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Healthy Helper

Health. Happiness. Helping Others.

The “Skinny” on Double Standards

I mentioned this topic earlier in the week during my “mind dump”….and talking about it briefly made me realize I really wanted to take sometime to discuss it more in-depth.

Being on the thinner side, you’d think that I have never had to deal with ridicule and name calling from others about my body. But you’d be wrong. In fact, I’d argue that thinner people have increasingly become the targets of criticism over the past decade or so.

With all the talk in the world about accepting our bodies for what they are and embracing the shapes we have naturally, it seems that people have forgotten that thin is a SHAPE too! We all can’t be curvy! But for some reason thin people have been increasingly thought of as unhealthy, disordered, unwomanly, and not deserving of the benefits of healthy eating and exercise.

I say this from my own perspective and experiences. Numerous times (like I mentioned in my earlier post) people have come up to me while I am working out or enjoying a nutritious meal and comment along the lines of “Oh you don’t need to be living like that….you’re so thin! I need to be living like that more than you!”. Uh hello! Did it ever occur to them that I make the choices I do not simply to make my body look a certain way!?! I do it because it’s what I prefer, it’s what makes me feel good, and what makes me happy!

Some people seem to think that thin people should be eating fried twinkies and playing video games all day…as if only those who are unhealthy and need to lose weight have the right to be in a gym or eat a salad. But that is so irrational. We all have the right to be healthy, happy, and be accepted for who we are.

The reason I think there’s a double standard in reference to being thin is because people seem assume that being thin makes you comfortable in your own body, that you need to be knocked down a few notches, and that they have the right to make comments on your body! It’s not like I go up to overweight people and comment on how large or small their body. Why do people think its any less hurtful to comment on my body being smaller as opposed to bigger? Drawing attention to someone’s body in anyway is unnecessary in my opinion. But sadly, society has made it a large focal point for millions of people.

“Skinny” and “thin” have become SO taboo in our society! Its like the elephant in the room that everyone strives for, but at the same time looks down upon and critiques. To me though, its just another shape, another body type, and should be just as celebrated as other looks.

So what do ya say? I frankly try very hard everyday to not pass judgments on people based on outward appearances. I don’t want others judging me based on that so its really important to me that I don’t do it to others. Will you consider making more of an effort to do the same? Smile

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What are your thoughts on this subject?

I love hearing your opinions and insights so feel free to share!!!

Kaila

Subscribe on the side. Follow me on Twitter. Ask me on Formspring. Friend me on Daily Mile.

Q and A coming at ya tomorrow so last chance to ask your questions!!

Oh and so I am keeping up with the photo challenge….today’s photo is supposed to show:

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Happiness! Nothing beats a nice fall evening walk with my favorite little friend Smile

24 responses to “The “Skinny” on Double Standards”

  1. I actually agree completely Kaila. I have had countless people tell me to eat some more or to not run as much as I do blah blah blah. If only they truly knew. I loved your quote about skinny people being so confident in their bodies. Certainly not the case, as we are just as nervous as the rest of people.

    Reply

  2. The reason I think there’s a double standard in reference to being thin is because people seem assume that being thin makes you comfortable in your own body, that you need to be knocked down a few notches, and that they have the right to make comments on your body <—- SO TRUE. I completely agree with everything you said! Just because you're skinny doesn't mean you're healthy, and when you're skinny you should want to be healthy – exercising, eating right… life doesn't just go easy for skinny people! They have to do the exact same things, maybe not for weight purposes but for general health. Great post, it's something that needs to be said!

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  3. I agree girl. I’ve been pretty small my whole life and I remember in high school I made sure to finish my lunch every day EVEN IF I WAS TOO FULL just so that people wouldn’t comment on how I “wasn’t eating anything.” I’m 5’2″ so I generally don’t have as big of an appetite as my taller friends…but I still feel self conscious if I don’t eat as much as them because I am thin.

    Good topic!

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  4. I have a last minute question for your Q&A post! How do you react on the spot, when someone makes a comment about you being thin and living a healthy lifestyle? Do you smile and say thank you when your blazing mad inside, or do you call them out on it?

    Also, I agree 100% with this post and I am so glad you addressed it. I am also so glad that I am not the only one! Mad respect girl<3

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  5. This is a great post, I think you explained the subject very well! I am not all that thin but I can relate. During the weight loss challenge I was in, heavier women kept telling me to go eat a hamburger and that I have nothing to worry about. As flattering as it might be to be called thin, I know that im technically over weight (which isn’t the point) and its really none of her business why I joined the challenged! Like you said, we all have the right to get in shape or whatever! Everybody is different. I also dislike when people tell me that im “the perfect size” ok, glad you think so. Mind if I still workout? thanks.
    However I will admit that I envy girls who are thin enough to fit into any style of clothes and look great. Being curvey with extra belly fat makes me very uncomfortable in skinny jeans and tight shirts!! But I would never tell them to stop eating a certain way or whatever, I hate that.

    Whitney

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  6. healthy is the best size, shape, and look! Being happy and healthy means different things for each person, which is awesome. I think people often focus too much on others when they feel insecure about themselves. In the end tho, don’t we all just want to be our best self? great post girl! 😀

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  7. im sorry to be a negative nelly here, but you are really quite young, and like it or not, society has deemed one size better than the other. it isn’t quite equal. and i do think that your continued posts on this topic speak to some defensiveness that goes even deeper than what you’re writing here, and that there might even be some hostility towards larger people/people who enjoy twinkies hidden beneath your emoticons.

    i am glad you posted this, but i do hope you come back to it in a few years and see if you feel the same way. my thoughts on body issues, weight, food, and all of that have changed immensely since i was in high school.

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      • You are a class act Kaila 🙂 So many bloggers canNOT take a negative or even slightly questionable comment — you really handled this one well 🙂 I agree somewhat with Katy but I can definitely see both sides here as I’ve been both really overweight and really underweight. And I REALLY love your honesty in posting this 🙂

        Reply

    • I already replied but I forgot to mention that I in no way wanted to come across as hostile towards people who are bigger than me. I have no problems with people based on there size. Negativity and assumptions made by anyone…no matter how big or small…..can be hurtful and frustrating. Thank you again for your insight though.

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  9. I completely agree! While I’m not super duper thin, I am thin and people tell me I don’t need to be working or eating as I do. However, it’s all about HEALTH not to lose weight. I think everyone should eat healthy and exercise because it is good for your body and health in order to live a healthy life.

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  12. I feel like I should be able to relate to this, as I am underweight for my height and only 5’1, but honestly no one ever comments on my size, which makes me even more self-conscious and doubt my own body image, which isn’t the greatest already. But I can relate to being criticized for healthy eating, people make fun of certain things I love and it makes me mad because I don’t make fun of their food! I hate the double standard relating to eating habits, like you’re supposed to eat healthy but not ‘too’ healthy.

    Reply

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