Filly tormented by fat shaming

Grosslyfat women and men will have to live with fat shaming, a term used to describe how obese people are often ridiculed and humiliated for being overweight, and just like we identify ourselves with different races, our weight levels are determining how we are viewed and treated.In my entire life, I’ve never had a problem with weight but some close friends especially females have for years had to put up with body shaming. There is no doubt all of us want to appear good, live long lives, feel great and look fit.Those of us that manage our weight with healthy eating and regular exercise recognize that the responsibility for our own personal health and the way we look to others rests on our own shoulders.On the other hand, poor nutrition and growing levels of obesity are taking a toll on the health of most people as an increasing number consume fast food and lead sedentary lifestyles.Almost all of them end up being obese and are usually ashamed of their how they look, leading into mental health issues like low self-esteem, depression and anxiety. All over the society those with obesity are stereotyped as being unattractive, not taking responsibility, lacking will power and being lazy. Those who face public discrimination, derogation and devaluation due to being overweight can develop mental health problems or worse.An obese filly was telling me the other day how effects of weight stigma in obesity looking at the various ways she deals with fat shame and how her body internalizes it, contradicted my long held belief that fat shaming or self-induced stigma motivate the obese person to eat healthy and to exercise, but instead contributed by adding stress.As a 27 years old born and bred in East Melbourne, experiencing stigma due to their weight with fat shaming, filly was saying she’s more likely to develop depression and other mental health issues as a result.Its been very tough for her.

Most of the insults and put downs she receives come from people who have never struggled with their weight. Of cause I must say I’ve never shamed any person or insulted because of their weight. But according to her, such behaviour has become widely accepted in our communities and it’s very harmful to people with weight problems like her. “Folks might not say things to my face so much, but the way they look at me Contador Harrison, says everything,” filly told me. “Strangers snigger at me or stare at me when I’m eating. It’s like they’re disgusted by my weight so much that I shouldn’t eat.” East Melburnian native says she’s been overweight for most of her adult life and as a result she’s received cruel words, brazen insults, and taunts, often from strangers, because of her larger size. She narrated how every time she leave her house, she feel so judged. One day, she’d like to just go to work and spend her free time just enjoying herself, instead of feeling like she have to justify her existence. As we continued chatting, I showed her support and encouragement, but also reminded her that there are millions of people out there facing similar stories of humiliation. I was so hurt and saddened by the fat shaming insults she’s been getting and she looked angry and frustrated. One thing her story taught me is that for someone you do not know their story, you have no right to judge their lifestyle.In my view, encourage them. Some of them are finding time for themselves working hard to improve.As my mom taught me as a tween,women are not merely objects that can be either appreciated or degraded based on looks and should not be de-valued because of appearances. The filly said she has a struggle in her life, just like we all have different struggles but we are facing them head on and beating them and doesn’t see why women struggling with weight can’t overcome it.She agrees it is no easy feat but as one of those working hard to manage her weight, her feel is that she deserve respect and admiration. Most people in believe that obesity is self-induced and it’s a sign of weakness in turns of gluttony and laziness and has been the general belief for a very, very long time. However much much i’d wish it didn’t even exist in the first place, I’m gutted to say its gonna be with us for generations to come.