Fat Shaming - Why's It Still A Thing In 2019?

Good Lord, the amount of tweets or comments on Insta pictures fat shaming people or making lewd suggestions at their weight and body size is beyond preposterous.



Why is this still a thing in 2019? Is it down to jealousy? Nastiness? Or just dumbfoundedly thinking that it’s still ok to do so in this day and age?



I posted these pictures of me in my bra a few weeks ago, something that this time a year or even two years ago, I wouldn’t have the guts to do. There’s always that small voice of doubt that people may think I’m attention seeking or I’m setting myself up for every snide remark there is to be thought of and said.

Nervously, I tapped the post button on Insta and prayed that I wouldn’t have to deal with any bitchy or horrid comments. I’m happy to say that I was very fortunate and all I received were compliments. However, I know not everyone has the same experience. Some of the nasty comments I’ve seen on other people’s posts makes me incredibly sad and a little angry also.



Why the hell are we worrying about posting pictures of ourselves in our underwear or bikinis? It’s not that we’re objectifying ourselves, it’s showing that we’re body confident and are not afraid to hide our flaws and imperfections behind closed doors. Well, I obviously don’t go out in town in just your Boux Avenue floral bra set, but you know what I mean. It’s a little chilly to do that sort of thing these days.

Fat shaming can have harmful effects on our mental wellbeing as well as our physical wellbeing. I cannot see the reasoning behind shaming people into losing weight. Has it not occurred to others that they may be overweight due to a health condition? Or their overweight as a side effect from medication they're taking? Nope, some people are just bastards and are completely clueless and ignorant to all of that. They just automatically see someone who they feel needs to lose weight, it's wrong on so many levels.




To me, fat shaming does not motivate people to lose weight, it's mainly making them feel terrible about themselves, a reduction in confidence and self esteem is not the way to go about this. How about trying to keep your mouth shut? Hmm, that may the best idea.

In a way, fat shaming is weight discrimination. Not only that, it is a form of bullying, something I have had experience of in the past. Growing up, I had numerous health issues (shock horror). I ended up having to take cortisone steroids which ultimately led me to pile on the weight, steroids made me crave everything that was in the freezer, including the ice. I had people in my year group in comp make comments, say hurtful things and just simply make the point that I had a huge weight increase in the space of a few months. How rude of those people eh?! But do you know what, they thought they were hurting me and only gained a maximum of a few seconds of enjoyment, little did they realise that it would cause me years of hurt.




I feel good about myself now, I've tried my utmost best to embrace my hamster cheeks, my constant bloated belly and visible stretchmarks. It's a work in progress, but something I am going to keep striving for.

 

 

What are your thoughts on fat shaming? Let me know your thoughts!

 

 

Lucy