When I first sought treatment for my eating disorders, the body positivity movement seemed like a great way to connect with people online who had also dealt with food issues and negative body image. Here were women of all sizes, celebrating the things society and the media deemed “ugly”: cellulite, stretch marks and scars. The flaws I’d been taught my whole life not to love.
But as I began gaining weight, I began to see a theme on body positive social media accounts. Women who had stomach rolls, but who perhaps weren’t the dictionary definition of “fat”, were told they’d “never understand” what women bigger than them had been through and the problems they’d faced. While I’m sure there’s an element of truth to that, it sums up this no-win situation. If you’re thin, you’re told to gain weight, too big, and you’re told to lose it.
While the body positive chapter in my life has closed, even now, as an “in-between” model , who I’d say feels 90 per cent okay with her body, I’ve experienced huge pressureto lose weight, even if I’ve felt unhealthy. If I do lose weight, for whatever reason, I’ll instantly receive negative comments from people in the industry or on Instagram… in addition to a virtual round of applause.
To someone who’s battled eating disorders, a comment like this is triggering. It threatens to eliminate the positive changes gaining weight brought to my life. It makes me think gaining weight is shameful, and feeds the demon in my head that says people find me more attractive when I’m thinner. If Adele should ever gain the weight back, will all of her achievements have been for nothing? Of course not.
So, before you comment on somebody’s weight – even if you think it’s a compliment – perhaps it’s worth stopping to reflect on why, as grown women in 2020, we still place such a high value on thinness and looks over other our myriad other qualities and achievements. We owe it to ourselves – and each other.All products featured on the website are independently selected by our Editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
The reality is Adele looks amazing before she lost weight but even more now. Losing weight shouldn’t be a crime. Why can’t we celebrate both?
MunroeBergdorf Isn't being thin something to celebrate?
Adele is an amazing song writer, brilliant voice, so so talented, amazing woman and really funny and being thin hasn’t made anything of those things change or different. She’s Adele and your you and I’m me and someone’s appearance isn’t your business
It's all about the bass 🎶🎵