"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."

Well, I'm here to tell you that's not always the case.

Plump. Overweight. Chubby. Heavy. Big-boned. Roly-Poly. Whatever synonym you want to use they all describe one word: fat.

When you grow up bigger than most of the people around you, you notice the constant glares you receive from people. The constant fear that you are being judged for what you look like, or what you are wearing.

In our society today, bullying is finally being recognized as the destructive force it is. Clearly, progress is being made toward a place where, legally and socially, it’s understood that all people have deserve to be respected. Unfortunately, there are still many people who make fun of, shame or "joke around" with others who weigh more than they do.

Fat shaming is exactly what it sounds like; making people feel ashamed for having any fat on their bodies. Fat shaming is going to happen, even to those who should not be considered "fat." It makes people feel unworthy and looked down upon.

In today's world, it is hard enough to feel comfortable in your own skin when all over the media there is this desire to be thin. Being told you are the opposite of what the media makes us out to look like is heartbreaking, and depending on who told you; embarrassing.

Don't call someone fat. Want to know why?

Because what someone weighs is nobody else's business.

Because the word fat is intense. It not only implies that the person weighs more than a fitting number, but that they may be unattractive or lazy.

Because you don't know what that person is dealing with.

Calling someone fat has damaging results that can last a lifetime. I still remember the first time I was called fat and that is something I will never forget.

So next time you say something, think about it before saying it. Think about how what you're about to say will impact the people around you. Even the smallest words can have a giant impact on someone.