Tag Archives: Body image

I haven’t written much lately as we made a couple of getaways before the end of summer vacation.  The other day I posted pictures on Facebook from our recent adventure.  We had a lot of fun and I wanted to share that with friends.  One comment made on the pictures bugged me.  I know I should consider the source and I know the person who made the comment is someone I haven’t seen in a few years but it bugged me.  The comment was that they could see I was getting in shape.  What does that mean?  Why did they say that of all the things that could be said about the photos I posted?  I think it was supposed to be a complement.  I think?

As I said in my description of myself I have always been overweight.  I can lose weight and then promptly gain it back with more.  I am lucky though, I don’t have any of the issues usually associated with being obese.  I don’t have diabetes, my blood pressure is good, my cholesterol for the most part is good, I’m active and enjoy life.  I try not to let my size stop me from doing the things I want.  People don’t get it that no matter what I do I can’t explain why I’m fat.  I’ve had people tell me to exercise more.  After two years at Taekwondo with little change in my diet I didn’t lose an ounce.  When I said I was switching to Paleo I actually had one person tell me to let them put together a diet and exercise regimen so I could lose weight.  I even had a doctor once look me straight in the eye and with a serious face tell me to stop eating all the donuts. None of them get it.  Not everyone who is fat is that way because they eat a dozen donuts every day or sit on the couch all day long.  Most of us struggle on a daily basis to understand why it is that we can eat the same and do the same activity as others and be in the body we have.  This leads to a lot of frustration and pain. It hurts when people who think they are being supportive by saying eat less or exercise more don’t get it that you’ve been doing all that and nothing changes.

What people need to think about before saying anything is try to understand that not all of us are made the same.  We aren’t all going to be a size 2.  I’d be happy to get to a 14.  That would be devastating to some but for me that would be a happy place.  As long as I can be healthy I’m not too worried about my size.  This has taken me a long time to realize.  I still fight body image issues.  Even when I lose weight I still see the fat body in the mirror even though I am wearing smaller clothes, feel better and look good.

As I said I know some people just don’t get it that my size, weight and fitness level can be a tough subject.  I will be the first to say I’m not perfect, but who is?  Maybe before commenting on a person’s size, weight, fitness level, or looks we should comment about ourselves first and see if it is something we want to hear, say to others, or post on social media about ourselves.

Ok rant over.  Think about others before you judge and /or open your mouth or post a comment.