Taking Our Power Back: Overcoming the Shame of Obesity
As someone who has struggled with obesity for most of my adult life, I’ve been all too aware of the shame associated with this condition. Society has long held up a certain "ideal" body type that is difficult for many people to achieve, let alone maintain. Unfortunately, this has created an environment in which people are made to feel ashamed about their bodies and what they look like—especially if they don’t fit into the "ideal" standard.
I know how difficult it can be to feel like you're constantly being judged and isolated by society. It's hard to ignore the stigma that is attached to being overweight, and it can be even harder to overcome the shame and guilt that come along with it. That's why I wanted to take some time in this blog post to explore why there is so much stigma associated with obesity and what we can do to combat it.
Why does obesity carry so much shame?
For starters, there’s an enormous amount of fat shaming out there in the world today. Just turn on the TV or open your computer, and you’ll see what I mean. Fat shaming is everywhere, even in our everyday conversations. People make jokes about people who are overweight, they call them "lazy" or "unmotivated" without considering all the other factors that might be at play, such as genetics, medical conditions, or emotional issues. It’s easy for people to judge from their bubble without understanding what someone else is going through.
Secondly, it seems like nearly every day in the media we’re bombarded by messages and images telling us how we should look and suggesting that if we don’t match that idealized image, something is wrong with us. This type of messaging can lead to a feeling of low self-esteem and worthlessness, especially when it comes to obesity since that is an issue that cannot be hidden or ignored like other types of physical or emotional insecurities.
Another big source of shame for those who are overweight is the bias against us in the medical industry. Doctors can be very dismissive of patients who are overweight and don’t take their complaints seriously because they believe that weight is the root cause of all their problems. This can lead to inadequate care and further feelings of frustration and helplessness, which add to the already existing feelings of shame and guilt associated with being overweight.
The shame doesn't end after the weight is gone
Even though bariatric surgery can help us reach a healthier weight, it doesn't necessarily erase the shame associated with it; sometimes, the feeling lingers no matter how successful we are. I know this from personal experience because even though I eventually managed to lose nearly 100 pounds with bypass surgery (and keep it off!), I still struggle with the shame of having been overweight for so long. Even at a size 8–10, I still find myself not wanting to disclose that I had bariatric surgery because I feel ashamed that I couldn’t manage my weight and had to resort to surgery.
Fighting back against obesity-related shame
The best way to fight back against shame is through self-care. It's very easy to fall into feelings of unworthiness, so it's important to take proactive steps towards self-care, such as getting regular exercise, eating nutritious meals, meditating, or seeking out professional help if needed. These steps can help not only improve your physical health but also build your self-confidence by showing yourself that you're worth taking care of—because you are!
Self-affirmations can be incredibly powerful tools for helping us believe in ourselves again after feeling like we've let ourselves down. They can also be useful in helping us move on from our past mistakes and forgive ourselves for any perceived "failures" we may have had when it comes to managing our weight. Taking time every day to remind yourself how strong and capable you are will make a huge difference in how you view yourself and will ultimately help to break down those walls of shame over time. Take it slow. When you look in the mirror, tell yourself something nice, and be kind to yourself. Give yourself a compliment and remember that whatever you focus on the longest will become the strongest in your life. Your thoughts lead to words, words lead to actions, and those actions become your way of life.
Overcoming shame can feel like an impossible task at times, but it is possible! By surrounding yourself with supportive people, taking active steps toward self-care, and using positive affirmations regularly, you can start breaking down those walls of shame little by little until they no longer exist. Shame has no place in our lives; it only serves as an inhibitor, keeping us from reaching our full potential both mentally and physically. We all deserve happiness, love, acceptance—we deserve success! And by standing up against the stigma attached to obesity—by refusing to let ourselves succumb any longer to the shame we carry—we can finally achieve all these things without apology or hesitation! It won't be easy, but anything worth having never is—so let’s take back your lives today and move forward with confidence! Remember: "I am worthy! I am strong! I am capable!"
Above all else, be gentle with yourself and have patience; you don't have to take on the whole world at once. The path to overcoming shame is a journey, one where progress can't always be measured in numbers. So, own it and love yourself—it's the best way to start making real changes for the better.