall, combine that with a small appetite and going to the gym and he maybe using up more energy than he is taking in.
Maybe he could try protein shakes, they would build him up.

Precious flower · 17-07-2012 7:30pm

PrincessLola wrote: »

I guess I'm just weird but even as a little girl I always wanted boobs and hips, not to be a stick. (I had decided I would keep money between my boobs when I grew up)
I didn't want to look like a Disney Princess I wanted to look like Jessica Rabbit, becuse I always thought she was badass :pac:

That's because women are meant to be curvy!:) Although I understand not all women have curves because everyone has a different body type and that's fine but I think if you have curves you should embrace their curves. I don't think anyone should fear food. I think it's too much stress to put yourself under if every time you're handed a piece of chocolate you automatically think 'How many calories is that?'.

Yes, I think people (men included) should be aware of what they are putting in their bodies, but not be afriad of eating every little thing (everything in moderation). A fear of food will create an unhealthy relationship with it that you will constantly be fighting your whole life and that's no way to live. The proper way is to enjoy food but to be aware of what you're eating and knowing when too much is too much (Easy to say, harder to stick with I know :P).

I think though in magazines there is so much emphasis out on 'losing weight' and being 'thin' when I think it should be more about being healthy, knowing what your putting into your body and the effect it will have, not starving yourself to be a bean pole. You can be as thin as you want, but if you're not eating right or exercising you won't be healthier and worse still that unhealthy relationship will mean food will constantly be an anxiety for you.

I've no time for diets, they don't help educate people at all. You're hungry. You can't go out with friends as you're 'afraid of what will be on the menu' or 'can't have nice things because the diet doesn't allow them'. You go off the diet after you reach the weight you want, but wait, two weeks on and you've gained that back. Why? Because the diet didn't educate you properly about food. It just said eat this/drink this, lose weight but it never told you how to tackle the emotional baggage that may closely connected to your problem

The bottom line is losing weight or even just eating better is hard work and something drinking a shake won't solve. You need to work at it and know that it may take a while but you'll be getting closer every day to being at peace with what's right for you. /rant over

(Seems like know-it-all now)

feegee · 22-07-2012 8:14am

Recently iam trying so hard too loose weight, iam currently a size 8, but feel a lot bigger, i recently move to Canada the girls are thinner and prettier, i once thaught a size 8 was a good size now iam on a diet considering dying my hair blonde, wearing more make up.............just wish i was comfortable in my own skin, :eek:

CathyMoran · 22-07-2012 9:30am

feegee wrote: »

Recently iam trying so hard too loose weight, iam currently a size 8, but feel a lot bigger, i recently move to Canada the girls are thinner and prettier, i once thaught a size 8 was a good size now iam on a diet considering dying my hair blonde, wearing more make up.............just wish i was comfortable in my own skin, :eek:

I can relate in so far as I am a size 8 and lots of people are skinnier than me and I have had comments some of them that I needed to loose weight but then I remember that I have an hourglass figure and that I would loose that if I lost weight.

Abi · 22-07-2012 12:44pm

Girls I can't believe what I'm reading here, unhappy with a size 8?! Most Irish women would be quite happy with a nice 10 or 12 figure. Going under an 8 most women start losing boobs and a curvy bum. Women are supposed to look like women. I went down to an 8 once , I thought I'd be delighted with my nice slim figure but the opposite happened. I became conscience of the fact that I no longer had any boobs and even my tush looked saggy. I went back to a twelve and was much happier.

Cathy, whoever is making these comments, steer well clear! It's frightening reading some comments here.

cynder · 22-07-2012 3:15pm

Abi wrote: »

Girls I can't believe what I'm reading here, unhappy with a size 8?! Most Irish women would be quite happy with a nice 10 or 12 figure. Going under an 8 most women start losing boobs and a curvy bum. Women are supposed to look like women. I went down to an 8 once , I thought I'd be delighted with my nice slim figure but the opposite happened. I became conscience of the fact that I no longer had any boobs and even my tush looked saggy. I went back to a twelve and was much happier.

Cathy, whoever is making these comments, steer well clear! It's frightening reading some comments here.

Is it a canadian or Ireland size 8? a canadian size 8 would be an Irish 12.

If the person is talking about an Irish size 8 then I must be an elephant at an Irish size 12....

Madam_X · 22-07-2012 4:47pm

feegee wrote: »

Recently iam trying so hard too loose weight, iam currently a size 8, but feel a lot bigger, i recently move to Canada the girls are thinner and prettier, i once thaught a size 8 was a good size now iam on a diet considering dying my hair blonde, wearing more make up.............just wish i was comfortable in my own skin, :eek:

Size 8 (UK) is slim - no matter what you think. Personally I would be underweight if I went down to size 8 - on my upper bod anyway, because I'm built to be bigger, having ample enough breasts. At my skinniest (and I looked miserable and my ribs were sticking out) I was a big size 10. And still had boobs and a bit of a sticky-out tum.

Acoshla · 22-07-2012 5:07pm

feegee wrote: »

Recently iam trying so hard too loose weight, iam currently a size 8, but feel a lot bigger, i recently move to Canada the girls are thinner and prettier, i once thaught a size 8 was a good size now iam on a diet considering dying my hair blonde, wearing more make up.............just wish i was comfortable in my own skin, :eek:

I lived in Canada too, at 5ft8 and 11 stone (size 12-14 here) with size 7/8 shoes I was huge compared to most of the girls I knew, but that is because many of them come from so many different ethnic backgrounds, Canada is full of tiny Asian girls who are just built differently, I will never be the same dimensions as them! There are so many different ethnicities there that you can't compare yourself to them. I worked in a clothes shop there (Costa Blanca if you know it) and I was in XL's in everything, most of the stock didn't fit me, I was also a head taller than all the other girls, who were Chinese, Indian, Mexican etc backgrounds and usually flat chested, unlike my fine ball of an Irish figure. Don't judge yourself by what size other people are, go by what's healthy for you.

Truley · 22-07-2012 7:29pm

I would imagine a lot of Canadian girls have French ancestry as well, ie small and thin.

Princess Peach · 22-07-2012 7:32pm

My Canadian friends aren't that slim oddly! I go to college here so they are from all over the country, only one girl I would call skinny, the rest are average weight or a little overweight.

Lots of Asian students, not a pick on them!

Acoshla · 22-07-2012 7:37pm

Princess Peach wrote: »

My Canadian friends aren't that slim oddly! I go to college here so they are from all over the country, only one girl I would call skinny, the rest are average weight or a little overweight.

Lots of Asian students, not a pick on them!

Depends where in Canada you are I guess, I was in downtown Toronto and seemed to work/socialise with all these groups of tiny girls!

beks101 · 22-07-2012 7:46pm

Acoshla wrote: »

Depends where in Canada you are I guess, I was in downtown Toronto and seemed to work/socialise with all these groups of tiny girls!

Yeah I'm in Toronto - full of tiny, gorgeous Asian women.

Generally the women - and everyone actually - tend to be in great shape, there's a real exercise culture here. EVERYONE jogs/gyms/does yoga and eats healthily. But I wouldn't say 'skinny' - not in any Hollywood sense. Healthy, athletic, curvy, attractive figures.

One thing that amuses me about the women is they don't tend to have big boobs - sometimes I feel like a freak with my double Ds! I take a medium to large for most t-shirts, tops, jackets etc, even though I'm a small back home.