I feel I should respond to some posters' comments on wanting a figure like many of the slim models and actresses.

I've had the good fortune to meet a number of women in these professions, and something that has struck me each time has been how truly TINY some of them are in real life. When on film or in photos they look lean and slim, in the flesh it staggers me how small and frail they often appear.

Obviously I'm not referring to all models and actresses, as some are "normal" sized, but the ones that are well-known for being slim and lithe.

The problem with this is, most people don't get to meet them. They read in magazines that XXX weighs 98lbs and look at the photos and they look healthy and normal as the camera does add weight (and don't forget airbrushing!!). Most people would look really weird being so slim.

It's surely so much healthier to aim for your own optimum size.

You make a very good point about the fact that the camera does add weight, and the airbrushing. I think a lot of people do get caught up in the fact that so-and-so is 5'5 and weighs 98 pounds. What other people also don't understand is that everyone's body is unqiue and what looks good on someone else won't necessarily look good on you even if you possess the same stature and/or physical characteristics. I personally don't want my butt to feel like it's HUGE. But that's just me. Now excuse me while I got watch the VH-1/Vogue Fashion Awards and eat Chocolate Drizzle, and then cry :c( over how skinny the models and presenters are even though I'm eating the delicious, smooth, and creamy Chocolate Drizzle, and don't wish to be that thin and brittle. :lift:

I've gotten down a few times to 110 and a bit lower. At 5'5'' that the weight a lot of atresses list. I had the opposite problem though, my bones are quite small, and my hips and bottom overwhelmed them. And my tummy stuck out really far. I think just over a hundred pounds with lots of exercise will do it for me. I don't wanna look sick, and I want to have a tiny remains of a bust, but I really want to be thin. Nothing is going to change that desire in me, so I may as well strive for it, because I spent most of my life "accepting" and being miserable about my appearance.
Also I've worked on movies and met actresses and models, and I think they look great. (not big name celebs) Plus we don't really know these celebrites real wieghts, but sometimes it helps to have inspiration. What I've done sometimes is go to a talent agency site, and find a model/actress at your height and goal. These are real people with ameteur photos, so it may give a better idea.

I just read a great quote from Sarah Michelle Gellar:

"Look, it's crazy for people to try to be as thin as we are. We have personal trainers and personal chefs. It's our job to look this way."

This links to an interesting article.

http://www.ivillage.com/diet/experts/wlcoach/articles/0,5050,165513_84973,00.html

I watched Dr. Phil the other day and he had girls on who suffered from bulimia and anorexia. They were literally dying to look like Calista Flockhart and Lara Flynn Boyle. He showed a picture of these stars and I thought,"why in the hell would anyone want to look like that?" They looked so emaciated:( If the camera adds 15lbs. I'd hate to see what they look like in real life. What happens once you reach a size 0? Do you just disappear? Is that the goal for some of these girls? Looks that way to me. Hugs, Cat

Even I think Calista and Laura are a bit too thin. Both claim to be 5'5 and around 100, I think they are less than that!

Hi Raven,

I just have to ask.. do you strength train? 110 pounds is really thin for anyone. I do not see how your tummy would stick out unless you do not have any muscle tone. Just a question. Please do not take offense. Great job on your loss so far!

- Kimberly

I'm not 110 anymore :( I don't strength train as much as I should, but some of my body is fairly muscular because of all the liting I have to do in nursing. I do abdominal excercises too. I think the gut is from years and years of being overwieght and binging

People there is a difference between healthy and thin.

Being a 110lbs is not going to really help you if you can't walk 2 city blocks without passing out. A 110lb is not helpful if you have heart palpations or gland problems because you are using bulimia or anorexia to maintain the 110lb weight.

Whatever weight I reach were I can escape my 24 floor building if it happens to catch a fire with out having a heart attack in the stairwell. Will most likely be my goal weight.

Physically I am healthy enough to- be in university (including 2-3 clinical shift work) full time, (until this dec. when I grad!!!), work 2 partime jobs: waitressing and unit aide, rollerblade, waterski, jog, do splitz and handsprings, I can walk up to the 9th floor of my hospital without getting winded.
I am NOT healthy enough to: wear bathing suit in public, let another see me nude, wear long dress, wear mini skirt, enjoy people looking at pictures of me, enjoy clubbing with my friends, enjoy dating. This is impacting my mental health my making me sad :( I realize that it sounds stupid to people, but this is how I feel!!! I'm 22, the things I listed right above are very important to ME. I want to look and feel good. I feel like crap when I get a less than stellar grade, mess up at work, or have flab hanging out of my clothes. I'm so sad and lonely, (and stressed out too I think). Health is a concept that is unique to the individual, and is not merely the absence of disease. So, I know that I'm not morbidly obese, but losing weight is important to me none the less.
I think I'm going about this as healthily as I can. I eat alot, and treat myself fairly often (I think thats obious, or I would BE under 100 pounds by now), I take vitamens and exercise. I like to talk about body image, I find it interesting. I don't think I am the only gal who feels the way I do, but perhaps nursing has made me more upfront about my feelings and opinions.

Raven,

I did not mean to offend you. What I really meant to say is that you might want to start strength training if you do not do so already. 110 pounds is an extremely healhty weight to be if you are muscular and fit. I know everyone looks different but I think your problem is mental more than physical. Again, this is only my opinion. Please feel free to disagree with me.

- Kimberly

I think the unhealthiness here is the mental concept of self. I hope Raven can recieve some mental help so she can learn to love herself for accomplishments, her good attributes like working for an education and having friends.

The bathings suits and nudity would never matter to a true friend and a person with healthy self-esteem.

I think you should continue the healthy physical life style but focus on getting a healthier mental lifestyle.

Like RuPaul said " If you can't love yourself, How in the hell can you love someone else"

add me on the agree with Kimberley list
what you said Raven doesn't sound silly . But I think you need to learn to accept yourself more. wearing a bathing suit in public or dating is done by people all shapes and sizes.enjoy life and relax abit more.