A recent trip to the doctor left me in tears for several days.
I've always been considered petite and small like my mother and never questioned my body. I liked how I looked. My legs are very short and thus, rather pudgy, but I didn't mind. I was the envy of my friends in regards to breast size; I never had image issues growing up.
I went to the doctor for a routine physical and was shocked when I weighed in at 135 pounds. My weight has been rising very slowly during high school: about a pound a year. I immediately went home and typed in my weight and height into the BMI only to find out that I was considered overweight.
It devastated me. I cried and cried and many people online were cruel, citing the accuracy of the BMI and insisting that I was "fat." For several weeks I altered my eating habits, restricting myself to one meal a day to try to lose weight rapidly.
Thankfully, my boyfriend noticed and immediately told me to stop. He assured me that I was perfect and there was absolutely nothing wrong with my body. Combined with my family's reassurance, I have come to terms with my body and don't worry much about the BMI. The only good that came of that experience was inspiring me to begin exercising more often.
This website has truly shown me the light. Weight is a strong variable amongst women and none of us should beat ourselves up over this silly, outdated system.
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