We all say self-deprecating things sometimes. Self-esteem can be a lifelong struggle with lots of ups and downs, and no matter how much we want to love ourselves unconditionally, it’s not easy. The body acceptance movement is helping women realize that no matter their body type, they’re beautiful. We all have to find a way to come to terms with who we are, and constantly judging your appearance isn’t going to make you happy or change anything. Instead of talking about how “fat” you supposedly are, focus on your health and appreciating your good qualities. We can’t all have the body of a Victoria’s Secret model. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t all just as gorgeous.
- You wouldn’t say it about your friends, so why are you saying it about yourself? Think about it— even if you noticed your friend gained a couple pounds, you would never tell her she looked fat. Why? Because it’s cruel and it wouldn’t be helping anyway. Why not offer yourself the same courtesy?
- Fat-shaming yourself is just as bad as fat-shaming someone else. You might think no one is getting hurt if you call yourself fat, but you’re wrong. It’s hurting you, and your feelings should matter just as much as anyone else’s. Putting an end to fat shaming has to start with accepting yourself, because then nothing anyone else says will matter.
- People around you could take offense to it. If you’re average weight and you’re calling yourself fat, how do you think someone who sees you as thin is going to feel? By fat shaming yourself, you’re indirectly fat shaming anyone who is bigger than you even if you don’t mean to.
- Fishing for compliments isn’t attractive. Some people say they’re fat just to get people to tell them that they aren’t. Fishing for compliments isn’t subtle, not to mention it’s shallow and self centered. No one wants to see your ribs in an Instagram picture and then see that you captioned it #fat.
- You shouldn’t point out your flaws. No one is perfect, but that’s what makes us unique and beautiful. You may not like your thighs, but chances are no one else even notices whatever you think is so bad about them. Until you start pointing it out. Insecurities are normal, but there’s no need to share them with the world.
- You’re your own harshest critic. No one can tell if you gain five pounds. No one can see a couple stretch marks on your inner thighs. No one is judging you because you had an extra cookie after dinner last night. They’re all too busy thinking about their own flaws to care about yours, so stop being so hard on yourself.
- Everyone holds weight differently. Some women are top heavy, while others are more pair shaped. Two women could weigh the exact same, but look nothing alike and wear very different sizes. And as we all know by now, weight doesn’t necessarily tell you everything there is to know about a person’s health.
- You could be triggering someone else’s body shame. You might think saying you’re going to pass on a cupcake because you’re fat is completely harmless. Maybe to you, it’s no big deal. But there are a lot of people out there who have serious issues with food, and hearing people worry unnecessarily about their weight could trigger feelings they’ve been working hard to suppress.
- You’re fat compared to what? If you’re fat, then what would your ideal body look like? Are you pining after the body of Kendall Jenner even though you’re 6 inches shorter, and a lot bustier? Comparing yourself to other people is always going to make you feel inadequate, because you can only strive to be healthy, not to look exactly like someone who has a different body shape than you.
- Accepting your body is pretty empowering. The day you finally accept your body for what it is, and stop making yourself feel bad for not looking a certain way, is the day a huge weight will be lifted off your shoulders. There’s no point in feeling like a failure for things you can’t change, so you might as well focus your energy on something more important than the number on the scale.
