Body Image: Repulsed by my skinny body

[Skeletal-Chic]

Hi, sorry if this is in the wrong place, I couldn't see a logical place to put it.
Hello VT, haven't posted in a very long time but I'm in real need of help.

I've never been happy with my body. I'm very skinny and not muscular at all. I'm not even generally 'slim', I am - as my user-name suggests - skeletal.
Recently, I've started to be repulsed by my own body, by my reflection. Whenever I get out of the shower, I find it hard to look in the mirror if I see bellow my shoulders. My ribs are very visible, elbows are very boney and hip bones are like knives.

I really need some help. I eat an average amount for a teen of my age yet I'm clearly very thin compared to my peers. However, I'm 6ft so perhaps I'll grow out later? That's what my parents reckon, but I can't keep living in a way that I'm repulsed and disgusted by my own body. I've tried to exercise but it's a vicious cycle. I'm to0 weak to exercise as I have little muscle mass, so I don't exercise, meaning I don't develop my muscles.

I'm in real need of any help that I can get

[The Madness.]

You may want to see the doctor if you're that skinny, it may not be healthy.


When you said you're too weak to work out and gain muscle, start off small and work your way up. Don't put too much pressure on your muscles. After your muscles feel like they can lift a certain weight, then add on to the weight and just slowly go up. You won't gain muscle after working out three times.

[MrZero]

I second that if you're concerned about it you should see a doctor.

For working out, even if you're weak you should still be able to lift your own weight. It sucks at first but do some basic exercises every day(or as often as you can): push-ups, sit-ups, squats maybe get some light dumbbells. I'm pretty skinny too. A few years back i was determined to get in shape for the beach quick so i started doing these on a regular basis :) it didn't work, but i was amazed how much stronger i was at the end. Also whenever you feel like you could eat do it

After you build up some strength, then you can start lifting weights if you're determined about it. One of my friends basically doubled in size in the course of a year :D it's do-able.
One day i wanna start doing this too. I'm in terrible shape right now...people keep telling me I've lost weight :/ meh

[Skeletal-Chic]

Thing is, I've spoken to my parents and they didn't seem to think it was a big deal - my dad just said he was the same. But I don't think they realise how unhappy I am. Also, I had an operation in November, but when I was going to see my doctor/consultant/surgeon beforehand none of them mentioned my weight being an issue.

[MrZero]

Well then if you're probably ok health wise, there's really no easy way about it.

It means you just have a fast metabolism, if that changes it probably won't be anytime soon. Eat a lot and try to exercise as much as you can is all you can do. The friend I mentioned eats like 4 big meals a day + snacks(which is insane to me but yeah^^).

Changing your body is tricky, Best of luck

*edit - I forgot to address your problem(body 'image') really, my bad - So one thing that helps me is picturing like Shaolin monks, meditating, stretching. The idea that your body is naturally imperfect which is perfectly fine, but it's your job to perfect it as best you can. Ehh... I hope that made sense

[retsea]

Trust me I'm on the thin side of body structure also, however; it dosen't bother me as much. The reason behind you being so thin is that, like me, you more than likely have a high matabolism and, coupled with the fact that you don't workout, that can lead to being thin. It's not really a medical issue unless you are avoiding foods that supply the protein needed to build muscle (like meats). If that's the case then eat more protein rich foods with your regular diet. Also, when you workout understand you'll have to start out slow. What your body can't lift now it will be able to lift the more you workout.

As far as body image goes. Like I said, i'm skinny also, but I don't let it bother me. In fact, I wouldn't really care if I were "ripped" or stayed skinny my whole life. Simply put, always love yourself for who you are and remember whatever you don't like can be changed (that's a little democracy for ya).