Growing up, my sister was always overweight while I wasn't. After high school when I started gaining weight due to some mental health struggles, I expressed that I wanted/needed to lose some weight. I was met with responses like "shut up, you're skinny" from my sister. I wasn't as overweight as her, but I was on my way, and not to minimize her feelings about herself, she likely made it worse for me by shutting me down.
I internalized her responses and was careful never to mention my weight around women I perceived as heavier than myself. Overhearing workplace chatter amongst female co-workers about dieting made me anxious, even if those co-workers were smaller than me.
Years and tens of pounds later, I finally (quietly) made the decision to do something about my weight. After a few months of CICO, a co-worker noted my weight loss at lunchtime: "Have you been working on your weight?"
I nodded, felt my face heat up.
This co-worker happened to be bigger than me, and I knew she was trying to lose weight herself. I desperately tried to think of something to say that wouldn't come off as bragging, or putting her down.
She... complimented my progress? She said she was happy for me, rooting for me. I had never had that kind of support. I said I was rooting for her too.
Some time later, the same question from my partner's mother. (gulp) She's even bigger than my co-worker. Again: compliments, support. She said she was inspired and would be joining me on the journey soon.
So to these beautiful women, and to all the beautiful people who, without making it into a contest against their own progress, freely offer support, advice, and encouragement to those in their lives and even strangers on reddit: thank you.
And to strangers on reddit, regardless if you're bigger or smaller than me: your feelings about your own weight are valid, and I support you. I'm rooting for you. I'm inspired by you.
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