I’ve been thinking about this topic even before Chip Wilson put his foot in his mouth when he commented about the waning quality of his product line. 

Fat shaming which is ubiquitous in our society and even across the world is a shaming tactic used to make those who are overweight or obese feel as though their current physical state is not only physically unattractive but also morally wrong.

Yes, our country faces the problem of obesity and even worse childhood obesity.  But is guilt the ultimate tactic to combat the epidemic?

No.  Quite frankly it’s bullying and it doesn’t work.

Our society already shames us in so many other ways despite our body size – do you work hard enough?  do you make enough money?  are you wearing the latest styles?  and on and on. 

And if we aren’t damaging the psyche of those are carrying extra weight through fat shaming, we are definitely damaging the psyche of children.

We should be preaching that health comes from how we live, not how we look.  And beauty is more than how we look, it’s how we live. 

I’m done with it.  Not only as a woman but also as a health professional.  I want to encourage my clients to live healthy lives not just focus on weight loss.  Because when our society shames for excess weight, the insurance companies take it one step further and charge them more for health care.  But that’s a whole other topic…fit and fat?

And I’m done with thinking that to be an RD I have to look a certain way.  Or that to be a fitness instructor or runner, I have to have a certain body type.  Or that to be beautiful, I have to be a certain size. 

Recently, a photographer compiled pictures of various Olympic athletes.  I was mesmerized by the beautiful diversity of these strong, confident, powerful people.  Don’t we all wish we had their determination, dominant will, and pure guts?

That’s what an athlete looks like.

And even more recently, Lauren Fleshman kept it real by showing what it really means to look like a runner – bloated tummy and all (can you say carbs!?). 

Direct quote — “Everyone has thigh cheese.  It’s part of life.  No one’s perfect.”

AMEN SISTA!

Until society can completely change, I’m going to try my best to reduce/eliminate my fat talk (I’m fat, I hate my “insert body part here”) and support those who feel and act the same way. 

And until Lululemon can get their stuff together, I’m going to be purchasing my workout gear from other companies.  Such as Under Armour.  This company is dedicated to making their products work for all women – which is why they started the “What’s Beautiful” campaign.  And I believe this is also why they test their products on the instructors at Charm City Yoga.  They’re testing them on real people, whose beauty is exemplified by the beauty of their hearts.

We are all here together, trying to make things better and live the best lives we can.  We all have similar goals and aspirations – despite color, race, size, or gender.  So let’s try to celebrate our differences instead of shaming ourselves for it. 

And instead of trying to get our bodies to a certain size, why don’t we take care of them, nourish them, and celebrate them for what they can do?

how do you feel about fat shaming?