We have all seen the stick thin catwalk models that are meant to be the envy of men and women alike.
The fashion industry insists on a certain BMI for their models.
But they trade in ideals and fantasies, and their images have no connection to actual health.
Models are often undernourished because of unrealistic expectations placed on them to conform to exact dimensions.
Add to this the problem of models having a distorted view of their own weight, and unfortunate eating disorders can emerge.
When people are malnourished, they are often skinny, but a host of other health problems can accompany them.
Skinniness is not the best measure of health.
Dieting to be thinner or skinnier is where most people begin their weight loss goals.
The reality is that this is a short term ambition, while choosing to be healthy is choosing to have a whole lifestyle.
The reason diets don't work is because they have an ending.
They don't necessarily develop healthier habits, because they are considered over when the goal weight is reached.
Many of us want to treat our health like any other project in life or work: we're just striving to get to the end of the day.
Unlike dieting, living a constant healthy lifestyle ensures reduced risk of many diseases, including heart disease and diabetes.
A healthy lifestyle is more than just eating well, and includes things like getting the right amount of sleep, some physical and outdoor activity, and even your social interactions and friendships.
These things all together lead to greater energy, vitality, and permanent and sensible reduction in bodyweight.
Most people ask themselves when they will be skinny when what they should be asking is: When will I be healthy? Health is far more important than skinniness after all.