I’ve been noticing an amount of search queries on my site that contain the phrases “get skinny,” “skinny models,” “what exercise can I do to get skinny.” I want to sincerely welcome all of you who typed such queries.
So, why do you want to be "skinny*"?
Will it make you beautiful, popular, safe, in control, happy? Can you not be/have those things the way you are right now? Why?
Are you starving, eating in secret, binging, purging, exercising all hours of the day, constantly weighing yourself? Is getting skinny an absolutely must for you? Is getting skinny your sole focus?
There will be things you may have to give up in return for this goal; you know that, right? Things like living your life to the fullest, your health, or perhaps even your life. That’s a high price to pay for obtaining super skinniness, isn't it? And I truly don’t believe it’s worth it.
What do you think about changing this goal of being skinny? How about surrounding yourself with people who love and support you? How about learning to love and care for your body? How about learning to eat healthy and whole? How about exercising for fun and health? How about enjoying and living life to the fullest?
Maybe there's something deeper than this goal of getting skinny? Maybe there's a chance you're suffering from an eating disorder? Could you consider seeking professionals who have the knowledge and compassion to help you work through the hurt and pain that's deep inside you? Having an eating disorder doesn't mean you're a bad or strange person. That's completely false! Choosing to recover from an eating disorder means the giving yourself the opportunity to become a healthier and freer you.
What do you think?
How about not making skinny your goal?
How about changing that goal from getting skinny to being healthy?
Eating disorders support
Links to help you find information and support
ANAD - National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders
National Eating Disorders Association - education, resources, and support
Overeaters Anonymous - 12-step recovery program from compulsive overeating using
Pale Reflections - an online support community for those with eating disorders
Radiant Recovery - Program to help heal sugar addictions
Something Fishy - raising awareness and supporting those with eating disorders and their families
*Yes, the term "skinny" is also used without the intention of implying anything negative (i.e., really meaning svelte, sexy, and fit). I can understand this. This post was in response to those who are intent at getting skinny (i.e., really low body weight) at all costs. If the motivation to lose weight is simply to get really skinny, there may be deeper issues at stake, and the individual needs careful attention by a professional counselor so that recovery can take place.
Originally posted 2008-07-09 08:00:21. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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12 comments ↓
I’m really glad that you posted this (as well as all those links). You have such a wonderful attitude towards being healthy and its so important to have this reminder that “skinny” isn’t going to solve any problems and that there often is something much deeper than just trying to lose weight for a lot of people that have that as their mission.
great post.
fabulous links.
I wish we could all wanna be big, muscular, NOTICED and *take up space in this world*———-not small and skinny.
M.
Sagan,
Thank you. That means a lot to mean. Thinking this way hasn’t been natural for me. I had to learn it the long and sometimes hard way.
MizFit,
Thank you! Big or little, as long as we’re healthy in body, mind, and spirit! Healthy, and fulfilled, at peace… I believe those really are attainable.
Great post! And terrific idea to post all those links. The Bag Lady would like to be thinner, but she’s been skinny, and it wasn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
The Bag Lady,
Thanks! Yeah, living and enjoying life, no matter your size, is much more fun than trying to maintain super skinniness!
Hi Susan,
Great points you’ve made here – I’m so focused on getting healthy, not just on weight loss, that I often forget that there are those who just “want to get skinny”.
At the same time though, I did have a point in my life when I was super focused on that darned scale, instead of being focused on increasing my cardio endurance, reducing inches, and gaining muscle tone like I am now.
JoLynn,
Thanks.
The allure of the scale is tricky, as so many people use that as a way of gauging their health, fitness, and even self worth. Good on you for realizing and changing your focus. I know you’ve got a good perspective regarding health and fitness now, and that’s fantastic.
Great information for many girls and women. We are including this in our “Best Fitness Blogs” read of the week.
Thank you Girl-Woman!
This is a great post. I get called skinny a lot and it drives me crazy. I think of skinny negatively, to mean “too” thin and unhealthy. I may be thin, slender, svelte even, but I am healthy. Great links and resources you provided here and a great message to those who are looking for happiness in all the wrong places.
Emily,
People associate “fat” with a negative connotation, but not necessarily “skinny.” However, being called skinny can hurt just as much.
Thank you for the tips. Almost everyone wants to have a perfect body nowadays. This needs lots of hard work.However, I don’t like the term skinny! Skinny can be as uncomfortable as fat!
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