BodyRock.TV

Ahhh, your latest articles are music to my ears, err..eyes.

I love the part where you’re discussing that getting skinny will never really reap results, because we, as a society, are never ‘skinny enough’. I also think it’s funny that in our (America) nation’s severe obsession with health (and I use that term loosely), as we are bombarded with fad diets, weight loss aids, etc etc, we don’t have much to show for it. We’re all obese and sick, because we’re eating hormone/antibiotics induced foods. Sorry, rambling..

I appreciate this article, because it brings to light what I’ve been struggling with my whole life – this inadequate feeling that I “should” be skinny. And now when I actually did get to a point where I should worry about myself, I look at pictures of myself from a few years ago and holy cow, I looked terrific! But I think that it’s when we finally accept ourselves for who we are, what we’re capable of physically, is when we can make the right choices when it comes to improving ourselves in terms of health and fitness.

These and more are the reasons I took charge of my body and even started my own website to help myself on this journey for a healthier lifestyle. It’s a blog, really… to document my struggles, but also to educate and inspire myself and others.

I was inspired by bodyrock.tv and I can’t wait to talk about my experience with you on my own site.

Thank You Zu and Fred =D

I have noticed that lot of people are afraid of looking natural. Naturally we are not fat. We are build with muscles to use them, and mot to cover them with a big layer of useless fat.
That’s why fat people when they lose weight feel unnaturally . Have to get used to their natural body again.
Interesting post this Frederick.

This was my problem for years, and trying to be as skinny as possible just led me to anorexia. It took a long time to recover and to realize that I need to be healthy to survive and that skin and bones are not nice to look at. Well it is a constant strugle still, there are some periods when I just feel that I am fat although I know I am not and I am eating healthy and working out every day. I am 5f7 and 115 pounds and sometimes if the scales go up for a pound or two it is really hard for me to stay positive and just keep on going. But I have a positive attitude now, I follow Zuzanas routines, I developed some muscles and I am trying to love my body the way it is. Your site and your advice are helping a lot.
Luci

So much to say…such limited space :). Okay…as a recent five year eating disorder survivor and conformer, I could ramble on about this subject for eons. For the sake of space constraints and your mental sanity, I shall be brief.

This is the underlying and gut-wrenching (pardon the pun) consistency of eating disorders in general. Seemingly impossible to overcome when buried in the dark abyss of it all. Personally, there was only one way to defeat this wretched monster and that was reverting my energy from obsessing over how “thin” I was to accepting how “healthy” I want to be.

As mentioned above, thin is not distinct. It’s a vague and intangible illusion of how we perceive ourselves in comparison to those frolicking around the streets of the coastal hot spots, springing off the pages of magazines, and parading down the runway.

This becomes chasing an ideal that has nothing to do with you and everything to do with someone else. If you really want to be happy, you have to reconcile that happiness starts from inside you. When you start your journey toward achieving the most fit and healthy version of yourself; the pursuit becomes less about vanity, and more about personal growth, genuine satisfaction, and inner sanctity.

If you deprive your body of nourishment to fulfill an empty ideal, it is just as harmful if not moreso than ignoring nutrition constraints altogether.

Search your heart…all the necessary tools to be fit and healthy lie within and begin with YOU.

Great article! I have struggled for years with the idea that I have to be a size 0 but had made the change early this year to throw that foolish idea out the window and change my focus towards being fit. With the mind change came determination and consistency that I needed to follow through with this lifestyle change-NOT a diet! Now I feel great and am able to fully commit and yes, even look forward to my workouts. It has become something fun and enjoyable and I am reaping the benefits each day! It is a great feeling to look and feel healthy. You end up enjoying more in life overall! The change that comes with being fit translates into a great take on everyday actives. I have more energy, a positive attitude, and confidence I need to take on the world! Thank you Frederick for posting this!

I totally agree! There is a lot of scientific evidence to back this up, too. If you’re interested a quick search should provide you with various citable sources on how more effective the goal “getting fit” is compared to “getting skinny” and also the increased probability of keeping the weight off!

Though I would like to remind everyone that metabolism is not JUST what you’re born with! Working out significantly raises metabolism over time… so never accept “bad” metabolism as an excuse to keep yourself from reaching your goals. There are many things in life we have no control over (ie how tall we are, our skin colour, etc) but we CAN control our fitness and our metabolism. I have always considered my moderate metabolism a blessing because it encourages me to work out more and eat healthy-both things have many more benefits than purely cosmetic. I guess I’ll never be a size 0 but I am very comfortable in my skin and am glad for my fitness level!

Great article! I have struggled for years with the idea that I have to be a size 0 but had made the change early this year to throw that foolish idea out the window and change my focus towards being fit. With the mind change came determination and consistency that I needed to follow through with this lifestyle change-NOT a diet! Now I feel great and am able to fully commit and yes, even look forward to my workouts. It has become something fun and enjoyable and I am reaping the benefits each day! It is a great feeling to look and feel healthy. You end up enjoying more in life overall! The change that comes with being fit translates into a great take on everyday actives. I have more energy, a positive attitude, and confidence I need to take on the world! Thank you Frederick for posting this!
Oops…forgot to say great post! Looking forward to your next one.

Dear Zuzana, I am a 21 year old female looking to improve my fitness and tone my body! I came across your bodyrock website today and must admit it has given me the kick i truly needed! about 2 years ago i weighed 62kg with a height of 5ft 3inch simply because of poor diet and no excercise. I started changing my eating habits and introduced regular exercise into my life, but like most females avoided weights due to the myths and stereotype that have been addressed in the article on the bodyrock website! I have mainted a weight of 51kgs for the past 9months but have hardly any tone! ive always wanted a lean, toned body and you have inspired me to take the appropriate steps, with your help and my own hard work im sure i’ll get there ;)
Having looked through your articles and videos I have learnt that i can work on all my problem areas- except 1! My CHEST! Can you please give me some advice on toning and lifting the chest as with the weight loss i lost all tone and they began sagging! Please help!
Thanks…
x x x

my story is a little different, but relates: I started out as the adolesent who was skin and bone, but wirey,I weight trained for YEARS and could never break 170lbs, i wanted SO bad to be bulky and large. Never happened – but i was obsessed. i took more weight gain powders, and ate more junk food to add weight. Well eventually, i stopped weight lifting due to an injury. My weight skyrocketed cuz i still ate the junk food, and wasnt working out – i gained alot of weight thru my twenties and got the “happy fat” after i got married. Now the opposite happened, i became obsessed with getting skinny. BUT, muscular or ripped. I have dropped the 50 lbs of fat, and regularly workout, run and do bodyweight workouts. a friend is pushing me to try “hot yoga” and swears by it. I dunno, i think i would giggle and laugh during it – apparently thats a “no no”…lol…..so i can relate to the skinny thing – heres how i look at it. IF you feel good, have energy, dont crave the junk food, and just eat and live healthy and active – your “natural” weight will show itself. Be happy with what you really are, and you’ll feel confident in the healthy skin you are living in. Yeah its nice to be the ripped, stellar body type – but realistically, we all cant schedule that kind of time and effort during the week, with work, kids, family etc etc., Zu and Fred have given us all, the quick and (not so) easy way to get to our best. They do the workouts to show us how to them correctly, but really we gotta get off the couch and actually DO them. Just look at them, yeah sure Zu has a perfectly shaped bod – but she puts the serious effort that we cant all do. Follow them along, do the exercises as consistantly as possible – and results WILL show. Being Skinny, isnt the answer – being healthy IS. Eat well, and exercise CONSISTANCY to me, is the key. Just my two cents! anybody got change??? lol

Yes. Yes, yes, yes….all so true. I switched my idea about two years ago.

I have the body type like Zuzana. I can gain weight easily, also muscles, But I can never be skinny. Not without being muscular. I consider myself as a healthy, good looking woman, since I realized what is the only right thing for me to do, to be, to become, to stay, to improve all the time. I am lucky, I enjoy working out! I am kind of addicted to it! I have a very bad day if I do not work out. It means 7 days a week, one day I push myself harder, one day is a more easy-exercising day. Since I started to live with all that in my mind and with that lifestyle, I am so happy. Not only that my body is dramaticly changing all the time (especially since I discovered bodyrock.tv! My pear shape body does not look like a pear anymore, yeeeeeeaaaah!), it is actually all about my inner beauty and strength! I feel soooo confident, I can feel the world! Working out is the best thing that I have ever started in my life and I will never quit! I hope so…really! I will do everything that I can that I will never have to stop doing it!

All the power that I get as a result of constant working out is giving me all the motivation I need in the whole world! And a lot of that is just…simply because of you guys!!! Thank you so much! :**** Big Kisses from Slovenia,

Tina

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Tina Hughes and Yelena Grinberg. Yelena Grinberg said: Another gem! RT @tweetmeme Being Fit vs. Being Skinny | Fitness Advice, Workout Videos, Health & Fitness | Bodyrock.tv http://bit.ly/2uZthY [...]

hi,

i am 23 and have a naturally slender build, i love sports and considered myself to be in good shape. about 10 days ago i was in south america, but i had been ill with gastric problems for a few days. we were at an altitude of over 3000m above sea level, and i collapsed. we had been warned about altitude sickness, so we took everything slowly, but i still collapsed.
reason? being thin didnt allow my body enough margin when i became so ill, my heart couldnt take it and gave way. a few months before i had been intensly studying and training in between but i had a slight iron defficiency. before i left for south america, i had taken iron recomended by my doctor, however it seemes that the problem had not been sufficiently tackeled. im also quite tall and have always had a low blood pressure. the thing is, my farther is a cardio thoraxic surgeon, and i always put health first.

now im back home, but its unimaginable that this could ever happen to me, i have to be very careful and rest a lot. im 23!!! for anybody that says they want to be super skinny, please, its not worth it. ive heard about models dying from heart faillure due to malnourishment. its not beautiful when life has hardly started and you’re sucking oxygen though a tube. ive also given myself the goal to gain 5kg (i think thats about 10 pounds) but its quite difficult! maybe you have some tips zusanna?

its just hard to realize that an image considered as beautiful is actually just sick, medically ill. respect for yourself is far more valuable. caring for your health is more important, thats the heart of the matter.

Hi Zuzanna and Fredrick,

Yup! I still frequent your site. I’ve been following with the goal in mind to tone/gain muscle. I’m a “skinny-fat” girl! (Skinny fat means I’m skinny but not toned at all!) I’m finally seeing toning and I’m getting “thicker,” so I’m really happy. You know, skinny girls are teased just like fat girls? I can’t stand to hear people tell me “I’m too skinny.” I weigh 105 and I’m 5’4. I’m trying to gain more by taking in more calories and proper weight training. I don’t do too much cardio because I’m afraid of dropping weight at this point. I don’t count calories on occasion, but last time I did I noticed I’m taking in 1500-2000+. Any suggestions on my predicament would be great, otherwise.. thanks for your hard work! I know I’m slowly but surely reaching my goal.

(Oh yes! My main goal is toned legs! My arms and abs are toned.. still working on those legs. They are getting bigger, but not toned! Hmm.. It may be time to do that cardio!)

hi,
i started to feel like i needed to get fit because i have cellulite on my legs. and i have a small but round belly, which makes me feel not so nice to other people. and because everyday, everytime i have to do something, i feel like i’m a old women. i’m now just turning 20. see!!
another reason is that my man is really fit, big muscles. and i feel like i need to do that for him as well.

i started 2 weeks ago and i also follow the diet advices and actually a feel quiet better than before.

i just have one question, when should i train? before my breakfast, after my breakfast? in the morning or in the afternoon? and after that how long should i wait before eating anything?

x

Um well I really disagree. It’s not hard to maintain being skinny once you’re there. And there IS a limit to how skinny you want to get (that is, if you’re not anorexic). You’ll be finally comfortable when you reach an ideal skinny look you’re aiming for.

Of course, being fit is a plus but what i’m saying is i feel that skinny is measurable, specific etc too, unlike what you’ve concluded.

Hi Zuzana and Frederick,

I am 22 and just entered the business world as an auditor. Drinking is a widely accepted and expected socialising activity. Ever since I have committed myself to living a healthy lifestyle by eating the right foods and exercising regularly, I have found myself to be in a precarious position. I get weird stares, sputters and incredulous looks when I say “I choose not to drink because I refuse to toxify my body with such drinks”. I settle for a sip or two though.
What advice can you guys give for such challenging situations?

Best,
Angie

true true absolutely true, I am 32 years old, and I just love to look good and healthy, of course I didnt know so much about this few years ago and because of wrong diets I just lost too much weight and start looking sick, I didnt like it, so I started to learn more and more about How to become happier with the results of my work outs and diets, Zuzana your web side is just so much helpful, thank you so much, I am learning a lot from you, and I promise you I will never forget that beauty and health must be always together. Unfortunately my sister doesnt think the same way, she is bulimic and it just breaks my hearth to see how she is killing herself everyday, she is seeing a psicologist but I dont see any improvement. Do you think there is any way I can help her?

For the first time ever, i see common sense on a fitness website. Everything is explained properly and logically. No superhero stuff. This is absolutely simple yet brilliant. i will make sure i recommend this to everybody i have ever known in my life. Keep up the good work and maintain the common sense. Do remember, Earth is the insane asylum of the Universe. Cheers!!

I wish there was an automatic slap the universe would bring upon us everytime someone
said the word SKINNY. It means nothing.

What means something is being good to our body and mind, being fit, eating right, setting “Getting Fitness/ Endurance Goals” and achieving them.

Can you imagine how ugly we would all look we were all super thin. Its nice that we come in different shapes and sizes. “How should I look?”, no one has the right to tell me that except myself. The media just spins out random bullshit on fad diets, flat chested giraffe bodies, if you are insecure or gullible, you will land up buying into that bullshit.

Be good to yourself and others, exercise, eat right.

Amen!
so true!
I have finally given up the goal of being skinny and it feels great. I just look at the starved and skinny models and think to myself : my legs aren’t that long and certainly not that skinny, but they can kick their skinny asses anytime! :P instead of wishing my legs could be just like theirs.

great post!! I know i am too skinny. I eat more than i used to and do weights.. Is it true that I can make my bum bigger and rounder by lifting heavier weights?? Thanks :)

It bothers me so much to see people that have lost quite a bit of weight and yet they look flabby and have lost so much muscle. Even on youtube, there are many great people that have worked so hard but they did not incorporate weight training into their routine at all. Even though I have not lost very much weight the past few months, when people see me they tell me I look like I have lost a lot of weight and I think it is only due to the fact that I continue to weight train 3 days a week no matter how terrible I may eat.

Ahoj Zuzko,
I have a great healthy recipe of salmon tatar “tatarak z lososa” unfortunately my english is not good enough. Can I write it somewhere in czech and you can translate it and share on your websites.
I also have a question. I am trying to loose my weight. My biggest problem are my legs.
I can not loose this part (size). Can you please send me some tips (exercising) to legs and hips?
Thank you so much.

Ahoj Marketo,

napis mi comment s tim receptem. Tatarak z lososa zni dobre :) Jinak co se tyce shazovani kil, tak je uplne jedno jestli potrebujes shodit bricho nebo zadek. Dulezity je cvicit cely telo intenzivne a hlavne pravidelne. Dalsi dulezita rada je neprejidat se. To je nejvetsi problem u vetsiny lidi co maji nadvahu. Nase babicky prece rikali jez do polosyta a pij do polopita a kdyz se toho budes drzet tak se vysledky dostavi co nevidet. Vydrzaj pionyr! :)

Hi! I just want to say I LOVE your workouts – they really kick my butt! I had always worried about being skinny skinny skinny skinny, and that was the reason I started working out. But after reading your article, I realized that’s not what I really wanted, and that what I really wanted was to be fit. I’m 5 foot 4 inches tall(about 1.6 meters) and 122 pounds (about 55kg), so I shouldn’t be worrying about being skinny, I should worry about being healthy and fit. I want to be in as good a shape as you! Thank you for this article! It helped me realize that what I actually want out of my workouts is to have a toned, sculpted body, not some super skinny, boney body with no definition or strength. Thank you!

Tatarak z lososa: na 200g cerstveho lososa-nakrajet na malinke kosticky, dat do misky. K tomu 1 rajce, vyndat vnitrek(ten vyhodit) zbytek nakrajet na male kosticky a pridat do misky. Dale 8ks zelenych oliv – take na drobno nakrajet a pridat, k tomu asi 1 kavova lzicka kapary (opět na malé kousky). Pak čerstvou vonavou pazitku (1/3 svazku). Na zaver bud jarni cibulku nebo cervenou cibuli (bud malou, nebo jen pulku). Zalit lzici olivoveho oleje, malinko soli, pepre a citronem zakapat. Je to vyborne na tmavy toustovy chleb-muze byt i zapeceny. Opravdu chutne a je to pravy italsky recept.
Jinak dekuju za odpoved – budu se snazit vydrzet, delam to kvuli sobe. A diky moc za web-je to super motivace-rady a cvico a napady na jidlo a vse zadarmo :o)

Ahoj Marketo,

dekuju za ten recept, zni to moc dobre :)

I moved to Greece about two and a half years ago from Canada and have lost 14 kilos since then, and I feel so much better about my body. I hadn’t realized the weight I put on. I think the vegetables and the food out here helped. Also, I started becoming obsessed with my health and keeping FIT. I did think about losing weight to look better, obviously, but even though I’m not as skinny as most girls out here I would for sure be able to handle a lot more when it comes to exercise. I prefer it to being just skinny. I’m finally at a level where I’m really happy in my skin!
Keep up the great videos zuzana and freddy :-)
Margarita

Hi, I am a model on the Big island of Hawaii. I have recently been told by some of the people I work for that I need to get thinner. So I found your web site and I really love it. The workouts are amazing. But yes I agree on model skinny thinking. Yes it is hard because you I know that if i want to stay in this industry I will have to listen to what these people want. I am 5’7 and weigh 125, they want me to be 115 and get toned andd my body be tighter. I agree I could use some toning and getting tighter.

Hello Zuzana,

I’ve been watching your videos for a long time, its really amazing workout I really like, I would like to read about you more, in this site I didn’t find anything about your Biography why? Can you please post or give me the link of this (in case I couldn’t find it anywhere)

regards,

Mohammad

Hi Mohammad,

I am currently working on my biography, which should be up on the site sometime in January.

Hi Zuzana.
I’m greatfull for this site and You because this really brought me back to reality.
I have been fighting, and not to lie still am, with the fact that i’m not skinny enough. It is hard when you look in the miorror and not like what you see. So as a girl i wanted to be as skinny as possible, no matter what. So at first I went on a diet, but it didn’t work. I lost weight but it wasn’t enough for me. Somehow everything went wrong and before you know I was starting to become a bulimic.
I lost weight, I was 180 cm height and 63 kg weight and to myself I was not skinny enough. When I discovered your site I must say I went to my folders with pictures of me from vacation and I sow a different picture. I sow a really skinny girl and I couln’t believe that it was me.
I want to thank you for make me realize that it is much better to be fit and healthy. I still suffer and I must say that I still don’t like what I see in the mirror but now i’m trying to improve it in a right and heathy way.
Thank you so much, you may have saved a life. :)

Sorry about my english.

All the best,
Jasmina

I made the decision to get fit instead of skinny was about a month ago. I used to ride my bike on pretty rough trails and i LOVED it. I would be constantly doing something active, and recently I havn’t been doing anything active. I went for a bike ride with my cousin a month ago, just around the block, we raced, and I got immediatly winded. I’m 5′ 8 and weigh 124. I’m pretty skinny, and I got winded so easily. so there’s obviously a BIG differance between being skinny and being in shape. Zuzana is my new role model. I will hopefully be as fit as her someday.

About 3 years ago i took the decision to get fit, instead of being skinny. I like my body how it is now, more toned.

Omlouvám se, nevím kam napsat.Chci se zeptat jestli jsou tyto stránky také v češtině, bohužel anglicky moc nerozumím.
Ráda bych podle Zuzky začla taky cvičit ale nevím s jakým cvičením začít.
Děkuji moc za odpověď.Andrea.

Ahoj Andreo,

nase stranky v cestine nejsou a zatim je v cestine neplanujeme. Kdyz se mrknes do kategorie Daily Workouts tak tam najdes vsechny moje treninky. Pokazde kdyz si zacvicim tak natocime video a podelim se o to na mych strankach aby kdokoliv kdokoliv kdo ma zajem se dostat do formy a zhubnout mohl cvicit se mnou. Pokud nektery den neuvidis nove video v Daily Workouts tak to znamena, ze jsem ten den necvicila a odpocivala jsem – vetsinou odpocivam aktivne. Muzes zacit s nekterym z mych starsich treninku a vybirat si je na kazdy den podle sebe, nebo muzes cvicit podle mych nejnovejsich videi. Ja myslim ze pokud zrovna zacinas tak by bylo lepsi zacit od zacatku, ale muzes kdykoliv preskocit na ty novejsi.

hey zuzana, i am only 14 and i’ve always been skinny just because i was always active but as i got older i got lazier. and thats how i found your site by sitting around on the computer it was worth it though. im about 5’2 and im 50kg which is around 110lb i think :)
now this is not overweight. but i cant see my abs and i wish i could! if i eat say a small breakfast like a peice of your breakfast cake an apple, (can you suggest a good lunch?) another apple and a dinner out of your diet page.. and go for runs in the morning and afternoon and do 1 or more of your exercises a day will i be able to see my abs and lose that 1inch off my hips that stubornly doesnt wanna move

When it all comes down to it, looks really don’t matter, but health is of fundamental importance.

Whatever body we’re born with, it’s the only one we’ll ever have, so we better take a good care of it.

I’m very grateful to the two of you – Zuzko and Freddie – for putting up this website as it gave me an extra push to start working out more and with more focus and direction. Happy New year to you! I can’t wait for more videos and good inspired articles!

hiiiiii suzana…

iam 23 yrs…and iam skinny and iam trying to be in good shape but i dont know really whats the proper exercise to use…i do sport but it make mee thin more so i stopped it…..and iam asking for ur help by this becouse i dont know what to do really….

thxx alot

Zdravím vás Zuzano, chtěl jsem se zeptat jestli byste mi mohla poradit. Chtěl bych začít posilovat protože mám kulatá záda a také bych chtěl vylepšit si celkově fyzický vzhled protože jsem hubený. Máte tu na stránce hodně videí ale nevím jak mám postupovat abych někam třeba za rok dospěl s cvičením. Mohla byste mi s tím pomoci?
Předem děkuji za odpověď. Filip

Hi; I hsve been pretty party, since ..couples month! my doctor say its good that i am now 185lbs.. someting around!
Usualy I train that hard, and, cannot reach more then 165lbs.. iam 6″1 foots..
So now I figure I shude stop everyday looseing, and on a search, I found one of your trainning on utube..
try it today, and seriously! bravo.
Its been a wild seens i feld my leg like that (its the 40min all body workout)
I use to have very good leg, cause, my favorite sport was bicking, but this time, its a open stirit on fitness.. I think I need it and I think you deserv a nice workout actualy!!
I`m military, we use to workout all the time, but its never more then, when we comming home and start trainning at the basement :)
Running 5 or 25km ok… but it is not like fitness.. most of my freind lift eavy weights at the gym.. but I`m not shure they can very follow massive fitness !

So Please send me a “massive” all-body workout, and I will be glad, say ; hey boy`s! that girl do it) :))

Thank`s again, I have been apreciate that exercisse (maybe include abbs, and call it 60min.. :)lol

Try Soya bean`s…

from the age of 14 i started to worry about being fat , i started to throw my dinner away at school and then i would tell my mum i wasnt hungry at tea time, so would only be eating one meal a day .I would also do lots of exercise too as i got older i started to spend 2/3 hours in the gym and not eating right i couldn’t understand why i did have a good body tone ect.this went on for years my mum and dad worried about me not eating enough and worring about being fat took over my life. Then i meet my now husband and at 22 i got pregnant and i stared to eat right 4 small meals a day all heathly (the eat clean diet) and toned down my exercising, 5yrs on i have 2 childern now i eat 4/5 meals a day and do between 20mins to an hour mainly at home i dont think about being fat any more but about being fit and healthy to look after my childern. i love your site because it has short workouts what you can do at home and still get results my body is the best it has ever been even after 2 kids.and every now and then i let myself have i little treat.so dont think about being skinny think about being fit and healthy.x

Dobrý den Zuzano,
kamarád našel tyto Vaše webové stránky. Vím, že zde všude mluvíte anglicky. Vzhledem k “Vašim” českým receptům to však zkouším česky.
Chtěla bych Vám vyjádřit svůj obdiv a dík za tyto stránky..
S pozdravem.
Renata

Hi Zuzana.
About 5 years ago I used to be a size 0 or 2. I am 5’6″ and I was weighing in at 115 lbs and I did not like the way I looked. All my life since I was little I was in dance, gymnastics or sports and I always had a healthy lifestyle and I was super strong, but after high school I stopped being active and I didn’t eat much either, only one meal a day. I was loosing my muscles and getting really thin. I had a nice small body but I longed for the curves and the round ass. I basically had no ass :( Finally, I started to eat more and the food may not have always been the healthiest but I didn’t know how else to gain weight. I started excercising again as well and build muscle again and slowly but surely I started gaining the weight. Now Im 26 and at a healthy 130 lbs (size 4 or 6) and I have a nice firm and perky ass and I have my muscles back! I don’t want to gain anymore weight so I do a lot of cardio, it’s easy for me to loose 5 lbs during the summer, but I tend to gain it back during the winters.
Basically, I am so much happier with the weight that I am at now then how I was before, being super skinny is not the answer, it doesn’t even look good, at least not on me. Before I looked like a stick, now I have hips that move when I dance or walk and I have a more womanly figure but you can also see my stomach muscles and the muscles in my legs and arms.
That is why I love your workouts, you really know how to tone and sculpt the body. I always look forward to doing them at the gym or at home :)

Society is, and has been for some time, portraying the beautiful female as unnaturally lean.

At the same time, society develops enormous amounts of unhealthy rubbish for internal consumption! What a parody! What extremes that we are encouraged to follow.

With education comes the responsibility to act. I don’t need to be told what crap to eat or who to believe is beautiful because I think! I am a thinking being who enjoys flavoursome whole foods, the colour of them; I love the energy I get from exercise, the endorphin boost, the challenge, meeting up with sports team members…

Beautiful is not skinny, fat or muscular. It is personal. Beauty involves something that each of us has and what each of us experiences with a genuine smile, gleaming eyes or confidence.

Hi, I have exactly the problem with the fact that I was too skinny. I am 174 cm and 54 kg. Body practices every day … Especially bicycles. Often walking and eat healthily. I can not gain muscle mass. What do I do that I was stronger, not skinny? Thank you for your reply.

hi
I am naturally too skinny .i am 157cm and 40 kg ,I want to start sport but I’m afraid to lose more weight.
how can i have a strong body ?

This article has truly inspired me – more than anything I have ever read. I finally GET IT – I’ve always been obsessed with losing weight, and getting skinny – and now after losing the 40 lbs I set out to lose, I just want to gain muscle, get fit, and be a lean mean machine!!!! Thank you so so so much!

I’ve been trying for many years to get skinny… Few week ago I finally thought that all I want is to be happy and healthy (What skinny doesn’t)So I am getting more ”fit” every day since that.. :)

Hi,
I have some fat to lose, mostly on the hips, but I don’t really exercise to lose weight. In fact I love working out because it makes me feel good physically and psychologically. I went through a depression not so long ago, and exercising helped me a lot. Scientific studies show that there are biological benefits in the brain.
Working out makes me feel healthier, and if I lose some fat to gain muscle that’s fine, but get skinny? No way! ;-)

Hi Zuzana

for a long time i have been trying to maintain slim,and well what i didn’t know was that “i really didn’t want to be skinny,but fit…being fit is much easier,and fun,even though it could be a little hard to get yourself motivated..i have realized that fit is more healthy mentally,and physically..i not so skinny anymore..i am fitter,and healthier thanks to your vids!

[...] Being Fit vs. Being Skinny [...]

I “got skinny” and I have the exact same body fat percentage as before, an unhealthy percantage of 32% – despite having a BMI of only 18.

I am now trying to shift the focus onto building muscle, though I find quitting to count calories virutally impossible. It’s like getting a second allowance; I have both my money, time and my calories to spend and organize, AND I LOVE TO ORGANIZE!

Growing up I was always naturally extremely thin. Throughout my 20’s I discovered how difficult it was to maintain that and although through extreme dieting I was able to maintain it my body fat kept raising and my lean muscle mass decreased. I found myself being skinny-fat and detesting my body. Plus I was never proud when someone asked me how I stayed so thin. The truth was I was barely eating anything and not exercising!

Then I discovered eating clean and working out. I am now very healthy and loving my body. When someone asks me how I stay so thin I am proud to tell them what I am doing. I am eating better and more then I have in years and looking better the ever! I don’t worry about the scale and feel great! Skinny is not all it’s cracked up to be!

Hena, I am a fit person and I have the same problem than you… I do lift almost everyday, I also have a great cardio routine, I have a nice muscle mass and my body looks really good… but my breast… It’s beacuse it’s made of breast tissue and fat… When we loose our body fat most of us will find our breasts getting empty… :-(
Even the hardest chest workout won’t bring it back… Sad, I know…

my gole used to be skinny, there was a time when i had a BMI of 18. now my goal is to be fit, to have some muscle pr definition to show, ive already gained weight, i´m 19.5 in my BMI and i love it, i feel stronger, i feel.. just better, i´m happy, my body has more shape, and i´m still thin.
Zuzana, you saved me from anorexia.

being fit is the fountain of youth! how many truly fit people look their age? but look at a skinny person. they do not usually age very well. their skin hangs and they do not radiate health. yes, it is very important to become fit and even more so to remain fit. this is a lifestyle for me. i will always be fit even when i am unable to do some of the things i do now. thanks guys for the thought provoking topic.

i love this subject on being skinny vs being fit, ive always been naturally skinny and when i started going to the gym, first thing ppl would say is why you going to the gym? your so skinny already! the reason why im going to build muscle and show some definition in my body and so far its been good! people now notice im not just skinny! im fit :)

i have come to realise the same thing. in the past my goal was to see dropping the number on a scale, which was driving me crazy, i was lacking energy due to not eating enough. Nowadays (and thanks to you Zuzana and Frederick) i took a more relaxed approach – now my goal is to be fit, no counting calories or measuing/weighing my food. Now it is more about listening to my own body, aiming to be fit, stronger. and on this journey i am discovering a lot about myself.

i´d wish that tv and magazines promove be fit not skinny cause girls go for anorexia instead a nutritional plan and exercises.

Thanks Zuzana for create this space.

I have struggeled with that problem for years. What helped me was talking to people that recovered from that wretched situation.
Be there for her. Don’t talk about “it” all the time, but also don’t avoid it.
In the long run she will have to go to therapy to get the help and the professional support she will need. It is a rocky path to overcome an eating disorder.

It is a disease that takes over your life and soul.
But it is possible to overcome that, which is the most important thing about it!
I wish the two of you all my best and never give up!

I’d just understood it when I became loving myself more. Getting skinny is a nice idea to everybody, but it doesn’t seem natural. I understood that you can say that the thing is good – when you feel good. some years ago it happened to be that i started to loose weit, and i liked it. it wasn’t actually anorecsia, i used some doping… offcorse i felt awful. I was happy with my 45..44…43 kilogramms (156 sm hight) but I became to feel really exhausted. I new nothing about my body or how to eat right, that it is nessesary to drink water every day. After that I understood that my goal was stupid, that you need the balance and it is the only thing that make you happy! ^))

Suzana,
I love this site very inspirational.
I need some advice getting off a plateau. I run 30-35 miles do 3/1 hr cycle classes and 3/1hr weight lifting sessions a week. I keep a 1200 cal diet on most days except the weekends where the calories pile up> I am home with the family> Can two days of over eating really un do a week of hard work and spot on meals? please please any and all advice from anyone is appreciated. 6 months at this weight working my butt off is driving me insane.

Heather

Hi Heather

It might be a combination of everything you’re doing not just the two days of overeating. I know it sounds mad to even suggest it because we have all been conditioned over the years that running for miles on end is the best way to keep fit and lose weight but the most powerful way of losing it is diet and anaerobic exercise (just look at Zuzanna if you don’t believe me). The problem with endurance exercise (running for example) is that your body becomes more efficient i.e. it gets better at going for longer on less fuel this is due to the type of muscle tissue you use whilst performing endurance exercise. Its quite a complicated thing to explain but a book that helped me to understand was The New Rules of Lifting for Women by Lou Schuler.

You could probably replace the running with Zuzanna’s workouts five times per week along with eating smaller portions of ‘real’ food 5-6 times per day and I bet you’d see results within a few weeks (you’ll also have more time to spend with your family or doing something else you enjoy). I used to run 3-4 times per week and spend hours in the gym and my body always looked the same but I’ve ditched that and follow the routines on here plus lift weights 1-2 times per week and I’m so pleased with my results.

I hope this helps – have a look into the book as it goes in depth and explains things far better than I’d ever be able to. Good luck and let us know how you get on. You don’t need to be working out for this many hours per week honestly;)

My problem was that losing weight was (is) incredibly difficult even when I was backpacking all summer; when I spent a couple months in Tanzania, I hiked Mt. Meru with some friends, most of whom were (in my opinion) in better shape than me – certainly thinner. Out of all of them, I had the easiest time hiking even before the altitude started to kick in. It was a great feeling to see that the months of hiking in the northern Appalachians had actually paid off, even if they hadn’t made much of a dent in my gut.

soooooo true..!

I used to have a problem with anorexia on and off ever since childhood (age 7-22). I have always been skinny and to me it seemed that was all that was good about me so I desperatly tried to maintain it. It wasn’t until a guy I had a huge crush on kept forcing me to work out and eat properly that I started to see that I dont need to be unhealthy thin for people to like me. The greatest treat however, was that when I finally got into shape, I started to like and respekt myself and that was then I shanged my goal from being thin to being healthy.

I started working out to gain weight. I’ve always been really skinny, to the point that people assume I don’t eat or something, and it has always bothered me. Other than when I was pregnant, I’ve never been over 95lbs(I’m 5’3″). I also have some health issues, gluten intolerance and a thyroid problem. I hate hearing people say things like “I wish I was that skinny.” My response is always, ” No, you don’t.” It is incredibly hard for me to put on weight, but with allot of effort I’m starting to build up some muscle and I’m LOVING it!

People just don’t seem to realize that when you are really skinny, you get just as much crap from others as someone who is over weight. Instead, people mumbling things like “what she do, eat a cow?” you get “Do you ever eat?” or “you’re so skinny its gross.” All of which is incredibly rude! I’ve had people say things like that, or even just point out to me(like I dont know it) that Im skinny. Gee thanks, I never knew…

Being fit is waaaaaay better than being skinny, trust me.

P.S. Not all skinny girls are anorexic =)

I just had a conversation about being skinny yesterday. I will never be skinny and I am happy about that. I am a big guy.

I have dropped a lot of weight since I started training. And that is good. But I have put on a lot of muscle mass and that is more important. It helps me lose the fat I still have and feel like a super hero. :)

I did not believe eating 5 times a day or more would make a big difference as long as I watched caloric intake. But now that I do eat at least 5 times a day I see true difference. I also FEEL different and don’t focus on food.

Power couple indeed :)
they are dedicated to shaping lives, not just bodies. In such a hectic world it’s sometimes difficult to keep sight of what is really important and how to maintain a balance, but when I come to this site I feel like I have my own personal support system (not to mention watching Zuzana is so inspirational)
The benefits of being fit FAR outweigh (no pun intended) those of being skinny. Longer life, healthy functioning organs, better mood, more energy. I have started my journey slowly but will definitely dedicate more time to becoming fit again.
Just have to create a decent playlist of workouts to get me started….so many choices! :)

you guys are the best

Hello Zuzana! Thank you for being here for us, for great tips. I’m tall(190cm) and was very skinny all my life(60kg)But last few years I finally put on weight, now I’m (75-78kg) its was very difficult to put on weight(all my weight on belly). My arms and legs are still thin. Last summer I started to work out in gym, now I’m in shape, but I got these addiction to gym, to exercise. Now looking for new exercises for abs. I work out out every other day, but still can’t get rid of fat(if its fat ) under belly, I do exercise for lower abs, but still no effects. Please tell me what do to. Shall I do exercise everyday and have diet? in the same time I don’t want to lose weight. Please any advise, thank you.

Hello! I looove your workouts and this is my first comment on your website. Thank you for providing such great vids and tips! I’m about 5’1″/154cm and 99lbs/45kgs, and I workout everyday. I usually run 4 miles and/or workout targeted areas for at least 30 minutes a session. Because I am short and have a small frame, I’m constantly being told that I am too skinny… (I’m Japanese, and I think we tend to be on the smaller side as well.) I may look it but I define myself being more fit than skinny. To be honest, I hate it when friends always try to stuff my face with food or tell me that I’m not eating enough because they think I am too skinny… Or they don’t believe me when I say that I’m working out. I used to take it extremely personally but I’ve realized that there is nothing wrong with the way I am… As long as I KNOW that I am maintaining my fitness level and I’m healthy, I have no issues with my body. Actually, I love my body! I’m working out and staying fit for myself really, not for others to judge… Being fit is awesome, you actually look WAY better in your clothes than just being ‘skinny’. Toned arms, abs and booty is definitely key to looking sexy. I’m currently focusing on my arms and butt… But I’ve realized that the hardest part of becoming fit is losing the last bit of fat. Anyway, you’ve inspired me so much! Thanks xxx

Although being “skinny” used to be appealing, I have grown to realize I do not have a “skinny” type body. I am petite and very athletic, but not tall and thin. Thus, having realized I will never be like a runway model, I have embraced my athletic build and have run with it. I have never been in more shape in my life since this mindset change. Instead of buying gossip magazines if you will, i buy Oxygen, where woman have my body type and embrace their curves and muscles. I’ve also come to realize, men (my husband) like a woman who looks like she can hang with the guys, but still be feminine…not a woman who looks like she would break if she wrestled with one of the guys. Thank you all for boycotting this idea of “being anorexic sexy”, and embracing the strong, healthy, fit body. Love you all!

May I get some muscles from house keeping. I’m cleaning floors and carpet, arranging relationships between my cat and dog.
Will balancing on a skateboard enlarge my muscles? I am not skinny, but I rather have some stamina instead of the ‘volume’.

I appreciate your post. It’s really brutal and sad how so many want to be skinny and are struggling with eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia. I actually was anorexic for six years and I almost died because of it. People with eaiting disorders usually want to diet away some feelings or then they have experienced some trauma in the past and they just can’t like themselves.
I don’t know. Well…I started to exercise more after reading health tips and BodyRock. I noticed that if I got anorexic thought or I was just madly pissed off exercising helped.
And I didn’t mind getting muscles. I’m much more stronger now. Not happy because I still have to face my traumas but healty like everyone should get to be.
And somehow, step by step reading BodyRock and appreciating more my body have really starting to help me LIVE MY LIFE.
I’d wish others could fight themselves free from worrying about their body so much in such sick way.
Thank you for your videos and blog!
I wish you all have a good day.

Hi Zuzana, I’m a 17 year old skinny guy who desperately wants to ask you, how to gain big muscles? I eat a lot and I have marked muscles, but I have skinny marked muscles (specialy my legs) I wanna have big muscles!!! What do I need to do to make my muscles grow?

I’ll do whatever you say :)

By the way, you are awsome!!! I love your videos
Greetings Take Care

hey guys.. my name is alexandra and im 16 years old..i recently found out about your website and im impressed! the workouts and all the topics are great!! i just read the specific topic and i remembered an “adventure” that happened to me last summer..first let me tell you that i always wanted to be like celebrities.. perfect faces, perfect bodies, perfect everything.. now moving on to the story.. two years ago i used to be really fat..but i started working out really hard and i lost 10 kg(from 57 to 47kg)..well last summer i became really skinny.. i am 1.60 and last june i was 42 kg!! but the worst part was that i thougt i was very fat and i was never satisfied with myself.. also my period stopped .. my mother was really worried.. she told me to gain some weight(to become at least 47 kg) to see if my period starts again… fortunately six months later i became 47kg and as my mom predicted my period started normally again.. but my problems dint really end there.. After i gained these kg i considered myself as plump..i was really depressed.. and thats when i started eating all the time.. as you can guess i put on weight.. and my mood changed too.. i wasnt getting out of the house(and i am guite a sociable person), i didnt wanna see or talk to anybody etc.. i was 57kg for once again..finally,after a very helpful conversation I had with a loyal friend i realized that you dont have to be skinny to be attractive.. you should just try to be fit ..because having more realistic goals will make your life a lot easier.. i am now 55 kg and i keep up the fight to reach 50kg and stop there..:) i hope i didnt tire you.
friendly,
alexandra :D

P.S.sorry about my bad english but im from greece

@michelle Regarding your statement: “being fit is the fountain of youth! how many truly fit people look their age? but look at a skinny person. they do not usually age very well.”

You’re absolutely right! I never thought about “getting fit” versus “getting skinny” from such a long-term perspective! Thank you! :-)

Hi. I’m new here and I love how in shape and toned u are….i was wondering wat kind of excersise moves i should do to get well defined curves…cuz i am as straight as a ruler… thank you! ;)

Hi. I used to be a ballet, tap, jazz, bellydance and spanish dancer, (yes, I was dancing a lot), now I’m a ballet, tap, and jazz teacher. I’m 29 yrs. old and my body isn’t as fit as it was. One year and a month ago I started eating clean small portions, drinking a looooot of water and visit the gym everyday(weight training,steps aerobics, Zumba, kickboxing and regular cardio).

In one month I drop 10 lb. I was 120 lb. and I’m a 5’2 (height) girl. Since that day I’ve been training everyday and now training it’s part of my life. I loooove it!!!

I’m getting married on June 19, 2010 and 2 months ago I took a look at me and I thought “I think I’m ok but, I want to be great for the wedding”. At that time I realize that I was going to need a little help from a professional and then I decided to hire a personal trainer. I’ve been training with her these two months and it’s great, I’ve been seen a lot of changes in my body and in my fat %. The workout she’s giving me its very similar to yours. I love it!!!

She told me: “bring me a photo of your goal and we both are going to sign it… and let’s see what’s going to happen”. I gave her a photo of you. I know, I know, It’s a very high goal, but I think I can do it. I have a lot of discipline and will.

Anyways, thanks a lot for being such and inspiration, and not just an inspiration, thanks for being a healthy inspiration…

Greetings from the enchanted island, Puerto Rico…

Blessings,

Tania

P.D Sorry for my bad english, our first language is spanish… :)

hello Zuzana, Frederick, and everyone that is tune in.

i’m 25 years old, i lived in Denver, COLORADO. i have to said this has always been my goal(being skinny)for over 5 years and i still look the same. Going to the gym, counting calories and even stop eating carbs at one point. After all of that dieting, the weight comes back. For the last few days i have been tune in with you and decided to start working out with you. i hope to continue this great adventure of health.

To Zuzana, you make it look so easy, but 2 minute with you and i’m already sweating away.

Lucy

please any tips and advice for me will be great.

I have spent any years tryin 2b “skinny” not to eat many things, and being very unhappy!
Since i have found this website ive been sooo happy, i look forward to gettin up every day and doin my exercises!
Im very new to this website so i have to wait a while to see da results with my body, but i feel soooo much better already within myself.
It has made a huge differences in my life, and i would like to say this website is a wonderful idea, as i have always wanted in2 in shape but never knew how to do it.
And now i do thank you very much x

well, for all the girls trying to be “skinny”, here is one guy’s point of view. I actually think skinny girls are not all that. I asked some guys about it and we all agree on one thing, …. girls with more on their body is more attractive. And by that sense, I mean girls worry too much about their thighs being to fat, when that is how guys like them :DDD
Also i have this friend thats really pretty, but i don’t make any moves because she is in fact too skinny, bare-bone and stuff. (she’s one of those people that cannot gain weight and look like they are made with toothpicks) This is actually unattractive for many men.
So ladies, don’t lose so much, because guys actually like their girls thick in some parts of their body lol. And a girl doesn’t exactly have to look like Barbie-doll skinny to be noticed ;D

my goal is to be skinny. but it just doesnt work like that! oh… im training every day for about an 1h for 3 month now. my abbs are like a stone! but i cant see them becouse i have soft belly… after i read thease facts… i give up… for idea to be skinny, f*ck it! :D im going to do more hole body trainig and i will be fit :D in your face fat!

i have sort of the opposite problem. I am very very thin (about 90 pounds), and for some reason it is very difficult for me to gain weight or to gain muscle. I really want to gain more muscle. Should I eat a certain thing after my workouts? I eat really healthy, but i eat normal portions, its just because I’m a ballet dancer that i am naturally so thin I think. so what do i need to do to build up my muscle (eating-wise) ???

I used to be very thin from natures side, but always wanting to be thinner, and thought that the more thin, the more attractive. But even more, I thought I’d be HAPPY if I was thinner.
That was my mindset for years, especially when I gained about 20 kg, in under 6 months. I’m 168cm, and I weighed 80kg. That’s when my eating habits got even more out of touch with reality, I ate super little, and skipped meals like crazy.
Then I started to move more, and eat normally, less sugar (which I ate a lot of when I did eat), and processed fats.
I dropped 15kg, but was still unhappy.
Then in February, I started to work out at home. I used videos, and I tried to change my “diet”, cutting refined carbs and eating more fruits, grains and vegetables.
Now, I see muscle definition, I’m shedding bodyfat, and my eating is finally improving without feeling like a strain.

Now, I don’t crave sweets like I did, and the foods that I want to eat are the healthy “real” foods.
I love how my body and mind are changing, after I started thinking about getting fit and sexy, not skinny and frail.
I see that I will finally have the body I’ve wanted this summer, even though it’s a slow process.

Conclusion: the way we think about what our goals are, is extremely important.
Love this site, how real and inspiring it is!

Your incredible determination inspires me every day to challenge myself more and more!

Hi Zuzana,

I just recently discovered your site, and I find it an amazing place to find new routines and tips on how to get in better shape. But I do have a question, and I hope you will find a minute to answer it. I am 17 years old, and I am pretty active: I work out 4 to 6 times a week, and I am a vegetarian. I am 170 cm tall and my weight is king of jumpy 52-55kg, depends on the day:) Could you tell me if I should loose weight? Because I think I should, I mean I am not fat but just all my friends are talking about being skinny and at the beach I feel like a weirdo, cause I am the only one who actually has muscle, and gets criticized for that.And I always thought it is good to have defined abs… What piece of advice would you give me? Thank you in advance.
p.s. You are awesome,and I love the fact that fitness for you is life style, not just a torture:D

Thank u! Now, i dont want to be skinny, i want to be FIT!

Big kiss from Russia

I have to say I totally agree on the point that women do look more attractive when their are not too skinny and have a well proportioned figure with some nice toned muscles to show off.

i think that as long as you are happy with yourself, then you shouldn’t worry about what other people say as it will only bring you down! getting criticized for having defined abs and good muscle tone is always a sign that people are jealous of your body. im also 170cm tall and weigh 55kg, and i’m very happy with my body so i think you should be happy as well :)

Hey there! I used to be a model and the pressure to be skinny was unbearable. I was always fit because I was a swimmer. In Brazil, where I lived for awhile, the women are fit and have amazing butts!!! Running and walking in the sand will do that!
Skinny doesnt mean healthy! I would much rather have a few more pounds of muscle than a flabby skinny butt. In the end, men want something they can grab a hold of, not feel like they will break you in half like a twig!!!

I love this post.
I am a 23 year mother to two, my eldest turned two a few days ago, and my youngest is just over 2 months old. The pre-pregnant me was always naturally thin, I didn’t have to worry about my weight or my physique, and my job was very physical, so I retained much of my muscle from when I was a cheerleader and power lifter in High School. However, with my first son I gained 51 pounds. I found it extremely difficult to do everyday task after my son was born, and my recovery time was horrible. I vowed to lose the weight, but that was my main focus, to “be skinny” again. I lost all but those last pesky 5 pounds and became pregnant again with my second. With him I only gained 27 pounds, less than the recommended amount for my weight and height. This time around, my recovery time was nonexistent, I literally felt like a new person just a few short hours after delivering and have felt the same way since.

That being said, once you have created a child inside of you, you truly do learn to appreciate every aspect of your pre-pregnancy body, as well as your post. Now my goals have changed from wanting to be skinny to wanting to be able to be fit, and keep up with these two boys! I do weigh myself every morning, simply out of habit, and this being my first week of really exercising since becoming pregnant I am truly loving seeing the number drop! 4 pounds my first week! Now I only have 9 to go to my pre-pregnancy weight.

I haven’t started your program yet, as I injured my shoulder while pregnant *damn loose joints!* and had complete separation of my abdominal muscles which, apparently, needs to be slowly healed. But I am prepared to start your program within the next few weeks after checking back in with my Orthopedic Dr.

Can’t wait to share my progress!

heyy umm.. im actually veryy skinny, and i hate it I tried to gain weight but I just couldn’t :( but I like to do a lot of exercise and I just want to get in shape and toned
P.S im 14 yrs old

I simply love this post and it’s message!!! Those pics are a perfect example of being healthy and strong vs. a skinny and probably very unhealthy body. On the inside and outside. Thanks for sharing!
Love, Maria

Bingo!!