Body Weight Research, Come be a Guinea Pig!

[roxyruby]

Please answer the following questions in a reply post, and please also do not read other peoples answers until you have posted your own answer first. After I have a large amount of replies I will let you know the results and any interesting findings! Feel free to private message me your answers if you don't want to post your answer below.

Please post a reply with:

1. Your Gender

2. Your BMI

Answers to these questions:

1. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to be thin and what are your reasons?

2. Do you think it is / would be comforting and relaxing or stressful and anxiety-producing to be thin? What are your reasons for your answer?

3. Do you think it is/would be easy or uneasy to maintain being thin? What are your reasons for your answer?

4. Do you think it is/would be pleasurable and rewarding or unpleasant and punishing to be thin? (Thin with a healthy diet) What are your reasons for your answer?

5. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to lose weight fast? (Eating healthy just with reduced calories) What are your reasons for your answer?

6. Do you think eating lots of (overeating) tasty food is pleasant or unpleasant? What are your reasons for your answer?

[Beuford]

1. Male

2. 18.2

Answers to these questions:

1. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to be thin and what are your reasons?
It is safe if you eat enough and the right foods but if you eat a bad diet but focus on starving yourself to lose weight it is unhealthy.

2. Do you think it is / would be comforting and relaxing or stressful and anxiety-producing to be thin? What are your reasons for your answer?

I like being thin because it means I don't need to carry around much weight

3. Do you think it is/would be easy or uneasy to maintain being thin? What are your reasons for your answer?

Very easy, if you eat the right foods. In my experience, I can eat as much as I want and not put on any weight, but I lost some weight when I went vegetarian.

4. Do you think it is/would be pleasurable and rewarding or unpleasant and punishing to be thin? What are your reasons for your answer?

It depends on what kind of thin you are talking about, you can be thin and healthy or thin and unhealthy.

5. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to lose weight fast? What are your reasons for your answer?

It again depends on what you eat.

6. Do you think eating lots of (overeating) tasty food is pleasant or unpleasant? What are your reasons for your answer?

It also depends on the kind of food. If it is a pineapple then I find it pleasant to eat but if you are talking about overeating junkfood then I do not really find that pleasant except maybe while I'm eating it(which doesn't happen).

[votoshka]

Okay here goes...

Please post a reply with:

1. Your Gender

Female

2. Your BMI

28

Answers to these questions:

1. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to be thin and what are your reasons?

Depends how you define "thin". I think it's safe to be thin if you eat a healthy nutritious diet, get plenty of sleep etc. and have lots of energy for living. If you're thin because you starve yourself to maintain that body weight, use speed or other drugs etc. then it's not safe! It's about healthy vs not-healthy rather than thin vs not-thin, however. You can be thin and super healthy, or thin and unhealthy.

2. Do you think it is / would be comforting and relaxing or stressful and anxiety-producing to be thin? What are your reasons for your answer?

Comforting! It's nice not to carry around excess weight, to be able to move your body easily, and to not have to cover up all that extra flesh come summer time

3. Do you think it is/would be easy or uneasy to maintain being thin? What are your reasons for your answer?

For me...not so easy...if it were easy, I wouldn't be overweight! Well my reasons are just that... if it were easy for me to be thin, then I'd be thin!

4. Do you think it is/would be pleasurable and rewarding or unpleasant and punishing to be thin? What are your reasons for your answer?

I see it as pleasurable and rewarding to be thin. Why? Well for a start, if I were thin it would be a reward for my good healthy eating behaviours! I also believe it would be pleasurable because too much fat is uncomfortable to me. Being thin would make me feel physically more attractive too!

5. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to lose weight fast? What are your reasons for your answer?

Well I think it's not so much losing weight as it is losing FAT... if you lose weight and you're not losing fat then you're not going to become thin! And safe or unsafe? Depends on how you do it. If you're starving yourself and using amphetamines or whatever, it's unsafe. However, people lose weight on fasts too, and I believe fasting CAN be healthy if done right. It's all about the approach!

6. Do you think eating lots of (overeating) tasty food is pleasant or unpleasant? What are your reasons for your answer?

While I'm eating, I enjoy it. When I'm stuffed full, I don't. I find it extremely unpleasant and I generally end up regretting overeating! Mind you if I stuff myself full of a green smoothie or something, it's not so bad because it digests fairly fast and doesn't leave me feeling sick!

[aelle]

1. Your Gender
female

2. Your BMI
23 to 24, although I'm not sure as I don't own a scale.

1. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to be thin and what are your reasons?
If one's natural built is to be skinny, then that's probably the healthiest for them. If someone's natural built is to be big, then maintaining themselves unnaturally underweight (with regards to their natural weight) is probably damaging. To use a metaphor I like, starving a mastiff down until it looks like a whippet is unhealthy and unrealistic, and so is the other way round...
What is unhealthy for sure is to be sedentary and eat poorly, at any weight.

2. Do you think it is / would be comforting and relaxing or stressful and anxiety-producing to be thin? What are your reasons for your answer?
In itself? Neither.
Being closer to the beauty norms might cause more unwanted attentions from men (especially young men) and that would be annoying, but that's the kind of things that goes away quickly with age.

However my own experience of losing a lot of weight (going from BMI 30 to 24) was a very stressful one. I was happy with the new things my body could do, like run, but not with how it looked. I assume anyone who goes through major appearance changes would feel distressed about it too, on some level. It takes time to own your new appearance. I really missed my hips and breasts, because they were mine!

3. Do you think it is/would be easy or uneasy to maintain being thin? What are your reasons for your answer?
Completely depends on whether it's your natural weight, and whether your diet is healthy for you. If it so happens that you are naturally thin when you eat healthily, then it will be easy to stay that way, and hard to change. If you are naturally plump when you eat healthily, then it will be easy to stay that way and hard to change. Reasons: my own experience, and science. I put on extra weight unnaturally due to depression, and it started coming off once I was better. I also went vegan and now realize that I have a physical problem with dairy that kept me unnaturally bloated. I make zero effort to maintain my current weight, and none of the 20kgs I lost are coming back.

4. Do you think it is/would be pleasurable and rewarding or unpleasant and punishing to be thin? What are your reasons for your answer?
Neither. It just is.
I like my body the way it is and wouldn't want to change it, but if it did for other reasons, for the bigger or the smaller, I'd accept it.

5. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to lose weight fast? What are your reasons for your answer?
Define "fast"? If in order to lose weight "fast" you are depriving yourself of nutrients, or maintaining a physically damaging exercise regimen, then yes, it's unsafe.

6. Do you think eating lots of (overeating) tasty food is pleasant or unpleasant? What are your reasons for your answer?
Extremely pleasant. Not necessarily to the point of overeating, but I enjoy when tasty food has an important part in my life. Delicious food is a pleasure to the taste and smell, obviously, but also to the other senses.
Cooking is a relaxing and grounding activity. The whole process - selecting (or growing!) your vegetables, choosing your recipes, peeling, chopping, measuring your spices, mixing your sauces and marinades, boiling, frying, roasting, enjoying the change of colors and textures, seasoning, arranging on a plate, and then enjoying the results of your work- it is all a fantastic exercise in presence. Eating 3 meals a day and eating seasonal foods contribute to the rhythm of life, and to enjoying the moment.
Sharing a meal is a great expression of love, and receiving a homecooked meal a great expression of gratitude, so food is very important in my social and family life.
Making your own recipes, or tweaking other's recipes, is a great outlet for creativity.

I grew up in a culture that gives a lot of importance to gourmet food and truly enjoying what you put in your body, and after examining it and trying various alternatives, it does improve my life. My personal image of joy is a long summer lunch, sitting in the shade in the garden of a big family home, surrounded by partners, friends and family, kids and dogs running around, everyone slowly sharing a large homemade meal made of many fresh, flavorful dishes. And not having to do the dishes.

[Weena]

1. Your Gender

Female

2. Your BMI

24

1. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to be thin and what are your reasons?


Totally safe. Reason: I was very happy when i was thin(ner).

2. Do you think it is / would be comforting and relaxing or stressful and anxiety-producing to be thin? What are your reasons for your answer?


Comforting and relaxing. My extra kilos are not something i enjoy, they are the consequence of being too sedentary (at home with one toddler and one baby). I would find it comforting to be back to my original BMI (19).

3. Do you think it is/would be easy or uneasy to maintain being thin? What are your reasons for your answer?

Easy once it's off. Reason : i got overweight in 2009 and dieted to get back in a normal BMI range. Those kilos never came back.

4. Do you think it is/would be pleasurable and rewarding or unpleasant and punishing to be thin? (Thin with a healthy diet) What are your reasons for your answer?

Pleasurable of course. I already pretty much have the healthy diet, i just need to drop a few kilos and exercise more often.

5. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to lose weight fast? (Eating healthy just with reduced calories) What are your reasons for your answer?

Safe enough depending on the diet. The diet i followed required a snack or meal every two hours. I lost 7 kilos on 4 or 5 weeks. And i was just fine and the weight did not come back.

6. Do you think eating lots of (overeating) tasty food is pleasant or unpleasant? What are your reasons for your answer?

Not overeating as i will feel really unwell afterward. Like Aelle, I do enjoy cooking very much though, and I love spices and fresh herbs and trying out new things (so long as it's vegetarian). I recently took up to juicing every day and that is just beautiful (warning: if you start with fresh juices you'll end up hating the taste of commercial juices).

[a muse]

1. Your Gender
Female

2. Your BMI
16

Answers to these questions:

1. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to be thin and what are your reasons?
I think it's unsafe to be UNhealthy. Optimum body weight is different for each person. Eating for any reason other than to fuel your body is disrespectful, in my opinion.

2. Do you think it is / would be comforting and relaxing or stressful and anxiety-producing to be thin? What are your reasons for your answer?
I am my natural weight. I don't fluctuate. I live a stress free existence. I have no anxiety.

3. Do you think it is/would be easy or uneasy to maintain being thin? What are your reasons for your answer?
I can't maintain being fat! I am just the way l am. Most people who are thin i think maintain it by eating nothing, which is not good.

4. Do you think it is/would be pleasurable and rewarding or unpleasant and punishing to be thin? (Thin with a healthy diet) What are your reasons for your answer?
I can't answer this. I'm happy to be my optimum weight.

5. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to lose weight fast? (Eating healthy just with reduced calories) What are your reasons for your answer?
REALLY unsafe. The body begins to store more fat etc

6. Do you think eating lots of (overeating) tasty food is pleasant or unpleasant? What are your reasons for your answer?
Gross. We all eat way too much.

[Lifeisamazing]

1. Your Gender
Male
2. Your BMI
21.9
Answers to these questions:
1. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to be thin and what are your reasons?
This depends on what is considered thin. To be below BMI of 16 or so probably is not because you fatigue faster, your organs are less protected and you are in general weaker. I have no idea what the true science says because I've never read anything about being too thin.
2. Do you think it is / would be comforting and relaxing or stressful and anxiety-producing to be thin? What are your reasons for your answer?
I think it would probably be stressful because of other people. Even if you liked to be thin, there would be ridiculous number of people who would pressure you.
3. Do you think it is/would be easy or uneasy to maintain being thin? What are your reasons for your answer?
If you've been overweight for a long time and have just reached the thin status, it is definitely difficult to maintain it. Once you've become used to being thing and have learned habits to promote being thin strongly, then it should be pretty easy.
4. Do you think it is/would be pleasurable and rewarding or unpleasant and punishing to be thin? (Thin with a healthy diet) What are your reasons for your answer?
It really depends on your personality. If you are out-going and socialize a lot, it might be pretty hard if you get cravings for food easily. I believe some sacrifices are very necessary.
5. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to lose weight fast? (Eating healthy just with reduced calories) What are your reasons for your answer?
Is weight loss really the way to go? I mean you can lose lots of water in hours but that doesn't do you much good, does it? I support slow fat loss, probably only a kilogram or two per month. This helps you to stick to good habits and lets you enjoy your life better, plus it's better for the body!
6. Do you think eating lots of (overeating) tasty food is pleasant or unpleasant? What are your reasons for your answer?
Unpleasant because feeling bloated is never good. However, if I overeat healthy food, I feel nowhere as unpleasant as when I overeat junk food.

[secrets0stolen]

Originally Posted by roxyruby

1. Your Gender

Female

2. Your BMI

20

Answers to these questions:

1. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to be thin and what are your reasons?

Completely safe.

2. Do you think it is / would be comforting and relaxing or stressful and anxiety-producing to be thin? What are your reasons for your answer?

Pleasant

3. Do you think it is/would be easy or uneasy to maintain being thin? What are your reasons for your answer?

It's easy for me because I enjoy being healthy, and my healthy weight is relatively thin.

4. Do you think it is/would be pleasurable and rewarding or unpleasant and punishing to be thin? (Thin with a healthy diet) What are your reasons for your answer?

It is definitely pleasurable and rewarding to be healthy--and for me that means relatively thin.

5. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to lose weight fast? (Eating healthy just with reduced calories) What are your reasons for your answer?

Generally unsafe. Long term healthy lifestyle changes trump crash diets any day.

6. Do you think eating lots of (overeating) tasty food is pleasant or unpleasant? What are your reasons for your answer?

Unpleasant when you truly mean overeating, because I hate the way my body feels afterward. That said, I eat large quantities of healthy food that I consider tasty on a daily basis.

[Leesah]

1. Your Gender
Female


2. Your BMI
18.9

Answers to these questions:

1. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to be thin and what are your reasons?
If by thin you mean healthy thin and not LA thin () then I'd say it's safe. If you're restricting your calorie intake drastically to get there, though, then it's not safe. But I think most people who ate healthily and exercised would be thin (depends on your definition of thin I guess, it seems to vary!).


2. Do you think it is / would be comforting and relaxing or stressful and anxiety-producing to be thin? What are your reasons for your answer?
I have a history of anorexia, and at present I still find being a thin/healthy weight stressful & anxiety inducing... but it's down to scewed perspectives (I think I look massive when I'm a normal weight) and this desire to lose weight. I'm hoping my recovery continues to a point beyond these feelings, though.
For a 'normal' person, I think being a healthy thin weight should be easy & natural and not anxiety-producing - but so many people have food mixed up with emotions - even undereating or overeating - that it gets a bit complicated

3. Do you think it is/would be easy or uneasy to maintain being thin? What are your reasons for your answer?
I find it easy to not be overweight, I just don't have the inclination to over-eat, but I find it difficult to accept myself at a healthy weight still. In terms of what food I eat I find it easy to be thin, though. I just eat what I should.

4. Do you think it is/would be pleasurable and rewarding or unpleasant and punishing to be thin? (Thin with a healthy diet) What are your reasons for your answer?
Again, I find it difficult. But from an eating disorder perspective. I've never had to fight to not be overweight though, for me I'm "naturally" this weight when I eat right & I never have the desire to over eat. If I'm sad I tend to eat less rather than more.. but I think a lot of people have it the other way around so for them it can be unpleasant to try to be thin, because they feel like they're denying themselves of what they want to eat.


5. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to lose weight fast? (Eating healthy just with reduced calories) What are your reasons for your answer?
I think it's pretty unsafe because it means drastically restricting your intake, and missing out on nutrients your body needs. Mostly when people lose weight very fast they look & feel like crap.


6. Do you think eating lots of (overeating) tasty food is pleasant or unpleasant? What are your reasons for your answer
For me my emotions are so mixed up with food that I tend to feel this horrible guilt if I percieve I've "given in" and eaten badly (as in, bad food choices rather than over eating, I tend not to over eat). If I did overeat I would feel full & sick.. it would hurt phsyically.

[ssandra]

Originally Posted by roxyruby

1. Your Gender

Female

2. Your BMI

between 24.2

Answers to these questions:

1. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to be thin and what are your reasons?

I think it is unsafe to be too thin. Too thin meaning that your body doesn't have the fat and other things it needs to survive. But we are talking seriously underweight here.

Being just thin, I don't think that is unsafe.

2. Do you think it is / would be comforting and relaxing or stressful and anxiety-producing to be thin? What are your reasons for your answer?

Euh no? How I look has nothing to do with how I feel. My thoughts determine how I feel. If I have thoughts about being thin and they produce anxiety, that's what I should examine (the thoughts) not the thinness itself.

3. Do you think it is/would be easy or uneasy to maintain being thin? What are your reasons for your answer?

At this moment uneasy to remain thin because I don't have the habits that support being thin.
Also... I don't much like exercise and I do like chips, chocolate and ice cream Good thing I don't want to be thin, but just want to be healthy

4. Do you think it is/would be pleasurable and rewarding or unpleasant and punishing to be thin? (Thin with a healthy diet) What are your reasons for your answer?

I have no idea what you mean by this question... Being thin has its disadvantages, such as being colder a lot. It also has its advantages, such as fitting more easily in nice clothes.

5. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to lose weight fast? (Eating healthy just with reduced calories) What are your reasons for your answer?

The problem with loosing weight too fast is that it comes back on twice as fast as well. Reducing your calorie intake is good, but don't overdo it. If you are hungry, you are over doing it.

6. Do you think eating lots of (overeating) tasty food is pleasant or unpleasant? What are your reasons for your answer?

I think eating tasty food is pleasant. I think overeating is not pleasant.

[ThoughtAddict]

1. Your Gender

Male

2. Your BMI

~20-24, depending on my fitness level and eating habits that month. I've fluctuated weight 20-30 lbs in 2 months pretty regularly for the past few years.

1. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to be thin and what are your reasons?

Safe, within reason. Thin doesn't measure health directly. A person can be naturally thin with a high metabolism and be perfectly healthy. When thinness is intentional and caused by failing to eat sufficient calories, it can be dreadfully unhealthy.

2. Do you think it is / would be comforting and relaxing or stressful and anxiety-producing to be thin? What are your reasons for your answer?

For me, it is more stressful to be thin, as that usually means that I've been undereating. The body image itself isn't stressful, but it reminds me that I need to take more care of myself.

3. Do you think it is/would be easy or uneasy to maintain being thin? What are your reasons for your answer?


Easy. I have a high metabolism and often forget to eat when I'm busy.

4. Do you think it is/would be pleasurable and rewarding or unpleasant and punishing to be thin? (Thin with a healthy diet) What are your reasons for your answer?


If you mean, to maintain a certain level of thinness, it isn't unpleasurable. Eat flavorful healthy food and it isn't difficult at all to maintain a certain weight, whether wiry or stacked.

5. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to lose weight fast? (Eating healthy just with reduced calories) What are your reasons for your answer?


Safe, so long as you do it right. Cut fat, not muscle. Don't starve yourself. Eat healthy foods and the right kinds of foods at the right times (avoid simple carbs when inactive). Also, it depends on what you mean by "fast". I've lost 20 pounds in a month before in a healthy way.

6. Do you think eating lots of (overeating) tasty food is pleasant or unpleasant? What are your reasons for your answer?[/QUOTE]

Very pleasant. Food tastes good. Eating a lot of it gives an intense feeling of comfort. I pig out on Indian food at times. Really, really good.

[Indiana]

1. Your Gender
Female

2. Your BMI
19.3

1. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to be thin and what are your reasons?
It can be, depending on how thin you're talking and how you achieve it. My lowest BMI was 16.6 when I was a ballet dancer and that was way too low. I didn't menstruate and got sick easily. At the time I was not actually trying to be thin, I just did a great deal of physical activity. So I think it can be possible to get too thin and not realise you have a problem.

2. Do you think it is / would be comforting and relaxing or stressful and anxiety-producing to be thin? What are your reasons for your answer?
I am comfortable with my natural size. I do not currently try to be any size other than I am.

3. Do you think it is/would be easy or uneasy to maintain being thin? What are your reasons for your answer?
I find it easy to maintain being thin. I have a) a very good diet, b) a thin body type and c) reasonable amount of physical activity. These are things I have had all my life, and all come easily to me. I think I am lucky that I was raised to eat proper food, have fortunate genetics and am naturally physically restless.

4. Do you think it is/would be pleasurable and rewarding or unpleasant and punishing to be thin? (Thin with a healthy diet) What are your reasons for your answer?
I enjoy being slim. I would not want to be any slimmer than I am now. I also would not want to be larger than I am now (meaning 10+pounds more) unless I was pregnant. When I was thinner, I used to get teased and called anorexic, and that was very upsetting to me. I also have a couple of very slim friends who get told 'Eat a sandwich!' and they find that annoying.

5. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to lose weight fast? (Eating healthy just with reduced calories) What are your reasons for your answer?
Yes, I think if you reduce calories enough to lose weight very fast, you will probably be depriving yourself of minerals and vitamins, and will set yourself up for failure, as it is very hard to eat very low calories all the time.

6. Do you think eating lots of (overeating) tasty food is pleasant or unpleasant? What are your reasons for your answer?
Sometimes if I am eating something I really enjoy (a delicious meal), I will eat lots and I find that pleasant. But I think I have a built-in resistance to over-eating. Like, if I eat a lot of pizza one day, I won't want it again for a long time, and will want simple salads and vegetables. I can't eat a lot of sweet things, because I find them too rich. A cupcake is about all the cake I can eat in one day (and I can't remember the last time I ate a cupcake or a biscuit - not within the last couple of months).

[Angela]

Originally Posted by a muse

1. Your Gender
Female

2. Your BMI
16

.... I'm happy to be my optimum weight.

....We all eat way too much.

A BMI of 16 is way down below the range that is considered to be anorexic. That would be, for example, a woman at 5'7" who weights 105 pounds. You may consider it to be your optimum weight, but the belief that "we all eat way too much" doesn't mean anything about "we all" -- that's your own stinky sneaker.

[votoshka]

Originally Posted by Angela

A BMI of 16 is way down below the range that is considered to be anorexic. That would be, for example, a woman at 5'7" who weights 105 pounds. You may consider it to be your optimum weight, but the belief that "we all eat way too much" doesn't mean anything about "we all" -- that's your own stinky sneaker.

To be fair though, Angela, I had a friend in high school who weighed the same as me even though she was about 7" taller (at 5'7") we both weighed 38-39kg in year 11 (about 86lbs!!!). That makes her BMI super low, but she actually wasn't unwell or anorexic. She was just naturally skinny!! She was teased about it ALL the time LOL. She got up to 50kg (110lbs) as she got older, and settled at that weight, although according to her BMI she was still underweight.

I DO think it's possible that a small percentage of people are actually healthy with very low BMIs (my SIL is the same...if not skinnier...she LOOKS anorexic, but actually had no problem getting pregnant and having healthy sized babies...I doubt her BMI is over 17).

[Angela]

I have no doubt that that is so, votoshka. I was pretty skinny in high school, too. It's the belief that "we all eat too much" that I was eschewing. Declaring that for one's self is one thing, but making pronouncements about others is a stinky sneaker. Eschew! (excuse me.)

Originally Posted by votoshka

To be fair though, Angela, I had a friend in high school who weighed the same as me even though she was about 7" taller (at 5'7") we both weighed 38-39kg in year 11 (about 86lbs!!!). That makes her BMI super low, but she actually wasn't unwell or anorexic. She was just naturally skinny!! She was teased about it ALL the time LOL. She got up to 50kg (110lbs) as she got older, and settled at that weight, although according to her BMI she was still underweight.

I DO think it's possible that a small percentage of people are actually healthy with very low BMIs (my SIL is the same...if not skinnier...she LOOKS anorexic, but actually had no problem getting pregnant and having healthy sized babies...I doubt her BMI is over 17).

[Indiana]

Originally Posted by votoshka

To be fair though, Angela, I had a friend in high school who weighed the same as me even though she was about 7" taller (at 5'7") we both weighed 38-39kg in year 11 (about 86lbs!!!). That makes her BMI super low, but she actually wasn't unwell or anorexic. She was just naturally skinny!! She was teased about it ALL the time LOL. She got up to 50kg (110lbs) as she got older, and settled at that weight, although according to her BMI she was still underweight.

I DO think it's possible that a small percentage of people are actually healthy with very low BMIs (my SIL is the same...if not skinnier...she LOOKS anorexic, but actually had no problem getting pregnant and having healthy sized babies...I doubt her BMI is over 17).

I am almost 5'8" and when I got down to 48 kilos (aged 18) and a BMI of 16.6, I was very unhealthy. Complete strangers would accuse me of being anorexic at that point.

I have a great deal of trouble believing that someone who is almost my height could weigh 39 kilos and be okay, even as a teen. That's a BMI of 13.5. Maybe your weights or heights are a bit off? I'm sure you're well-intentioned, but you know claims like that can be triggering for anorexics, right?

[votoshka]

Originally Posted by Angela

I have no doubt that that is so, votoshka. I was pretty skinny in high school, too. It's the belief that "we all eat too much" that I was eschewing. Declaring that for one's self is one thing, but making pronouncements about others is a stinky sneaker. Eschew! (excuse me.)

Oh yes, good point I was focusing on the BMI bit not the other bit! Lots of people do eat too much, this is true, but there are plenty who don't!

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Indiana

I am almost 5'8" and when I got down to 48 kilos (aged 18) and a BMI of 16.6, I was very unhealthy. Complete strangers would accuse me of being anorexic at that point.

I have a great deal of trouble believing that someone who is almost my height could weigh 39 kilos and be okay, even as a teen. That's a BMI of 13.5. Maybe your weights or heights are a bit off? I'm sure you're well-intentioned, but you know claims like that can be triggering for anorexics, right?

When I was in my teens, I was around 118 pounds at 5'7" and was so skinny you could see my bones through my skin. Not quite in the anorexic range specified in that chart, but skinny as a rail. I would have had to be 13 pounds ligher than that to be at a BMI of 16, and I'm quite sure that would have been anorexia city.

[Andrew Brunelle]

1. Male
2. 22.7

1. I don't think it is safe to be too thin, like below 18 on the BMI chart, but certain people have certain bone structures. I would definitely say that being thin is definitely better than being fat.
2. I'm already thin, and I say it's fine. I've had people tell me I don't eat enough, people tell me that I'm "too thin," but I'm really not that thin. I doesn't cause me anxiety or stress. I've been thin to average my whole life, never being in the overweight range, so I just regard it as normal.
3. It's super easy to stay thin because I don't have a voracious appetite, except on rare occasions. I don't eat much junk and when I do it is sparingly.
4. It is rewarding to be thin. Less weight to carry around, better health, although not always, and less shortness of breath.
5. I don't think people should lose weight too fast, unless they have a lot to lose. Some people have a ton of water weight, which comes off fast, while others have a lot of fat weight, which comes off slow.
6. Overeating is not usually pleasant, and I rarely ever do it. When I do do it, I feel sick to my stomach and feel guilty afterwards.

[Lauxa]

Please post a reply with:

1. Your Gender
F

2. Your BMI
fluctuates from 19.6 - 21.1, highest ever was 22.7, and I was getting chubby at that point ... I have very small bone structure

Answers to these questions:

1. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to be thin and what are your reasons?
I think it's safest to be not too thin, not too fat, with some nice muscles, getting plenty of aerobic activity. Seems to be best for avoiding health problems like diabetes, heart attacks, and degenerative aging.

2. Do you think it is / would be comforting and relaxing or stressful and anxiety-producing to be thin? What are your reasons for your answer?
I have a bit of high-strung and anxious personality, but I think gaining weight would make me more anxious because I'd be more afraid of being judged when out in public. Also I think aerobic activity has a calming effect, and a side-effect of doing aerobics is losing weight.

3. Do you think it is/would be easy or uneasy to maintain being thin? What are your reasons for your answer?
It's pretty easy for me, whenever I gain I just work out more and eat less until things are back in balance. It's much harder for me to make gains in muscle mass and endurance than to maintain my weight.

4. Do you think it is/would be pleasurable and rewarding or unpleasant and punishing to be thin? (Thin with a healthy diet) What are your reasons for your answer?
I think it's pleasurable and rewarding, because I know I look good and I get positive attention for my looks. Except when my family calls me "anorexic", but I think they're just jealous.

5. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to lose weight fast? (Eating healthy just with reduced calories) What are your reasons for your answer?
I really don't know. I think that if it's a choice between losing weight fast or slowly, slowly is probably safer. But if it's a choice between losing weight fast or not at all, it's probably better to go ahead and lose fast.

6. Do you think eating lots of (overeating) tasty food is pleasant or unpleasant? What are your reasons for your answer?
It depends. It's pleasant occasionally, as a treat, but getting into the pattern of doing it all the time feels like an addiction and then guilt and stress could overpower the pleasantness.

[scorpio1980]

1. Your Gender
Male

2. Your BMI
22-24

Answers to these questions:

1. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to be thin and what are your reasons?
Totally safe, because I have less unwanted weight to put pressure on my organs.

2. Do you think it is / would be comforting and relaxing or stressful and anxiety-producing to be thin? What are your reasons for your answer?
It's very comfortable.

3. Do you think it is/would be easy or uneasy to maintain being thin? What are your reasons for your answer?
I eat healthy so it is so easy that I don't even have to think about it.

4. Do you think it is/would be pleasurable and rewarding or unpleasant and punishing to be thin? (Thin with a healthy diet) What are your reasons for your answer?
Rewarding, why would it be punishment?

5. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to lose weight fast? (Eating healthy just with reduced calories) What are your reasons for your answer?
Just eat normal healthy food, and you will lose weight at a normal speed.

6. Do you think eating lots of (overeating) tasty food is pleasant or unpleasant? What are your reasons for your answer?
It's pleasant, and I do it on occasion.

[votoshka]

Originally Posted by Indiana

I am almost 5'8" and when I got down to 48 kilos (aged 18) and a BMI of 16.6, I was very unhealthy. Complete strangers would accuse me of being anorexic at that point.

I have a great deal of trouble believing that someone who is almost my height could weigh 39 kilos and be okay, even as a teen. That's a BMI of 13.5. Maybe your weights or heights are a bit off? I'm sure you're well-intentioned, but you know claims like that can be triggering for anorexics, right?

Umm nope, I'm very good with weights and heights

And I'm certainly NOT saying that everyone should be like that!!! We're talking maybe less than 1% of the population. Also realise that she was under the age of 18 at the time, and they say that BMI is not a good indication for people under 18 who may not have fully matured.

But yeah, I can't fully explain how she was that weight and didn't look as if she was going to snap in two... I do know her weight though, because she weighed in front of me and we compared weights! (Unless the scale was off by a couple of kg??)

So while she was 15/16 at the time, physically she was also quite immature (no breasts or hips to speak of), but I can guarantee she ate a normal diet and didn't even like being skinny! She was teased mercilessly at school and would probably have been greatful to put on a few kg! (Also she has a very, very slim build, narrow shoulders, bones etc.) And she didn't actually LOOK unhealthy, just very slim (she did, indeed, have some muscle even).

Actually, though, I do agree that it's hard to have this discussion without pictures or whatever, because it COULD give people an unrealistic idea of what a healthy weight is... without being able to see what a person really looks like, or understand their bone structure or their level of development, makes it difficult to comprehend that what's bad for most people could be okay for other people at a particular stage of their development (she'd also shot up about seven or so inches the year before, which could also account for her very low weight at the time).

Just one more point

My daughter has a BMI of about 15, which puts her in the middle of the healthy weight range for her height and weight. Obviously, if she were older a BMI of 15 would be extremely low. However, as it is she's a good size, plenty of meat on her bones etc. lol. Of course, she's only 8 The point is that for younger people BMI isn't accurate, and what would be insanely low for an adult, may not be so for a child. By the time my friend was 18 her BMI would have been about 18, so still low but nowhere near what it was when she was 15 (and quite honestly built like an 11 year old who hadn't yet hit puberty)!

[aelle]

Originally Posted by votoshka

Umm nope, I'm very good with weights and heights

And I'm certainly NOT saying that everyone should be like that!!! We're talking maybe less than 1% of the population. Also realise that she was under the age of 18 at the time, and they say that BMI is not a good indication for people under 18 who may not have fully matured.

But yeah, I can't fully explain how she was that weight and didn't look as if she was going to snap in two... I do know her weight though, because she weighed in front of me and we compared weights! (Unless the scale was off by a couple of kg??)

So while she was 15/16 at the time, physically she was also quite immature (no breasts or hips to speak of), but I can guarantee she ate a normal diet and didn't even like being skinny! She was teased mercilessly at school and would probably have been greatful to put on a few kg! (Also she has a very, very slim build, narrow shoulders, bones etc.) And she didn't actually LOOK unhealthy, just very slim (she did, indeed, have some muscle even).

Yep, different people, different builds... it's one of the reasons why the BMI is not very helpful at all.
With a BMI of 24 like mine a lot of women would consider themselves too plump, but I don't - I have no muffin top, my face is bony, I am rather thin for my built - it's just a big built. I am simply built more like a mastiff than a greyhound.

[aelle]

Originally Posted by votoshka

Actually, though, I do agree that it's hard to have this discussion without pictures or whatever, because it COULD give people an unrealistic idea of what a healthy weight is... without being able to see what a person really looks like, or understand their bone structure or their level of development, makes it difficult to comprehend that what's bad for most people could be okay for other people at a particular stage of their development (she'd also shot up about seven or so inches the year before, which could also account for her very low weight at the time).

Kate Harding started an illustrated BMI album that I find quite helpful to understand that numbers aren't the whole story: Illustrated BMI Categories - a set on Flickr

[ENTP]

BMI: 17

Answers to these questions:

1. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to be thin and what are your reasons?
Safe only if thin's natural for the body.

2. Do you think it is / would be comforting and relaxing or stressful and anxiety-producing to be thin? What are your reasons for your answer?
I'm "thin", but it's natural for me, so it's comfortable.

3. Do you think it is/would be easy or uneasy to maintain being thin? What are your reasons for your answer?
Easy. I eat 2500-3000+ of crap and junk food and I don't exercise. Reasons: Genetically fast metabolism.

4. Do you think it is/would be pleasurable and rewarding or unpleasant and punishing to be thin? (Thin with a healthy diet) What are your reasons for your answer?
Not even *I* can eat healthy. I can't imagine having to live that way.

5. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to lose weight fast? (Eating healthy just with reduced calories) What are your reasons for your answer?
Unsafe to reduce calories that fast. It's just not enough. If you have to starve to be thin, you're just not meant to be. Accept it!!

6. Do you think eating lots of (overeating) tasty food is pleasant or unpleasant? What are your reasons for your answer?
Well, I only know I've overeaten when I eat so much I want to vomit and then fall asleep. You know, where you're literally involuntarily gagging but you hold it down and you curl up in a ball. That's obviously unpleasant, lol.

[SarahLuvzYu]

Please post a reply with:

1. Your Gender
Female

2. Your BMI
19

Answers to these questions:

1. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to be thin and what are your reasons?

I know plenty of people that are thin & healthy, so safe. It's only unsafe if you're starving yourself but then again someone who are a normal weight can also be starving themselves & be unhealthy.

2. Do you think it is / would be comforting and relaxing or stressful and anxiety-producing to be thin? What are your reasons for your answer?
I don't really understand this question...Why would being thin produce anxiety or stress or relaxation? It's how you view your body regardless of how big or small your are that will cause the stress, relaxation, etc.

3. Do you think it is/would be easy or uneasy to maintain being thin? What are your reasons for your answer? Depends on the person, I've been thin my whole life so I guess it's easy for me. Also depends on age, genetics, how dedicated you are to staying at your weight etc.

4. Do you think it is/would be pleasurable and rewarding or unpleasant and punishing to be thin? (Thin with a healthy diet) What are your reasons for your answer? If you're thin & on a healthy diet it would be pleasurable & rewarding. The question answers it self.

5. Do you think it is safe or unsafe to lose weight fast? (Eating healthy just with reduced calories) What are your reasons for your answer? Depends you can lose weight fast without reducing calories, & it's not unhealthy. Slow carbs bro.

6. Do you think eating lots of (overeating) tasty food is pleasant or unpleasant? What are your reasons for your answer? Both, it tastes nice so it's yumm but then you feel like crap afterwards. It's not really worth the sore stomach & bloated feeling. & it's not healthy either.

[Weena]

Originally Posted by aelle

Yep, different people, different builds... it's one of the reasons why the BMI is not very helpful at all.
With a BMI of 24 like mine a lot of women would consider themselves too plump, but I don't - I have no muffin top, my face is bony, I am rather thin for my built - it's just a big built. I am simply built more like a mastiff than a greyhound.

I have a good bone structure. Even when I'm very thin i still have curvy hips, just because my bones are there... Same around the shoulders.

Though unlike you i can't help calling myself "a bit chubby". Not fat or very chubby...but "a bit chubby" (i said it yesterday to my husband and his reply was "you just had a baby for God's sake" I just LOVE my man!).

[Weena]

Originally Posted by aelle

Kate Harding started an illustrated BMI album that I find quite helpful to understand that numbers aren't the whole story: Illustrated BMI Categories - a set on Flickr

Very cool link. I saw one photo with a woman with a body similar to mine and it said BMI 25...so yeah i guess it depends on the different people.

[votoshka]

Originally Posted by Weena

Very cool link. I saw one photo with a woman with a body similar to mine and it said BMI 25...so yeah i guess it depends on the different people.

I always thought I was chubby with a BMI of 20 lol... I actually WASN'T, but I still had a belly and THIGHS! At 24 I'm definitely not what you'd call slim either...

Other people, though, seem to have BMIs around 24 or 25 and don't seem to have much extra fat at all!

As an example...does this look overweight to you?? Shauna is "overweight." | Flickr - Photo Sharing! Wow, I'm really surprised her BMI is over 25!

[Weena]

Originally Posted by votoshka

As an example...does this look overweight to you?? Shauna is "overweight." | Flickr - Photo Sharing! Wow, I'm really surprised her BMI is over 25!

that's the woman i thought had a similar body to mine