I genuinely don’t think “eating normally” (as in, American-style “normally”) is healthy. I don’t think people are supposed to eat so much and move so little. I also think that we’ve become inundated with various forms of snacks that don’t fulfill us; they just make us hungrier.

So that’s why I eat this way— small meals, no snacking, vegetarian. I started this about 10 years ago. As a consequence, I lost weight and am now probably considered “skinny.” But it’s not something I strive for.

If you are going through your life thinking that you are supposed to be satiated 100% of the time, you are likely overeating OP. You really need to do more research and reframe your mind. Your long term health depends on it.

There is a wide range between being "satiated all the time" and restricting yourself to one or two meals a day and no snacks for your entire adult life and telling yourself it's healthy to be hungry most of the time. Not everyone has to eat the same amount or have the exact same eating pattern.

Not the OP, but I eat frequently because my stomach is literally rumbling and growling every 2 or 3 hours (even after a larger meal) and it impacts my concentration. If I eat something healthy when I'm hungry, then I function better. I don't think I'm damaging my long-term health by eating more than I "should" and maintaining a normal weight (I know BMI is BS, but mine is around 19.5 on a medium frame with decent muscle tone).

Anonymous wrote:Because going hungry just isn’t that hard for me. I do intermittent fasting. I eat between 2-6 pm. I don’t even find it hard. I don’t do it when at events or dinners with friends.

I have a lot of reasons that I like to be thin, but mostly it’s for myself.

This X 100. I also leverage my laziness. I only have high carb foods in the house which require time to cook. I’m not going impulse eat any of them. When I do make them, I do it when the teenagers are around so there are no leftovers.

I love exercise because it feels great.

My 80 year old mother restricts food - but becoming overweight at that age is especially problematic since it impacts mobility and independence much more quickly than a younger person. And at the other end of the spectrum, not getting enough nutrients can lead to other issues like bone density. Aging is hard! You would think you could eat what you want if you make it that far, but instead it becomes even more important to balance things just right.

Anonymous wrote:Because being thin feels good and looks great. I like when my stomach is flat and my waist is small and tight. People treat me better: men flirt more and women say things like, "you're sooo thin!" with a mixture of envy, admiration and a touch of disgust in their voices. I feel powerful and confident when I am thin. It is worth the effort.

I love your honesty.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been thinking about this lately. I’ll start by saying that health is wealth, and maintaining a nutritious diet, being active and exercising, and maintaining healthy blood pressure/cholesterol etc are important. That being said, for a lot of people, especially women, the emphasis isn’t on health but on being skinny. If it takes so much work (and hunger!) to be as skinny as you think you’re supposed to be, why do you do it? Why not be content with what your body looks like while eating normally and exercising?

If you are going through your life thinking that you are supposed to be satiated 100% of the time, you are likely overeating OP. You really need to do more research and reframe your mind. Your long term health depends on it.

This is OP. I should have noted in the post that I was not referring to intermittent fasting - I myself do intermittent fasting because I think it’s the healthiest choice. I’m referring more to extreme restriction, staying hungry continuously - basically disordered eating that could be seen as “discipline.”

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been thinking about this lately. I’ll start by saying that health is wealth, and maintaining a nutritious diet, being active and exercising, and maintaining healthy blood pressure/cholesterol etc are important. That being said, for a lot of people, especially women, the emphasis isn’t on health but on being skinny. If it takes so much work (and hunger!) to be as skinny as you think you’re supposed to be, why do you do it? Why not be content with what your body looks like while eating normally and exercising?

If you are going through your life thinking that you are supposed to be satiated 100% of the time, you are likely overeating OP. You really need to do more research and reframe your mind. Your long term health depends on it.

+1

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been thinking about this lately. I’ll start by saying that health is wealth, and maintaining a nutritious diet, being active and exercising, and maintaining healthy blood pressure/cholesterol etc are important. That being said, for a lot of people, especially women, the emphasis isn’t on health but on being skinny. If it takes so much work (and hunger!) to be as skinny as you think you’re supposed to be, why do you do it? Why not be content with what your body looks like while eating normally and exercising?

If you are going through your life thinking that you are supposed to be satiated 100% of the time, you are likely overeating OP. You really need to do more research and reframe your mind. Your long term health depends on it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perfect, I was in the mood for popcorn.

I hope it is air popped with no oils, salt or butter.

the oil and butter aren't the problem, the popcorn is.

I work out extra hard so I can have that glass of wine. I don't otherwise eat abnormally. I work out hard because I like to see what my body is capable of and I love the feeling of finishing a hard workout. It has nothing to do with "skinny" who even uses that word anymore? I only read it here. The focus for most people is being healthy, strong, and fit. Not some outdated word like "skinny."

Anonymous wrote:I think people who do this have had disordered eating their whole lives and so it’s instinctual to them, and it makes them very anxious not to do it. I’ve known 75 year old women who restrict. It’s pretty sad, and not healthy.

I am basically on a half-hearted diet most of the time, which means I keep myself at a BMI just under official overweight. Getting myself to “thin” would take an eating disorder. No thanks.

My mother is a 76-year-old who still severely restricts her diet, and exercises relentlessly. No wonder all her kids (even my brother) have body image issues… It makes me sad. But also angers me that she will still comment on my intake.

I do watch how much I eat because I love to use my body in various active pursuits, and using my body when it is heavy is much harder. I also love to bake, cook, and eat; I’m thin-ish, but haven’t been skinny in a decade. At 50, it feels ok.

Because it allows me to have my pick of men. I don't spend an inordinate amount of time on these things, but I definitely am vigilant about my weight. I still eat my favorite foods, I just don't do it every day and in huge quantities. Also, I need to run for my mental health so that helps.

I think people who do this have had disordered eating their whole lives and so it’s instinctual to them, and it makes them very anxious not to do it. I’ve known 75 year old women who restrict. It’s pretty sad, and not healthy.

I am basically on a half-hearted diet most of the time, which means I keep myself at a BMI just under official overweight. Getting myself to “thin” would take an eating disorder. No thanks.

Anonymous wrote:Perfect, I was in the mood for popcorn.

People don't need snacks! You should drink water, chew gum, go for a walk, brush your teeth or go to bed if you're still hungry after eating during your 4 hour window.

Just kidding, I have like 4 or 5 snacks per day (and 3 meals) - basically, I'm always hungry, and I eat when I'm hungry. I do eat healthier foods than I would prefer (I would prefer to eat like a stoned college student). I had an ED many, many years ago and I cannot do restriction, calorie counting, etc. I'm lucky that my metabolism allows me to stay slim as long as I'm not plowing through pints of ice cream on a regular basis. If I had to go hungry, I would just opt to be a size or two bigger.

A five mile walk is part of my daily routine (I sit all day) and I watch a lot of TV, so I just do bodyweight exercises while I stare at the screen. I would never go to a gym or take a class.

Because since I hit 45, I have a gut unless I work out a lot and watch what I eat. I don't really care that much about being a size 8 vs. 10 (or even 12), but having a big belly and thinner arms and legs just looks bad.