[Wolfena]

I turn 39 years old next month. My weight is hanging in between 139 & 142 (I'm in maintenance) I wear a size 8 pants & a medium shirt. My BMI is 23.6 I am 5'5" tall. I am healthier then I've EVER been in my life!

Why do people insist on telling me I'm too skinny, I need to gain weight back - I look sickly. That hurts worse than hearing that I needed to lose weight! Do people that are always thin hear that kind of thing from others?

I've heard this from my boss, my coworkers, acquaintances - and now my sister.

Here's a pic just taken this week - with my camera phone so it's not the bestest quality... but do I look THAT skinny???

Maybe I'm just blind to it because I see myself every day and am a bit paranoid to go back to the way I was before?

(edited to fix a typo!)

[2frustrated]

You look perfect to me

People have problems adjusting to the social hierarchy that is created when the "fat one" suddenly becomes the "skinny, good looking one". They'll adjust eventually, but for now, take pride in the fact that you've done something amazing for yourself.

[maegdaeien]

You sound, and look, totally healthy to me! I agree with 2frustrated; sometimes people just have a hard time reconciling that you've changed and they're uncomfortable with it. Don't let them get you down!

[GatorgalstuckinGA]

i think you look fine. I feel that sometimes ppl worry if you've lost weight that if they don't tell you to gain some, you may lose weight to the point of unhealthiness. Do i think you need to loose more weight...no not really. I think you look great. But if you are more comfortable at a lower weight that that's fine...as long as you do it in a healthy manner.

[KTna]

You look great.
People had trouble adjusting to my new look as well.
I agree that it is really their perception.

[LLV]

I hear the same thing, especially about my face. One family member even commented that I look "bad" because my face is too thin.

I think you look fine. If YOU are comfortable with your weight, then don't worry about what everyone else is saying. And whatever you do, don't let it make you think you have to start eating like crazy again to put weight back on. We all know how quickly that can spiral out of control.

[carolva77]

You look pretty!!! Dont worry about what other poeple say! Sometimes people is insecure about themselves and they refelct it upon others!

[elisa822]

I agree with what everyone has said. Everyone carries weight differently so either people aren't quite used to the "new you" or perhaps because your face is thin they see you as too thin.

My numbers aren't far off from you and definitely don't feel too thin...okay, but not too thin. I know when DH lost a bit of weight, he got the same thing. And he did look quite thin in the face but could still have lost another 20 lbs. so I think it's probably mostly people who know you adjusting to the new you.

Hope this helps!

[JayEll]

Weight-wise, I would say no. You look fine. Your BMI is on the higher side of normal.

It could be that they are perceiving something else--like your light coloring.

How do your medical tests check out when you go to your doctor? Any anemia? Do you take a multivitamin daily? Do you get enough exercise? If all is OK in that regard, then I would say you're fine--and you can tell them so!

Jay

[rockinrobin]

You are definitely within a "normal" weight range. As long as you FEEL good and are getting proper nutrition and everything else checks out okay, then that's all that really matters. If you are pleased with yourself, as well you should be, well then the heck with everyone else.

Let's not forget there are lots of jealous people in the world, especially when it comes to weight. When people tell you that you're too skinny, I'd just say "Thank you very much."

[lilybelle]

You look great. Ignore those people.

I get the same kind of comments. The "OMG, you're so bony". "Girl, you are too skinny". "you'd look healthier if you added 10 lbs.". But, I ignore them or say "thank you". Mine usually come from my sisters. I'm 5'7 and usually keep my wt. at 140-145 , which is in the "normal" range and a BMI of 22. 3.

Funny thing is though, when I weighed 135 lbs. before I ever became Obese, not a single soul ever told me I was too skinny then. LOL.

[Wolfena]

Hi Everyone... thanks for all the responses (and so quickly!)

I haven't been checked for anemia recently, but for my entire life have had a high iron level. Yes, I take a mulit-vitamin every day. I'm naturally pale... I burn easily so don't lay in the sun or go tanning - and don't really want skin cancer either! I exercise regularly (I'm a jogger these days, 3-6 miles a few times a week or have an elliptical I use regularly at home if the weather is bad. I also use weights a few times a month at the gym & sometimes their treadmill or other equipment)

The comment I hear most often IS about my face being too thin. And NO - I am not trying to lose anymore weight... these people often insist I'm still losing (even though I've been in this same weight range since December now)

It doesn't feel like jealous comments when they say them, I get more the feeling like they think I might have some kind of eating disorder or something & it just feels like they're being rude, not caring.

I do NOT have an eating disorder.... well, not like bulimia or anorexia - I am a bit obsessed with food, I think about it all the time. I eat A LOT (of healthy food).... I love taking "old recipes" or seeing pics of food and turning them into my own healthy recipes. I love to shop, I love to read nutrition labels. I feel like I'm always planning my next meal. I am constantly mentally counting the calories I eat and burn off exercising (I still do food diary entries once or twice a week) Perhaps thats some sort of disorder, but it's not the type they think I have!

It just makes me feel like crap when I'm feeling good about how I look & feel - and then wonder if my view is warped because others see things differently.

[rockinrobin]

If it's not jealousy, it's probably just that people are concerned and have a "funny" way of showing it. Now we all know that I am nowhere NEAR skinny, (161lbs), but HAVING BEEN 287, people tell me all the time that I AM. And some of them are just wondering how I got there. They are puzzled that people can actually lose weight just by eating right and exercising. I've even had more then one person ask me if I was okay - as in do I have a deadly disease. And then there's the people who assumed I've had WLS. And the people who are worried I am gonna get carried away and get "too skinny". They just can't quite grasp that there are no health issues/intervention/eating disorders involved.

I'm with you - the only type of eating disorder I have now(as opposed to OVEReating/binging in the past) is that I am also very into all this healthy eating and shopping and planning and preparing and making good and healthy meals, watching my calories and figuring out how and when to "get in" my next walk.

Keep up the great work. You should be extremely proud of yourself for getting fit and trim in a very positive and healthy manner. I feel badly that it makes you feel so awful though. So please, please try to ignore them and somehow take it as a compliment.

[JayEll]

Hey! I would just add that anyone who loses a good chunk of weight and keeps it off successfully probably DOES think about food a lot--how much, what kind, and so on--and that's a good thing.

Your face is thin but it is not gaunt. You don't look anorexic to me--but I'm not a specialist. Those people's comments are misplaced. Maybe they watch too much daytime TV

Jay

[KnitALisa]

Wolfena, it sounds like you're in a really good, healthy place right now. As long as you feel good and your doctor says you're healthy, ignore the haters. Keep on doing what you have to do to stay healthy and happy!