We know what too skinny is, what's skinny?

ncuneo · 09-30-2010, 09:01 PM

I feel like I'm thin/skinny, but I'm an 8/10 and 5'5:
/5'6 but I think most would probably say I'm normal/average. Although I do get you're sooo skinny from friends and family. But we got the definition of too skinny, what's skinny?

sacha · 09-30-2010, 09:08 PM

Hard to say. I think BMI is a good general indication. Unless someone is an actual bodybuilder, it does provide a decent chart. Everyone likes to think their body type is special or unique, but in reality, the vast majority of people will fit quite accurately on to it. If someone is under BMI 18-ish, then yes, you are underweight and that can lead to issues of bone density, osteoporosis, amenorreah, etc. Being "too skinny", especially for women, can have far greater complications than just the outward appearance.

xty · 09-30-2010, 09:20 PM

omg this is a MUCH harder question! I could answer what is a healthy weight, but what is *skinny*? hmmmmmmmm.

at 5'6, 134lbs and about 27-28% body fat I def dont feel skinny. though Im well within the normal bmi range.

hope that I will in the low 20s body fat%...but I dont know.

for me, its more about how my fat hangs than how much of it i have.

LiannaKole · 09-30-2010, 10:03 PM

Wow, hard question. Um...hmm... I think it's an individual thing, really. If we're talking aesthetics, that is. Like, skinny can be relative. In the USA, "average" is 160 some lbs last I read, and "skinny" here is different than say in Korea. Also, "skinny" is kind like "fat" - it's a bit of a continuum.

But I'd say I think of people as skinny when they're probably about in the middle of the healthy weight range for their height (or look like it). I also think it'll be different for me than for someone else - I see myself as a big person and I don't see that changing soon.

Then there's really skinny, like Gossip Girl or any other CW show skinny. That ranges from really skinny to borderline unhealthy (some of them weigh like 105 at my height!).

Difficult question. I'll have to think about it some more...

FreeSpirit · 09-30-2010, 10:43 PM

This one IS much harder! At my size I don't feel "skinny," just average. I don't think a weight or measurement or clothing size makes someone skinny, it's the way they look.

This is going to sound weird, but I guess I've always associated skinny with someone who has toned arms, and a relatively flat stomach. Someone who can wear just a tank top and shorts and look good. I don't know what I'm saying...

it's hard to describe!!

Windchime · 09-30-2010, 10:47 PM

See, to me "skinny" is someone who is unhealthy. I picture ribs jutting out, lank hair, bony elbows and knees. The word "skinny" paints an unhealthy picture to me....when people say, "Look how skinny that dog is", I don't picture a fit, muscular, healthy animal, I picture a poor thing that needs to go to the vet!

So that's what skinny means to me. Someone who is anorexic or thin to an unhealthy degree. I realize that this really isn't the question you are asking, but that's the one I'm answering.

"Skinny" is not something that I will aspire to. Slim? Fit? Toned and slender? You bet, that would be awesome. But skinny? Nope.

rockinrobin · 09-30-2010, 11:38 PM

oy.

Tagan47 · 10-01-2010, 01:22 AM

Difficult one. I've gotten skinny comments recently but I definitely don't think I am. I'm 5'8, 125 pounds and have a really small frame. This means that extra weight shows on me very easily and very quickly. So at 140 I actually looked like I needed to lose weight. Curse my small frame - I wish things were different! So while it may sound like a pretty low weight I look fine, just quite slender. I definitely don't need to lose any more weight!

krampus · 10-01-2010, 01:32 AM

Tagan, are you Korean? I am ethnically Korean but grew up in the USA. I know what you mean. There are women at my height and weight who wear a size 4 and look tiny, but my body type and tiny skeleton is "supposed" to be probably 110 or less.

"Skinny" to me is when your neck looks really small in proportion to the rest of you, and a little bone is visible.

Tagan47 · 10-01-2010, 02:50 AM

No I'm actually not Krampus. I'm South African of Malaysian/Indonesian descent. I'm so with you on this point. I know so many people who are 10-15 pounds more than me and wear the same size as me and look the same. Lucky! And while I don't need to lose weight I could honestly go down to 120 and still be fine and not look skinny or underweight.

Eek, I think I may be skinny in your book! I have visible collar and hip bones. But I had those 10 pounds ago. I think my body's weird!

Cookc04 · 10-01-2010, 03:48 AM

Do you distinguish between Slim and Skinny?

I have found that slender ladies much prefer to be referred to as Slim rather than Skinny.

krampus · 10-01-2010, 07:34 AM

"Skinny" seems to be a really loaded word these days, with connotations of "bad" models (it's not the models' fault the industry demands them to conform to X standard, dammit!) and underfed actresses with coke and heroin problems.

My Michelle · 10-01-2010, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockinrobin

oy.

Toooooooo funny!

FreeSpirit · 10-01-2010, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krampus

"Skinny" seems to be a really loaded word these days, with connotations of "bad" models (it's not the models' fault the industry demands them to conform to X standard, dammit!) and underfed actresses with coke and heroin problems.

I've always considered skinny, slender, slim, etc. the same. When did using the word skinny suddenly become like using the word fat? (instead of overweight, or large).

Too many particulars it seems.

Eliana · 10-01-2010, 11:15 AM

Who cares?!

I'm so sorry. That sounds awfully rude. If I were saying it to you in person the words would come with a gentle hug around the shoulders.

I suppose in the interest of conversation, I'd say semantically there's a difference between skinny and thin. Thin I think is ideal and skinny is an insult. (Unless followed by "minnie" as in "Skinny Minnie". ) LOL!

But my dear...not only is skinny/thin subjective, it's subjective from person to person even as they look at you! Some people will think you're too thin, some too fat, some will not notice you at all because you may just be completely normal.

I'm personally going for "comfortable in my own skin" plus a little.

I'm at the "plus a little" stage already.