It seems that everywhere we turn we are told that in order to be happy women have to be skinny. Well, I’m here to tell you that this just isn’t true. Every time I turn on the TV there is a commercial playing with some new weight loss meal plan or shake; and every time I open a magazine I read about celebrity workout routines and the weight loss secrets of Hollywood starlets. I am not going to lie, it’s very intimidating. But as I get older – and wiser – I have come to learn that itIt seems that everywhere we turn we are told that in order to be happy women have to be skinny. Well, I’m here to tell you that this just isn’t true. Every time I turn on the TV there is a commercial playing with some new weight loss meal plan or shake; and every time I open a magazine I read about celebrity workout routines and the weight loss secrets of Hollywood starlets. I am not going to lie, it’s very intimidating. But as I get older – and wiser – I have come to learn that it’s not the image of beauty that is so attractive, it’s the lifestyle that comes with being among the most glamorous people in the world.
If you want to lose weight, that’s a great personal goal; but make sure that you want to get thin(er) for all the right reasons. I say thinner, because who can really define what being thin is? No one. A thin weight can be your healthy weight and this is most commonly determined by your Body Mass Index or BMI.
Don’t lose weight because…
You feel that you should. If you are a little bit more voluptuous than the average woman you shouldn’t feel like you have to lose weight just to fit in with the masses. People come in all shapes and sizes in life. If you want to lose weight because you want to fit into a larger variety of clothes or because you want to be more active, then do it. But don’t change your eating and exercising habits just because you think that you should.
You want to be skinny. This is probably the most common reason why people lose weight and it’s also the most ridiculous weight loss reason. We should want to lose weight because we want to be healthy, not skinny – because being healthy is so much more important. This is why weight loss has to be a lifestyle change in your daily habits; it can’t be a starvation mission.
Someone told you to. If someone told me to lose weight – and they have – I would tell them to mind their own business, unless it’s my doctor. I hate peer pressure and the thought of someone telling me to lose weight makes me want to tell them to mind their own business. If you decide to lose weight make sure that you are doing it for the right reasons because if you don’t really want to lose weight then you won’t stick with your new habits.
What keeps you motivated towards healthy living and weight loss?
Great post!!!
I don’t want to be skinny per se… I want to be healthy and be strong. I hate how I’m so uncomfortable in my own body because my muscles are so weak and tired. I’ve always wanted to be one of the crazies that run 10k at 6am every day but I’d be lucky if I could run 2 blocks right now. That’s gotta change soon!
Oh Amanda I know exactly how you feel. Practice makes perfect I guess 🙂 There are some great running communities on Twitter – good support and good tips. Thanks for reading.
Oh man, I really needed a post like this today. I have been suffering through food allergies and right now I eat the healthiest I ever have (no processed food, only healthy foods) and weigh the most I ever have. I’m trying to deal with it and have be trying to accept myself as the size 12 that I am. Everyone else can, my family, my husband all think I’m great the way I am but for some reason we are always our worst critics.
Oh Erin – you made my day, I’m glad you like the post. I agree with you, sometimes I think I’m eating right and I actually gain weight – what’s up with that?
So now I’m in a zen phase where I do what I can, I don’t deprive myself and I try to do things that make me happy like long walks in the park and lots of bubble baths. I feel that if I am happy I won’t stress as much about my weight.