Beauty in all sizes
Recently, a woman named Rachel posted a selfie with a thanks to Old Navy for offering cute plus size clothing after overhearing other shoppers pick up a patriotic tank and mock how “huge” it was. Rachel was hurt, spent a few minutes crying about it, then tried on that very tank and decided to buy it and rock it.
I think she looks fabulous.
Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes.
This post is not about Rachel or her shopping experience, but I will take a moment to say thank you to every store offering clothing to fit all shapes and sizes, because every woman should feel good in what she wears. Period, the end.
And while I’m at it, could we please just STOP with body shaming? I’ve seen “fat shaming,” “skinny shaming,” and even “fit shaming” for women who have any sort of visible muscles. Seriously, let’s stop it. Online, while shopping, or anywhere else.
When I was active in photography, I did a project celebrating beauty across five decades, a variety of shapes and sizes, and quite a few colors. It was my all-time favorite photography project because several of the two-dozen women involved told me they’d “never had a good a picture” until their session with me; I still smile thinking about some of their reactions.
But can I please address the elephant in the room?
Although beauty come in all sizes, health does not.
Maybe it’s because body size is a hot-button topic, but I find it odd that no one is offended when we urge each other to keep learning, to improve our minds, to grow spiritually — but people tend to take offense if we urge self-improvement on the physical front. Maybe that’s because our mind and our soul aren’t visible to the public, but our shape is, and that’s what makes us feel so vulnerable.
One more related point, though: a person’s physical appearance does not indicate their fitness level. Yes, being overweight carries health risks but I’ve been easily outrun by overweight folks in some of my road races. Should they get to a healthier weight? That would be wise, but I’m proof (in my first 40 years) that just being slim doesn’t equal healthy.
Let’s stop confusing two separate issues.
I’d love to see us all learn to embrace beauty within ourselves and others at whatever point we’re at in regards to life and fitness — but as we do this, let’s be careful not to inadvertently glorify being unhealthy.
**I typically shy away from these topics but this seems to be coming up repeatedly in social media lately, so I’m sticking my neck out there and hoping my heart comes across in this post.
Wife, mom, J-ma. Introvert who enjoys good books, sunshine, and authentic conversation. Often seen with a steaming mug of tea in hand – unless it’s lost yet again in the microwave. Read more »
I think one of the issues is that you can’t look at someone and know whether they are healthy based purely on their shape. I can think, off the top of my head, of two friends who are approximately the same shape visually. One is extremely athletic, very fit, eats a healthy diet to fuel her constant activity and exercise, and is physically healthy. The other is, well, not any of those things particularly. Same shape, different health status, and you can’t tell by looking. Likewise, two very slender friends. One has a serious eating disorder and is very ill,… Read more »
You’re right, May. I don’t propose that we can identify by looking how healthy someone is — but pretty much everyone could benefit from healthier choices, whether that means more sleep, less processed foods, etc… In my limited experience so far as a personal trainer, I’ve been surprised at some of the people who are far more fit than I would’ve imagined at first glance, and some who are far less fit than you’d think at first glance.
I think your heart came across beautifully. 🙂
Thank you, friend!
I like what you’ve said. It doesn’t sound like you’re referring to interacting with strangers or acquaintances. If you know a person well enough to challenge her spiritually or emotionally, you know her well enough to challenge her physically. A person who thinks you’re “good enough” in all areas of life is not actually invested in you.
Exactly, Ashley. Thanks for your comment!
The media glorifies unhealthy thinness as much as people glorify the reverse. Health should be measured in so many other things before it should be measured in pounds. Speaking as someone who wouldn’t eat in the presence of peers in high school its important to remember it swings both ways.
You’re absolutely right. Just as beauty comes in all sizes, so does health — and UNhealthiness. There are probably just as many underweight unhealthy people as overweight unhealthy people, and I’d love to see us stop glorifying either one.