Why do skinny people go to the gym???
I hear that question a lot in my daily life. People will come in and take a tour of our fitness center and see someone who is "skinny" and ask why that person needs to work out. Or I'll hear that the reason they have not worked out is because they don't want to be embarrassed to be around the "skinny" people.
I look around our center and I see all kinds of shapes and sizes. I don't see "skinny" people, I see people who are working hard to stay in shape and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Many of the "skinny" people may have other issues, such as no strength or muscle tone, maybe their bodies don't allow them to gain weight (yes, that is a huge problem). At 31 years old, I was at my "skinniest". I was 104 pounds. I was skinny, but man, was I unhealthy! My diet consisted of Pizza, Coca Cola, Gin (yes, the alcohol) in fairly large quantities and lots of Chinese Food. Was I skinny? ABSOLUTELY! Did I look great for having 3 kids? DEFINITELY! Did everyone think I was the life of the party? YOU BETCHA! Was I depressed? WORDS CAN'T EVEN DESCRIBE!
What helped me was the gym. Getting into physical exercise that was good for my body, great for my mind, and enabled me to open up a dialogue with God to save me spiritually. My eating habits became healthier (not stellar), I became a better mother and advocate for my son, a better wife to my husband, and a better daughter to my mom.
Today, my entire life has changed into something 9 years ago, I could have ever dreamed. All because I was a "skinny"person going to the gym. So the next time you look at a "skinny" person at the gym, maybe strike up a conversation, you may have more in common than you think.....
Let me know your thoughts...............
I look around our center and I see all kinds of shapes and sizes. I don't see "skinny" people, I see people who are working hard to stay in shape and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Many of the "skinny" people may have other issues, such as no strength or muscle tone, maybe their bodies don't allow them to gain weight (yes, that is a huge problem). At 31 years old, I was at my "skinniest". I was 104 pounds. I was skinny, but man, was I unhealthy! My diet consisted of Pizza, Coca Cola, Gin (yes, the alcohol) in fairly large quantities and lots of Chinese Food. Was I skinny? ABSOLUTELY! Did I look great for having 3 kids? DEFINITELY! Did everyone think I was the life of the party? YOU BETCHA! Was I depressed? WORDS CAN'T EVEN DESCRIBE!
What helped me was the gym. Getting into physical exercise that was good for my body, great for my mind, and enabled me to open up a dialogue with God to save me spiritually. My eating habits became healthier (not stellar), I became a better mother and advocate for my son, a better wife to my husband, and a better daughter to my mom.
Today, my entire life has changed into something 9 years ago, I could have ever dreamed. All because I was a "skinny"person going to the gym. So the next time you look at a "skinny" person at the gym, maybe strike up a conversation, you may have more in common than you think.....
Let me know your thoughts...............
Posted by New Life Blog at 6/29/2009 6:21 PM 
Categories: Gym, Weight Loss, Exercise, Fitness Center
Tags: Gym Fitness Weight Loss Exercise
Categories: Gym, Weight Loss, Exercise, Fitness Center
Tags: Gym Fitness Weight Loss Exercise
Sandy - you are right about the assumptions and judgments we make about others. So often they're just wrong. They're based in our own insecurities about our bodies - and the tragedy is that no matter how good a woman looks or how fit she is, what she probably focuses on are her 'imperfections' - as though anyone could ever be perfect. The challenge is to stop criticizing ourselves for not being perfect, and to start a program that will help us feel better and live longer.
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Sandy - I often feel I am at the other end of this where I am not skinny but am healthy (thank you for help with that.)
There are times when I feel I am being judged by people not thinking I am strong enough or have enough endurance to finish a task. I recently attended a yoga class with a friend and each time the instructor would come up to check on my positioning the comments were I'm surprised you are getting excellent rotation or you held that pose for quite some time. After this you judge and doubt yourself.
Catie is right that every woman will focus on their 'imperfections'. I have learned that it is the imperfections in my children, husband and other loved ones I love and miss the most when they are not around especially in those that I will never see again. I am trying to practice to do that with myself. I mean aren't we all works in progress? So what if my thighs and butt are bigger then the "skinny" people - I know I am good enough to stay up with the HEALTHY ones.
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I Appreciate your perspective on the "skinny" person. As a non"skinny" person I have thought and wondered and unfortunately labeled them wrong. This blog gave me insight into the other side of the spectrum. When you are overweight going to the gym can be embarrassing and scary. I want to be healthier but sometimes am intimidated by the person who can jog 3 miles in 10 minutes and I've barely done 3/4 of a mile in that time. I think we need to stop the unrealistic attitudes we place on others. I think the guy who is done running in 15 minutes is looking at me and thinking hurtful things about my size or weight. When they could just be thinking wow i was at that point at one time and with perseverance I have gotten to doing what I can do now. I love how you said to "Talk to the Skinny person. Maybe they aren't so different as you think." I also had a misconception that if you were skinny you pretty much had good muscle tone. Thanks for educating me.
As always full of great information.
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Thanks Katy. I think you said it all!!
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Thanks Sandra for bringing this up. I am skinny, I used to be skinnier. I've suffered with an eating disorder since I was 11. Four years ago at college I hit rock bottom; utilizing the gym as a weapon and getting down to 94lbs (I'm 5'9). I knew I needed help and long story short it has been five years of recovery now and I'm up to 116lbs. I'm proud that I did it the right way, eating "normal" and strength training. I sometimes feel very intimidated at the gym because I have twiggy arms and I'm trying to do bicep curls! It's kind of embarrassing. I will sometimes keep to myself because I still have insecurities and feel that others might be judging me. I think everyone at that gym is there for their own common good and that there are many common grounds. This is the reason why I love going to that gym, and the more I go the better I feel. It's a win/win situation!
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I do have to admit that I get pleasure from reading your blog, even when I do not concur with you. I guess the main thing is to make folks think. One of nowadays I will get about to beginning a weblog. It will probably be much more for blowing off steam and less helpful than yours is although. Keep writing and I'll keep reading through.
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