Thread: On wanting to be thin - this is great

On Wanting

True

ITA

I've been 100 lbs and I've been 175 lbs. I wasn't magically happier because I was thinner. More confident, yes, but it's the close relationships with my loved ones and being open to love that cultivated happiness in my life. Being more physically attractive brought attention from people that weren't really interested in knowing me as a person. Now that I'm older (and heavier, heh, heh) I feel like people respect me alot more. And you know what else? My husband, who has been with me throughout, loves me more than ever!

This was terrific, thanks for sharing it with us! :-D

Thank you for sharing, Brea!

I recommend Geneen's books for anyone who believes themselves to have a less-than-healthy relationship with food.

That short article really made me think about a lot of different things in life, not just thinness.

Great article!

It is such a shame to put your life on hold...Sometimes it is the weight, sometimes the degree, sometimes getting married.

When you at least try to live live to the fullest every day, you are so much happier. Most of the things you can do when thin, you can do right now! Play volleybal at the beach, find out your best colour and buy a dress in it, go to Paris and flirt with French guys at the Sacre Coeur, put fresh roses in your hair, listen to your friends' stories and grow closer, gracefully accept a nice man taking you out of a swanky date and treating you like a lady, turn down the jerky guy you don't really want who treats you second rate, adopt a puppy.

I love that article - it was handed to me on my first day of nutrition therapy and I go back and read it from time to time to remind myself ... that and a lot of other great articles on related topics can be found here: Stay Attuned: Tools to Help You Eat Intuitively and Manage Weight
and here: Heal Diet Trauma, Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders - Gainesville / Orange Park
for anyone interested

Originally Posted by BreaMorgiane

That short article really made me think about a lot of different things in life, not just thinness.

definitely me too, thanks for posting

I love this article! And completely agree with poster who said it applied to "wanting" a lot of things in life being more attractive than having them.

Personally, I did get somewhat thinner (dropped a jeans size) simply because since I've been not working at that sedentary day job (which I hated because they confined me to a chair at the front desk for the last several months and my back was *killing* me). What happened is my lifestyle changed dramatically - running up and down the stairs in my house, having a break from commuting, just walking around more in general. I think I am still a 1x size, but it all seems to be "arranged differently" or maybe I'm just standing taller.

I did NOT even have a diet plan per se, other than I drink a LOT more water since my son gave the hubbs and I this lovely filtered water dispenser with a fridge beneath it for Xmas. We omitted ALL carbonated (even diet) sodas and only have water with our meals and that also is a "change".

Also, less income has meant a LOT LESS eating out in restaurants and of course I can control fats, salts, even though our meals have beef or chicken or lamb or fish every night.

So, the fact that I've lost some weight, or inches or whatever is actually secondary to the fact that I feel, well, terrific!..g.: It was a nice surprise that several people have told me in the past month that I "look great; shaplier". When they ask me how I am "losing weight and toning up" - I honestly can only say, "change in lifestyle" and it's the truth.

What I've learned from this is when I do get another job, it will have to be a normal situation where I can get up and walk around at least every 45 minutes. Also, I will have to continue to meal plan better so we don't fall back into the "eating out" pattern again.

I am thinking of what I "want" in terms of my goal to maintain my healthier lifestyle process - not that once I get to be a certain size I'll be happier.

Heck, I was pretty happy already with the size I was, except for my alarmingly swollen ankles....w.:..l;,.w.:

Originally Posted by BreaMorgiane

That short article really made me think about a lot of different things in life, not just thinness.

I felt the same when I read her books; I picked them up bc of my relationship with food but soon realized they applied to many relationships in other areas of my life.

This is a great article.

Wonderful! Thanks.

Originally Posted by Doozer

I've been 100 lbs and I've been 175 lbs. I wasn't magically happier because I was thinner. More confident, yes, but it's the close relationships with my loved ones and being open to love that cultivated happiness in my life. Being more physically attractive brought attention from people that weren't really interested in knowing me as a person. Now that I'm older (and heavier, heh, heh) I feel like people respect me alot more. And you know what else? My husband, who has been with me throughout, loves me more than ever!

I agree completly. Being thin deffinitly does not make you happier. I think people especially women were more open and friednly when I was heavier and now i find it hard to make friends, and judgements are made about me on how i look and not who i am. I also agree i felt alot more respected when i was heavier and I think men enjoyed my body more. I am still 125lbs and extremly unconfident.

Originally Posted by Doozer

I've been 100 lbs and I've been 175 lbs. I wasn't magically happier because I was thinner. More confident, yes, but it's the close relationships with my loved ones and being open to love that cultivated happiness in my life. Being more physically attractive brought attention from people that weren't really interested in knowing me as a person. Now that I'm older (and heavier, heh, heh) I feel like people respect me alot more. And you know what else? My husband, who has been with me throughout, loves me more than ever!

I agree completly. Being thin deffinitly does not make you happier. I think people especially women were more open and friednly when I was heavier and now i find it hard to make friends, and judgements are made about me on how i look and not who i am. I also agree i felt alot more respected when i was heavier and I think men enjoyed my body more. I am still 125lbs and extremly unconfident.