Body Shaming

Body Shaming-

This is PERSONAL!
This is WRONG!
This is NOT OK!

We hear a lot about "Body Shaming".  It infuriates me every time that I hear it or see it written.  It is something that I have dealt with and there is absolutely NOTHING positive that can come from it!

Many may not have any clue as to exactly what body-shaming is.  So, let's explain that first before we go any further.
- the action or practice of humiliating someone by making mocking or critical comments about their body shape or size.
-expressing mockery or criticism about a person's body shape or size. 
Just looking at the above definition should make anyone of us think twice about saying anything about someone.  I also realize that sometimes that people make comments and judgments about other people when they don't know the real story.  In my experience, maybe not yours, there is a reason and sometimes there can even be more reasons than anyone can image.
When you see people that maybe overweight just a little or to the clinical terminology of morbid obese-
What is your first thought?
Is it-
"She/He is huge."
"She has such a pretty face.  It's a shame she is so big."
"She/He has been to too many buffet's."
"She/He has to ride the scooter at Wal-Mart."
"How in the world do they fit behind the wheel in their car?"
The current rate of obesity in the US is spiraling out of control (36.5%).  We need to change our world and our thinking.  Something I have learned and did not realize that there are people that are Body-Shaming THEMSELVES!!!
I have been there in the past and I even am guilty of this in the midst of my fitness journey. When you are lacking the confidence in who you are and what you look like in the mirror, those comments come in your head and even out of your mouth at times.
"I'm so ugly compared to her."
"Look how broad my shoulders are."
"With those thighs, I'm never going to find a date."
"I can't lose the weight so I might as well just give up because I'm not worth it."
Here is the deal.  (On my soap-box)
Sometimes there are hidden causes for those that are medically overweight and walking around or even using the scooter at Wal-Mart. At times there are people that have those medical reasons.  Medications can cause you to gain weight no matter how much you workout.  Sometimes there are hormonal imbalances.  Sometimes it is depression, lack of confidence and those thoughts above are in their head and they have given up.
At this point in my life, when seeing men, women, teenagers and even children that are overweight, it breaks my heart.  I have been the one wearing the plus sizes and not feeling very confident in my own skin. I'm sure that there were those that would see me and wonder why I wasn't doing something about it. I'm sure that it was a major source of the reasons for infertility. I also know that I did have the medical condition called PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) which makes losing weight an uphill battle and for sure it was not for a lack of trying.  It required a lot of work between the doctors and nutritionist and my own head to get to where I wanted to be.

The point of all of this- STOP IT!!!!!!  That man or woman that you see out at the restaurant, the mall, or the store, remember, they are a walking story.  There is something happening there and if you don't know what it is, BE QUIET!!  They don't want to hear it. They don't need to hear it. They deserve the same respect as you do!!!!
Body-Shaming is real and it needs to STOP!
Have you experienced Body-Shaming?