Great article in August’s edition of OM (The Body Positivity Blog: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back). I don’t often feel the need to respond but when asked to comment at the end of the article, this time I felt the need to reply.
I am a size 14 yoga instructor at 5ft 6. On the scales, I am at least a stone off my correct BMI. I have exercised more or less four to six times a week for the past 12 years and would say that I am strong, though maybe lacking some aerobic capacity after having hip surgery last year.
At 48, I like to think that I am generally fit. However, I am aware that I am slightly overweight and, to be healthy to my joints and heart, I need to decrease my overall calorie intake. But I love food and alcohol…and therein lies my issue. I may well exercise six times a week but my input outweighs my output and that’s why I don’t lose weight.
Whilst I think it’s fabulous to encourage larger people to exercise, and in comfortable fitness wear, I also believe that if we promote the idea that a larger image is acceptable it does add/create to the increasing obesity crisis that today’s UK faces. Therefore, I think the encouragement should be on healthy eating, and to consume less than you as an individual expend, creating a healthy body image and weight for a future healthy life.
Tracey, by email
Tell us what you think
In the August issue of OM we posed the question: What do you think of the notion that ‘body acceptance’, or ‘body positivity’, is merely ‘fat acceptance’? We’d love to know your thoughts on this. Email: editor@ommagazine.com
