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Body Positive Movement - For or against?
Replies
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If by "Body positive movement" it's meant that people of all shapes and sizes shouldn't be *kitten* on for their body shapes and sizes, I'm all on board.
If by "Body positive movement" it's meant that people shouldn't feel badly about their body shapes and sizes, I'm all on board.
If by "Body positive movement" it's meant that people who are overfat get to *kitten* on people who aren't as fat as they are, lie about the negative effects of obesity like a flat-earther defending their beliefs, and whinging about a lack of options for clothing for the class III obese, that's a no from me dawg.
There's nothing inherently wrong with being comfortable in your own skin. There's nothing wrong with wanting to be fitter, heavier, stronger, or not wanting to go the gym. All of these are valid choices people make every day.
There's a lot wrong with mocking people for any of these, and the "Body positive movements" loudest adherents seem to think it's fine to *kitten* all over those who aren't obese.21 -
As a former plus fitness focused blogger, I think body-posi has gone left really fast. Like I hated myself for years, attempted to take my life esp in my teens for a number of reasons but one of the top 5 was weight. When your a POC and you don't look like what is the ideal body you feel horrid. I have been punched out like knocked on cement as a kid by a boy who hated me because I was fight and wish I would die. I had my elementary principal pick me apart because I was fat and dark. So the energy that comes with body positivity is good but its like anything people go left and make it a way to be ok with being not their best version of themselves and then your 600lbs and bed ridden at 30.
Now in my 4th attempt to lose all the excess, I am more aware and feel better knowing that I can be healthy, love me and am acceptable now and in the future. Being fit is rewarded in our society on so many levels and people don't get weight walls you up.14 -
I watched Fat Topia on Amazon Video recently - it felt like some of the people that are most vocal in the fat acceptance movement damage the brand far more than any critic.
I generally favor body positivity and I know there's evidence shaming does more harm than good, so isn't exactly that anyone opposed to it can claim they're really helping people with their overweight conditions if their opposition is shaming. Still, I found the attitudes and the claims made by some of the fat acceptance movement people on their moving me against support for it.
It feels the people that are being honest about the health aspects and just want to feel less judged for something they're struggling need to take a bigger stake of the voice in it.4 -
As an obese mom of a tall, thin (naturally, not due to any eating disorders or crash dieting) 11 year old daughter, I'm all for body positivity. She knows that I am attempting to lose weight due to medical diagnoses, but I never want her to think that she's too this or too that. So over time I've encouraged her to make healthy choices, but not to the point of excess.5
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MADDIESMOMMY6611 wrote: »How do you feel about the body positive movement? I haven't given it much thought but recently stumbled onto a few forums on a bodybuilding website where the overall theme was extremely against this movement. One commenter went as far as to say people for the movement are looking to destroy our country (USA) by promoting unhealthy eating habits and laziness.
What does this movement mean to you? Do you agree or disagree with it?
People take this the wrong way, it's about loving yourself and not putting up with bullies, it's not promoting anything but being okay with who you are (no matter if you're 100lbs or 300lbs - people seem to forget this). To think someone shouldn't feel comfortable and happy with themselves no matter what their weight is *kitten* up and you're *kitten* up to think such a thing. I'm 100% for it, love yourself, love everyday as it's a blessing and ignore the online bullies who think they're better then everyone.
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Never mind that the body positive movement isn't just about fat acceptance. Think it does is taking a really myopic view of it.4
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As with every movement and group of people, the most vocal proponents seem to be the wing-nuts that make a good idea look bad.
Personally, I've found that being able to see my body as it is, overweight or not, and love and embrace it as such, is the first step to taking better care of it.
Also, I must say that I regularly see women who must be twice my weight who can dance me straight into the pavement, so in that regard they are fitter than I am. I am currently training to keep up with the women who can dance me into the pavement. Whatever their size.5 -
I'm all for body positively, nobody should be ridiculed or made to feel ugly, I think it does far more harm than good. How many threads have been made by someone wanting to exercise but being ashamed to because of people judging their weight?
It's a public health issue. Like smoking, drinking to excess, etc. not an ugliness issue.
I take issue with fat acceptance though. To me, they're like those smokers who rant against health warnings and bans on subjecting others to their smoke. If you're saying obesity isn't a health risk, you're spreading misinformation that could cost lives.
Being a Brit, I do pay for everyone else's health issues, which I don't mind doing. I don't resent my taxes going to those who need it. But it does mean I believe that society has a right to campaign for better health, even if it's a bitter pill for some.8 -
glovepuppet wrote: »I'm all for body positively, nobody should be ridiculed or made to feel ugly, I think it does far more harm than good. How many threads have been made by someone wanting to exercise but being ashamed to because of people judging their weight?
This seems contradictory but maybe I'm misunderstanding you. First you say that you're pro body positivity, then that it does more harm than good, then mention (or at least imply) that there have been a number of threads about people being ashamed to workout because they fear that people will judge their weight.0 -
MADDIESMOMMY6611 wrote: »How do you feel about the body positive movement? I haven't given it much thought but recently stumbled onto a few forums on a bodybuilding website where the overall theme was extremely against this movement. One commenter went as far as to say people for the movement are looking to destroy our country (USA) by promoting unhealthy eating habits and laziness.
What does this movement mean to you? Do you agree or disagree with it?
I was 148 lbs at 5'6", went to the gym for a 4:30 a.m. workout Monday thru Friday. My body was strong.
I put on 60 pounds in three months due to idiopathic edema. Over ten years later and I'm still working at losing that weight.
Should I hate my body for it? No.
Do strangers judge me? Probably.
Do I care? No.
We have no way of knowing what someone else is going through. Why should we assume they're obese because they sit on the couch eating pizza and drinking beer all day?
Personally, I accept people at face value. It's not my place to judge.5 -
What's sad to me is that it takes a movement to attempt to make people think about treating others with dignity and respect regardless of their weight/color/ethnicity/sexual preference/gender identity /fill_in_the_blank.
There's a human being in there ya know? We may have our differences, but variety is necessary. If you aren't trying to harm me or mine directly or indirectly, you're going to get treated with respect until you make that impossible.
Deal with it
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MADDIESMOMMY6611 wrote: »How do you feel about the body positive movement? I haven't given it much thought but recently stumbled onto a few forums on a bodybuilding website where the overall theme was extremely against this movement. One commenter went as far as to say people for the movement are looking to destroy our country (USA) by promoting unhealthy eating habits and laziness.
What does this movement mean to you? Do you agree or disagree with it?
I was 148 lbs at 5'6", went to the gym for a 4:30 a.m. workout Monday thru Friday. My body was strong.
I put on 60 pounds in three months due to idiopathic edema. Over ten years later and I'm still working at losing that weight.
Should I hate my body for it? No.
Do strangers judge me? Probably.
Do I care? No.
We have no way of knowing what someone else is going through. Why should we assume they're obese because they sit on the couch eating pizza and drinking beer all day?
Personally, I accept people at face value. It's not my place to judge.
All true, but obesity is rarely the result of a medical issue, it is a result of excess calories
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obesity/symptoms-causes/syc-203757423 -
glovepuppet wrote: »I'm all for body positively, nobody should be ridiculed or made to feel ugly, I think it does far more harm than good. How many threads have been made by someone wanting to exercise but being ashamed to because of people judging their weight?This seems contradictory but maybe I'm misunderstanding you. First you say that you're pro body positivity, then that it does more harm than good, then mention (or at least imply) that there have been a number of threads about people being ashamed to workout because they fear that people will judge their weight.
I believe the poster is saying that he/she is all for body positivity, because nobody should be ridiculed or made to feel ugly. Doing that (ridicule, etc.) does more harm than good.3 -
glovepuppet wrote: »I'm all for body positively, nobody should be ridiculed or made to feel ugly, I think it does far more harm than good. How many threads have been made by someone wanting to exercise but being ashamed to because of people judging their weight?
This seems contradictory but maybe I'm misunderstanding you. First you say that you're pro body positivity, then that it does more harm than good, then mention (or at least imply) that there have been a number of threads about people being ashamed to workout because they fear that people will judge their weight.
Making people feel ugly does more harm than good.4 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »MADDIESMOMMY6611 wrote: »How do you feel about the body positive movement? I haven't given it much thought but recently stumbled onto a few forums on a bodybuilding website where the overall theme was extremely against this movement. One commenter went as far as to say people for the movement are looking to destroy our country (USA) by promoting unhealthy eating habits and laziness.
What does this movement mean to you? Do you agree or disagree with it?
I was 148 lbs at 5'6", went to the gym for a 4:30 a.m. workout Monday thru Friday. My body was strong.
I put on 60 pounds in three months due to idiopathic edema. Over ten years later and I'm still working at losing that weight.
Should I hate my body for it? No.
Do strangers judge me? Probably.
Do I care? No.
We have no way of knowing what someone else is going through. Why should we assume they're obese because they sit on the couch eating pizza and drinking beer all day?
Personally, I accept people at face value. It's not my place to judge.
All true, but obesity is rarely the result of a medical issue, it is a result of excess calories
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obesity/symptoms-causes/syc-20375742
But are you going to ask an obese person why they are obese? I hope not.
My point being, if it could happen to me, it could happen to anyone.6 -
glovepuppet wrote: »I'm all for body positively, nobody should be ridiculed or made to feel ugly, I think it does far more harm than good. How many threads have been made by someone wanting to exercise but being ashamed to because of people judging their weight?This seems contradictory but maybe I'm misunderstanding you. First you say that you're pro body positivity, then that it does more harm than good, then mention (or at least imply) that there have been a number of threads about people being ashamed to workout because they fear that people will judge their weight.
I believe the poster is saying that he/she is all for body positivity, because nobody should be ridiculed or made to feel ugly. Doing that (ridicule, etc.) does more harm than good.
Pet peeve of my, ambiguous antecedents to pronouns.0 -
glovepuppet wrote: »glovepuppet wrote: »I'm all for body positively, nobody should be ridiculed or made to feel ugly, I think it does far more harm than good. How many threads have been made by someone wanting to exercise but being ashamed to because of people judging their weight?
This seems contradictory but maybe I'm misunderstanding you. First you say that you're pro body positivity, then that it does more harm than good, then mention (or at least imply) that there have been a number of threads about people being ashamed to workout because they fear that people will judge their weight.
Making people feel ugly does more harm than good.
Ah yeah, that wasn't especially clear from what you had written. I do agree with you on that though.-1 -
magnusthenerd wrote: »glovepuppet wrote: »I'm all for body positively, nobody should be ridiculed or made to feel ugly, I think it does far more harm than good. How many threads have been made by someone wanting to exercise but being ashamed to because of people judging their weight?This seems contradictory but maybe I'm misunderstanding you. First you say that you're pro body positivity, then that it does more harm than good, then mention (or at least imply) that there have been a number of threads about people being ashamed to workout because they fear that people will judge their weight.
I believe the poster is saying that he/she is all for body positivity, because nobody should be ridiculed or made to feel ugly. Doing that (ridicule, etc.) does more harm than good.
Pet peeve of my, ambiguous antecedents to pronouns.
I'm autistic and didn't even speak until I was four. Communication doesn't come naturally. Bite me.4 -
glovepuppet wrote: »magnusthenerd wrote: »glovepuppet wrote: »I'm all for body positively, nobody should be ridiculed or made to feel ugly, I think it does far more harm than good. How many threads have been made by someone wanting to exercise but being ashamed to because of people judging their weight?This seems contradictory but maybe I'm misunderstanding you. First you say that you're pro body positivity, then that it does more harm than good, then mention (or at least imply) that there have been a number of threads about people being ashamed to workout because they fear that people will judge their weight.
I believe the poster is saying that he/she is all for body positivity, because nobody should be ridiculed or made to feel ugly. Doing that (ridicule, etc.) does more harm than good.
Pet peeve of my, ambiguous antecedents to pronouns.
I'm autistic and didn't even speak until I was four. Communication doesn't come naturally. Bite me.
I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to pick on you - it bothers me in general (don't care for ambiguity), and it is a common issue even for neurotypical people.3 -
glovepuppet wrote: »magnusthenerd wrote: »glovepuppet wrote: »I'm all for body positively, nobody should be ridiculed or made to feel ugly, I think it does far more harm than good. How many threads have been made by someone wanting to exercise but being ashamed to because of people judging their weight?This seems contradictory but maybe I'm misunderstanding you. First you say that you're pro body positivity, then that it does more harm than good, then mention (or at least imply) that there have been a number of threads about people being ashamed to workout because they fear that people will judge their weight.
I believe the poster is saying that he/she is all for body positivity, because nobody should be ridiculed or made to feel ugly. Doing that (ridicule, etc.) does more harm than good.
Pet peeve of my, ambiguous antecedents to pronouns.
I'm autistic and didn't even speak until I was four. Communication doesn't come naturally. Bite me.
Honestly it was an issue of ambiguity that could have been cleared up with a change in punctuation. Like was said above, it's a super common issue. That's especially when dealing with asynchronous communication.
edit: and no, I'm not getting on anyone for having difficulty with punctuation or making typos - I'm just partially explaining the root of the ambiguity.0 -
Fat acceptance shouldn't be a thing. Everyone should try to be as healthy as they can be. People like Tess Holliday has a huge negative impact on the health of her followers. This movement wants Doctors (medical professionals) to stop using the medical term "obesity" and that is just wrong. I'm against fat shaming, no one should be bullied.15
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MikeRobi81 wrote: »Fat acceptance shouldn't be a thing. Everyone should try to be as healthy as they can be. People like Tess Holliday has a huge negative impact on the health of her followers. This movement wants Doctors (medical professionals) to stop using the medical term "obesity" and that is just wrong. I'm against fat shaming, no one should be bullied.
Body positivity is a lot more than just "fat acceptance".4 -
MikeRobi81 wrote: »Fat acceptance shouldn't be a thing. Everyone should try to be as healthy as they can be. People like Tess Holliday has a huge negative impact on the health of her followers. This movement wants Doctors (medical professionals) to stop using the medical term "obesity" and that is just wrong. I'm against fat shaming, no one should be bullied.
Body positivity is a lot more than just "fat acceptance".
Peoples perceptions of any movement will always swing towards the most vocal, most public proponents of that movement. I know you know that, I just think it's important to point that out for awareness.0 -
MikeRobi81 wrote: »Fat acceptance shouldn't be a thing. Everyone should try to be as healthy as they can be. People like Tess Holliday has a huge negative impact on the health of her followers. This movement wants Doctors (medical professionals) to stop using the medical term "obesity" and that is just wrong. I'm against fat shaming, no one should be bullied.
Body positivity is a lot more than just "fat acceptance".
And even the fat acceptance part of it I don't find problematic if it weren't for some misleading claims regarding health and the like. People have the right to choose to be fat. You don't necessarily need to like the way they look, but acknowledging the choice of being fat as a valid choice and them as a valid human being is not a bad thing.7 -
I think we should love ourselves no matter what size we are.
For me it's not just about size though, it's about the acceptance of anything physically that may not be so 'acceptable' by society.
That for me is what BP represents, that mean's that the individual promoting acceptance for ones size/shape may not be the most healthy person.
A lot of these people aren't claiming that it's 'okay to be fat', because we all know it's not. And, we don't have to be health professionals to know that. It's about accepting ourselves in the shape that we are warts and all.....
I don't have a problem with it...0 -
MikeRobi81 wrote: »Fat acceptance shouldn't be a thing. Everyone should try to be as healthy as they can be. People like Tess Holliday has a huge negative impact on the health of her followers. This movement wants Doctors (medical professionals) to stop using the medical term "obesity" and that is just wrong. I'm against fat shaming, no one should be bullied.
Body positivity is a lot more than just "fat acceptance".
Peoples perceptions of any movement will always swing towards the most vocal, most public proponents of that movement. I know you know that, I just think it's important to point that out for awareness.
Indeed, indeed. I couldn't agree more, even if it's a frustrating reality.1 -
It is. All the more important to have discussions about the various facets of the issue, but incredibly difficult at times to keep it from being derailed by those readily available, very large broad brushes.MikeRobi81 wrote: »Fat acceptance shouldn't be a thing. Everyone should try to be as healthy as they can be. People like Tess Holliday has a huge negative impact on the health of her followers. This movement wants Doctors (medical professionals) to stop using the medical term "obesity" and that is just wrong. I'm against fat shaming, no one should be bullied.
Body positivity is a lot more than just "fat acceptance".
Peoples perceptions of any movement will always swing towards the most vocal, most public proponents of that movement. I know you know that, I just think it's important to point that out for awareness.
Indeed, indeed. I couldn't agree more, even if it's a frustrating reality.
Sometimes being able to reach an understanding with even a single person on a given misconception is very much a win, much less the crowd out there.
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Agreed, that's typically my approach offline, though there it's really a matter of picking my battles and saving my energy. Of course, sometimes it's an issue of people not wanting to change their perceptions. At that point it becomes a question of how much I actually want to spend time with the person, how easy is it to avoid XYZ topic(s), is it worth maintaining contact with the person, etc.
It is. All the more important to have discussions about the various facets of the issue, but incredibly difficult at times to keep it from being derailed by those readily available, very large broad brushes.MikeRobi81 wrote: »Fat acceptance shouldn't be a thing. Everyone should try to be as healthy as they can be. People like Tess Holliday has a huge negative impact on the health of her followers. This movement wants Doctors (medical professionals) to stop using the medical term "obesity" and that is just wrong. I'm against fat shaming, no one should be bullied.
Body positivity is a lot more than just "fat acceptance".
Peoples perceptions of any movement will always swing towards the most vocal, most public proponents of that movement. I know you know that, I just think it's important to point that out for awareness.
Indeed, indeed. I couldn't agree more, even if it's a frustrating reality.
Sometimes being able to reach an understanding with even a single person on a given misconception is very much a win, much less the crowd out there.
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Agreed, that's typically my approach offline, though there it's really a matter of picking my battles and saving my energy. Of course, sometimes it's an issue of people not wanting to change their perceptions. At that point it becomes a question of how much I actually want to spend time with the person, how easy is it to avoid XYZ topic(s), is it worth maintaining contact with the person, etc.
It is. All the more important to have discussions about the various facets of the issue, but incredibly difficult at times to keep it from being derailed by those readily available, very large broad brushes.MikeRobi81 wrote: »Fat acceptance shouldn't be a thing. Everyone should try to be as healthy as they can be. People like Tess Holliday has a huge negative impact on the health of her followers. This movement wants Doctors (medical professionals) to stop using the medical term "obesity" and that is just wrong. I'm against fat shaming, no one should be bullied.
Body positivity is a lot more than just "fat acceptance".
Peoples perceptions of any movement will always swing towards the most vocal, most public proponents of that movement. I know you know that, I just think it's important to point that out for awareness.
Indeed, indeed. I couldn't agree more, even if it's a frustrating reality.
Sometimes being able to reach an understanding with even a single person on a given misconception is very much a win, much less the crowd out there.
Honestly @aokoye, your entire post here should be required reading under "rules of engagement" for every debate forum on the web.
No matter how right or reasonable a person may be, if the other party isn't willing to listen/discuss/consider and so on, then nothing is truly gained other than the opportunity for each to air their facts and/or opinions/perceptions.
It's truly gratifying when 2 diametrically opposed PoVs can meet in the middle, so to speak, and just as frustrating when it does not or cannot happen. The web provides a way for people who are willing to write off other people they don't understand with a few keystrokes, and I believe it's harmful in that light, but it also provides a way for people who are willing to put in the work to connect in ways that may never happen if not for the connectivity the web provides.
Personally speaking, I know it's time for me to stop reading and typing when I'm up against a brick wall, or when I'm being obtuse myself lol. That perspective also serves well when I meet various people during the course of the day and remember any one of them could be someone I chat/argue/debate with online, and I meet a huge variety of people during the course of the day.
My n=1 based on all of those meetings is that, if I am willing to be open/not_a_judgemental_idiot most folks from all walks of life are usually willing to respond in kind. It's incredibly liberating. I wish more folks would try it.4
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