In a lot of ways, it is hell to go through life as a big girl in a world that desires little ones. I am a real-life, full-size woman. Period, end of story. I have been told that I am “too big” since early childhood and I know, deep down, that those critics are right. I know that a few extra pounds are bad for my health. But why does the world need to tell those of us that are heftier that we are somehow inferior? Everywhere I look there are reminders to accept diversity and to be tolerant of those that are different – and yet the fat-bias persists. How often do you see heavy characters on tv or in the movies that are getting the hot guys or starring in major roles? Rarely – those ‘heavyweights’ are usually the buffoons or the funny sidekicks.
I have been doing Weight Watchers for the last several years and am so grateful to have that group of people who are going through the same issues I am. It amazes me that we all struggle with the same psychological and emotional issues – regardless of how many extra pounds we’re carrying. We all feel the same guilt every time we sneak through the McDonald’s drive through or tear our way through a bag of peanut M&M’s. We all struggle with the munchies and the aversion to raw vegetables, buffets at parties and sinful desserts. I am not alone in this struggle and it is reassuring.
I hate clothes shopping! Hate it! It is only recently that clothing manufacturers realize that people who wear a size 16 or larger are not 85 years old or living in muumuus. Nowadays, we can get funky dresses, sexy lingerie, and flattering tops just like our skinny sisters – we just have to pay 3 times as much and shop in an extra 50 or 60 stores. It sucks! And to have to search in sections with HUGE signs on the wall proclaiming us as “PLUS SIZES”, like somehow we fall outside of the normal realm of humanity and fashion.
So, to all of my healthy and curvy sisters, I offer up the following words – you are NOT different or weird! There are a lot of us full-size women out there and we should learn to accept ourselves…nay, even celebrate ourselves! We have got to teach the world that it takes all sizes and body shapes to meet the needs of the males of the species! So, girls, rejoice in who you are and feel confident and supported!
I have issues with clothes shopping too. Even when i lost weight and was a size 10/12 finding clothes that fit well was a pain because I’m still built curvy so they often did the waist gap thing but would be almost too tight around the hips. I wish there was more consideration that women are built all different, and no matter what their weight is their build is still going to vary.
[…] have already told you my objections to the term “plus size.” I also hate chunky, big-boned, hefty, and obese. Why can’t people just accept each […]