When it comes to my body, I’m the in-between girl. I don’t look that fat. But clearly, I’m not thin. Being a Punjabi I have always been just a bit on the curvy side, pleasantly plump some may call it. But yeah, I have been called everything from “fat” to “big-boned” to “fluffy.” These words make me cringe. They are loaded with accompanying assumptions of indolence and greed. I don’t feel like those words describes me at all. In fact, I’m not even sure what “fluffy” means in terms of a body. My body isn’t “fluffy.” It’s big; it’s chunky – and yes, it’s strong.
It isn’t anyone’s fault. We’ve grown up in a culture like that. I’m not upset that people want to put themselves, and others, into a box. I’m not upset that people throw around the word “fat”, I’m upset that it all has to be such a defining element in the lives of women. So many of my friends say that they think about their weight all day long. I know a lot of women who want to be super tiny, but I don’t want a child’s body. I want a woman’s body that is fit. It’s so much sexier to me.
I am 25, a PR Professional, a social media enthusiast, a half marathon runner… I practise belly dancing, pilates and the list goes on… I am cleverish and financially solvent. Over time, I’ve realised that the F-word holds zero power over me. In fact, I embrace it. Yes, I am fat. Of course, I’m a lot of other things too. I’m beautiful, I’m witty, I’m smart… I’m fabulous! These are qualities that the F-word cannot take away from me. What’s curvy to some is chubby to others. What’s skinny to some is bony to others. What’s athletic to some is masculine to others, and so on.
What really matters is how you carry yourself, I understand how to dress my various lumps and bumps and I know that I can look as good as girls half my size. I’m really pretty happy.
Do I want to lose weight? Yes, definitely a bit, but only because I want to be healthier and it would be nice to wear clothes that are fashionable rather than just flattering. But will it make me any happier? Probably not. I know beautiful tiny women who are always finding fault with some part of themselves, whereas I’m not aiming for perfection. I am proud of my body. My body weight will be something that I’ll probably struggle with for the rest of my life, but I’m finally in a good place and learning to love me for me, and not according somebody else’s standards.
So, promise yourself and pledge that you will look in the mirror today and find the unique beauty in you. God made a very obvious choice when he made you; why would you go against what he decided? Your limbs work, so you better not complain about the way your body is shaped. The key is to feel fit and strong, not thin and underfed.
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