Even though summer is almost over, this topic is still relevant :)
Contrary to popular belief, summer is NOT measured by the size of your bathing suit. For me, summer means warmer weather, family vacations, and even sipping delicious cocktails from time-to-time. :) As an eating disorder dietitian, these pro-body image comments are probably expected from me. I get it. But truthfully, I haven't always felt so self-confident.
This (the comment above) is coming from a girl who used to spend hours in front of a mirror each day critiquing every part of her body...the girl who used to exercise compulsively to feel worthwhile...the girl who used to be scared to death to eat anything that wasn't deemed "safe"...
So yeah, I DO get it...
My body has held multiple shapes & sizes throughout the past 27 years. And inevitably, it will transform even more as I grow older. That's just reality! While the 'Health at Every Size' movement continues to gain popularity, millions of men and women are still falling victim to chasing an "ideal" figure - when really, our individual body set points are SO different from one another! Every day, I scroll through my social media timelines and AT MINIMUM one person posts about their recent weight loss journey, their exercise challenge...or maybe their general body frustrations. Not that these programs are "bad" in and of themselves...but for millions of people suffering from eating disorders or negative relationship with their body image, it can be.
So who's to blame...? The media? Clothing designers? Models? Photoshop? Hormones? Genetics? Dr. Oz... :) In all honesty I do wish I could point the finger at just one culprit, but the problem is multi-faceted...there isn't just one cause and effect with negative body image.
No matter what the media or even some "health experts" preach, the size of our bodies DOES NOT directly correlate with our worth. And believe it or not, there are also many variances to "healthy" because (news flash) we are not all meant to be identical! In fact - I want to point out that GENETICS is the #1 predictor for diseases like diabetes and heart disease, NOT BODY SIZE.
Let me give you an example: as an RD for the past 5 years, I've been approached almost daily by those desiring to lose weight. Their #1 motivator? Besides societal standards, often times they are wanting to prevent "weight-related" diseases. **Let me first just say, I always validate people's health concerns - the majority in good faith do not want to harm their bodies, but create thriving ones. And second, weight CAN be affected by specific diet/lifestyle choices. Gradual weight loss goals are often in the discussion (if recommended) for those who suffer from Type 2 Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, etc.**
HOWEVER...because of all this weight-focused/disease preventing attention in the media, people who are naturally larger framed (NOT because of said diet or lifestyle) are often shamed in healthcare settings. Why? Unfortunately, many clinicians wrongfully accuse someone of being "unhealthy" strictly due to their outside appearance.
I've said it once and I'll say it again: just because someone holds a larger body frame, this DOES NOT automatically mean they are sick/lazy/unhealthy.. (insert other weight/BMI stereotypes here).
It is definitely possible for someone of a higher weight or BMI (body mass index) to have perfect blood chemistry (no hypertension, no diabetes, no heart disease). It's even just as likely for someone to be at risk for all of these diseases, and be considered "normal" size. Remember the phrase "Never judge a book by it's cover?" The same applies to our health. As a dietitian I've assessed hundreds (if not more) clients for nutrition-related diagnoses over the years. I've counseled clients on all ends of the scale - underweight, "normal," overweight, & obese. What have I concurred? Plain and simple:
That "skinny"≠ healthy,
&
"fat" ≠ unhealthy.
To truly gauge someone's health, I assess the following statements:
1) Are they nourishing their bodies with a variety of foods, eating regularly throughout the day, and not restricting, overeating, or engaging in other symptoms (bingeing, vomiting, diet pills, etc?)
2) Are they moving their bodies regularly in an enjoyable, non-compulsive way?
3) Do they have pre-existing conditions, or family history of genetic disease(s)?
Chances are, if someone answers 'yes' to the first two guidelines above, they are doing as much as they can with the cards they've been dealt in life. No matter how hard you try, you can't pick your parents, and you can't choose which traits you receive from them (or their ancestors). I'll use myself as an example: Type 2 Diabetes runs rampant in my family history. While I have a balanced diet and exercise regularly, it's still very possible I'll be diagnosed in the future. There's nothing I will have done to CAUSE this disease (if I am diagnosed), but I can take preventative measures to prolong it.
Obviously I am very passionate about this topic, and could go on for days :) But if you are like me and interested in learning more about size acceptance, I suggest the following resources:
And for all of my loved ones: I hope this summer is (and was!) filled with enjoyment and memories to last a lifetime...and the scale didn't measure your worth :)
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