Ok, so I'm going to be as delicate as I can here, because this is a VERY touchy subject.
Obesity. Anorexia. Body Shaming. Loving your body. etc.
So 1st of all, I don't ever believe anyone should be bullied, or put down because of their size. I do not promote any kind of bullying in any way. I want to prefix my little rant with this because I in no way mean to demote, or tear anyone down.
So I feel like people now days are so touchy and sensitive about everything, including things said with no ill intention. It's almost like people have to nit pick and look for something to be upset about in what others say. Obviously people aren't perfect, and yes there are some people out there who say rude things just because they want to be rude, but I feel like a lot of the people who are getting 'called out' for saying something 'offensive' didn't mean it in the way it was taken in the slightest. Could their wording have been better, possibly, but just because they didn't find the perfect way to phrase exactly what they were referring to isn't the end of the world, and it doesn't mean they meant to offend in whatever way they ended up offending someone. Also rather than point out in private what they found offensive and why, they have to publicly announce their offence.
If someone you know says something that bothers you, be a decent human and talk to them privately about the matter, chances are, they didn't realize what they said could be taken the way you took it, and they'll fix the problem.
So please if you have issues with what I'm saying, it's probably because I'm not the most articulate person on the planet, and likely I phrased something incorrectly.
Obesity I feel like is one of the most touchy subjects right now, especially with this whole "love your body" trend. Now I'm not saying you shouldn't love your body at ALL sizes, but if you GENUINELY love your body, you probably should take care of it by giving proper nutrition and exercise to your body. Hmm.. there's a thought.
Now I know there are a vast number of individuals who are currently working on their health by changing their diet, and exercising regularly. To you I say LOVE THE JOURNEY! I'm currently in this state in my life. Yes, I' overweight right now, but being overweight, and even obese doesn't mean you're not living a healthy lifestyle. For example, I exercise for 1-2 hours, 6 days per week, and I do my best to portion control, and eat wholesome healthy foods. I would consider myself fairly healthy, I haven't always been, and I definitely have my days, but on a whole I'm doing what I can to live as healthy as possible. If this is where you are, AWESOME! Keep at it, you'll get there.
There are also individuals who say, I don't need to lose weight/ exercise/ eat healthy, because I love my body the way it is. Good for you! Although it sounds more like you've grown to accept and love how you look, verses actually loving and caring for your amazing BODY you're blessed to have.
Now by no means am I saying that you're wrong to love the way you look. You should be able to look in the mirror and feel beautiful, and sexy, however this shouldn't be at the expense of your health. You ARE beautiful, and amazing, and the people around you want you to be in their lives for as long as possible, and not lose you to diseases that come with obesity.
Obesity isn't beautiful, but that doesn't mean that you aren't. Obesity is a disease, and it comes with a ton of other health issues, joint problems, decreased lifespan, etc. What makes you beautiful, is who you are, how you treat others, your confidence, and yes your body too! I'm not saying that your curves are unattractive, but you can still have curves and be healthy. Society is so forgiving of individuals who are obese now days, but that same love isn't shown for women who have muscles, or girls who are naturally just thin. They are just as, if not more shamed by society now than obese people are. Most people wouldn't dare call someone fat, but saying they're too thin, or too muscly, is apparently totally fine.
Another thing. Being healthy doesn't mean you are stick thin, or have a six pack. It's your lifestyle, not your looks. So individuals who are thin, aren't necessarily healthy. You can't know by looking at someone if they are living a healthy lifestyle, which is why you can't ever judge someone without knowing their story. But lets face it, not everyone is taking care of their bodies, I'd venture to say that thin/ average weighted individuals who have always been that way, are living just as unhealthy lives as the overweight/ obese populace. Their habits just don't show.
The point I'm trying to make, and forgive me for being long winded, and repetitive here, is that we SHOULD love ourselves, our bodies, our unique traits, and quirks, but we should also be striving every day to be better, and to improve our health. Don't let the 'love your body' trend to be an excuse to maintain your unhealthy habits. Because for a lot of people, that's what it's become. I think the purpose of it is to learn how to love your body through your journey to health.
I've always struggled with loving what I see in the mirror, but I'm impressed everyday with the amazing things my body can accomplish. I do love what my body can do, and does for me every day. I'm just working on the part where I can look in the mirror and say that I love what I see.
So girls who figured it out, who have truly come to LOVE the way they look, I'm proud of you, whatever your size. No one should ever, EVER, ever, demean, or bully you for your visual appeal, but PLEASE, don't say you love your body, and not to treat it like you should, if you really loved it.
My aim wasn't to offend anyone here, rather to motivate. As a personal trainer, I work with individuals who have issues with their weight, and heck I'm still working on mine. My pregnancy with Wrylenn, threw my health out the window. I didn't eat right, or exercise, and I made a lot of excuses, until one day I decided to change. I decided to LOVE my body, by treating it the way I should have all along. I've lost 25 lbs so far, and I've still got a good way to go, but what I've gained is energy, and a new attitude about my body. (It definitely helps having the tools and knowledge to know how to get my health back in check.)
If you're done making excuses, and you're ready to change, but don't know where to start, I'd LOVE to help you. Join my group CHISELED CLAY FITNESS, and sign up for personal training with me.
If something I've said came off in a way that you didn't appreciate, I truly am sorry, and please let me know so I can clarify. This isn't targeted at any specific individual. This is just the way I view things, you don't have to agree with me, and I respect your point of view, so please respect mine.
Rant over.
EDIT:
So a few things I want to emphasize: when I talk about society, I'm talking about the average person and how they are treated in their real lives. I definitely think that the media isn't as forgiving of obesity, as the general populace YET. But on SOCIAL media, I've just seen people stand up against bullies picking on an obese individual, more than stand up against someone who is being told they look masculine because they have muscles, or that they need to go eat a hamburger because they are too thin.
This is just from what I've personally seen firsthand. It's not an actual statistic, but from my observance this is how I feel.
Also I edited the way I phrased anorexia and thinness. I know firsthand that the majority of individuals who are anorexic are not actually all that thin. It's more common in obese, and overweight individuals. The super skeletal thinness is the result of extreme anorexia, and not the image that most girls starving themselves portray.
And I'm not saying people don't get bullied for being overweight, people definitely do, the bullying just isn't the focus of my rant. That doesn't' make it any less real, and it definitely hurts. Which is why I brought up the bullying and being talked about behind your back, because I was making sure no one thought I was trying to body shame ANYONE. :)
EDIT:
So a few things I want to emphasize: when I talk about society, I'm talking about the average person and how they are treated in their real lives. I definitely think that the media isn't as forgiving of obesity, as the general populace YET. But on SOCIAL media, I've just seen people stand up against bullies picking on an obese individual, more than stand up against someone who is being told they look masculine because they have muscles, or that they need to go eat a hamburger because they are too thin.
This is just from what I've personally seen firsthand. It's not an actual statistic, but from my observance this is how I feel.
Also I edited the way I phrased anorexia and thinness. I know firsthand that the majority of individuals who are anorexic are not actually all that thin. It's more common in obese, and overweight individuals. The super skeletal thinness is the result of extreme anorexia, and not the image that most girls starving themselves portray.
And I'm not saying people don't get bullied for being overweight, people definitely do, the bullying just isn't the focus of my rant. That doesn't' make it any less real, and it definitely hurts. Which is why I brought up the bullying and being talked about behind your back, because I was making sure no one thought I was trying to body shame ANYONE. :)
