Back in the days when I was painfully thin, my health was the last thing on anyone’s mind. As my collarbone protruded alarmingly, people assumed I was in perfect shape. The truth was, I was grappling with a severe eating disorder. While I struggled with dangerous diet pills, I was met with compliments for my so-called “perfect” physique. Nobody bothered to ask or check in on my well-being, oblivious to the fact that I was harming myself in pursuit of thinness.
Fast forward to today, and I’ve successfully overcome that eating disorder and am enjoying some of the best health I’ve ever experienced. Yet, I’ve also gained 75 pounds, which now classifies me as “medically obese” according to doctors. Ironically, now everyone feels entitled to weigh in on my health.
Here’s the truth: my health is not your concern. Unless you’re a doctor with my medical records in hand, you have no right to make assumptions about my body. And even healthcare professionals need to think twice before jumping to conclusions based solely on my size. The outdated BMI system has been thoroughly debunked, and the Health at Every Size movement is gaining traction. Being labeled “medically obese” has not affected my energy, vitality, or strength in any meaningful way.
Yet, we live in a society that continues to perpetuate and even celebrate the shaming of those with larger bodies. Recently, fitness influencer Tara Johnson felt compelled to criticize a beloved singer for her size, attempting to disguise her bullying with praise for the singer’s music. While this artist was busy supporting fire victims in Australia, Johnson took the opportunity to suggest that the singer’s weight would inevitably lead to health issues.
Johnson’s comments echo the misguided notion that embracing one’s body is somehow synonymous with promoting unhealthy lifestyles. It’s perplexing that someone who has built a career on weight loss and fitness would attack individuals for their size, especially when numerous studies have shown that many larger-bodied people are perfectly healthy.
In fact, the practices of shows like “The Biggest Loser” have been widely criticized. Contestants have reported being subjected to extreme measures, including starvation and unhealthy weight-loss tactics that ultimately harm their long-term health. One former contestant even described how the environment pressured them to use dangerous substances and engage in obsessive exercise routines just to conform to the show’s standards.
Let’s be clear: the belief that living authentically in a larger body equates to “glorifying obesity” is fundamentally flawed. There are countless individuals with extra weight who are in excellent health, and judging someone solely based on their appearance reveals a lack of understanding. If thin individuals struggle with their health, it stands to reason that we shouldn’t assume any fat person is unhealthy.
So, let’s stop the health-shaming. It’s time to focus on our own health journeys rather than critiquing others. Unless you are experiencing life in someone else’s body, you have no right to pass judgment. When influencers like Tara Johnson target talented individuals, they also diminish the worth of many others in larger bodies, including myself.
Don’t pretend to care about my health, Tara. Your motivation is profit, and you’re capitalizing on insecurities under the guise of fitness. To those who think they can judge me based on my body: I’m thriving and living my best life, and I refuse to accept your unsolicited opinions.
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In summary, it’s crucial to recognize that health comes in all shapes and sizes. Judging someone based on their body is not only harmful but also ignorant of the complexities of individual health. Embracing one’s body, regardless of its size, should be celebrated, not shamed.
Keyphrase: fat-shaming and health
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