Do You Hate On Naturally Skinny People?

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be skinny without trying? I know some people struggle to gain weight, (even some of you, dear readers!) though it’s hard for me to believe. Unfortunately, women of this particular body type tend to have quite a few haters. I’ve had many conversations with people about a certain skinny friend–and we all have at least one–the kind that never gains a pound, no matter what they eat. The conversation goes something like this: “Did you see how much so and so ate at that party last night? She must’ve visited that chip bowl 20 times! And then she stuffed her face with those chocolate-covered strawberries. I can’t believe how skinny she is. I just looked at those chips and I think I gained five pounds. I hate her—it’s SO not fair!” I’ve been guilty of having conversations like that before, but I recently had a change of heart. I’m pretty sure I won’t be hating on my naturally skinny sisters anymore–here’s why:

This is Ashley. Isn’t she just fabulous?

I recently sat down to have lunch with Ashley, a Glamour fashion intern that has been trying gain weight. Ashley spent a crazy last semester at college and often forgot to eat, which resulted in 15 pounds of weight loss. At the beginning of this summer, she weighed around 110 lbs. “In my own body, I felt like I was too skinny,” she says, so she’s been really deliberate about eating enough. “One slip-up of not eating because of stress and I will lose weight,” she says.

This concept of losing weight because of stress is so foreign to me, being prone to emotional eating during times of high stress, and I’m sure it is for lots of other people too. I asked Ashley if she’s ever been in any awkward social situations because of her predicament, and she said yes: “People always comment: How can you eat so much and be so skinny?’ People are really sensitive about overweight people. I would be in trouble if I said, Stop eating!’ But people who are really thin also get their feelings hurt. I get questions like, Are you anorexic, or are you bulimic?’ all the time. Or people say, Oh my God, you’re really bony, eat something!’ Sometimes skinny people are treated like the enemy. It feels like you’re being attacked for something you can’t help.”

This is SO true–as I was listening to Ashley speak I realized I’m definitely guilty as charged. I think it’s time to call it quits: No more hating my skinny sisters! And besides, it’s easier to embrace my own body shape when I’m not comparing myself to others.

So how about you? Are you guilty of hating on skinny people too? Do you agree it needs to stop? Or are you skinny and have you felt like people cross the boundaries of politeness with you about your weight all the time?

P.S.– Ashley has gained 10 pounds in the last couple of months. Yay! Check back in tomorrow to see what she ate to gain the weight, and what Body by Glamour nutritionist Rachel Beller, R.D. has to say about it. If you’re looking to gain weight and still be healthy about it, there are some great tips coming your way–promise!

Plus:

As a devoted fan of ice cream in all of its glorious variations–I am DYING to try this banana “soft serve”.

Check out the new happy: 5 feel-good strategies