As much as I'd like to, I know I can't blame all of my weight issues on my "slow metabolism." However, there's no denying that some women are genetically blessed. Here are the differences between a naturally thin woman and the average woman (ME!):
ANTW can: Eat chips that aren't baked or popped.
The AW: I can't remember the last time I ate a REAL chip. I'm always in search of "healthy" chips that taste almost as good as the real thing.
ANTW can: Get a small popcorn at the movies and only eat half the bag. (Why? Because it's not a novelty to her. She can eat movie popcorn...whenever she wants.)
The AW: I love movie popcorn, but I probably don't eat it more than three times a year. And when I do, I'm licking the butter off my fingers and staring down at an empty bag mid-way through the previews!
ANTW can: Go on vacation without gaining a noticeable amount of weight.
The AW: You should have seen my before and after pics from my Spain trip last year! It was disgusting! I gained a solid five pounds in ten days even though I busted out my running shoes on several occasions.
ANTW can: Eat a cheeseburger without it going straight to her (insert your "problem" area here). Remember all that hoopla a couple years ago when Gisele confessed she ate whatever she wanted and had a love for cheeseburgers? But oh, she also workouts out three times a week.
The AW: Sure, I eat cheeseburgers, but I don't look like Gisele. And if I only worked out three times a week, I'd look like Mariah Carey's fat(ter) sister.ANTW can: Get that double-scoop.
The AW: Gains a pound for even fantasizing about it.
ANTW can: Wear a form-fitting dress and still look classy.
The AW: I had to return the snug dress my boyfriend bought me for my birthday. My boobs were popping out, back fat was in effect—I looked like I belonged at the Jersey Shore.
ANTW can: Whoopsie, forget to eat lunch...and then eat whatever the hell she feels like for dinner.
The AW: I don't know about you, but after I eat breakfast, I immediately start thinking about what I'm going to have for lunch. I've been known to eat lunch before noon—just because I wanted to EAT something!
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying naturally thin women can get away with stuffing their faces with Cheetos all day long, but I think it's fair to say that they have an advantage over us normal folk. Because they don't have to think and stress about every bite that passes their lips, food isn't a big issue with them. I know some NTW that admit, "I eat whatever I want!" And some that act like they are just like every other women who has to watch what they eat, which I kind of hate. Just 'fess up! If I could eat a doughnut without it ending up on my ass the next day, I'd tell the WORLD!
What are the NTW you know like? Are YOU one? What would you add to this list?
Posts
So funny and sad. The picture of the burger has me drooling at 10:30am.
ReplyDeleteI used to be NTW and was proud of it. Not so NTW any more though. I have to exercise to maintain my size.
Definitely NOT a NTW. Not since the age of 19.
ReplyDeleteANTW doesn't worry about "saving room for dessert" because she can polish off the entree AND the cheesecake.
AW: If I spot a dessert on the menu I like, I make sure to eat a salad for dinner in anticipation.
haliwoodsaywhat.blogspot.com
I don't think ANTW exists past the age of 25. The "models" who say they can eat anything and don't get fat are lying. They're all on the Jenny Crank diet.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thegirlsguidetodepravity.com/
Well, I wasn't going to comment, because as it turns out, I'm a NTW. and i don't want you to hate my guts. but since you said we should shout it from the roof tops...i'll just ad my 2 cents. i kind of can eat anything i want--kind of. in the last year, i lost almost twenty pounds, mostly because i walk to work, i have a dog, and i added running to the mix last summer, but that didn't last long. then i tried to gain some of it back (because my skinny jeans had slack in them...it was gross). but that didn't work out well, because i have a small appetite more often than not. and during times of stress--which the last 3 months i had plenty of it--i don't eat muhc of anything. but now that i;m in a better place, some of the weight is starting to come back--to the one problem area that 99% of us women have to deal with--my tummy. its where i store this layer of fat that only became noticebly smaller when i was running. so while i can't relate entirely to your troubles, i still have issues with my body. don't we all?
ReplyDeleteI think Nadette makes a good point - naturally thin women may "eat whatever they want", but not a lot of it. Sometimes your tummy-mind connection is such that you can have half a burger and feel satisfied. You can have a slice of pizza and that's enough. Much like you said, the naturally thin woman stops at half the popcorn (me - I stop at ANY popcorn. It makes me feel gross. Unless it is Smart Food...yummy)
ReplyDeleteI also don't buy it when ultra thin stars/models say they eat burgers and pizza with the implication that they just plowed through a hoagie before giving the interview. I bet they are actually eating an ostrich burger on wheat once every three weeks as a treat. And if they are getting ready for a shoot or a show, they are drinking Tab and eating tic tacs. (yes, Tab...in my mind the models still reside in 1987)
SCS
NTW: Can rock skinny jeans and her thighs don't look like tree trunks
ReplyDeleteAW: Skinny jeans...hum...just don't.
Don't worry, Nadette, we can still be friends! :) See that's ANOTHER difference when ANTW and the AW. I EAT when I'm stressed—whether I'm actually hungry or not!
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, I know a lot of celebs bs when it comes to talking about exercise and what they eat, but I've seen enough paparazzi shots of Gisele at Five Guys burgers or eating a slice of pizza to kind of believe it!
Also, Shannon, the point I was trying to make is that the NTW can stop at eating just part of something delicious because she hasn't had to stress and think about everything she's putting into her mouth since the age of 12. Food is not as big of a deal because the struggles and anguish in making the right decisions aren't as prominent for the NTW. When I indulge, a million thoughts run through my mind..."I'll do an extra 20 minutes on the treadmill tomorrow," "How many calories is in this?" "I'll have a light dinner to balance this out..." SO MANY THINGS. Anyway, I don't know if I'm making sense here. Basically, I just think it's easier for the NTW to make the right decisions, stop when she's full, etc. because there isn't so many emotional and psychological feelings attached to food.
>Basically, I just think it's easier for the NTW to make the right decisions, stop when she's full, etc. because there isn't so many emotional and psychological feelings attached to food.<
ReplyDeleteI think that's less about NTW and more about people who struggle with food in general. I know plenty of people who aren't naturally thin who don't have these struggles--and I know people who have never been overweight a day in their life but stay on this mental hampster wheel. What you're describing is inappropriate attachment to food, which is separate from our bodies and what they look like.
You're probably right, Autumn—I always use that as an "excuse." It would be interesting though, to see a study. I still find it hard to believe that genes don't play a part in food choices and attitudes toward food. I know people who aren't naturally thin who don't have these issues, but they also don't care as much about looking a certain way/being a certain size. I certainly need to somehow work through my "inappropriate attachment to food," but I don't even know where to begin!
ReplyDeleteEllen, I've been reading your blog for a few months now. I usually enjoy your posts, but to be honest I can't help feeling slightly annoyed when you write about eating and body issues. You are a smart and beautiful woman who does her best to take care of herself, but your attitude towards food and body issues is pretty annoying to read about. I think your mind and your blog would both be happier places if you would stop complaining about what you think you're not. I realize you hold yourself to high standards, but you need to stop the negativity toward yourself as well as toward others. Example: calling Mariah Carey fat in this post. As Nadette commented, we all have issues with our bodies. Why make fun of someone who is clearly dealing with weight issues similar to the ones you're constantly blogging about? I don't get it. I enjoy your blog and you seem like a great person, but frankly this side of you makes me rethink whether I even want to continue reading your posts. Just a little food for thought -- hope it's not too many calories.
ReplyDeleteHi Holly,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your honesty. As someone who is 100 percent honest in everything I write (for better or worse), I can appreciate it. Ya know, I'm just being ME. I have realized that my negativity towards food and my body isn't healthy, and it's something I'm really going to work on, and possibly get outside help with eventually. Of course in an ideal world, everyone would love everything about me and what I write about, but that's obviously impossible. I can't promise that I won't whine about the pizza binge I went on the night before or take another jab at a celebrity. I most likely will.
Fair enough, Ellen. I'm no stranger to pizza binges and body blues from time to time either -- we ALL have our issues. That said, I just wanted to point out that if you know someone else is struggling with the same issues that we ALL are (like Mariah in this case -- but either way, fat or skinny, celeb or not) cut them a little slack. You know what they say about throwing stones from inside a glass house. Also, it seems that you have MUCH more good going on than you give yourself credit for. I guess what I'm saying is to try being a little easier on yourself and others -- you might be surprised by the results!
ReplyDelete