It's not all that easy being naturally svelte
SKINNY PEOPLE. Don't you hate them?
You know the type. They can eat whatever and whenever they want without a second thought. They don't count calories or monitor their weight - and they can get designer sample sizes at bargain prices.
Take my friend Aida Gonzalez, a financial planner, exercise enthusiast and textbook ectomorph, a poster child for the skinny. She is genetically thin - 5-foot-8 and about 112 pounds on a good day! She can and does eat as she pleases.
During the holiday season, in fact, she slams down weight-gainer shakes trying to pick up a few pounds and quell the negative comments about her thinness at family gatherings. It's to no avail. She has tried for years to gain weight, but it never sticks.
Recently, she and I were talking about obesity, myths about thin people and why the naturally svelte are often targeted as the enemy of those struggling with the battle of the bulge. Here are our six myths about thin people:
1. Thin people can wear anything.
Maybe that's true, if you think recent comments about super-thin Lindsey Lohan and Nicole Ritchie have been complimentary and enviable.
Thin people, just like heavier people, must search for clothing that flatters. Depending on how small your frame is, something that's too tight, too revealing or too short may not be the most attractive look.
2. Thin people are not sensitive about their size.
Thin people are just as sensitive about themselves as obese, overweight or average-weight folks are. Have you ever walked up to a thin person and asked if they wear a size 0? Or asked, "Hey, um, do you... eat?"
Would you be sensitive or offended if your perceived figure flaws were exposed in a sarcastic or comical way?
"Sometimes I'm made to feel like I'm a spokesmodel for crackheads," Gonzalez complained. "When you're thin, people think they can say whatever they want. Well, it's just plain old rude."
3. Life is easier for thin people.
No it isn't. Thin people are not naturally happy, secure, fit or beautiful. Thin people deal with the same insecurities and human foibles as the rest of us. Nor is being thin synonymous with beauty, fitness or health.
4. Thin people eat very small portions.
There are many reasons that some people are naturally lean and have a difficult time putting on weight. It's all in the genes. Skinny people have a built-in calorie-burning stove that metabolizes calories effortlessly.
It's impolite to act shocked when you see a thin person eat. Many thin people have big appetites, and some large people eat small portions.
5. Thin people don't have to worry about their health.
Thin people are just as vulnerable to high cholesterol, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer and other preventable diseases. They must take proactive steps to maintain health just like everyone else.
Good health, I'm afraid, is something each individual must work to achieve by living the wellness lifestyle.
6. But thin people don't need to exercise, right?
Unfortunately, in this culture, exercise is promoted primarily as a weight-loss tool. This fallacy discourages many naturally thin people from exercising. They are led to believe they don't need to. Nothing could be further from the truth. Thin people are susceptible to the 10th leading cause of death worldwide: a sedentary lifestyle.
So the next time you're tempted to give a thin person (or anyone else for that matter) some unsolicited advice about their appearance, remember the old adage, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."
Healthy living fair
Join me at the free Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Health and Fitness Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Ruffin Nichols African Methodist Episcopal Church, 626 N. 11th St. Also appearing will be Dr. Rovenia M. Brock, author of "Dr. Ro's 10 Secrets to Livin' Healthy," and Dr. Ian Smith of Men's Health magazine and NBC News. *
Comments (32)
I have known many thin people over the years and used to be jeoluous of their apparent advantage
at the kitchen table and in the dressing room. However , in my later years I have come to understand how deceptive weight is as a perdictor of good health. Many thin people have high colesterol, heart challenges ,are candidates for diabetes and other health problems.we heavy weights may have a better chance in the long run as we have a built in warning mechanism. keep up the good work.
Posted by jfranklin street | December 3, 2005 10:45 PM
Posted on December 3, 2005 22:45
THIN PEOPLE BETTER BE CAREFUL. THEY MAY HAVE NO CLUE THEY HAVE A PROBLEM. WHEREAS THOSE HEAVY WEIGHTS LIKE ME ARE MORE LIKELY TO GET THE WARNING WE NEED TO CHANGE THE ERRORS OF OUR BAD
HEALTH WAYS.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK !
Posted by jfranklin street | December 3, 2005 10:51 PM
Posted on December 3, 2005 22:51
I am 5'1 and weigh 96 pounds, I eat constantly,and have even resorted to doctors about my weight gain problem, I have a small bone structure naturally, and I am constantly picked on for it. My size is constantly the center of attention in a crowded room, and I hate it. I would never be as rude as to walk up to someone and tell them that they are fat.
Posted by Heidi | December 19, 2005 5:25 PM
Posted on December 19, 2005 17:25
I used to be insecure about my leaner physique, but with a lot of exercise and healthy living, I have been able to add enough tone to enhance my physique nicely. I am 39 and in a minority of men who have a lean toned well-shaped body, at any age. I have to always work at maintaining this physique, but I get better and better at it, getting more efficient about how to do it all the time. It's a lot of work - physically and mentally, but worth it!
I don't understand why women are so ready to just accept a heavy guy, with an attitude of "Oh he's a guy's guy" or "he's a man" or otherwise have the "Football on Sunday with a meat-and-potatoes" attitude about it all.. These men in this category are all headed for serious medical problems because they and many women have perpetuated this attitide about this class of people..... And yes, I was picked on (verbally) as well regarding my leaner than average weight for many years, but all of those people are now overweight. It's mainly due to ignorance, selfishness and laziness, that people end up like this class of men.. I don't want to be a hard-ass about this, but sometimes a direct approach is best.
I have one solution to this inability for most people who are physically able to exercise but don't. Let's limit all couples to having only 1 child each! That will solve 2 problems at once (1) Our out-of-control population growth will slow (2) People will have more time to exercise, as they will have only 1 kid to take care of instead of 2.5 or more...
Posted by Mike | February 3, 2006 1:37 AM
Posted on February 3, 2006 01:37
I'm a skinny person, height of 180 cm and weigt of 55, but ive exericed a lot and had a high protein diet, and i was able to change my appearance noticably.
Posted by Chetan | February 11, 2006 1:21 AM
Posted on February 11, 2006 01:21
I am a very skinny person. I am 5"3' and i weight 105lbs. I have tried going to the doctor and eating a diet high in calories, but i have not seen any results. Can anybody tell me what to do to gain weight?.
Posted by Vanessa | February 27, 2006 11:39 AM
Posted on February 27, 2006 11:39
Im a thin person 5'2 106lbs on a good day and Im 25 a mother one one. ITs hard when you are always picked on about your size, its usually other heavier females. I want to walk up to them and say FAT GIRL! or when I see a fat person I automatically think Fat A** cause they are just so mean and I'm tired of all these diets who gives a Da** about how many calories they shouldn't eat.
Posted by shanita | March 8, 2006 7:11 PM
Posted on March 8, 2006 19:11
I am 5'6 and weigh about 126 on a good day. I'm 15 years old, and am on swim team. Is my weight okay?
Posted by Molly | March 27, 2006 8:49 PM
Posted on March 27, 2006 20:49
Indeed. As an overweight person is insecure and maybe wants to lose weight, I would like to gain weight. Society is all for the lose weight, lose weight, lose weight! But when you speak of wanting to gain weight what reaction is there? Many would probably say, "Um, How 'bout eating..?" I would like to be thicker. I feel boney and skeleton-like. When people say things like, "Look at you! So skinny, I wish I had your body." I'm think to myself - I wish I had your body! (-or a thicker version of mine) I found this article looking for clothing that flatters my thin body. I look stupid in most things. In public I feel people look at me and say, "Oh my God, Look how skinny she is!" - In the disgusted manner. There seems to be no support for people underweight and all the support for overweight persons. All about loving being thick and losing weight. I was sensitive to the movie title, "Real women have curves". The movie was good but the title said to me, 'I'm not a real woman because I'm thin.' Everytime I read about exercise or see it on television - they always make a point to speak of the weight you'll lose. When watching cooking shows the same thing happens. The point is, thin people suffer just as thick people. Being thin doesn't secure you as happy (at all).
Posted by Megan | April 28, 2006 12:44 PM
Posted on April 28, 2006 12:44
thank god...im thin...and believe me...i envy overweigted people... not too overweighted..im talking about people who have are just alittle full and keep crying about it..man....come live over here and see how it feels...i eat all day long...seriously...i cant stop...im so thin i m embaressed to go places cos i feel uncomfortabvle in my clothes...i feel like a walking stick and that i stick out and everybody is looking at me...i ve lost my outgoinf life..my selfconfidence...ive been going to the gym dayly for 2 hours for a yeah..and even attended body pump which is supposed to really pump you up...i lift more weights than guys that look 3 times stronger than me...im keep being asked if i need any help (NO idiot i dont..i can lift 2 times as much as u caNN!!!!) ....and overweigted people usually can make everything better if they went to a gym..they go for a month and notice that they lost only 3 kg...??!!!!i F I COULD ADD BLOODY 3KG IN ONE MONTH!!!!I CANT DO ANYHTING ABOUT IT>>ITS FINISHED.NO WEIGHT GAINERS NO NOTHING>>>GO DO A BIT OF EXERCISE U FAT BUM!!!BLODDY LAZY>>!>!! tHEN U JUST NEED ONE MONTH OF A WORK OUT AND ULL EVEN LOOK LIKE UVE GOT MUSCLES BECAUSE OF UR FAT!!TAKE ADVANTAGE GOD DAMN IT>>>LUCKY CRYING BABIEEESSSSSSS (not aaimed for all of you...some have the same problem..they cant do anything about it)
Posted by Someone | June 5, 2006 10:47 AM
Posted on June 5, 2006 10:47
its me again...megan YEAH YOUR RIGHT!!!..and sorry about my grammar and spelling...
Posted by Someone | June 5, 2006 10:53 AM
Posted on June 5, 2006 10:53
I am a 25 year old dude. I am 5'10 and weigh a pathetic 115pounds.
All of my friends are average size to hefty and they just can't understand how I am able to eat what I eat and not gain a pound.
Average people have a hard time believing that life can be hard for thin people. Well it is just as hard for us as it is for you/them.
My tiny frame has been more of a curse than anything else.
People treat me like I am feeble. Like I can't do the simplest of labours. I get questioned on my weight all the time.
Here are some samples:
Do you have an eating disorder?
Do you have AIDS?
Are you sick or something?
It's considered rude to comment or ask questions to overweight people in such a manner, yet people feel absolutley fine with asking thin people about theirs. It is very upsetting and can really damage someones self esteem.
I have always been very thin and have tried to gain weight for years. All the doctors I have been to have told me the same thing. I can put on a little bit of muscle if I'm lucky, but that is as far as my body will allow me to go.
I have never been overweight, but I'm sure it has it's own valid frustrations and social impacts, but I have seen most of my friends loose weight with proper diet and excercise. I realize that some people were born to be big, but I firmly believe that the majority of overweight people can do something about their figure. At least they can change their figures. I don't have that luxury and neither do most genetically thin people. We are stuck with what we got.
Try to imagine all the limitations imposed on me due to my tiny size? I can't do most of the jobs my friends do because I'm just not big enough. I love wood working and have tried to get an apprenticeship as carpenter, but no one wants to take me on because they believe I am not strong enough to do some of the heavy lifting involved. It is very frustrating!
Posted by Michael | July 8, 2006 1:12 AM
Posted on July 8, 2006 01:12
i am 5'6 and i only weigh 94lbs. when i use to stress alot i went down to 79lbs. yea i know. but i started drinking nesquick shakes 3x a day and i gain about 17lbs at one time. it made me feel confident. even if you just add a shake or two, and be conistent is the main key in keeping your weight up. when i go to the gym i get stares but i dont care. you only live once dont let people discourage you. i should know.
Posted by lyn | August 3, 2006 12:08 AM
Posted on August 3, 2006 00:08
Not just a couple of days ago, I got told by some girl that she hated me. She told me this several times throughout the day and I had her 6th hour. She said it again and I asked her why she hated me cause at first I thought that she was just kidding. I replied saying that she hated me because i was too skinny. I couldn't believe it. Then later on in class she mentioned something about it and the whole class heard. I talked to one of my friends and I was like, "I would never go up to someone and tell them that i hated them because of their body type." She told me that she was just jealous but I didn't care. It still hurt. I am sick of the jokes about my weight.
Posted by Desiree' | November 11, 2006 5:23 PM
Posted on November 11, 2006 17:23
Hey it's me again. I started reading more comments and noticed that society does focus on fat people losing weight than thin people gain weight. I am tired of trying to find something to help and have people say just eat more. It's not like I dont eat, I do. I just get full faster and my metabolism eats away whatever I just ate like that! I just want to be able to gain weight and keep it on. Is that so much to ask?
Posted by Desiree' | November 11, 2006 5:32 PM
Posted on November 11, 2006 17:32
its such a relief to know there r ppl like me out there....i m sick of ppl telling m m thin..m 27, 5'1 and weigh 90..i had an instance wen an old lady sitting with in a bus asked me if i didnt eat..i told her, no aunty, my mom doesnt give enthing to eat, can i come to ur house to eat..lol..i have to come out with such retorts coz m sick.......have u noticed lately how ppl r saying thin is out? i mean what d hell man...how do tjhey just come up and say such a thing? i was watching Oprah and she was saying like REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES>>>puhleezzz m sickkkk......will these ppl wake and realize tht being thin does not mean one is anaroxic? it may just mean one ism genetically thin and maybe we eat more then tht volupteous Zeta zones...
Posted by chhandita | November 13, 2006 1:29 PM
Posted on November 13, 2006 13:29
thatz so cool you wrote this finally someone understands us (skinny people) people think our lifes are flowers and rainbows therfore decide to say anything they want to us and get away with it, but no if u say it to a fat person thatz rude!! i dont see the diffrence we are all people and its not our fault we are naturally skinny and everyone i assure is discontent with their body one way or another so i please ask you all to respect the skinny NATURAL people as well as the fat ones...thank you:)
Posted by FDFD` | March 15, 2008 4:09 AM
Posted on March 15, 2008 04:09
I so agree with the other comments. I am 5'7" tall and definitely underweight for my height but I've always been slim and never been able to put on any weight no matter what I do. I eat very well, have a good appetite but what bugs me most is shopping for clothes. Most styles of women's clothes rely on the person having some flesh otherwise they just don't look or fit well. It is truly a nightmare going clothes shopping for me and very disheartening when I look in the mirror and see a boney frame. It annoys me to think that people don't see the disadvantages to being thin.
Posted by Jules | March 20, 2008 2:05 PM
Posted on March 20, 2008 14:05
I'm 29 years old 5' 11" and weight 140 something pounds. I been reading all the comments on this topic. I thought I was the only one that thought this way. Sometimes I'm very insecure when I'm with my girl. Because she is alittle thicker then me. I feel as though we don't belong together because of my size. I get jealous when we walk somewhere and I see a dude looking at my girl thats about her size in weight or maybe it just selfconfidence. I stop wearing bagging cloths because it's only saying my cloths don't fit me. No matter how much i eat I still can't gain weight for nothing. My mom told me when i was little I use to be fat for my age so the doctor inject me with something to loose weight thats how my mom told it. Well I'm gonna start drinking weight gainers hopefully that would help alittle.
Posted by Haashin | April 3, 2008 3:28 PM
Posted on April 3, 2008 15:28
I agree with so much people have to say on this blog.I am 5'3" and weigh 99 pounds.People simply dont beleive, if i tell them i eat a lot rather they would make fun by saying "oh it shows"..it realy makes me sad..as i really want to put on weight..wherever i go, almost everywhere,even when i meet people for the first time,,they simply cant stop themselves from saying that "you are really thin"...i have never told a fat person that u r fat..y do these people put us thru this...im simply getting obsessed to put on weight...n slowly n steadily leading myself towards unhappiness n sadness.i kp thinking about putting on weight...n i feel so ugly that i wish i dont have to face the world...
Posted by Neetu | June 6, 2008 7:27 AM
Posted on June 6, 2008 07:27
I hate standing next to heavy girls or normal girls...cz i feel soo ugly...its effecting my self confidence n i just wish i could move to some other planet...i will definitely move to mars..if they find life there:)...I am going downhill...in my family nobody is as thin as i am..nobody in my frens is thin ..they all are on the fuller side...i just want to put on weight...i dont wana be rich..not famous,,im hapy with the kind of life i have..i just just just WIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSH to gain weight n be normal...
Posted by Neetu | June 6, 2008 7:38 AM
Posted on June 6, 2008 07:38
OH MY GOD! i can not actually believe i have found this site..i have just watched gok wan,i came on the net 2 find clothes that fit my body type and make me not look as thin as i am.
my life since i was 11 has been hell..school was horrible and dnt get me started on seein my relatives because they wud jst say 'ema ur 2 skinny', 'ema put on some weight will u'
WHY? WHY wud ne1 say that 2 sum1? its heart breakin...and what makes it hurt more is these comments are from people i care about.
every winter i make sure i get a long coat so my body is completely covered, i find summers hard wen u avnt got clothes 2 sheild behind, i have the ad the same jumper wrapped around my waist now 4 7 years (dont ask, mayb i jst think its covering me up).
and i am so relieved i have seen all yor comments and i am not alone!
i jst wana know why the media is against us?! i cnt bare 2 read magz cus its always about 'how skinny celebs are' has ne1 actually thort how these people feel wen they say how 'ugly' they are?
has any one got any weight gain tips? being skinny is ruinin my life, i jst wna b happy and feel get my life back!
thanku again 2 every1
Posted by ema | June 13, 2008 5:35 PM
Posted on June 13, 2008 17:35
YES! Finally a forum to vent my views! Im 5"2,99lbs, and i am so done with thoughtless, inconsiderate,rude,ignorant people making comments about my weight. Trust me, its WORSE when u work in retail clothing.These are your customers so you cant be rude.(there allowed, of course)twice in one week i got "Dont you ever eat?" so i said (with a very serious look)"No, i dont, i HATE food" to which this haughty wrinkled mess of a woman actually said "are you serious?"?????? Waaaaaa?? Then of course i "laughed it off" and went on and on about how much i just LOVE to excercise! (my nose grew i swear!) so if youre a customer of mine, i will keep it light and "fun" for you, HOWEVER if u are a stranger, and im not at work, you are NOT going to like my answer...TRUST ME.
Posted by Eurothania | October 1, 2008 11:14 PM
Posted on October 1, 2008 23:14
the insecurity thing is with everyone and it will interest you to know that slim people have more problems with how they look .but hey! who cares.just learn to live your worth.you are not your body.people will celebrate you if you learn to celebrate yourself.enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by amina habu | March 1, 2009 7:47 AM
Posted on March 1, 2009 07:47
i came across this forum by searching for clothes as i am very slim at 5"4 and waigh 7 and a half stone. All i ever do is search for clothes that would fit me nice and flatter my body, but i am constantly trying to put weight on and it just aint guna happen. i know that it is so hard being slim, but its grate to know that you guys are going through the same thing. i guess we just gota try n focus on being happy rather than what we look like, n trust me i know life is hard- at my age 15 ive been through many troubles and problems due to family but know body wants to know. im sure all you guys reading this are beautiful inside and out, who cares about what FAT people think, we have are life which is the gratest gift. society will always critisise us now matter what we look like so never mind just keep your chin up and as long as ur kinda healthy than ur ok. x
Posted by emily | April 10, 2009 5:39 PM
Posted on April 10, 2009 17:39
I am 5'1 100 lbs and have the nerve to be african american. I can remember being chased home by fat girls after school because the hated me for what i thought at the time was no apparent reason. I have been cursed out at fast food restaurants I worked at as a teenager because I said something that I meant nothing by to an overly sensitive fat person. My aunt during the thanksgiving holiday gave me two plates of food because she says she fears that I am anorexic. I have been the subject of many skinny jokes and one fat nurse found it amusing to tell the whole clinic loudly how much I wiegh. If I was fat the insensitive B@#$# would not have told everyone my wieght and when I told her I was offended her reply was that she did'nt think I would mind. I should have sued the hospital and the nurse. I am the mother of four children and do not get me wrong I am comfortable with my wieght but I am tired of the wise cracks from the overwieght and the does who truely are unhappy with their bodies.
Posted by tyecha | April 18, 2009 2:55 AM
Posted on April 18, 2009 02:55
Hey does of you who are having troble finding clothes go to www.americaneagle.com they have clothing in 00 and 0 they also have pants and shirts in sizes xxs and xs, another great store for little women is www.wetseal.com. Girls there is no reason you should feel bad because you are thin.
Posted by tyecha | April 18, 2009 3:04 AM
Posted on April 18, 2009 03:04
I have wieght gain tips but good luck if they work. My sister put on 50 lbs using an antipsychotic known as seroquel, drinking boost plus extra calories with her normal meals,and simply not lifting a finger. Me on the other hand,I cant get enough courage to go see the shrink and ask for the medicine.
Posted by tyecha | April 18, 2009 3:12 AM
Posted on April 18, 2009 03:12
I am a male, 26 years old, 6' 1", and my weight is 133 lbs. I have tried everything from protein shakes to eating almost 4000 calories a day. No joke, 4K a day. I never gain weight. I totally agree with the original post. My waist size is 30 and my length is 34. Good luck finding jeans in those sizes. I exersize regularly and when I go to the gym, I am constantly mocked. That is until I bench 265lbs and squat 480lbs. I look like a pole but am very strong. I wish I could have the body of an obese person because I feel that I would shape up in a very small period of time. I just sometimes wish I could look like other men look who have the same, if not less, strength then I do. Great post.
Posted by Mike | June 26, 2009 3:07 PM
Posted on June 26, 2009 15:07
im 183cms in height n weight only 54 kgs.Im tired of being thin.i tried going to the gym.I gained 10 kgs in 6 months still whenever some1 asked me you went to the gym for 6 months still you are so thin. and this hurts me alot.FAT people are lucky bcoz they can easily shape themselves by a good work out without putting an extra effort to eat more whereas thin people hav to eat alot more and workout.
Posted by thin | July 16, 2009 9:40 AM
Posted on July 16, 2009 09:40
so informative, thanks to tell us.
Posted by Esonjoycloppy | September 29, 2010 9:20 PM
Posted on September 29, 2010 21:20
I am really happy I've found a post like this. I am 5'1 3/4 and 85lbs. I didn't even realize I was apparently "too skinny" until I was 12 in middle school. I have always been made fun of for my appetite and my weight. All of my family members do it, especially my mom and my older sister, who relatively I guess are overweight but I don't like to see it that way. My sister has lost weight through excercise and diet and I do not blame my mother who has had 4 kids of being too "lazy" to become healthier. She's a busy woman! Right now I have been in college for 4 months. Here I have had the most food I have ever been in reach of, not to say I didn't have any at home. My sister actually would gain weight when she returned from college and lose it there! I have been eating pretty badly as in lacking in nutrition, good on some days, but I've only gained 5 lbs and then I spent 3 days at home, when I returned the 5 lbs were gone!! JUST LIKE THAT!! I was so happy to be bigger and then it was GONE! And now I haven't gotten it back...perhaps it was because tennis season ended...I don't know how my body works.
My mother said she was not 100lbs until she was 20years old. I am currently 18 and I hate it. I feel like everyone looks at me and judges me.In school I have heard many different things, "Don't you eat?" "Why are you so small" "Look how skinny that girl is!" I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND why they feel it's ok to say this to a thin person but not a fat person. I would never talk about a stranger! I often try to get my younger sister to get up and excercise all she does is watch t.v. and surf the net all night sometimes. She is more than double my weight and she is 13 AND shorter than me. Doctors have told her to lose weight so that she can get her tonsils out; they are causing her to get sick alot and they are afraid to operate on her in her current state PLUS SHE HAS ASTHMA AND DIABETES TYPE 2 RUNS IN OUR FAMILY WHETHER WE ARE OBESE OR NOT!![My grandmother is blind, my uncle is losing his sight, my aunt also has diabetes...its really unavoiadable for us] That was asked of us nearly a year ago...
Whenever I go to the doctor, my mother says EVER SINCE I WAS AN INFANT, they said I was too small, I am underweight, I am in the 15th percentile for my age--I wish they would SHUT UP how can you label something as different as fingerprints on people! It makes me so anrgy when people say "I wish I was as thin as you; but not that thin!" and yes someone has said this to me before; all I do is shrug or just not say anything, what can I say to make them stop? Nothing, at all.
Posted by Julie | November 7, 2010 4:45 AM
Posted on November 7, 2010 04:45