Is it unhealthy if I WISH I was underwieght??

 I don't know, it doesn't seem that big a deal to me but my mom gets all upset w/ me when I say something like "I shouldn't have eaten all that.." or "I'm going to start getting really overwieght..." But sometimes I DO eat too much so is it wrong for me to just wonder what it would be like to fit into a size 0??? I can't stand this everyone keeps confusing me by either saying I'm at my healthy wieght or that I'm a freaking fat ass!!! My stupid BMI says that I'm right there where I should be but then I can hardly fit into 7's!! So if this is healthy, I'll tell myself, then I'd rather be underwieght because I hate how I look!! I just can't stand people what the hell am I supposed to be a freakin olympic athlete for you!! Anyways...I'm really sorry if I offended anyone I just needed to vent.

I think it's totally normal.  I wish that I was a little underweight too!  I even get a little offended if someone says that I am a "normal", "average", or "healthy" size.  I know that those are all nice things, but I guess I often confuse "healthy" with "hearty" (and that makes me feel big).  I would just rather people not mention my size.   

Yeah I think everyone feels the same way, but I think the best thing to do is just to be thankful for your body, you know? I'm technically underweight (BMI) but I fit into size 5 jeans, not 0. So everybody's different and instead of wishing that I could fit into a 3 or a 1, I'm just like, eh, life's about more than what I look like.

I know how you feel. And like cassrd05, I also get offended but those terms. I hate it when people say that I 'have curves' and mean it as a compliment - immediately after such comments I make a little note to myself to up the exercise, haha.

Okay, this may be kind of a stupid post, but I have to post it because I was right there with you up until pretty recently. I got my curves very early on, and had the same frustrations... at 5'4 and 115 lbs, I was squeezing into a size 7 too. I'd go home and cry because I had always been very small (like, couldn't wear anything but a 0... and back then they weren't as easy to find!) and couldn't understand why I wasn't staying consistent with my sizes. All of that changed when I started wearing adult sizes (even numbers) instead of juniors.

Juniors sizes are cut differently - straight down so there's no room for hips. If you do have curvy hips (like I did - Italian girl here!), then you might want to just see if the adult sizes fit you better. It changed drastically for me - I now wear a 4 or 2 most of the time.

I'm really sorry if this is a dumb post, I just have totally been there and I feel really bad for anyone going through what I did. So I hope this helps.

I totally understand what you are saying. Most of the girls on here seem to be saying "I'm 5'2' and 115 pounds and I wanna loose weight". I was that size once... when I was 12!!!

You have to remind yourself that a guy has never looked at a girl and gone "Look at the ribs on that girl." :)

Is that you in your profile picture? If it is, I think you are a beautiful young woman and have no need to hate how you look - or to lose weight. A label on your trousers is a label on your trousers. You can cut it out if you don't want it there, and that number is going to go up and down depending on where you shop, what section you buy from, the style of shirt/jeans/etc: so many variables it's not worth counting. Ultimately? The number doesn't make you. Neither does one that pops up on a scale display. Neither does the one that comes from inches on a tape measure. As for size zero? "Nothing" is literally all I think that size should mean to anyone. It's the size for very small, petite women or very young girls, not a teenager blossoming into adulthood.

If you truly want to improve your physique and fit into a moderately smaller size - NOT a 0 - read up on strength and resistance training. Weights, bands, balls and so on. You could build up a little muscle if you wanted. It is good for your metabolism (muscle burning more calories than fat does and all) and can generally make you leaner. It won't bulk you out. A woman's make-up won't work that way. :] As for sometimes eating a little too much - don't fret! You're a teen, for one, growing still, and secondly our bodies are often sensible enough that one day you may eat a little more and another eat a little less: it balances out in the end. You don't need to lose any weight, hun. :]

To quote The Prisoner: "I am not a number, I am a free man."

Who is calling you a fat ass? Tell them to STFU! No one should be called that, especially those in a healthy bmi. Size of clothes isn't anything but a number. I knew someone who was a size 5 that was a little chubby, and someone who was a size 5 that was too thin.  It all has to do with your frame size and heigth, along with muscles and such. Lots to factor in. Knew one size 0 girl, and she was 16 and underweight.

I understand the feeling, but you're not fat at all. You're perfect the way you are.

remember that weight is just a number...

I had a friend back in grade 10 who was about 5'4 and 106lbs at the time... I was 5'2 and about 115lbs, but we looked basically the same despite her being 2 inches taller and me 10lbs more.

it's because I had more lean muscle mass then her.

she gained a few pounds in grade 12, and it made such a noticible difference on her because she puts on fat more easily than muscle.. where as I put on muscle more easily... needless to say, but at 5'4 and about 114lbs she looks kinda chubby

point is, the BMI scale thing is not perfect, body fat percentage is more accurate... if you eat properly and excersize, and tone your body you can weigh more but still fit smaller sizes since you have more lean body mass

a girl who is 125lbs can look thinner than a girl who is 110lbs, same height

 

 

I also remember this one time in gym class we had to weigh ourselves than bench press 75% of our body weight (good idea hey? because we're not self concious enough as it is)

but anyways this one girl in my gym class who was stunningly beautiful and about 5'6, I guessed that she weighed about 110lbs or so like she was so lean... but when she stepped on the scale she was 138lbs!

it's all about how you carry your weight... even at my highest I was still assumed to weigh much less.

like you could be 120lbs of lean muscle and a size 0-2, or be 110lbs of fattier tissue and a size 4

and the more muscle you have the more calories you burn

I used to think like that, but then I got into a little scare with anorexia and I don't anymore.  Luckily I was read up enough to notice the symptoms of it, and thankfully I was able to get out of that pit without counseling or anything.  Phew!  But yeah, after that I pretty much decided that I do not want to be underweight.  :)  But I think it's pretty normal, just try not to take action on it.  A nice bod is way hotter than practically no bod. ;)

Yes it is unhealthy to WISH you are underweight. It is unhealthy to be dieting and exercising unless you are really where you need to lose weight for health.

I have struggled with anorexia and bulimia for five years. My parents have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on therapist, dieticians, hospitals, and in-patient treatment facilities. It is not worth it. I can trace the roots of my disorder back to standing in front of the mirror and wishing I could shrink my thighs. Body loathing doesn't lead to anything positive. Eat healthy exercise and love your body for the amazing machiene it is. If you can't do that alone go to therapy before you are in too deep.

Being underweight is just as bad for your health as being overweight. I am 19 and have bones that are brittle enough to be a 90 year old's. You are in danger of heart failure, liver failure, kidney failure when you are underweight. You lose brain function. It may look appealing but it is dangerous and unhealthy.

I hope this doesn't sound sharp. I just wish somone had stoped me before it was my whole life, before I lost so much.

amen, alannajoy. i totally agree. while i think many people spend their whole lives wishing they were thin, it really doesn't matter as much as society makes it out to be. trust me, while all "underweight" people don't have eating disorders, anorexia is not something anyone should wish for. wish to be healthy and fit (and work towards it!), not underweight.

It's definitely not healthy to wish to be underweight. If you'd like to be slimmer, eat healthy foods (whole grains, lean protein, healthy oils, fruits, veggies, etc.) and be active. At your age (I'm 17 - pretty young - so I would know), there're plenty of ways to stay active. Run in the mornings or evenings, take up swimming or a dance class, or do some yoga. You'll build muscle, tone up, and whether or not the number on the scale changes, you will feel better and quite likely drop a few sizes.

Many people think that if they lose weight, they'll automatically look great, but that's not the case. If your weight is normal, all you need to do is tone up, but don't stuff your head with nonsense about dieting and cutting calories... it might pave the way for unhealthy habits and obsessive behavior around food.

Original Post by but_not_quite:

amen, alannajoy. i totally agree. while i think many people spend their whole lives wishing they were thin, it really doesn't matter as much as society makes it out to be. trust me, while all "underweight" people don't have eating disorders, anorexia is not something anyone should wish for. wish to be healthy and fit (and work towards it!), not underweight.

Anorexia is bloody HORRIBLE. I get so angry when young women who ALREADY ARE BEAUTIFUL, get it in their heads that underweight is glamorous, bones are beautiful blah blah blah. If you want a rundown on just how awful it is to have an eating disorder, message me and i'll give you an earful.

Underweight = low white blood cell counts, decreased immune system, lower stamina than people at healthier body weights, and overall decreased lifespan. It is EVERY BIT as dangerous as being overweight.

Don't get me wrong, I am not bashing naturally thin people. I am a naturally thin person, myself. But do to anorexia, my bmi went from 18 down to 13-14.  You shouldn't envy underweight people, you should feel sorry for them.

i wish i was also. my reson is that i wouldn't have to worry about gaining a pound or two.

"she gained a few pounds in grade 12, and it made such a noticible difference on her because she puts on fat more easily than muscle.. where as I put on muscle more easily... needless to say, but at 5'4 and about 114lbs she looks kinda chubby"

okay it really sucks being that girl who looks chubby at 114lb and 5'4" because those were my exact stats in college when an ex-boy called me chubby.  some people carry their weight differently than others and it's no win situation for me.  i'm either chubby or underweight. and yes i eat very clean and have had periods in my life when i've been very dedicated to exercise.  i have never looked "toned" or muscular.  be thankful you can look gorgeous, healthy and not "underweight".

i used to wish i was severely underweight, but that was back in my ED days.

now, i'm wishing for a healthy and toned 120 lb body :) (i'm 5'2 by the way)

 

i know how you felt cause i felt the same way..i often tell my friends that i want to be underweight like them but they often reply with,"Are you crazy?You already loook good as you are.."

sigh..those who didn't suffer doesn't have a clue..

wow.  i feel the exact same way.      like my coach is mentioning that i am not 'built' the same way i was last year.   and yeah,  maybe i have gained 5 lbs.   but really?!    everybody i know has to make some sort of a comment,   cause i used to look unhealthly skinny and now i look 'average'  ..... but all of the stupid comments add up, and really mess with how you feel about your body. 

=/