It's not easy being Skinny Fat.

My heart hurts when it comes to the subject of skinny fat. I used to be skinny fat and can finally say I have now come out of this category. With lots of hard work and sweat I have transformed myself and you can too. I am continuing this journey every day, as I am not at my goal quite yet. Through my continued progress in photos, I hope I can encourage all skinny fat people out there. To let you know you are not alone and you can achieve your goals.
So what is skinny fat? It's the world's view of someone skinny. As they may be on the slimmer side and still wearing all the updated clothing, only they know what they look like in front of a mirror. Little sag here, little pooch there, flabby arms, the dreaded muffin top, etc. They are nowhere near being "perfect" physically as the world thinks they are. We are not just being critical but honest with the body we see everyday. Others think if skinny people are not content with themselves there must be something wrong. Is this you? Are you skinny fat?

You have learned to layer clothing so no one sees the belly now rolling over the top of your jeans. You no longer wear short sleeve shirts because of the flab on the back of your arms. Pants continue to get tighter, and you being stubborn, are not willing to buy the next size. Thus causing yourself horrible frustration everyday and wondering how it got to be this way. 10, 15, 20 pounds just rolled on you and you hiding it from everyone and they wonder why your so hard on yourself. They won't say anything to you unless you happen to complain. Then the common reaction is "Oh my gosh are you serious? Your sooooo skinny. I can't believe you think your fat."

I honestly can't stand this. Someone will walk right up to you and tell you that you can eat that cake for breakfast because your so skinny and it doesn't matter. Everyone has an opinion on how you should feel about yourself. They have no problem telling you that you're being hard on yourself and you should just enjoy life and relax a bit with your eating habits. At what point do they stop passing judgment? When you are 50 pounds overweight? Then does that same person tell you "Maybe you shouldn't be eating that cake for breakfast"? Of course not.

Skinny fat people need to have confidence in their goals of weight loss regardless of what someone else says. Only you know how you should feel in your own skin. Only you know if there is an extra 15 pounds to lose. I lost that and maybe more. I stopped getting on the scale after a while. Everyone always told me I looked good, but my new found gut was not making me feel healthy mentally. At what point does everyone else want you to make a weight loss decision? When you have 50 or 100 pounds to lose and it's going to take that much longer to change your life around? It's OK for you to set new goals of weight loss and don't let anyone else tell you otherwise!

Here are some tips I have learned along the way. I have wanted to say many things that would be hurtful to the other person (as 90% of the time it's someone with a weight issue themselves passing judgment on you) but realize that doesn't help the situation get any better.

When someone at your work or at a family picnic wants you to have that cake and won't take no for an answer, nicely say: "I am really sorry but I have been making healthier choices for a few weeks now and my stomach just can't handle sugar anymore." Or "Thanks so much for offering but for personal reasons I am not eating sweets right now." Hopefully the word PERSONAL will get you out of it. Don't go into a long explanation of what you are doing. Just say no as many times as you need to and then change the subject. Don't worry if the person who made the sweet is upset or hurt. Remember it's still your body and your choice to what you put in it.

Try not to tell others about your weight loss goals unless they ask and seem extremely interested. This is the only way you will know they are going to be supportive.

Once you find that supportive group, surround yourself with them. You want people to encourage you and tell you NOT to stop a the restaurant with the big M on the way home from work. If someone doesn't have the same interests as you in fitness and eating, their lifestyle will be a distraction to you.

I hope this has helped at least one person understand it's OK if the world thinks your thin and you do not. You don't owe them an explanation. You can workout hard and not justify it to anyone but yourself. You body is in your hands and yours alone. Just keep doing what your doing and jump for joy in all that you have achieved. Know that you are worth it!