Rebloggable version!
This is important enough that I thought it belonged here!
Body positivity is also not shaming those of us who are trying to lose weight.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been told that I don’t love myself because I want to be healthier and lose weight.
Me wanting to lose weight has everything to do with my own person reasons (high cholesterol, medication issues) and nothing to do with anyone else. I am sick of people impling that I don’t love myself because I’m trying to slim down enough so that my bloodwork comes back good. My doctor and I were both unconcerned about my weight until some of my bloodwork started coming back with some concerning results.
So, I am losing weight, exercising, and training myself to eat better. Not because I think I’m ugly, but because I want to be healthy for myself and for my child.
The next time someone tells me that I am fat and beautiful, I will say thank you, but if they follow that up with “You don’t need to lose weight. You should love yourself as you are,” then that person will get told to go fuck themselves.
I can’t tell you what to do with your body. You want to lose weight? Great, you do it. But don’t you dare say it’s to ‘be healthy.’
Losing weight does NOT equal better health. Better eating habits? Sure. Better exercise habits? Sure. More sleep? Sure. Reducing stress in your life? Sure. In some bodies, modifying your habits makes you lose weight. But the weight loss is a SYMPTOM, not a cause of better or worse health.
People really need to get over this fallacy of ‘Oh god I feel so sluggish because I’ve gained weight.’ or ‘Oh, I feel so much more healthy since I lost weight.’ No. You’ve changed your habits, and maybe your body changed along with it. But you know what, that doesn’t happen to everyone. Beliefs like this DIRECTLY impact the misguided viewpoint that fat=unhealthy.
It’s pretty easy.
Eating better/exercising more = better health.
Better health ≠ changes in weight. It CAN, but it’s not required.
Anyone who tries to tell you what to do with your body SHOULD be told to go fuck themselves. But YOU should also take responsibility for your reasons. Because if you truly believe the only way to be healthier is to lose weight, you’ve got a long way to go in body positivity.
Reblogging this version for commentary and to add that no one is denying that you love your body. The relationship you have with your body is personal and wonderful. Just know that your feelings and definitions about health are not universally adapted by everyone else.
