The Ugly, Green Side

When I walk down the street I see tons of skinny people.  I either rightly or erroneously assume that these stick thin people are that way naturally.

I know this is true for some people.  They are just gifted with amazing metabolisms that laugh in the face of a challenge like a cupcakes, a hamburgers, or frozen margaritas.

I don't think I ever want someone to see the future, skinny, healthy me walking down the street and think anything other than "Holy crap, she really puts in a lot of thought and work into keeping herself healthy."  I don't want anyone to assume that my current, work-in-progress body is a result of me being anything less than diligent.

So, the lesson for me (once again) is that everyone has a back story.  I shouldn't resent someone because they're skinny, I shouldn't pity someone who is overweight (though I have tons of empathy/compassion).  Who knows, they might be that way because they're unhealthy and deserve of my compassion as well.

15 comments

Now that you mention it, my first thought upon seeing a very thin/fit person is always "OMG - she's so lucky". Maybe it should be "Wow - she must work hard!". This is a great reminder.
Rae
xo

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I am going to try and not make any assumptions about how they got where they are... but just hope they are healthy.

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I wasn't always this weight. Look at my about me page on my blog for proof!

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Rosey -- does that change how you look at people. Do you assume someone is healthy, unhealthy?

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I used to do the same exact thing until I went to my college gym and saw all of the tiny girls working out like crazy on the elliptical. It's still so hard not to judge and think that they have it easy.

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Even then, where do you place exercise bulimia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exercise_bulimia) on the spectrum between healthy and unhealthy?

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I've been guilty of this myself! I think it's normal to see someone who has something that you don't have, whether its the body you want, the life you want or anything else and not try to make yourself feel better by thinking something negative or unjustified. You're right though. Everyone has a backstory. If we think about that instead, we can be happier, more positive people. :)

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Well I try not to think of negatives -- I could think "Man, she's lucky to have such a beautiful body" and then 10 minutes later she's looking at herself in the mirror hating her body.

You just never know...

I think the most important lesson from that is to just think "I hope she's happy with her beautiful body."

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I sooooooooo know what you mean!!!

Just wanted to let you know that I have nominated you for a blog award. Check out my blog for the deets! http://misssarahlou.blogspot.com/2010/07/i-won-award-o.html

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I don't really look at skinny people, well only to compare myself to them - am trying to change that by watching the healthy people I know and copy what they eat, how they exercise etc - not in a single white female way though }:-)

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Awww thank you Sarah Lou!!

Andrea: i am a people watcher, I um... watch people. I notice all sorts of weird things about people -- for instance, I've been noticing girls that wear sandals that are too short for their feet.

I notice skinny people and try to gauge their reaction to me -- do they look at me with disdain or recognition that I'm a gym rat as well?

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Lol - I love the feet comment (reminds me of a good friend of mine), how much time DO you spend people watching. I love it too, great way to pass the time away!

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You'd be amazed at how much people watching I can get in -- I spend lots of time walking around the city. To & from work; on the metro, etc.

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Yes! I agree! Those of us for whom fitness is a BATTLE should be proud of all the effort we put into the fight.
I look at fit, healthy people and try to imagine what I will look like when I get to that point. It's okay to dream!

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It's not simply a dream if you're committed to getting there!

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