The Misconceptions Of “Skinny” And “Fat”
It’s no secret that we live in a society that is obsessed with the way people look. I’m not too sure what’s happened within the last 50 years, but there seems to be this huge misconception that based on how a person looks, we can determine their health. Frankly, that’s a load of crap.
Are We All Doctors?
I can’t remember when I first heard this phrase, but it was some time back in elementary school: “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” As a child, I took this phrase literally at the time. And while that’s certainly a true statement about a book, it can be used in so many other areas of life.
There is no way that anyone, not even doctors, can look at a person’s outward appearance and know, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are healthy or unhealthy. It’s so much more than that.
A Little Thing Called Metabolism
Maybe you’ve heard of this before, but there’s a little thing called metabolism that determines how our bodies process and break down food. It’s something you’re born with. Are there ways to speed up or slow down your metabolism? Sure, but not in any crazy effective way that’s going to alter your genetic makeup.
The “Skinny” Person
Do you realize that skinny people are sometimes criticized for their weight in the same way that fat people are? Have you ever heard someone say (or maybe have said yourself) “Geez, why don’t you eat a burger?” This can actually hurt someone’s feelings. Believe me, a friend of mine was bullied in middle school for her stick-figure shape.
The reality is; they could eat a burger or other heavy food and not gain a pound. It’s simply how their body metabolizes food. There are people out there that try to gain weight by adopting a specific diet. Hint: it’s not by eating junk food. You can gain weight by eating foods that are good for you.
Many people will automatically assume that because a person is skinny, they must eat well and work out. But, how do you really know that? There are many skinny people that eat tons of fast food and don’t go to the gym at all. But you don’t know that by looking at them, so why assume that?
The “Fat” Person
Now, I could get repetitive and basically say everything I just said about the skinny person, but in reverse. So let me sum it up for you. Not all fat people are lazy over-eaters. Again, it’s all about their body and how it metabolizes food.
There are overweight people who try incredibly hard to maintain a healthy diet and practice regular exercise but still can’t shed all the weight. They desire to look like the “coveted” skinny person that the media projects we should look like.
Can’t you imagine how frustrating that must feel? To know that you are working hard to achieve a look that is desired by society, but you are failing to do so? Trust me, I’ve been there, and it’s not easy. It’s especially frustrating to have people assume you are lazy, when you’re not, just because of your outward appearance.
Exceptions To The Rule
It really goes without saying that not every skinny person is unhealthy and not every fat person is healthy. It’s definitely a person-by-person basis. But that fact of the matter is, you can never know that by simply looking at a person.
Challenge Yourself
The fact is a fat person that works out regularly and maintains a healthy and balanced diet is healthier than a skinny person that never works out and eats fast food and junk food daily. I’d welcome you to argue that with me because you’ll lose. #sorrynotsorry
I challenge you to be mindful of what thoughts enter your mind when you see a skinny person or a fat person cross your path. Do you make judgments about them? Mind you, it doesn’t have to only be a bad judgment. Are you making an assumption about their lifestyle?
My challenge for you is to recognize these thoughts and eliminate them from your mind. Does it make you a bad person if you think of them? No. For some reason, we’re kind of conditioned to think this way.
The outcome of this challenge? You’ll change your mindset and ultimately become more comfortable in how you view yourself and those around you.
