The "body positive" community

[obviously....]

What are peoples thoughts....I believe its just as toxic as the rest. Heaven forbid you say you want to lose weight....they pounce on you, convince you not to, and encourage people to "live their best life"....ignoring the fact that they are entering morbid obesity in the middle of a pandemic!

If anyone mentions losing weight, they are fat phobic. If any have had weight loss surgery...they deny the fact they wanted to lose weight (it goes against the BOPO rules I guess).

Poppy Adams
Whatlauraloves
Jessontheplussize
Selfloveliv

Any others???

 

[BettyCrocker]

What are peoples thoughts....I believe its just as toxic as the rest. Heaven forbid you say you want to lose weight....they pounce on you, convince you not to, and encourage people to "live their best life"....ignoring the fact that they are entering morbid obesity in the middle of a pandemic!

If anyone mentions losing weight, they are fat phobic. If any have had weight loss surgery...they deny the fact they wanted to lose weight (it goes against the BOPO rules I guess).

Poppy Adams
Whatlauraloves
Jessontheplussize
Selfloveliv

Any others???

Megan Crabbe (bodyposipanda)

 

[Asshats]

Jonathan Ross’s daughter, Honey?

 

[Howdyhi]

What are peoples thoughts....I believe its just as toxic as the rest. Heaven forbid you say you want to lose weight....they pounce on you, convince you not to, and encourage people to "live their best life"....ignoring the fact that they are entering morbid obesity in the middle of a pandemic!

If anyone mentions losing weight, they are fat phobic. If any have had weight loss surgery...they deny the fact they wanted to lose weight (it goes against the BOPO rules I guess).

Poppy Adams
Whatlauraloves
Jessontheplussize
Selfloveliv

Any others???

Malin Andersson, she also comes with a lot of toxicity, she has a very interesting thread on here too.

 

[uglybettybetty]

Jessontheplussize is horrific. She is grubby and slobby. Frequently goes to bed without washing and eats tons of food. She is another one who is all “bodyposi” but the ironic thing is she so in denial about her size. She frequently squeezes herself into things that are way too small, says she’s a size 24, when size 26/28 fit her way better!!! Her buddy, poppy Adams another plus size influencer whose all “body positive” recently had weight loss surgery (private, paid for by mummy and daddy no doubt as she’s unemployed) and she’s continued to eat large amounts of food, before her weight loss surgery she’d take clever shots of herself to make herself look smaller than she is. She is much huger in person but hides it. These people aren’t happy but yet claim to be. They would earn more respect from me if they just admitted that they’re unhealthy instead of lying about things

 

[bunnyboo]

The body positivity movement is a slippery slope. I don't think anyone should necessarily feel bad about themselves, but glorifying an unhealthy lifestyle and branding it as a by-product of feminism is ridiculous. Obesity is not healthy, and you cannot be 'healthy and fat' as many of the proponents of the movement claim. And don't get me started on all new terminology they are coming out with now (like 'fatphobic'). I think the most preposterous one I've heard of is 'thin privilege'. This is quite frankly insulting to the actual concept of privilege. You and your choices/lifestyle define your weight and no one is born fat. By framing 'thinness' as being a privilege that one just has (like being white for example), suggests that being overweight is just a thing you don't have any control or agency over and framing overweight people as victims. Just.. no.

 

[obviously....]

Whatlauraloves is the same

Claims all this body positivity but has clearly had botox, as well as fake teeth, lashes, nails, extensions and wears a face full of thick make up just to walk the dogs

 

[The Dowager]

The body positivity movement is a slippery slope. I don't think anyone should necessarily feel bad about themselves, but glorifying an unhealthy lifestyle and branding it as a by-product of feminism is ridiculous. Obesity is not healthy, and you cannot be 'healthy and fat' as many of the proponents of the movement claim. And don't get me started on all new terminology they are coming out with now (like 'fatphobic'). I think the most preposterous one I've heard of is 'thin privilege'. This is quite frankly insulting to the actual concept of privilege. You and your choices/lifestyle define your weight and no one is born fat. By framing 'thinness' as being a privilege that one just has (like being white for example), suggests that being overweight is just a thing you don't have any control or agency over and framing overweight people as victims. Just.. no.

Before I respond fully, would you be interested in hearing why some of what you’ve written is inconsistent with solid scientific evidence?

 

[lemonlime]

I don't follow this particular community but I do feel conflicted about some parts.

How people choose to live and how they feel good about themselves is their business and I wouldn't go to someone and point out whether I think they are unhealthy because what do I know? I'm not their doctor. However, while aiming for accepting and loving your body, I feel like some people swung to the other extreme and some of them actually think wanting to lose weight/adopting exercise and healthy habits is like betrayal to body positivity? This is so strange to me. If someone is content living the way they do and they aren't harming anyone else (like encouraging the unhealthy habits for their children), go and prosper. I think clinging to coping mechanisms or cliquey expectations is damaging, and it undermines the actual attempts at trying to create a supportive, accepting environment for all.

Thin privilege does exists; in ways that being thin is encouraged regardless of methods and circumstances of achieving it (e.g. I was at my lowest weight when I couldn't eat because of anxiety; I was constantly sick and could barely stand to be in other people's company but I kept getting compliments despite being very much dead behind the eyes and it showed) and how majority of the consumer goods are catered to a fairly limited type of figure. I have met a bunch of overweight women and men who can easily run rings around me when it comes to endurance, flexibility and strength but for a judgemental eye, I would be considered the healthier one. Looking a certain way doesn't mean the person is the peak of health, there are all kinds of shapes and sizes that function in different ways. I do think carrying around too much extra weight is harmful to the body but so is a lot of other things. Yet I always feel disappointed and angry when I hear that a plus size, body positive influencer is receiving hate because they are losing weight or working out. Judging someone's body for whatever change it's experiencing shouldn't be considered positivity imo.

 

[uglybettybetty]

Poppy Adams literally felt afraid to tell her followers she was having weight loss surgery because she didn’t want to upset them lol, how toxic is that?

 

[bunnyboo]

Before I respond fully, would you be interested in hearing why some of what you’ve written is inconsistent with solid scientific evidence?

Sure. I presume that you are referring to my comments that you cannot be 'healthy and fat'?

The scientific evidence is quite clear that excess weight can carry considerable health risks, including a higher risk for heart attack and stroke. While there is no one-size-fits-all number when it comes to a person's ideal weight, we should not ignore that significant weight gain and the implications it has for our future health.

But, if you can provide peer reviewed studies from accredited medical/scientific journals, I'd be more than happy to give them a read.

Thin privilege does exists; in ways that being thin is encouraged regardless of methods and circumstances of achieving it (e.g. I was at my lowest weight when I couldn't eat because of anxiety; I was constantly sick and could barely stand to be in other people's company but I kept getting compliments despite being very much dead behind the eyes and it showed) and how majority of the consumer goods are catered to a fairly limited type of figure. I have met a bunch of overweight women and men who can easily run rings around me when it comes to endurance, flexibility and strength but for a judgemental eye, I would be considered the healthier one. Looking a certain way doesn't mean the person is the peak of health, there are all kinds of shapes and sizes that function in different ways. I do think carrying around too much extra weight is harmful to the body but so is a lot of other things. Yet I always feel disappointed and angry when I hear that a plus size, body positive influencer is receiving hate because they are losing weight or working out. Judging someone's body for whatever change it's experiencing shouldn't be considered positivity imo.

Although I disagree with you that a certain weight and/or body type should be considered a privilege, I do not think directing hate/abuse at overweight individuals is acceptable at all. In terms of your general argument, I actually think you are making very valid points. But what you are referring to is not a matter of privilege but a larger problem surrounding unrealistic body standards.

 

[lemonlime]

I don't consider it the kind of privilege that comes with, say, being born white in a first world country to a well off family, but the society is more inclined to accept and admire the slim than the overweight and the judgement that comes with this is, like everyone else has said, is very destructive. (Maybe the term double standards is more applicable to this situation? Not sure.)

Seeing that some of the plus size community online are willing to tear each other down for wanting to go the other way is also disappointing because that 'movement' supposedly stems from breaking this prejudice and unjust and unrealistic standards but to me, it's no different than shaming someone for gaining weight or being overweight due to their own circumstances. It's still calling someone "you don't belong because of the way you look". I hope we'll eventually reach a point in which people are better than this.

 

[The Dowager]

Sure. I presume that you are referring to my comments that you cannot be 'healthy and fat'?

The scientific evidence is quite clear that excess weight can carry considerable health risks, including a higher risk for heart attack and stroke. While there is no one-size-fits-all number when it comes to a person's ideal weight, we should not ignore that significant weight gain and the implications it has for our future health.

But, if you can provide peer reviewed studies from accredited medical/scientific journals, I'd be more than happy to give them a read.



Although I disagree with you that a certain weight and/or body type should be considered a privilege, I do not think directing hate/abuse at overweight individuals is acceptable at all. In terms of your general argument, I actually think you are making very valid points. But what you are referring to is not a matter of privilege but a larger problem surrounding unrealistic body standards.

Excellent. Your presumption about ‘healthy and fat’ wasn’t quite right, but I’ll pull the resources together.

 

[uglybettybetty]

I don’t see why people pussyfoot around this issue? Being fat DOES of course affect your health negatively. Excess weight is scientifically proven to worsen and heighten the risk of people getting diseases like diabetes, heart disease etc etc of course everyone is different, some have different genes which also affects them getting ill or their body-weight. But most of these plus size influencers got to their size because of pure laziness and greed, their lifestyles are beyond unhealthy. No one can be fat and healthy. Being fat is a health risk in itself, so how can one be fat and healthy when already suffering from a health issue?(being obese)

 

[mcfeez]

The body positivity movement is a slippery slope. I don't think anyone should necessarily feel bad about themselves, but glorifying an unhealthy lifestyle and branding it as a by-product of feminism is ridiculous. Obesity is not healthy, and you cannot be 'healthy and fat' as many of the proponents of the movement claim. And don't get me started on all new terminology they are coming out with now (like 'fatphobic'). I think the most preposterous one I've heard of is 'thin privilege'. This is quite frankly insulting to the actual concept of privilege. You and your choices/lifestyle define your weight and no one is born fat. By framing 'thinness' as being a privilege that one just has (like being white for example), suggests that being overweight is just a thing you don't have any control or agency over and framing overweight people as victims. Just.. no.

Some people have less control over their weight than others - that is just fact.

I also tend to get a bit skittish when people use the word glorifying. I've seen fat instagrammers torn to shreds just for posting pics of themselves - people calling them out for "glorifying" obesity just by posting a photo of themselves looking attractive.

 

[Bitofthebubbly]

I feel like it’s a bit of a weird community. They’re all for accepting their bodies but then most of the ‘body positivity’ instagrammers ive seen are often caked in make up, have had Botox, get their eye brows done, nose jobs and generally come across as very vein. It basically contradicts the whole ‘self accepting’ thing they like to peddle. If they were so accepting of themselves they wouldn’t feel the need to change so many things about their appearance in the first place.

I don’t agree with treating people differently just because of their weight, everyone deserves a basic level of respect. And I know women in particular are scrutinised more over our weight, but I also think if someone is overweight and wants to lose it they should be supported and not convinced into thinking they are traitors of the movement. We all know being over weight carries health risks, so if someone is wanting to improve their over all health I think it’s crappy for people in the body positivity community to shun them.

 

[bunnyboo]

Some people have less control over their weight than others - that is just fact.

I also tend to get a bit skittish when people use the word glorifying. I've seen fat instagrammers torn to shreds just for posting pics of themselves - people calling them out for "glorifying" obesity just by posting a photo of themselves looking attractive.

Weight is such complex issue and I don't think it's as simple to say that some people just have less control over their weight then others. I'm in no denial over the fact that many people who struggle with their weight are suffering with undiagnosed eating disorders or lack access to the appropriate help and/or medical interventions that they may well need. And of course, weight issues (particularly obesity) have unique individual, socioeconomic, and environmental causes.

In terms of the word 'glorifying', I understand your concerns to such a term but I'm more so referring to the entire movement (not individuals) that celebrates obesity. Obesity is a disease and leading cause of preventable death worldwide. I just don't think it should be normalised. I'd be equally as critical of movements such as the pro-ana communities that glorify and promote anorexia.

 

[flopsymopsy]

What are peoples thoughts....I believe its just as toxic as the rest. Heaven forbid you say you want to lose weight....they pounce on you, convince you not to, and encourage people to "live their best life"....ignoring the fact that they are entering morbid obesity in the middle of a pandemic!

If anyone mentions losing weight, they are fat phobic. If any have had weight loss surgery...they deny the fact they wanted to lose weight (it goes against the BOPO rules I guess).

Poppy Adams
Whatlauraloves
Jessontheplussize
Selfloveliv

Any others???

Emma tamsin hill? Eats “plant based”, has a personal trainer (but not for weight loss) and says she’s super healthy. She’s ballooned from a size 22 to a 26/28 (squeezing into much too small clothes) in this time, and is clearly uncomfortable with it but will not ever say she’s not healthy or needs to lose weight.
She used to be a great plus size vlogger but now she’s honestly a mess

 

[frukifram]

Does anyone know Danica Marjanovic?

 

[SilverSpoonNotIncluded]

Weight is such complex issue and I don't think it's as simple to say that some people just have less control over their weight then others. I'm in no denial over the fact that many people who struggle with their weight are suffering with undiagnosed eating disorders or lack access to the appropriate help and/or medical interventions that they may well need. And of course, weight issues (particularly obesity) have unique individual, socioeconomic, and environmental causes.

In terms of the word 'glorifying', I understand your concerns to such a term but I'm more so referring to the entire movement (not individuals) that celebrates obesity. Obesity is a disease and leading cause of preventable death worldwide. I just don't think it should be normalised. I'd be equally as critical of movements such as the pro-ana communities that glorify and promote anorexia.

Shaming people for being bigger doesn’t work either though. Some people are bigger, and that automatically comes with scrutiny of just how healthy are you really? which is nonsense when thin does not always equal healthy, lots of these bopo influencers have had eating disorders or disordered eating trying to be thin which is also damaging, both physically and mentally.

I follow some of these types of influencers, I struggle with the idea of loving your body at any size. It can feel really unattainable if you’ve never even really liked your body! Body neutrality is more realistic IMO.