I remember when I was in high school, when I would lie down I thought it was really cool that my stomach would sink down and my ribs and hip bones would protrude from my skin.
Now that I think about that, it actually sounds kind of disgusting. Who wants to be a “skinny minnie,” as many have dubbed me?
I get that an awful lot – “why do you work out? You’re already a ‘skinny minnie!'”
First of all, I don’t want to be a skinny minnie. And second of all, even if people didn’t think I look like a skinny minnie, that isn’t why I’d be working out!
Yes, I’ll admit that one of my reasons for working out and eating consciously is to improve my body composition. (i.e. So I can rock a bikini or skin tight dress) What woman doesn’t want to look good in what she wears?
But improved body composition does NOT mean being skinny! When you say skinny, images of Mary Kate & Ashley, Nicole Ritchie, and Twiggy run through my head. Ew. I don’t want to look like a drug addict. That is NOT the goal.
Hm…Jessica Biel maybe, and even Britney (during her sultry “I’m a Slave for You” days) maybe. I wouldn’t mind looking like them. Solid, fit, and like they could probably kick your ass.
Actually, I take that back. I don’t want to look like them. I want to look like me. But a solid, fit, I-could-kick-your-ass version of me. It’s ridiculous to want to look like this actress or that super-model. We all have different genetics, different body compositions. It is probably genetically impossible for my butt to look as good as Jessica Biel’s.
But I can admire their level of physical fitness and aspire to achieve my own pinnacle of physical fitness and health.
Anyway, body composition and overall health – that is what it’s about. In the words of James Ray, “Let health be the goal, and let fitness be the by-product.” Just try to get and stay healthy and happy, and it’ll manifest itself in your physical appearance.
When you start eating healthier and become more physically active, your body can’t help but conform. Eating right, working out, and other healthy habits – getting enough sleep, minimizing stress etc. – shouldn’t make you look like an Oleson twin.
Skinny minnie? Not me, thank you very much.
Life as a Fitness Wife 