weight issues...need advice...skinny people?

Question

so here's the deal: i'm a competely healthy 16-year-old male. i'm around 5'5" and 120 lbs. & before you start telling me i shouldn't have weight issues, here me out.

i KNOW that i am not overweight by any means. i eat regularly. i have enough sense to not fall into any sort of eating disorder. however, a good many of my friends are way skinnier than me. i used to be a little more skinny than i am now, but nothing too drastic. still, i keep looking at everyone else and thinking "that used to be me"

of course, my larger friends tell me i have nothing to worry about, and i do consider myself lucky to not have been extremely large, but i think every skinny person's fear is getting fat. it sounds rediculous, but just maybe, you know what i mean.

is there any way to rid feelings of guilt after eating??? any tips you have to keep your mind focused on other things? thanks!!! =D

a few answers to questions asked:

(1) i am bi. not gay. not straight. bi. =)

(2) i think i could afford to lose a little weight without being "scrawny." i've got an okay build--i'm not just skin & bones. but yes i keep that in mind. =)

Answer 1

I know how you feel, I was the same way when I started to realize I weighed 10-15 lbs more than most of my friends. The comforting thought? Realize that if/when you work out, it'll be easier to put on more muscle than those guys.

Have a little gut? Seriously, do a little bit of a work out once every two or three days and you'll more ripped than those losers.

Don't ever feel guilty about what you eat; especially if you're still a skinny dude.

Answer 2

Try the following : do 200 minutes of cardio a week. Remember fat does not turn into muscle, so you need to lose your fat while putting on muscle. The 45 minute thing is not true, but don't over 60 minutes at a time.

Do 5-10 minutes of cardio to warm up, then do your weight training. Do 30 to 60 minutes more of cardio, then go home.

The best time to eat is just after your workout within an hour when your metabolism is raging. For your muscles, incorporate some isolated soy protein or whey protein. Whey is more potent but the soy tastes better!

Don't look at your scale as the be all and end all, but get a measuring tape to check your progress, and that will show more tangible results.

Read fitness magazines, like Shape and Fitness for motivation and tips.

Good luck and stick at it.

Answer 3

I've been going through these feelings for a number of years. I hate to tell you this but I think it's a feeling that remains with you for life. The way I have learned best to deal with this is to ensure I'm eating only things that are good for my body- fruits, vegetables, whole grains (I'm a vegetarian so I dont' eat meat, but basically everything other than meat I consume).

Because I've been eating this way for quite awhile I have gotten addicted to more healthy foods... for instance, I often crave breton whole wheat crackers, cereal, and apples.

It helps if you look up the nutritional value of foods you really enjoy so that you know you really don't have anything to be guilty about. For example, a food like an apple has between 80 and 100 calories (depending on its size) which may seem like a lot to some people who do not understand caloric values. It's not a lot though and when you check out the fat value, you'll understand that there's nothing to feel guilty about.

My best advice is to talk to someone who can help you just by listening to your problem. Like I said, I've gone through it in my teenage years and still go through it in my 20's and don't expect it to ever go away. It's all in how you manage it.

As for keeping your mind on other things, take a walk when you want to eat, read, nap, sports, another hobby... whatever it is that interests you.

Best of luck

Answer 4

okay so you are a little under 9 stone. Thats pretty reasonable for age and height. However if you are unhappy with your weight it doesn't matter what people say to you cause it's how you feel about yourself that matters. First on how not to feel guilty - eat healthily but don't deny yourself everything that you like cause thats the way to an eating disorder. A little of what you fancy does you good. Try cutting down on portion sizes. However most people who have weight issues have an underlying problem which is causing them to over-under eat. If you can find out what that is if anything then you would have something else to focus on and may be able to accept yourself for who you are as opposed to what you think you have to be,

Answer 5

Well I struggled with anorexia for years and still do to this day... it has nothing to do with "sense." I remember saying to myself, "I could never have an eating disorder! I love food too much!"

But anyway, the important thing to remember is that your body MUST have food to function. Think of it like a car; if it doesn't have fuel it will break down. (And trust me, eventually it will.)

What helps if you're uncomfortable eating food is to eat small meals throughout the day. I always feel guilty if I eat a large meal or something fattening, but since eating smaller meals I feel like I'm not consuming as much and the guilty feelings are gone.

If you don't have a workout or weightlifitng routine already, I suggest you start one up. You won't feel as guilty if you know you're exercising to keep your metabolism up.

If you feel really guilty or regretful after eating, get your mind on other things. Read, do homework, go out with friends, do something. Just remember that you have to eat, and if you eat healthy and exercise you'll never be fat.

Oh, and one other thing. Get rid of your scale or hide it from yourself and don't ever keep a food diary!

Good luck!!

Answer 6

Eat healthy foods and you won't feel guilty afterward. Or just exercise a lil bit 3 times a week. Of course you aren't fat. But even if you do add a few pounds it will be okay. I would rather my man have a little extra on him then being way too skinny.

Answer 7

Alot of girls don't want guys that are too thin or skinny. Also you are still very young and have not reached your full growth. You may want to think about exercising and building muscle mass. I personally wouldn't like if my boyfriend was tinier than me and you are my size right now. You should try to build muscle. You being healthy is the most important thing! Good luck!

Answer 8

okay... first: you are at an age when your body changes a lot! you might get broader (not fatter, just rougher along the edges) and all that stuff everybody tells you...

To avoid feeling bad about what you eat just telll yourself constantly the truth and whatever you want to hear (like a mantra) that helps a liiiiittle bit...

another tip: excercise (running or swimming is great to harden those muscles and make you look and feel leaner) therefore, when you eat you won't feel bad.. your body needs the fuel and you are burning those cals anyway so you wont have to worry!

gdluck!

Answer 9

5'5'' and 120 is below average for a guy and if you are feeling guilty about eating you are allready starting an eating disorder honestly i dont know why you are worried about your weight most guys dont ubsess about their weight they worry more about muscles and stuff are you gay? expecaillly if you are looking at other guys. sorry sweetie but you have nothing to worry about just go scarf something really good down and deal with it stop obsessing about your weight you are a guy you are suppsoto have a little meat on you to defend your girl or guy or whatever i dont know anyone that wants to date a peuny little boy

Answer 10

it is called puberty. guys around that age gain weight, no one knows where that extra weight goes...

think about it this way, be yourself, god made you that size. it is all in the attitude, if you think you are fat, then you are if you think you are skinny then you are skinny. your mind is a powerful thing, don't let it bother you