There is a misconception that being skinny and being fit are one in the same. I hate to say it, but that's just not true. This happens mainly among women. We all are trying so hard to be skinny, but what does that even mean?
Being skinny means something different to everyone. When you look up the definition, it's plain and simple: skinny means very thin. When you look up what it means to be fit (or in this case athletic, because the definition was a little more cut and dry), it says being physically strong, fit, and active. The decision as to which one I would rather be is simple. Athletic just sounds better! The rest of this article will illustrate the differences between the two and why you should strive to be fit, not skinny.
We live in a world where everything is about looks and outside appearance, which is understandable. Your outside appearance does have an effect on your inside feelings. If you're happy with how you are on the outside, you're generally happier.
As women, we have all these supermodels and actresses, who are in great shape, that we have to compare ourselves to. But we get it wrong when we say, "I want to be skinny, just like her." Models, while they appear to be skinny, are fit. They train hard to be that way because that's the industry that they're in. But we don't see how hard they train and how strict their diets are. We think that they're just skinny. Then, we go on stupid diets and starve ourselves until we get exhausted and hungry -- so hungry that we're angry -- and, then, we binge on all of our favorite foods until we hate ourselves, afterwards. Then, the cycle repeats.
It doesn't have to be that way! Being skinny is silly. Being in shape is a lifestyle everyone can attain. It's not easy. It's actually one of the hardest things you will ever do, but also one of the most rewarding. Just because you see women who are skinny, it doesn't mean that they are in shape because, more than likely, they have been skinny their whole lives, and don't need to maintain it because of their metabolism. When they go to work out or exercise, I assure you, they will be struggling just as much as any beginner of this lifestyle change.
If you've made it this far through the article, I hope you're wondering how to begin your lifestyle change. It's going to take three simple steps. You have to decide, commit, succeed. This is the motto of the ever so popular Beach Body Workout corporation. They break it down into what seems so simple, but the commitment part of it is the hardest one to do. So, I suggest pairing up with a friend, brother, sister, mom, dad, whomever, to push each other hard to get to that third step, whether it's eliminating how much junk you consume on a daily basis to ensuring that you work out at least three times a week, or a combination of both! Success is possible, but you're going to succeed in getting fit, not skinny.
This article is mainly directed towards women because our body issues are just more apparent than men. However, I know a lot of men who are great friends of mine who are lanky, skinny, tiny, etc., and they wish they could do something to change it. So, this also applies to you! By having an appropriate diet and workout regimen, you can attain the perfect body, if you just commit.
To boil it down to one simple little sentence: the difference between being skinny and being in shape is that being fit is a lifestyle and being skinny is a false desire that we created as something that should be accepted as good.
I hope you find what motivates you to strive to be fit.
