Body Shaming: Why Should It Affect You



SIZE DOESN’T MATTER
“Oh my God! You’re bursting at the seams!”
“Is that your hip or a barrel?”
“Are you going to disappear? Just look at those stick-like legs!”

People will never stop body shaming, no matter how you look. Infact, they have a problem with everything. If you’re plump, they’ll call you “fat”. If you’re thin, they’ll say you look like a “bag of bones”. If you’re short, they’ll reduce you to a “stub”. If you’re tall, they’ll say you’re “too tall for a woman”.

We live in a society that attaches too much importance to physical appearance. People expect others to conform to their notions of beauty - however unrealistic they may be. They don’t think twice before making fun of other’s appearances, which at times can be really, really mean. The biggest damage body shaming does is break one’s self-confidence.

Across time, victims of body shaming start to hate themselves so much so that they want to become someone else. Many of them even resort to drastic, unhealthy measures like skipping meals, which can lead to multiple health complications in future. Some even opt for invasive body-correction techniques including implants, which can be extremely painful. And yes, these may go horribly wrong if not performed by trained doctors.

So, do people take such drastic steps because they want to? The answer is “no”, in most of the cases. Victims of body shaming end up hating their own bodies. When they look into the mirror, what they see are are images of them created by others. The mirror becomes their biggest enemy. All they want to do is just change the way they look, so that they are accepted and admired.

Body shaming is something one can’t escape all the time. But you can make yourself resistant to it and also help others from falling prey to unwelcome, viscous comments.

Love yourself
You are beautiful in your own way and how you look is not anyone’s problem. Even if someone passes uncharitable remarks on your physical appearance, just ignore.

Your Are Perfect
You may be heavy, thin, super tall or cute and short. You’re perfect the way you are.

Stop Comparing
Each and every person in this world is different. So how can you compare yourself to anyone else? You’re unique; you’re beautiful; you are special. And nothing can take that away from you.

Stop Criticising
Stop finding faults with yourself, your body and the way you look. And yes, never criticise anyone else’s appearance as well. Live and let live.

Looking to lose or gain weight? Here’s how you should go about it:

Eat Healthy
If you think skipping meals can make you thinner, think again. Not having food on time can lead to unhealthy weight gain.

Start eating healthy – eat more vegetables, oily fish, green leafy vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, lentils/pulses, skimmed dairy products and seeds to ensure a balanced, nutritious diet.

Eat on time, for it will help control unhealthy cravings.

Avoid salty, sugary and oily food – they can lead to unhealthy weight gain and health complications like kidney stones and diabetes.

Drink plenty of water throughout the day to detoxify your body and keep it hydrated.

If you are obese or underweight, seek diet advice from a trained Dietician.

Exercise Daily
40 minutes of physical activity will ensure that your body gets the exercise it needs. Besides, regular exercise helps burn calories, keeps your body weight in control and prevents lifestyle diseases like diabetes, obesity and hypertension.

Say NO to Miracle Drugs
Drugs (tablets/ nutrition enhancers) that claim to help lose/gain weight can be potentially dangerous and lead to life-threatening complications like kidney failure.