Recently I've been looking back at pictures of myself. It's a pretty normal thing to do. Some people do it to remember the memories attached to those photos. While others look back to see how they've changed. There's been a lot of talk lately around the world about "Healthy is the new skinny" which is an amazing stance on the media. Sadly it doesn't reach everyone. While looking back I've had people tell me "Oh wow you've lost so much weight you look so much better!" Or "I don't know how I ever would let myself get that big! How did that happen?!" Even with organizations like Healthy is the New Skinny people still get wrapped up in how you look. Instead of being told "You look so much healthier now!" or "You seem happier now!" People resort to how much smaller I am now. Granted I'm not a small person nor will I ever be but I never want the number on the scale to dictate how I'm treated.
When I was 17, my senior year of high school I had to pick between playing volleyball or doing track. I picked track meaning that I wouldn't have the other sport during the summer and fall to keep me in shape. I got up to about 310 lbs. that is the biggest I've ever been. I was in so much pain and I didn't know how to handle it all. Now I stay st a pretty constant 270, which is still a pretty big number (I can't believe I'm telling the Internet that). I'm a big person. The only part that is better now is that I don't care if people think I'm fat. I kinda am, but look at the difference 5 years and some more self acceptance has given me. That's a big difference boys and girls. Big!!
Just remember next time you give someone a compliment not everything revolves around weight. It's about being happy and healthy in our own skin.
Jordan XX
