Aesthetics ≠ Health
Last night, I had a dream that I went back to a place of work after some time away. When I sat down for an interview with a former colleague the first thing they asked me with concern in their voice was, “How are you doing? I see you’ve put on some weight since we saw you last”. My response, “I have put on weight, but I am perfectly healthy, thanks for asking”.
Contrary to what you’ve been taught to believe, the way you appear on the outside doesn’t determine your health on the inside. We’ve been told from a very, very young age that fat is bad and should be unwanted, lest you fall into a world of chronic health issues and die at 65.
Unfortunately, the world is full of people and companies that would have you maintain this belief because it makes them money or they are simply unwilling to believe it for themselves. But if you’re anything like me, shaking your fist at outdated societal norms, here’s some ways to fight this stigma and work towards peace with your appearance.
1. Realize that looks don’t tell the whole truth. The size and appearance of bodies does not tell us if a person is experiencing an illness or is by medical standards healthy as a horse. And keep in mind that illness' can be mental just as much as physical. Yes, fat people can be healthy and fat. Read it again. Fat people can be healthy and fat. The next time you’re ready to compare yourself to another or judge someone based on their appearance, just remember that you do not know that person’s health status, unless you are their doctor.
2. Speaking of doctors…if you’re concerned about your health based on your appearance, go get a check up! Annual check ups are your best bet to making sure that you are meeting medical standards of health. If you’re going through bodily changes that you don’t understand, make a trip to your primary physician. That being said, you’ll want to find a doctor that you are comfortable with and that might take some iteration. Remember that not all doctors are the same, just like any other profession and a bad experience with one doesn’t mean a bad experience with another. Additionally, if stepping on the scale makes you even slightly uncomfortable, you are allowed to say NO! If something is going on with you, they will be able to figure that out without a number from the scale. If your results come back “normal”, you can rest assured that you are indeed healthy in your current body, no matter it’s size. Still not sure about things, even after the doctors visit? Maybe it’s time to check in with an anti-diet/non-restrictive/body neutral nutritionist.
3. When you hear someone comment on another person’s supposed health based on their appearance, educate them or change the subject. Hey, I get it, it is uncomfortable to speak up. Especially if you are talking to a person you care about or work with. If you’re not up to the task of explaining that people’s looks don’t equate to their health, then simply change the subject. Here’s an example. Your co-worker says, “Bob is so unhealthy. He’s already overweight, I can’t believe he’s eating that donut.” Then you say, “Hey look over there, a squirrel!” You might be thinking, I thought I was in an office in this scenario and you’d be correct. Your co-worker will be confused and most likely realize that you were uncomfortable enough by their comment that you’d say anything to get out of that conversation. Or, you can simply remind them that you have no idea what Bob’s health status is and it’s none of your business.
4. Remember that there are some who strive so hard to be “healthy” that they in turn may be destroying their health. It’s called Orthorexia Nervosa and it’s common for a lot of fitness influencers, personal trainers and others in the fitness industry. According to the National Health Institute, “Orthorexia nervosa is perhaps best summarized as an obsession with healthy eating with associated restrictive behaviors. However, the attempt to attain optimum health through attention to diet may lead to malnourishment, loss of relationships, and poor quality of life.” By no means am I suggesting that everyone who looks chiseled has Orthorexia Nervosa. But just as you don’t know if a fat person is unhealthy, you don’t know that a super “fit” looking person is healthy.
5. Lastly, some people change their appearance based on what they want. There is nothing wrong with wanting lipo, a boob job or any other modification you want to make. But I sincerely hope that if you decide to make those changes, it’s because it’s what you want and not because of what society expects from you. So before you compare yourself to that person working out next to you, once again, remind yourself that you have no idea what that person has gone through to appear the way that they do. Here’s a great personal story from a popular CrossFit influencer, Allison Shiver, on how her body has changed and the surgeries she underwent to look the way she does now.
In conclusion, my friends, we cannot determine someone’s health by their appearance. Putting on weight doesn’t mean you are lazy and losing weight doesn’t mean you are any more/less healthy. Simply put, bodies come in all shapes and sizes and are ever-changing. Let’s be kind to them, because they are always on the clock.
