drtbear1967
Musclechemistry Board Certified Member
<header class="entry-header">Fit and Fat Shaming – This Needs to Die. Now.
by Nia Shanks
</header>Warning! You’re entering a rant zone. I rarely do this but could no longer remain silent with this particular issue. You’ve been warned.
Befuddled. Confused. Annoyed. Maybe even a little disturbed.
That’s how I feel about the current wave of fit and fat shaming. Even though I don’t read about it on social media where’s it’s quite popular, I’m still hearing it in conversations.
(NOTE: the picture here shows common negative stereotypes applicable to the fit and fat shaming discussion and is NOT saying “this is the way it is” or “all people think this way”.)
You see comments from both sides such as …
“Women who are incredibly fit are narcissists and can afford the luxury of being super fit because they don’t have families or other obligations.”
And …
“Women who are overweight are just lazy and full of excuses.”
Why would anyone think they’re superior or inferior based on their physical appearance? Why do some go out of their way to criticize the way another person looks? Why would someone make an immediate judgement on why a person is that way?
“It’s not your body, so why do you care so much?” is what I want to ask people who participate on both sides of fit and fat shaming.
Maybe the “incredibly fit” woman being attacked via so called fit shaming is extremely insecure and struggles with an eating disorder, binge eating, or body dysmorphia.
Maybe the “overweight woman” who’s being fat shamed has tried dozens of diets, cleanses, and other gimmicks but can’t seem to make anything last long-term and thinks even trying to change is useless.
Or maybe both of these hypothetical women couldn’t care less what anyone thinks and are incredibly happy and loving their lives.
Regardless, making negative comments about someone’s body is never a good idea. For all you know that person is already saying those negative things, or much worse, to themselves already, and you’re reinforcing these terrible, incorrect beliefs.
Be Part of the Solution
Let’s all continue to do the things we enjoy, become the best versions of ourselves, and encourage others to do the same, even if their path looks different from our own. We all have different bodies, different goals, different preferences, different lives, different genetics … but as cliche as it is, we’re all human and we’re ALL so much more than our physical appearance.
Related Article: 13 Ways Women Can be MORE, Not Less
We may live in a world that tries to sum us up or define us based on how we look, but it doesn’t mean we have to accept it or be part of the problem. We can be part of the solution and hopefully put the final nail in the coffin of fit and fat shaming for good.
by Nia Shanks
</header>Warning! You’re entering a rant zone. I rarely do this but could no longer remain silent with this particular issue. You’ve been warned.
Befuddled. Confused. Annoyed. Maybe even a little disturbed.
That’s how I feel about the current wave of fit and fat shaming. Even though I don’t read about it on social media where’s it’s quite popular, I’m still hearing it in conversations.
(NOTE: the picture here shows common negative stereotypes applicable to the fit and fat shaming discussion and is NOT saying “this is the way it is” or “all people think this way”.)
You see comments from both sides such as …
“Women who are incredibly fit are narcissists and can afford the luxury of being super fit because they don’t have families or other obligations.”
And …
“Women who are overweight are just lazy and full of excuses.”
Why would anyone think they’re superior or inferior based on their physical appearance? Why do some go out of their way to criticize the way another person looks? Why would someone make an immediate judgement on why a person is that way?
“It’s not your body, so why do you care so much?” is what I want to ask people who participate on both sides of fit and fat shaming.
Maybe the “incredibly fit” woman being attacked via so called fit shaming is extremely insecure and struggles with an eating disorder, binge eating, or body dysmorphia.
Maybe the “overweight woman” who’s being fat shamed has tried dozens of diets, cleanses, and other gimmicks but can’t seem to make anything last long-term and thinks even trying to change is useless.
Or maybe both of these hypothetical women couldn’t care less what anyone thinks and are incredibly happy and loving their lives.
Regardless, making negative comments about someone’s body is never a good idea. For all you know that person is already saying those negative things, or much worse, to themselves already, and you’re reinforcing these terrible, incorrect beliefs.
Be Part of the Solution
Let’s all continue to do the things we enjoy, become the best versions of ourselves, and encourage others to do the same, even if their path looks different from our own. We all have different bodies, different goals, different preferences, different lives, different genetics … but as cliche as it is, we’re all human and we’re ALL so much more than our physical appearance.
Related Article: 13 Ways Women Can be MORE, Not Less
We may live in a world that tries to sum us up or define us based on how we look, but it doesn’t mean we have to accept it or be part of the problem. We can be part of the solution and hopefully put the final nail in the coffin of fit and fat shaming for good.
- Be your best self and live a life that brings you joy, and encourage others to do the same.
- Never assume you know why someone is the way they are. You’re likely wrong.
- There’s no one way to be a “real woman“.
- Acknowledge that “being fit” does not mean looking a certain way; it’s not a one-size-fits-all shape or size.
