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Let's Not Comment on Someone's Body


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Tis the season, we are around family and other people we may not normally interact with. People seem to think that the easiest way to start conversation is through commenting on someone’s body. Even if they perceive it as a positive thing. I’m talking about casual convestations with people.


Why we shouldn’t comment on a body good or bad.

  • Perpetuates that thinner bodies are better

    • thin=health

  • May put pressure on the person to keep their appearance the same

  • Someones changes may be related to medical or mental health issues


My weight growing up was often a point of conversation with people. I was very active and skinny when growing up, many people said I needed to eat more and was even asked on multiple occasions if I had an eating disorder. I did not at that point in my life.

Later, after high school and I was less active my weight started to fluctuate and there were comments on how I looked more filled out and had more curves, this weight gain was due to severe depression. Later, when I started to lose weight again, I was told how good of a job I was doing, when at that point i had developed orthorexia.




Some alternatives to commenting on a body:

  • It’s good to see you

  • I’ve heard about this thing you’re doing, that’s amazing

  • How have things been

  • Comment on their personality or energy


It’s so ingrained in our society that we need to give compliments on women’s bodys. We do not.


SO, what do we say when people comment on our bodies and we aren’t comfotable with it?

  • Change the subject completely

  • Say thank you, talk about something you’ve been doing recently that’s exciting you

  • If you’r comfortable with the person/you feel comfortable being forward

    • I prefer to not hear comments about my body

    • Can we please not talk about my body

    • Are you open to taking about something else

  • Pivot the conversation to what your body can do for you


Body neutrality has helped me when it come’s to people commenting on my body. For me the focus of body neutrality is in what my body does for me, and accepting it as is is. It’s about preacticing body acceptance than body positivity which can be an easier stepping stone.




 
 
 

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