I am tried of people telling others what they need to do, especially when it comes to one's body. "Girl, you are way too skinny; eat a burger or something," "Maybe you should lay off the chips, you're gaining a little weight," "No offense but...[insert offense comment]." You should do this, you should that. The ridicule that we give to others is ridiculous and needs to stop. Both men and women face body shaming on a regular basis sometimes.
This is called body shaming, and for those of you who don't know what that term means. Body shaming is rude comments aimed at a person's appearance. What got me on this tangent about body shaming was the fact that in 2016 we still have so many close-minded people. I was on Twitter a while back, and I saw multiple posts about how bigger girls should not wear crop tops or leggings, because it's "not cute" or "disgusting." My eyes rolled to the back of my head. Who made you the person to dictate what a person wears? If somebody wants to wear a crop top so be it!
A friend of mine decided to eat better and exercising a lot more. I was happy for her, and I could tell she was happier with herself and results that she was getting. throughout her journey, a lot of her other so called "friends" were telling her to stop. "She looked better when she was fat," "You are looking like a man," (due to the fact my friend had gained muscle), and the kicker "Boys don't like girls with no butt." Again, my eyes rolled to the back of my head. I was so annoyed. Really? Boys don't like girls with no butt, I don't care what they like or don't like, or anybody for that matter.
Instead of everybody tearing each other down we need to learn how to be body positive. which can simply be defined as loving the skin that you are in. You can blame media, for how there is barely an curvy protagonists, but they are more of the sidekick, peers, family etc., but whatever outside source it is, we have been modeled to what the perfect look is. Whether it be striving for a thigh gap, a bigger butt or that six pack.
I am going to leave off with a quote from Oprah Winfrey about body image. It is stated beautifully and Oprah never disappoints.
“Step away from the mean girls, say bye-bye to feeling bad about your looks.
Are you ready to stop colluding with a culture that makes so many of us feel physically inadequate? Say goodbye to your inner critic, and take this pledge to be kinder to yourself and others. This is a call to arms. A call to be gentle, to be forgiving, to be generous with yourself. The next time you look into the mirror, try to let go of the story line that says you're too fat or too sallow, too ashy or too old, your eyes are too small or your nose too big; just look into the mirror and see your face. When the criticism drops away, what you will see then is just you, without judgment, and that is the first step toward transforming your experience of the world.”
