Body Shaming. Is It Okay?

by Holly Marie - April 13, 2017

I will never understand why some people find it necessary to tell someone something negative regarding their weight. Why? What are you going to achieve for yourself by doing so. Even if someone reaches out to you and makes a comment on their own body, that still doesn't give you the right to pass judgement. Instead, you motivate them, inspire them; you don't drag them down in the process.
As long as you are happy, that number on the scale shouldn't matter; at least not to anyone else.

Something that I think should be talked about just as equally is "skinny" shaming. So, it's completely not okay to "fat" shame, and unless you're a complete arse, you don't do it. You just don't. Period. Which comes to my next point, is it okay to skinny shame? Why is it easier to pass comment on someone who weighs less, than it is for someone who weighs more? It shouldn't be.
Fortunately, I have never received any negative weight related comments online, (you're all too lovely.) However I have seen some YouTubers subject to petty weight comments. Honestly, I find it so crazy that people think they have the authority to pass comment and make judgement on someone else's body. No matter anyones size, you do not do it. What does it even matter? What does it have to do with you.

Now I definitely do not in any way fit (no pun intended) in the skinny category, however I have been subject to comments that make me feel like losing weight is a bad thing. (I know, what?!) Last year I changed up my eating habits dramatically, and as a result, lost the weight I'd gained in the previous 18 months. And for that, I feel amazing. Which is great.. but not so great when people tell you "not to lose any more" or "it can make people look ill" like hell, I think I'm the best judge of my own body, right?
My BMI sits comfortably in the middle of the healthy weight range, so what does it have to do with anyone else. No, I'm not going to "disappear", and nah, I'm not "withering away." It's like you're made to feel bad, for doing some good, wanting to be healthier and a little kinder to your body. I still eat chinese, pizza, far too many packets of crisps, and alllllll the bread. Just because you saw me eating an apple that one time, doesn't mean I only eat apples. (inset cry-laughing emoji here.)

The pictures used in this post are part of the Self Love project, shot and led by Jess Fielder. I wanted to share a small part of the article in relation to these photos:
"I asked them to write down something another person has said to them in their lives about their bodies that impacted their self confidence negatively. Then I had them write down something they know to be true of themselves that has nothing to do with physicality."
Honestly, it's mad how you can feel bad for losing weight. I worked hard to get back in shape, and it's so frustrating. Unless I'm saying something positive, I would never pass comment to someone regarding their weight. It's such a nice feeling to tell someone how fab they look, so why anyone would purposely want to say something else, I don't know. Choose your words wisely. Is it so hard to say to someone, you know what, well done - you look great.

So to all the women out there, whatever your size, screw those negative comments. You do you. Tell someone they look amazing. Do it, today. Don't put them down. It's their body, not yours.
Be nice, it's free.

Tags : inspire, life, motivate, weight, weightloss

3 comments

Mark14 April 2017 at 20:32
Well spoken Holly! I really can't believe what people say to each other. How humans and just be so cruel just for the sake of it. We are all different and we should be celebrating the differences in others. Good on you for writing this blog. I hope many many people see it and are helped by it. One way or another.
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Adele Miner21 April 2017 at 23:48
I completely agree with this post, I am forever getting comments on how small I am which annoys me so much. People are very careful when it comes to talking about people's weight if they are bigger but it is somehow fine to say it to thin girls which is so wrong. Thank you for sharing this! You have a lovely little blog here by the way pretty gal! x

adelelydia.blogspot.com
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Eleanor May12 July 2017 at 07:09
This post is very well said. I completely agree with everything you said. I'm a plus size persona and people constantly think it's okay to point that out to me. What people don't realise is that I'm happy with myself.
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