I’m Fat
Any girl that has ever been overweight (and even many who haven’t) has looked at a picture of themselves and said, “I look so fat in this picture,” secretly hoping one of their friends will quickly reply with something along the lines of, “You are not fat, shut up.” I have been that girl, and am that girl. And I am the girl that denies that my other friends are fat when they say it is so. What is this self-defeating behavior doing for anyone? Is it really helping us? Does it teach us to love our bodies, the beautiful vessels that God put our souls in? Absolutely not.
Furthermore, why is fat a negative term? Why, if I am leading a healthy lifestyle in which I am able to do all that I need to in order to feel content, must I go around thinking I am less than? Why can’t I be fat AND beautiful? Why can’t I be chubby and hot? Why can’t I be overweight and athletic? Why does fat have to be a bad thing? Why is it associated with the negative?
I am fat. I am fat, and I love myself. I am strong, and I am smart, and I am kind. I am stubborn, and I am joyful, and I am active. I love rock climbing, and dancing, and hiking. I love to eat healthy food. I love to eat ice cream. I am a fighter, and a fierce lover of those around me. I am a daughter, sister, granddaughter, and niece. I am a friend and a teacher. I am a blessed child of God, seeking to do His will every single day. I am absolutely and without a doubt, beautifully and wonderfully made. And I am fat.
I am done looking for people to tell me I’m not fat. I am done hiding and posing for pictures in a way that I hope makes me look thinner. Because I’m not thin, and even if I lose weight, I will probably never actually be thin. And that’s okay. Until I love my body, I will never be comfortable letting anyone else love it. So am I fat? Yes. Does that define me? No. My worth and value are found in nothing less than my Savior. And if my fat friends ask me if they are fat, I will say, with no apology, “Yes. You’re fat. And you’re absolutely beautiful.”
Furthermore, why is fat a negative term? Why, if I am leading a healthy lifestyle in which I am able to do all that I need to in order to feel content, must I go around thinking I am less than? Why can’t I be fat AND beautiful? Why can’t I be chubby and hot? Why can’t I be overweight and athletic? Why does fat have to be a bad thing? Why is it associated with the negative?
I am fat. I am fat, and I love myself. I am strong, and I am smart, and I am kind. I am stubborn, and I am joyful, and I am active. I love rock climbing, and dancing, and hiking. I love to eat healthy food. I love to eat ice cream. I am a fighter, and a fierce lover of those around me. I am a daughter, sister, granddaughter, and niece. I am a friend and a teacher. I am a blessed child of God, seeking to do His will every single day. I am absolutely and without a doubt, beautifully and wonderfully made. And I am fat.
I am done looking for people to tell me I’m not fat. I am done hiding and posing for pictures in a way that I hope makes me look thinner. Because I’m not thin, and even if I lose weight, I will probably never actually be thin. And that’s okay. Until I love my body, I will never be comfortable letting anyone else love it. So am I fat? Yes. Does that define me? No. My worth and value are found in nothing less than my Savior. And if my fat friends ask me if they are fat, I will say, with no apology, “Yes. You’re fat. And you’re absolutely beautiful.”
If you would like to check out her blog, "Coffee Stains and Lipstick Smudges" it can be found at:
https://apriljoneshu.wordpress.com
