Just so you know. If you have a family member or friend, someone you work with, or even someone who makes your travel a tad uncomfortable…know that they did NOT deliberately do this (Unless maybe you need to, but I think that is pretty unusual)

Can you tell that I haven’t figured out how to center pictures. I will solve this puzzle, too.

Still, I remember what it felt like to see that number on the scale. It was horrible…even as I edged towards it, it seemed that whatever I was doing was not enough.

I was not binge eating. I was not over-exercising. I was incredibly discouraged. I was struggling. I was broke. I could only watch the numbers rise – and this was after all the Covid stuff. It was very frustrating, and looking back, I can easily feel that helplessness and hopelessness.

To be quite honest, there was a lot of stress in my life, and in the life of my family. While current living conditions are not ideal, I am feeling less stressed. But body shaming and food-policing are part and parcel of living with my mom.

One day, I will write more on the challenges of weighing this much. They exist. Just know, that your friend knows the score and doesn’t need you to give advice.

What might people at higher weights need? Here’s what I’m doing…

• Nobody tells me what I should eat. And if they try, I tell them to stop. This was hard to learn, but I can do it pretty easily.
• No body shaming. It’s easy to do this. One family member made a comment about my butt. I just walk away. Body shaming can also come in the form of comments about your clothing – “Your clothes are too tight.” or “You look pregnant!”
• Pay attention to what you are thinking about your own body. Body shaming comes in many different ways, and I do it to myself more than anyone else does.

Today I am celebrating – the scale is now hovering in the high 80’s, moving nearer to the body I am creating. No shame, no pain, just joyful eating, moving and living!

So, if like me, you fall victim to some body shaming, food policing or even your own thoughts, this is my go-to song, sung by these people, so I hope you take a listen: I love ME!

If you want to share your thoughts, please leave a comment. We can learn from each other!

Marcia