peplum top (Worthington @ JCP, $8)
denim pencil skirt (Bisou Bisou @ JCP, $25)
"Bailey" green pumps (Worthington @ JCP, $35)
necklace (Target)
I rarely never do this, but I'm gonna get personal. I haven't been posting as many outfits for numerous reasons, but one of them is weight gain. Lately I've noticed I'm gaining weight at a rapid speed. I'm trying to accept it, and appreciate the way my body is now, but beyond the fact that a good amount of my clothes don't fit, it's hard to get over the stigma attached to it. You know the one. The feelings of failure, guilt, that you appear to be lazy, gluttonous, undisciplined, unhealthy, etc.
I don't believe in diets and I don't believe in working out to the point of vomiting. I believe in HAES. I believe in finding ways to move your body that are enjoyable for you. That is why I dance. I take ballet class an average of 3 times a week. I try to get my fair share of fruits/veggies/whole grains. I also love cheese and butter and bread and I would be unhappy without those things. I believe there should be a good balance of healthy and happy. I believe your mental health is more important than how many miles you can run on a treadmill. I believe how you feel inside and how you treat others is more important than how much you can bench. I believe your character is more important than your six pack (or lack thereof). These are some of my mantras. But...
In this society, it's extremely difficult to combat the feeling of worth based on weight. We praise the thin and degrade anyone larger than a size 8. We applaud the overweight* for taking on the lifestyle of an Anorexic. We have "Thinspo" Pinterest boards. We use the ever-popular "health concern" excuse in order to fat-hate on our loved ones and strangers.
I've put a lot of hard work into getting where I am with
body/self-acceptance, and I've hit a lot of hurdles on the way. Mostly
in the way of friends/SOs/etc. I suppose my work is never done. I
suppose this is yet another hurdle.
*I hate this term (over what weight?) but I can't think of anything less insulting.
(NOTE: I usually have a free-for-all mentality in the comment section, but due to the subject at hand, any comment that is found to be insulting to myself or my readers will be removed.)
