A-Ha! But what about all those men who put on a few pounds after marriage? Some of the other posters were right. America has a different standard for men than for women in regards to weight. A fat man is cuddly...a fat woman is just plain "gross".

I struggled with my weight growing up and now, I just gave up, I figure what's the point of getting all worried about being a small size. When I was younger, it mattered to me. I was always worried about whether or not I was too chubby, or if I was too skinny. And so there comes the saying, I eat because I'm unhappy and I'm unhappy because I eat. While I was worried about being too chubby, my subconcious was telling me "Emma Leigh, food is your friend, when no one else is." and so there I was with my food. And then I realized what I was doing and tried to stop eating so much but it was hard. And that got me started on allowing myself to eat, but then I'd force myself to throw up. That's when I made it down to a size 0 and then I couldn't stop throwing up after eating. Finally I had to get help. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, don't worry about your weight. There is nothing wrong with a little bit of chub.

Emma Leigh

What is a size 0?? -- I thought 6 sounded small.

size 6 IS small--my wife is a size 6, and everyone comments on how "petite" she is.

I'm now a size 6/7 depending on the brand, and I get comments about being 'petite' as well.  I can't imagine being a size 0.  The smalles I've ever been is a 3, and I was painfully thin then.....that was when Lonesome came home on leave and made me eat because he said I scared him.

I enjoy being a little bigger, to be honest.

Randi you sound exaclty like my sister. Down to the tiniest detail....height, weight(roughly), AND name. I think she is beautiful and I think you should feel the same way too!!!!!

I am 5'6". I weighed 118 before I had my first baby, and I was way too thin! I weigh about 125 now and I like it. I want to work out more and develope a little bit of muscle. Since muscle weighs more than fat, I wouldn't be surprised if I get up to 130, but that's okay, because I will be healthy and fit! That's my goal.

My weight FLUCTUATES between 110-125, all year round. I am 5'3", with a large frame. I do not think what you weigh matters, as long as you are in your healthy guidelines, and most of your weight isn't in your abdomen (heart attack and diabetes risk). I never diet. I eat what I want, when I want. If my belly growls I do not ignore it, when you have to pee do you hold off as long as possible??? NO! Your body is giving you a signal, something needs to be done. If you are obese- try light exercise and cut out sugar drinks, drink water. This one simple change will shed your water weight guaranteed. AS far as all these super skinny women. BLAH! Its ugly and disgusting, a little meat looks good on your bones.

I'm 5'2" and 125 pounds, size 4. I've never tried to diet or anything but last year I naturally lost about 10-15 pounds which I think is just my new stable body weight. I think I looked fine then just as much as now - I kept my DD chest which I LOVE! The girls I'm attracted to though are usually a little bigger than me - a little bit taller, maybe 5'4" or 5'5", and probably about 130-150 pounds, with nice curvy tits and ass. That's what I think is the sexiest look.

What I dislike is when larger or average women feel as though they have the right to call someone skinny or anorexic or disgusting without knowing whether or not the person was born that way or whatever. I myself am 5'1 and 105. I look great with a nice shape, yet larger or thicker women still feel like they have the right to say what they want, and the things said are hurtful. It seems to me that larger people find it okay to call a skinny or slimmer person names, but if someone were to say to them "Wow, my refrigerator is skinnier than you", that would be considered and insult and they would get defensive. Why do we care about whether a person is fat or skinny. How about just worrying about yourself and being healthy. If you don't like to look at someone who is skinny or someone who is fat...than don't. I think people need to take a good look at themselves before saying something about someone else.

Wow! Talk about an article with a long shelf life! Good job, dharmagrl!

you, all of YOU HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH ESTING DESORDER, I HAVE BEEN WITH THIS ANOREXIA FOR THE PAST 5 MONTHS AND I SAY IS GREAT!! BECAUSE I CA BE MYSELF AND CAN CONTROLL EVERYTHING I HAVE POWER OVER MY BODY AND ME AND THAT'S SOMETHING MANNY OF YOU WILL NEVER HAVE , EVER TRY TO GOOOGLE "PRO ANA" AND ENTER ONE OF THE WEB SITES THET SUPPORT THIS MOVEMENT , AFTER YOU HAVE READ EVERYTHING YOU WILL UNDERSTAND ME!

Reply #41 By: marry (Anonymous) - 12/3/2004 3:50:09 PM you, all of YOU HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH ESTING DESORDER, I HAVE BEEN WITH THIS ANOREXIA FOR THE PAST 5 MONTHS AND I SAY IS GREAT!! BECAUSE I CA BE MYSELF AND CAN CONTROLL EVERYTHING I HAVE POWER OVER MY BODY AND ME AND THAT'S SOMETHING MANNY OF YOU WILL NEVER HAVE , EVER TRY TO GOOOGLE "PRO ANA" AND ENTER ONE OF THE WEB SITES THET SUPPORT THIS MOVEMENT , AFTER YOU HAVE READ EVERYTHING YOU WILL UNDERSTAND ME!

I think you need help. I wish there was something I could do, but I have no idea who you are. All I can say is, I'm pretty sure that you're feeling the same way every other anorexic person feels while they still have the disorder. You really should talk to someone.

As for this other discussion about being skinny, I know you all were a little outraged at what Outraged posted, but I can sort of understand what she was saying. See, these posts mostly say that you think really skinny women are ugly. I know you're trying to draw a difference between anorexics and people who are naturally skinny, but I know you can't do that when you first see a person. I'm naturally very skinny. I'm 5'8" and my weight tends to fluctuate between 115 and 120. It is a little rough to hear you all saying that super skinny people are ugly, but luckily I'm probably the most un-shallow person you will ever meet, so I don't really care.

I agree that starving yourself to look skinny is bad, but do realize that it can be hurtfuul to some to say that skinny is ugly.

I am 19, and have had an eating disorder since I was about 14, it's hard to pin down on a date, and I just wanted to say you guys make me sick. I feel horrible about myself, not fat. For me, it's not about the weight. Sure, I strive to look a certain way and to be a certain way, but deep down I know that when I get there, I will still not be happy, and it kills me. I am living in a hell that I wish I could leave, but at the same time I'm not ready to give it up. The pro-ana web site give me a bad name and image. I don't want anyone else to have to suffer from this and I don't believe in the ana creed. This is a mental disease that has physical implications and when people try to stereotype me it makes me feel worse. You need to know that just by telling me to go eat, or to gain some weight is not going to fix anything. I don't do this for anyone else, to make anyone else think I am attractive, this is all about me and I can't stand the way men talk about a woman's body as if she doesn't matter.

Nels23 - I am sorry that you are living in a hell. I think the point of this conversation has more to do with the fact that some of the skinnier movie and TV stars might give young girls the wrong impression: that being skinny is the only "right" way to be. Not true! What most women want is to be happy with themselves, whether they are underweight or overweight or anywhere in between. It is often true that we bring much of our own discomfort on ourselves when we buy into the idea that there is a "perfect" body type and that it is acheivable by everyone. It would be much better if we could all look past the exterior to see inside, but sadly we can't always do that. Perhaps that's why blogging is so attractive: we write down our ideas and no one can see or judge what we look like on the other side of the keyboard. In any event, I hope you get help and find a way to be happy with yourself.  

Anorexia and bulemia are about control, not weight.

As far as women's self images, here comes Mr. Acerbic *sigh*. I'm not responsible for your self-image because I like a particular body shape. Statements like:

What do men find so attractive about anorexic-looking women?

are stereotypeing. I don't find anything attractive about anorexic-looking women, Dharma. I never have. I've never even met anyone who is attracted to anorexic-looking women.

I further infer from your statements that you believe that somehow men who like thin women are in part responsible for the women that go down Anorexia Street. I could make an argument that women are just as guilty (if not more so) of making other women feel not so beautiful, but it's irrelevant. You're all ultimately responsible for how you feel about yourselves, and you all pay the consequences for whatever misguided actions you take if you choose to shirk that responsibility.

Not to ring my own bell, but if you have an eating disorder, here's something that may be insightful, or it may not. It costs nothing to read in any event.

Ism.