Okay, I get it. Being a millennial entails being over-sensitive, with the inability to accept criticism. Absolutely untrue. Growing up, I constantly battled with being tiny. For a while, I was not concerned about it, everyone seemed tiny. I grew up in the 90's, meaning as soon as I got off of the school bus, my Power Puff Backpack had already left my shoulder at the front step of my house. first goal was rallying up the neighborhood kids for endless hide-and-seek, bike riding, and what I believed to be true adventures. Imagination took the drivers seat on Pleasant Street in Cranston, RI. I miss that neighborhood, and those friendships. I can only hope that my son creates the same friendships and memories throughout his childhood. Technology has absorbed this world, but nothing can ever top scraped up knees from unsuccessfully popping a wheelie, sun-kissed cheeks, and that aura of a sweaty day outside. Stepping back into this article, active characteristics have been engraved in me since I was young, and naturally having a petite body frame doesn't always work in my favor…apparently.
You have been tiny your whole life, so why is this such a surprise to everyone but you? Enough about me. If you relate to this article thus far, then I am fully aware that you do not do this on purpose. I am aware that you have a tiny body frame. I am aware that you eat, and sometimes you over-eat, just to compensate (in your mind) for your petite, "super skinny" body. Not only to compensate for the frame that you were born into, but in front of the individuals that constantly call you out, to ease their mind almost. Are you concerned about me? are you targeting me? What is it? Can I be happy and comfortable in my own skin? Imagine for a second, if the individual that comes out with the unnecessary opinion of your body, such as "wow, you look significantly skinnier" knew just how much you've had to eat that day. It is honestly hilarious at times; newsflash, I do eat—plenty.
I know that you go to the gym for the sole purpose to gain weight. Cardio? What is that? If I do cardio, I know that I will drop weight. I steer clear of cardio. I know that if I step foot onto that treadmill, stair-stepper, elliptical, etc. I will see the pounds disappear. I do not say this ignorantly. I say this knowing that my intensions are to gain weight in the gym. Heavy lifting, static holds, anything to place tears on my muscles, in hopes that they will build, and in turn make me appear fuller. That is the goal. You begin asking yourself, is this even for me anymore? Or to shut these people up that continuously call me out? I have not lost sight of how I feel in the gym. It is my outlet, and I know that I am going for all of the right reasons.
The honest truth? Is calling someone out on their body type acceptable in general? Heavy topic to grasp. Also a double standard. This is not to throw hate on any body type, because clearly, I am not at all supportive of that. The double-standard presents itself, because (ignorant) individuals believe that if you are skinny, you are holding on to a stigma. Wrong. Also, if there was an inner battle that someone was fighting (eating disorder) there can be alternatives to approach the situation. Take a look back at any picture of me (excluding my pregnancy as well as post) I have always been thin. We live in a time where being "thick" is the craze. Was I born in the wrong generation? Was the "twiggy" time-period my moment to shine? Who knows. I find myself wondering that semi-often. Crazy right? It goes to show the impact that the simple statement "jeez, you are so tiny" or "your face looks sunken" can hold. Realistically, it is not acceptable to call someone out for being over/under-weight. I would never hit someone heavier than me with "you could hit a lap on the track for each sandwich I eat", absolutely not. Have I considered it? You bet. That goes back to the "if you can't beat them, join them", and I am not at all supportive. Moral of the story, be kind to one another, and think before you speak.
