Missfits Magazine: Issue 7

add that I, too, am a self-proclaimed feminist) said something along the lines of “the desire to lose weight directly correlates with body hate in every conceivable way.” Her intentions were sincere and good—she went on to say that she wanted people to love themselves as is, but her main point still struck me as completely unfair. How does the desire to lose weight equal self-hate? Certainly there can exist an unhealthy balance—people losing weight in an unhealthy way (or even healthy) to fit societal standards because they hate their body.

But to assume that “the desire to lose weight directly correlates to body hate in every conceivable way?” Well, inconceivable!

Personally, I think losing weight can often embody self-love. I struggled to love my body before, but I have definitely learned to love it now—not because it is slimmer or more toned than at my starting weight, but because I have shown myself how strong I am. I found out I am capable of running, and running far and fast. As I watched myself increase my distance and speed and reach levels of fitness I had never before accessed, I felt completely comfortable with myself—even before I lost a single pound or inch.

Statements like these are body-policing in the same way often exhibited regarding sex and contraception. Making the statement that it is impossible to lose weight without hating yourself or to exercise without showing subconscious insecurity is just like saying that women who enjoy sex are “sluts,” or that those on birth control only desire the prescription to have intercourse constantly, recklessly, and without consequence. While this is a strong comparison, it remains true. These statements completely ignore the choice of the individual and the existence of incredibly diverse and subjective situations.

I am in no way making the argument that weight equals health—I understand that health is attainable at any weight. However, there is absolutely nothing wrong with losing weight or setting personal goals, and the process is often full of self-love. In the same way that gaining weight does not necessarily point to body-hate or insecurity, losing weight does not automatically indicate these either. In fact, most people who set out to lose weight for these reasons almost always gain it back within a few months, because the emotional issues behind the weight were never addressed, and the old habits return.