It doesn’t matter how strong of a person we are, when somebody says something negative about us, it cuts us to the bone. This is especially true when someone we love says something hateful.
One woman who understands this very well is a 30-year-old mother, Allison Kimmey. She began to diet when she was only 14 years old. And throughout high school, she managed to keep her size to a two or a four.
These were very difficult times for Allison and she worked very hard, but it was not pleasant. When she turned 27, she had reached a size 8 and knew she would be happier if she allowed herself to stop fighting her weight and eat to be happy.
She realized that she would struggle so she started an Instagram account to motivate herself. She regularly shares posts with pictures to inspire herself and others. She spreads body positivity to her fans but her message does not always reach the heart.
Recently, Allison took her son and daughter to the pool and Alison’s daughter got angry at her and called her fat. She described the incident on Instagram in this way:
Me: “What did you say about me?”
Her: “I said you were fat, mama. I’m sorry.”
Me: “Let’s talk about it. The truth is, I am not fat. No one IS fat. It’s not something you can BE. But I do HAVE fat. We ALL have fat. It protects our muscles and our bones and keeps our bodies going by providing us energy. Do you have fat?”
Her: “Yes! I have some here on my tummy.”
Me: “That’s right! So do I and so does your brother!”
Her brother: “I don’t have any fat. I’m the skinniest. I just have muscles.”
Me: “Actually, everyone, every single person in the world has fat. But each of us has different amounts.”
Her brother: “Oh right! I have some to protect my big muscles! But you have more than me.”
Me: “Yes, that’s true. Some people have a lot, and others don’t have very much. But that doesn’t mean that one person is better than the other. Do you both understand?”
Both: “Yes, mama.”
Me: “So can you repeat what I said?”
Them: “Yes! I shouldn’t say someone is fat because you can’t be just fat, but everyone HAS fat and it’s okay to have different fat.”
Me: “Exactly right!”
Allison wanted to teach her children how to speak to others but she also wanted to share a message of body positivity.
She said: “If I shame my children for saying it then I am proving that it is an insulting word and I continue the stigma that being fat is unworthy, gross, comical and undesirable.”
We thank you for the inspiration.
