It’s the beginning of a new year and summer is around the corner. With that being said, many people have made resolutions to shed some pounds, make healthier choices and get skinny. This is all well and good, as long as we keep in mind the reason behind these resolutions.
If the reason you’re motivated to lose weight is because you believe becoming skinny will make you happy, I have a sad wake-up call for you. Being skinny does not make you inherently happier. The only way to be happy is to be comfortable with your own body. And believe me, I know this is easier said than done.
Photo courtesy of Lauryn Lahr
Many people believe that they will be more confident in their own skin if they are thinner. However, so many individuals have struggled with a sense loss or confusion after losing a significant amount of weight.
This is because, if you don’t start out with a positive attitude towards your goals, your end result will show it. As many fitness gurus have said, “Don’t exercise because you hate your body, exercise because you love it.”
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One thing that society has failed to realize lately is that skinny people have problems and emotions too. While often overlooked, naturally thinner women and men are almost always expected to be comfortable and confident.
This is not always the case. For example, when I was younger I was very thin. It didn’t matter what I ate or how little I exercised; I never seemed to gain much weight.
Now I know what you’re thinking, “Why is she even complaining? I would love to have that problem.” This is exactly the point I’m trying to get at.
Society believes that thinner men and women are immune to feeling self-conscious about their bodies. And because of that so many people make side comments without realizing how it affects others.
The comments, “You need to put some meat on those bones,” or “Why are you that skinny?” do more harm than good. They are remarks that are meant to insult and belittle others. Each of these comments eats away at the self-confidence and self-esteem of the targeted men and women.
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The assumption that all skinny people are happy and confident with their bodies is sadly, not true. To be completely honest, I wasn’t fully comfortable with my body until college.It took me time to understand that others’ perception of me does not dictate who I actually am.
For the longest time, I felt this unhealthy need to be “perfect.” I believed I had to present this happy facade all the time because of the way others treated me. Because I was thinner, people would make comments comparing themselves to me. Listening to people say things like, “I wish I was as skinny as you” or “I wish I could have your body” made me very uncomfortable.
I thought that I had to live up to their expectations of my own happiness. But just because someone is a different size than you, does not mean their happiness is lesser or greater than yours. This took me a while to grasp, but I now understand that my emotions are valid simply because they’re my own. I don’t need to put on a facade of happiness to live up to someone else’s idea of myself.
I’m sure, by now, that you’ve heard about the body positivity movement. But some people still seem confused as to what the actual meaning behind the movement is. The movement is not saying that one body type is better than another. It’s main motivation is to inspire each individual to seek self-love and self-confidence no matter what size, shape or color their body may be.
No matter what you look like, you do not have to live up to anyone else’s standards but your own. Learning to understand that each and every person is different and you are no exception, will allow you to be comfortable in your own skin. And that is what will ultimately make you happy.
FAQs
Being skinny does not make you inherently happier. The only way to be happy is to be comfortable with your own body. And believe me, I know this is easier said than done. Many people believe that they will be more confident in their own skin if they are thinner.
Does being skinny make you happy? ›
We have put off the date, holiday, event and rejected intimacy because we thought that we needed to be thinner in order to enjoy ourselves. But little did we know that thinness doesn't automatically grant us happiness because we are worthy of all of these things right now not when we are thinner.
Why does skinny not always equal healthy? ›
But, being too thin takes a more immediate toll on your heart. Being underweight can lead to fatigue, dizziness, brain fog, fertility problems, and a weakened immune system. Research has shown that people who are “overweight” may live longer than people with low body weights.
Why do we feel the need to be skinny? ›
Perfection is perception. Being thin is an image. It's an ideology that's been instilled in our society to make us think if we weigh less, we are more likely to be loved, desired, and seen as beautiful by the sex we desire.
Can happiness cause weight loss? ›
Being in a state of happiness is potentially more responsible for losing weight than how many calories you burn or how much fat your body used for fuel during or after exercise. You can probably agree from experience that when you're happy, you're more likely to stay committed to things you know you ought to do.
Why do we think skinny is attractive? ›
Women generally relate the ideally thin body to positive life outcomes such as happiness, confidence, and romantic success, and consequently a majority of women value the thin ideal to some extent.
Why do happy people gain weight? ›
Researchers concluded that the reason why happy couples gain weight is because they are less motivated to maintain their weight when they don't need to attract a mate. So, if your partner has gained some weight, chances are high that they think you're the one.
Is it healthier to be really skinny or really fat? ›
But bottom line: There's no need to be thinner or fatter in order to be healthy. You can be healthy at any size, while the reverse is also true: one study found that almost half of "overweight" people were metabolically healthy, while 30% of "normal" people were not.
Are naturally skinny people healthier? ›
Many people assume that having a smaller body or lower body weight is a sign of good health. But this is a common misconception. A person's weight is just one of many factors that influences their health. And, what's more, a low body weight can come with real health risks.
Is it healthier to be skinny or muscular? ›
Based on numerous research articles, science suggests increasing muscle and/or cardiorespiratory strength/power be the primary focus for decreasing disease and mortality, more so than weight loss. This does not suggest weight loss is not important; it's about priority.
Why Are We Obsessed With Being Thin? "We diet for one of two reasons, or both: Looks and health," Brown writes. "If (a) you're a woman, and (b) you want people to think you're attractive, you've got to be thin (or at least thinnish) by the cultural standards of the day.
Do skinny people get treated better? ›
The problem with thin privilege
For those who do not fit the thin ideal, internalized and external prejudice can lead to body dissatisfaction and shame. Since thin bodies are also viewed as healthier, larger people are often discriminated against and labeled as unhealthy or irresponsible.
Why does being skinny age you? ›
Actually, being underweight or overweight can age your face. If you lose weight in your body, you will naturally lose the volume in your face as well. Losing weight or volume in your face causes wrinkles to develop, creates jowls, and creates that skeletal look in which folds become more apparent.
Do happy people lose weight easier? ›
Yes, it is easier said than done, it has been scientifically proven that when you are happy, there is a boost of dopamine levels in the body. This, in particular, is very good for weight loss. The body releases endorphins, which stimulate a happy mood and promote a healthy mind and body.
Why do depressed people lose so much weight? ›
Physical signs of depression can also play a part in weight loss. Random, unexplained stomach pains or nausea might leave you avoiding all but the blandest of meals. You might even eat less to avoid triggering unpleasant symptoms. Fatigue and low energy can also overtake feelings of hunger.
Why do I gain weight when I'm unhappy? ›
Cortisol Can Lead to Weight Gain
Cortisol stimulates your fat and carbohydrate metabolism, creating a surge of energy in your body. While this process is essential for survival situations, it also increases your appetite. Additionally, elevated cortisol levels can cause cravings for sweet, fatty and salty foods.
Is a skinny body attractive? ›
The very thinnest images with body mass index of around 19 were rated as most attractive. As fatness increased above that value, the less attractive they were rated. This, however, contrasts the predictions of the mathematical 'fitness' model that there shall be a peak in attractiveness around a BMI of 24 to 24.8.
Is being skinny a good thing? ›
Many people assume that having a smaller body or lower body weight is a sign of good health. But this is a common misconception. A person's weight is just one of many factors that influences their health. And, what's more, a low body weight can come with real health risks.
Do people find skinny people more attractive? ›
New research from Macquarie University, published in the journal PLOS ONE, has found that both genders consider an unhealthily low body fat content for women as most attractive. Whereas the study found that both genders find men with a healthy level of body fat most attractive.
