Strong Is The New Skinny | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Strong Is The New Skinny

Stop paying so much attention to that number on the scale.

40
Strong Is The New Skinny
Pinterest

Skinny:adjective; (of a person or part of their body) very thin.

synonyms: thin, scrawny, bony, angular, hollow-cheeked, gaunt, skin-and bones, emaciated, skeletal, undernourished, underfed

Kate Moss is famous for saying, "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels." Well, Kate Moss, that's a bunch of bull. There are actually tons of things that taste way better! Like pasta, pizza, chocolate... the list could go on and on. In this day and age, being skinny is the goal for most women. The media feeds us this false reality of what we are supposed to look like. Billboards, magazines and ads parade skinny-Minnie models around, and news flash -- they're all photoshopped to have their bodies thinner and their breasts bigger! Sure, being thin is great, but being strong is greater. I don't know about you, but I surely do not want to be described as emaciated, skeletal or underfed.

Photo via Some ECards

I've been thin all my life, blessed with good genes I suppose, so I can't relate to the women who have struggled with their weight their whole lives. I have also danced my whole life, so I got great exercise, and with that, good muscle tone. I was strong to a degree, but mostly from the core down. A little more than a year ago, I began my journey with fitness. I really wanted to strengthen my upper body, since compared to my legs, it was weak. I hated it. Every single minute of lifting weights. It was hard, and I felt silly because I couldn't lift the heavy ones. But I kept at it. And over time, it got easier and my weight increased. I began to love weight lifting. My muscles began to tone up and grow, and I love them. I even gained so much energy, and overall I felt so much better due to the health benefits of working out.

Weightlifting has long been a man's sport. A lot of women are scared that their muscles are going to get too big and that they are going to look to masculine. Here's the thing: it takes years for women to build the kind of mass that men have. Our bodies don't work that way. Instead, your muscles will become more defined and toned. I can't speak for you, but I'd much rather have a toned arm than a skinny one. And bonus, if you're goal is losing weight, lifting is a great way to do it. The more muscle mass you have, the faster your metabolism works.

Photo via Funny Day

Oh yeah, EAT! Fitness isn't just about what you look like, it's about your health. Your body needs fuel! Our bodies get that through the foods we eat. You can't make it through a long or intense workout without properly fueling yourself. So step off the scale. Get the thought of a low number on the scale out of your head. Muscle weighs more than fat.

Photo via Pinterest

I don't have or want a thigh gap. I have thighs with muscles that I use to squat and deadlift. I don't have skinny arms, I have strong arms. So please, stop trying to be "skinny" and start trying to be fit, healthy and strong.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

130464
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

29912
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

27582
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments