I think they are talking about the average American woman. What in the world does "normal" mean? I don't necessarily shoot for average. While I would never shoot for a size 7 (I'm 39, and Junior's sizing just doesn't work
), I do kinda think I will end up a size 6. That's partly because sizing has changed. My goal weight (130) used to be a size 8 for me, and I think now 130 will be a size 6. I'm already in a 10.
I don't think it's the size itself that makes a goal unrealistic. I think it's the reasons you choose it. I think the ideal presented by Hollywood is unrealistic, not to mention BORING. You can take two size 6 women, and they can be living very different lifestyles to maintain that weight, and have very different self-esteem and values.
I think the question of what it's worth is an excellent one. I lost about 8 pounds a months a first, then about 6, then about 5. Now, 3-4 pounds a months. Sometimes I get a little frustrated, but I'm also not interested in feeling restricted in order to weigh less. I'm living pretty close to a maintenance lifestyle now. I quit calorie counting in September and I LIKE it, and that was 15 pounds ago. I expect I'm still going to get to my goal, because it was a happy weight in the past. But at this point, I'm likely to accept whatever place I settle at. From here on out is gravy.
Anything I would do to maintain lower (more exercise, different or less eating) would have to be something I otherwise felt good about as a lifestyle. To do it just to maintain 10 pounds less just isn't acceptable to me. YMMV.
I agree size isn't the only thing making people look good. It's also confidence, health, happiness, presentation. It's one thing to be size 16 and have all those things vs. size 16, feeling bad about it, dressing sloppy, and avoiding life.
I don't think being a size 6 or 8 means unhealthy and 12-14-16 means healthy. Or vice versa. And I don't think America is getting healthier as it gets fatter
. So I'm not sure about using how many skinny adults I see as a reason for choosing my own weight. Of course, just using the word skinny has all sorts of baggage. I'm not talking emaciated.