It’s Okay If Your Body Changes
I’m sure you’ve seen them. Memes about the “Quarantine 15,” the COVID 19,” “fattening the curve,” “Barbie to Carbie”…they’re everywhere.
Even in a global pandemic, it seems that one of the scariest things that could happen for many people is gaining weight or getting fat.
When so much is out of our control right now, it can be comforting and calming to claim some power over a few things, and regulating food, exercise, and weight are all familiar, well-established ways to do that.
Posting a meme and sharing a good laugh can be a great release – especially in the extraordinary and distressing times we find ourselves in. Shoot, my own family and friends have been subjected to daily coronavirus meme-ings from me for the last two months. Before you hit share, just make sure you consider the impact your post or meme will have on someone. The goal is to laugh with people, not at them; and this goes for any meme or post, not just those that are weight related.
Watching people laugh and make jokes about bodies that look like yours is heartbreaking, hurtful, and does devastating harm to ALL people in fat bodies; particularly those with eating disorders and mental health issues. Yes, fat people can have any number of eating disorders – including anorexia.
Please remember that your fat friends see the memes you post. Folks ALREADY in larger bodies hear the way you talk about your fear of getting fat and it sends a very loud and powerful message about which bodies you believe are worth having and loving, and which are embarrassing jokes.
I won’t argue that when you’re sheltering in place and in your house pretty near 24/7, looking after your mental and physical well-being is muy importante.
AND…there’s a lot more to well-being than your weight. Are you getting enough sleep? Are you hydrated? Do you have a reliable support system? Are you doing anything that lights you up? Have you been taking your meds? Keeping phone appointments with your therapist or counselor?
If you do happen to gain weight during this global pandemic and quarantine, it might mean:
- You’re still employed and have sufficient funds to buy nourishing food.
- You’re not severely ill and have a good appetite.
- You have a disability or chronic illness and have to forego your usual opportunities for movement in order to stay indoors 100% and protect yourself.
- You have plentiful access to delicious food.
- You’ve listened to your body and given it some comfort in these traumatic times.
- Your mental health issues have been triggered by this pandemic, quarantine, and everything that goes with it. It’s all you can do to get up and make it through another day. But you do.
- Or one of a million other reasons.
Weight gain is never an indication of failure…especially in a mf pandemic. It’s okay if you don’t come out of quarantine thinner and all “glowed up.” Here’s a little secret: PLENTY of fat folks are already living the shit out of life and thriving just fine, thank you.
Your “summer body” (Wait, isn’t that just your regular body minus the down parka?) is gonna have been through some shit this time around. It’s been super busy on the frontlines, abruptly transitioning to homeschooling, working double shifts to make ends meet, staying home to flatten the curve, fighting off COVID, working on suddenly intensified personal relationships…Please show it some gratitude and partake in the joys of whatever small freedoms we have over the next few months.
Put on shorts and bare your arms and let the warmth of the sun kiss your skin. Throw on a swimsuit and frolic through the sprinkler with your kids. Don’t miss out on precious time and memories with your loved ones just because your body changed in some way during quarantine. That’s what body’s do. They adapt and change and keep us upright and moving forward every. damn. day. And if that isn’t something to celebrate, I don’t know what is.
What are you making weight gain mean about you?
If you’re fat and want an amazing dose of support and encouragement, or someone who wants to be an informed fat ally, or maybe you’re on your own body image journey, check out these beautiful humans and organizations to find out more about body liberation and autonomy, radical self-love, and body image in a social justice context.
Virgie Tovar (#losehatenotweight)
Sonya Renee Taylor (The Body Is Not An Apology)
Taryn Brumfitt (Embrace Documentary)
Jes Baker (The Militant Baker)
