Originally Posted by sacha (Post 3956277)

I live where French culture is dominant. It's true what they say - French women don't get fat - but they certainly don't get strong or healthy either, in some ways. Lots of alcohol, many smoke, few exercise. Of course, there are always exceptions, but having traveled a lot and lived in many places, obesity here is not nearly as common.

Yes, they are slim, yes, they look slim when young (although they look very weak), but it's shocking to see how their bodies decline as they age.

I have 2 MIL's, the real one and the step-MIL. Both in their late 50's/early 60's, both the epitome of "skinny fat", living French food culture all their lives, and they both struggle to pick up a steel pot and pan that my (13 month old) son picks up and throws on the floor.

I refuse to let my body become that weak for the sake of aesthetic (especially when strong can look just as sexy).

Originally Posted by Beach Patrol (Post 3958860)

As has been stated, a person can be fat but healthy, and a person can be what is referred to as "skinny-fat". That is, very thin & LOOKS healthy, but in reality, not healthy at all. Body fat (or lack thereof) is not the do-all/end-all of health. There are so many other factors involved... blood sugar level, cholesterol (good & bad!), heart function, liver function, etc. This is why it's kind of counter-productive to do "the twinkie diet" to lose weight. Because while you may lose weight, you most likely won't be doing the rest of your body any favors. ;)