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Home » Lose Weight » Talking About Weight Loss Is Not Fat Shaming: Here’s Why – Plant Based News

If weight loss stories are viewed as fat shaming, it makes it more of a challenge to raise the issues that are related to being overweight(Photo: Adobe. Do not use without permission)

A few months ago, Plant Based News covered the story that Adele had lost 100lbs.

This was rumoured to have been attributed to her following a mainly plant-based diet. More recently her friend comedian Alan Carr lost weight after being inspired by Adele.

Many comments on the article about Adele said the story itself was fat shaming.

I disagree.

But why are weight loss stories considered fat shaming by some and how can we look at these differently and in a more positive light?

How we interpret what someone says to us or what we read can be down to many things. A weight loss story may understandably trigger certain emotions in someone if this is something theyve struggled with.

But if weight loss stories are viewed as fat shaming, it makes it more of a challenge to raise the issues that are related to being overweight.

Instead, if we can have helpful, open, and constructive discussions about weight issues we can then talk about the healthy, sustainable changes that can have a positive impact on someones life.

I know when my doctor told me I needed to lose weight I took this as advice. I saw it as him trying to help me, and I decided to do something about it. But the reverse could be true for many and they will see it as an attack.

This means many doctors are fearful of raising the issue of a patient's weight in case their comments are taken as fat shaming. Its not just doctors either many of us will have felt too scared to say anything when weve been concerned about a close friend or family members increasing weight.

Fat shaming is about disrespecting a person and can come in many guises. However, covering a story about a persons weight loss in a neutral way (and provided the weight loss is not a result of an illness ) is not disrespectful; neither is it bullying or shaming.

Talking about someone's weight loss is not implying that they were unattractive, lazy, or lacking self-control beforehand either.

A persons weight issues can often be tied to low self-esteem, poor confidence and quite often negative or upsetting events from the past. This is why comfort eating, or emotional eating is very common in people who are overweight. Its something I see a lot in my health coaching practice

Feeling judged because of their weight, on top of what else they may have going on, is not going to help someone to feel empowered to make changes.

Many doctors are fearful of raising the issue of a patient's weight in case their comments are taken as fat shaming (Photo: Adobe. Do not use without permission)

Being bombarded with images of super-skinny women and men with six-packs sends the message that if you dont look like that, theres something wrong with you. Comparing yourself to people like this can trigger all sorts of negative thoughts and behaviour.

The issue is perpetuated by entertainment magazines, highlighting any perceived imperfections in a celebritys body, which reinforces the notion that you are somehow flawed if you dont have a perfect body.

Its not just celebrities of course; people who are overweight are often portrayed negatively and this is what needs to stop.

If we didnt have this culture of judgement and shaming people who are overweight, then there wouldnt be the reaction weve seen when someone loses weight.

Being kind and compassionate towards yourself and others is a much more positive place to start.

By being in a place of acceptance and valuing yourself youre in a much stronger position to want to give your body what it needs the nutrients and healthy lifestyle to thrive.

When you do this, youre less likely to spiral into self-loathing, eating crappy foods, berating yourself, and then eating more crappy foods because you feel crappy, and it goes on

Being kind and compassionate towards yourself and others is a positive place to start(Photo: Adobe. Do not use without permission)

Being a healthy weight can bring so many positives mentally, emotionally and physically.

Of course, this doesn't mean youll automatically be happier because you are a healthy weight and it doesnt mean youre unhappy if youre overweight. But maintaining a healthy weight by adopting a healthy lifestyle can help with things such as obsessing about your diet and your body.

You reduce your risk of obesity-related issues such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cancer, diabetes, heart disease and complications relating to Covid-19. And there are the other bonuses like not getting out of breath, reduced pain and having more energy. Who doesnt want more of that?

By wanting weight loss stories to be seen in a more positive light I am in no way dismissing the fact that many people are struggling with eating disorders and disordered eating.

But this should not stop us talking about the very real health issues related to being overweight.

And of course, a healthy weight will mean something different for everyone we come in all shapes and sizes.

Genetics and certain conditions play a part of course, as well as your lifestyle. Your genes may be the reason you put on weight easily while your friend seems to be able to eat exactly what they want without putting on an ounce!

That doesnt mean that theres nothing you can do; it might be that you just have to do things differently.

With over 60 percent of the UK population now overweight or obese, according to UK Parliament statistics, its become the norm. This means people often dont realise theyre at a higher risk of weight related illnesses and conditions.

Health isnt just about your body weight of course. Other aspects of your life all have an impact, so we shouldnt equate being a healthy weight with necessarily being a healthy person.

Your mental health, how active you are, whether you smoke, what youre eating and drinking and if you are managing stress all determine how healthy you are.

Weight loss stories where someone has focused on eating healthily as Adeles personal trainer has acknowledged was the case for her should be a cause for celebration and the person should be acknowledged for their hard work and tenacity.

Ultimately how people respond and how they feel about what they read and hear is their choice. I hope that most people who want to lose weight will be inspired by stories like these and feel that they too can achieve a healthy weight with a healthy plant-based lifestyle.

Celebrities are of course influential, but whether youre a celebrity or not, by taking control of your health and what you eat, you never know who you may positively influence too.

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Talking About Weight Loss Is Not Fat Shaming: Here's Why - Plant Based News

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Home » Lose Weight » Talking About Weight Loss Is Not Fat Shaming: Here’s Why – Plant Based News