I read this article a short time ago and have so much compassion for this woman.
I remember a time a few years ago when I was out exercising in a quaint little college town I love and a young man drove by, head out the window, yelling "YOU NEED TO BE EXERCISING."
I've never been the product of bullying. I'd like to think my high school was the greatest high school ever. Not to say we didn't have our own issues – cause we did – but when we graduated, the majority of us were friends. Really.
This young college buck was the first experience I had with someone being so blatantly ugly to me, and it hurt. My flesh wanted to yell expletives. Deeper down I wanted to have a chat with him about kindness. And encouragement. And understanding.
I have fought a disease since I was 15 years old that basically shuts down my metabolism. It doesn't exist. It hates trying to process certain foods. World-renowned doctors have studied me and encouraged me to try all different types of medicines. I hate medicine. I hate relying on something concocted in a lab to regulate out my system. I'll attempt them for awhile and then go rogue because I just can't handle putting drugs in my body.
I tell you all of this to be reminded that when people are fighting to overcome weight issues, it's not always just a simple "well, she's so lazy...." or "why can't she have any self-control."
I exercise regularly. I love it. I love being sore. I love sweating so much my shirt is soaked. I love going at it with all that I have. I understand the importance of this for my body, and more importantly, my mind.
So you, the yahoo who tells large girls, "You need to be exercising," think about all of the barriers or hurts or pain they've experienced that has them where they are. Be a nice human. Praise them for fighting to exercise at all.
Be kind. Always.
