Warning! This post may come off as a rant!
I try to be a healthy person (for whatever that means). I count my calories on week days, I exercise 5 times a week. I have struggled with anorexia for the past 12 years. (That post is for another day), but I feel like I’m at a really healthy point in my life right now.
Did you know that more than 1/3 of Americans (or 78.6 million) are considered obese? Now, this post is not going to ridicule people who struggle with weight because I get that and I know it truly is a struggle for some people. On the flip side, continue reading to know what it sometimes feels like to be one of the “healthy” or “fit” ones.
The other day I was in a group of people and someone singled me out as someone who never eats unhealthy, who won’t just eat whatever is put in front of me. “You need to eat something fatty!” “You never eat junk food” were actual statements aimed at me. I find it interesting that while the country continues to struggle with obesity and that statistic rises every month and year, I, as someone who works really hard to eat healthy, stay active, make healthy choices for my body is ridiculed for “not eating junk food”. Did you know Iowa has one of the highest obescity rates in the US? We’re in the category of 30-35% obese! That’s sad to me and it’s even sadder that I get “shamed” for not being part of that group!
I’m definitely not one to judge people. I believe we can never truly understand what someone else is going through and I know a lot of people struggle with weight for reasons other than laziness, but why am I made to feel shame and scorn for choosing a healthy lifestyle. The flip side of that is that not everyone knows what it’s like to struggle with anorexia. (Again, that’s a whole other post).
Everyone has struggles. Everyone has things that challenge them in life. We all just need to be nicer! It seems like that is getting harder and harder today! We need to learn to accept people as they are. Just remember to not judge someone and watch your words…you never know how they may affect someone!
Thanks for being so open Katy. I’m sorry you were mocked for eating healthy! I think our obesity problem is partly due to convenience, availability and affordability. (And I’m saying that as someone with an obese BMI.) Being healthy takes work and I give you props for working hard to be healthy!
Thank you for the kind words Val! I think you are right! It’s so much easier to eat unhealthy now that it’s become natural!
Thanks for the kind words Val! I agree 100% that eating unhealthy is much easier today!
Katy—thank you for this post. I admire your honesty and your willingness to be open with what is an issue for a lot of folks. I don’t get how we can be so mean to others for every single thing. I think we all just need to practice being nice. A little nice goes a long way and you never truly know what someone else is going through, do you? Never. Hugs to you, my friend!
Thank you dear friend! Yes, I agree! We need a little more nice in the world! Just some simple respect and kindness for each other!
If we could all just be nice to one another *sigh*- I personally can’t stand the so called food wars. Food is a topic that I just avoid, because there’s always someone in a group that wants to push their agenda onto others. Niceness goes a long ways and hey, what’s wrong if someone wants to eat watermelon or a handful of grapes OR a handful of m&m’s, right? It’s all about choices….. and if it makes them happy and not bothering me – ENJOY!!!
I agree! There isn’t enough nice in the world anymore. I’m willing to discuss the “food wars” topic if everyone can be respectful and nice. I think we can all have our views and opinions and get along.
Unfortunately “Fit Shaming” is on the rise and I think people use it to make themselves feel better and take the attention off themselves. I know it doesn’t feel good but turn those statements around and say, “The good feeling I have when I eat junk food is not worth the weight gain and bad feeling I feel later.” 🙂
You are absolutely right! Thanks for your thoughts!