Why is body-shaming so prevalent? Because we, as human beings, can't find a way to be nice to each other. What happened to kindness and compassion? What happened to encouraging each other to be the best we can be? This is fixing to be all about body-shaming. So grab a chair, sit down, and listen.
Is your body perfect? Are you the exact epitome of what "healthy" is? No. So why is it your place to body-shame?
I would like to point out here that I'm overweight and could stand to lose about 50 pounds. But I bet I'm healthy. I bet my blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and heart rate are spot on.
Almost EVERY checkup, my blood pressure sits around 106/75, which is damn near perfect. Keep in mind that 120/80 is IDEAL, not perfect. My blood sugar sits comfortably at 92 most days, and my heart rate stays around 80 unless my anxiety is going crazy.
When you hear the word "body-shaming," what comes to mind almost immediately is skinny girls towards fat girls. Now I hate saying the word fat, but let's cut to the chase here. Not everyone who's bigger is "thick," as some would say. But let's be honest, we've all noticed a rise in body-shaming coming from the other end of the spectrum.
Over the last few weeks, I've heard people say things like "Eat a burger. Get some meat on those bones. You're too skinny. That's unattractive." This sickens me. Especially because I know what it's like to hear someone say "Eat a salad. Go for a run. Exercise more. Stop eating. Quit being lazy." And the list goes on and on and on.
I don't understand why people can't just live in peace. This is such an epidemic right now, and for what? Bragging rights? "I weigh less than you, so I'm prettier." No honey, no. And what about people on the heavier side who have medical conditions limiting their ability to lose weight, or even exercise for that matter.
All this body-shaming is leading to such low self-confidence in women. I would say men too, but women face this problem more often. Low self-esteem from being overweight/underweight could lead to anxiety, depression, eating disorders etc. I know people, personally, who have experienced this on both ends. Being too skinny is a thing, and being too heavy is also a thing.
Me? I've experienced both.
When I'm bigger, I'm fat. "You look like a cow. Eat a salad. Get off your butt. You're so lazy."
But when I lose weight, "You look sickly. You're skin and bones. Eat something."
Neither one is OK, and both are just as damaging to your self-esteem as the other. Think a little before you body-shame. Because one day, you might just be on the other side.
