I have lost quite a bit of weight... but, I have so much more to go (40 pounds). It KILLS me when people call me skinny in the hallway to refer to my losing weight. Does it bother any of you?

We former fatties need to stop getting so darned bent out of shape by what we perceive as every not politically correct comment that comes down the pike.

I think we all need to speak for ourselves. *I* don't like being insulted for being a normal healthy weight any more than I liked being insulted for being fat.

And sometimes they *are* insults. Not everyone is nice.

I'm curious how people are supposed to know what is welcome and what isn't -- at least, the first time. I've read complaints from people who have lost weight because no one commented, even when the weight-loss was dramatic. They're sort of damned if they do and damned if they don't!

Certainly if a comment is to be made, there are degrees of politeness and if the comment does not seem to be well received, then it's a good idea not to say anything at all. It's also not anyone's business how much someone has lost and what his or her goals are. But I honestly believe that referring to someone as skinny is meant to be a compliment, probably an envious one at that!

When my twins were born, I would get, "Are they twins?" everywhere I took them, followed by, "You've got your hands full!" Whether they were sharing in my joy or not, I chose to assume they meant to be polite and I laughed as if I had never heard it before.

Since we rarely know what someone is really thinking, why not choose to believe they are being positive? Life is much more enjoyable that way! :whoo:

Certainly if a comment is to be made, there are degrees of politeness and if the comment does not seem to be well received, then it's a good idea not to say anything at all. It's also not anyone's business how much someone has lost and what his or her goals are. But I honestly believe that referring to someone as skinny is meant to be a compliment, probably an envious one at that!

Fit, healthy, glowing, athletic, toned, & happy are all words that spring to mind as a positive before "skinny"

"Skinny" is a word used to describe the starlets in Hollywood who are starving themselves to death in the media. Why would I want that associated with me? I'm not starving myself to death. Why would I want to wear that label?

Definition of Skinny

skin·ny [ skínnee ]

adjective (comparative skin·ni·er, superlative skin·ni·est)

Definition: 1. very thin: thin, especially in an unappealing or unhealthy way

2. low-fat: made with skim milk ( slang )

One skinny latte to go.

Fit, healthy, glowing, athletic, toned, & happy are all words that spring to mind as a positive before "skinny"

"Skinny" is a word used to describe the starlets in Hollywood who are starving themselves to death in the media. Why would I want that associated with me? I'm not starving myself to death. Why would I want to wear that label?

Definition of Skinny

skin·ny [ skínnee ]

adjective (comparative skin·ni·er, superlative skin·ni·est)

Definition: 1. very thin: thin, especially in an unappealing or unhealthy way

2. low-fat: made with skim milk ( slang )

One skinny latte to go.

Then there are these definitions:

skin·ny (skĭn'ē)

adj., -ni·er, -ni·est.

1. Very thin. See synonyms at lean2.
   
2. Of, relating to, or resembling skin.

skinny

adjective

1. Having little flesh or fat on the body:

angular, bony, fleshless, gaunt, lank, lanky, lean2, meager, rawboned, scrawny, slender, slim, spare, thin, twiggy, weedy. Idioms: all skin and bones, thin as a rail. Seefat/thin.

http://www.answers.com/skinny&r=67

Most people use "skinny" to mean the opposite of "fat." I agree that some of the above synonyms are more complimentary than others and yes, there are better choices such as your suggestions, but I, personally, would not jump to the conclusion that someone who calls me skinny is trying to be mean. Life's too short to assume the worst from others. Just my opinion.

I give up.

People who have never had it used as as a nasty, nasty insult will never understand just how hurtful it can be.

Last time I lost any weight it was about 40 lbs getting me to that "skinny" weight of just over 300 lbs. I knew the people that said it to me meant it as a compliment... but I still found it extremely annoying. I am scheduled to be banded two weeks from tomorrow and you just reminded me that I am going to hear this again. I guess I will have to learn to pretend it doesn't bother me (until they start asking me if I think I'm losing too much).

Chickie, I do understand what you are going through. Before I was obese, I was called "Anorexic" and "skinny" a lot. People at my workplace would make fun of me and treat me bad. I think "anorexic looking" was the worse insult even above skinny for me. I was about 118 and though that's not anorexic weight, on me with my body shape, my bones did stick out and I did look underweight. when I got to 130 that stopped though. well, and of course now I'm really not told that. LOL

Most people have hang ups about our bodies and we project our issues on to others. I know I've done it. I feel competitive with other females in the work place that are losing weight.

I sometimes think that people that say nice things aren't sincere. Also people that try to tell me not to eat too much make me mad.

I also think that all of this is normal - I try to be nice to myself and remember I'm just a mere human trying to figure things out as I go.