Is skinny really the thing?

The other day I saw a friend I hadn't seen in a very long time.  The first thing that came out of their mouth was "wow Cara, you're looking skinny!"

While, I'm not saying it's a terrible thing.  I was flattered when they thought so. However, why did they say skinny instead of "fit?" What kind of society do we live in where it's more ideal to be skinny than fit? Should I be all squeely and giddy that I looked skinny?

It's almost as if the work I do, day in and day out, is not to be fit, and strong and be proud of these thunder thighs, rather, I'm doing the work to be skinny. I would love it if, as a society, we stopped complements based on our pant size.  If being skinny was my goal, I'd be doing a lot less than what I'm doing now. I'd go and starve myself for a month, but that's not what I want, I want to be strong, healthy!

So, when you see me and if you want to give me a real complement, tell me I'm looking strong or healthy. Tell me I look good, or even hot!!  Ask me for  some recipes, or advice. But don't say "you're looking skinny," that just cheapens all the real work I've been doing!!

                                                               

                                                                 Skinny versus Healthy                  
                                                              Which do you want to be?

                                                                 

        

Which do you want to be?