I've thought long and hard about this post because I wanted to write my thoughts without offending anyone. I'm prepared for all of your comments and I'm sure I may lose a few followers over this post. Which is okay.
I'm sure you've all seen this article going viral or seen some of the pictures online. Sophia Bush being "outraged" over Urban Outfitter's tee that says "Eat Less"
...Okay, that is a pretty stupid tee shirt. But. Living in America, and working in a gourmet Restaurant for the last 7 years, I can honestly agree that people should probably eat less. I'm also probably one of those people. My body would function just great with a grilled chicken breast, a side of fresh vegetables, a side salad and a tall glass of water. But I would rather have a spicy chicken quesadilla, argula & asparagus salad with extra cheese, a whole pizza, an Italian soda and a cup of Hatch Family Hot Chocolate which is probably the equivalent to 4 whole candy bars. THAT was my dinner. Everything I just listed. I am often teased about how much I eat, and if you ask Spencer about our first date, he will tell you I ate my whole meal, and the rest of his. With that being said, I could probably eat less.
Now. Sophia Bush is asking people to Boycott Urban Outfitters, and she created a tee shirt that says "ZERO IS NOT A SIZE" Well I'm here to tell you zero IS a size. I didn't hit 100 lbs until a few years after I graduated high school, and my mom was the exact same way. I'm 5'3" with a tiny frame. I'm a zero, and I'm a size. Saying zero is not a size is just as ridiculous as me saying 14 is not a size. But I certainly do not think that, because it is indeed a size. If I were to create a shirt that says "____ number is not a size" whether it be 2 or 8, or 4, or 22 for that matter- people would be outraged.
I understand Sophia Bush was trying to make the point that being skinny is not everything and that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, which I completely agree with! But saying "Zero is not a size" probably wasn't the smartest way to go about it, in my opinion. Maybe a shirt that said "Respect Everyone" or "Beauty comes in all sizes" Would have been more effective..
When I started the job I'm still currently at, I was 17 years old and probably weighed around 90 pounds with the exact same eating habits I have now. I continuously had the same woman ask me "if I was eating" or if "I needed someone to talk to" or let me know "she was worried about me" and I'll tell you how completely offended I was. This woman was slightly heavy, and I would have NEVER said to her, "Geeze.. I'm worried that you've been gaining weight" ..and I imagine if I did, she would be completely offended as well.
Size zero does not = eating disorder.
Size zero does not = eating disorder.
I guess my point, besides Zero IS a size, is that beauty comes in every shape and every size, And no one should be labeled or put in a category because of the number on their tags. I have friends of all shapes and sizes and every single one of them is gorgeous. They are all caring, loving, generous people which is exactly what really matters. There is no ideal size in my opinion. Embrace your size and don't put others down for being "too big" or "too skinny" --both are equally offensive.
And besides, size is just a number.
And besides, size is just a number.
I completely agree with everything you just said and I don't understand how anyone could not! I am way bigger now than I was growing up but I remember feeling insecure about how skinny I was and my lack of boobs for the majority of my teenage years. I was constantly asked if I was eating enough and constantly told "real women have curves". I think it is just ridiculous that our culture can be so blatantly hypocritical. You rock! (:
ReplyDeleteI had the exact same thought! I'm a size 2 (sometimes a 0) and a XS or S in shirts! I think I read that this "outrage" actually happened a few years ago. Also, the "Zero is not a size" campaign started when she was an actress on One Tree Hill. Probably not the best way to say it, but it worked well in the context of the show and stuck, I guess! Great post!
ReplyDeleteUgh! This drives me nuts too! I'm a 1/2, or 3/4 if I'm lucky & I eat like it's going out of style. I'm like 115 at my heaviest. So when people tell me to eat something or that I need to put meat on my bones, it drives me nuts, I love food. I eat all the time. All of this to say I completely agree with what you said!
ReplyDeleteHi Mikell! This is something I have been thinking about a lot lately. I agree that a size doesn't define or make you who you are. You're correct that 0 is a size! I think that as women we should take a step back and stop judging each other based on sizes. I found a great article about body shaming and society vs. what a "real women looks like." I think it's a great read and something you'd find interesting: http://www.refinery29.com/you-beauty/12. Just thought I would share! xo.
ReplyDeleteLove this! Some people are just naturally tiny no matter what they eat. We call these people lucky ;) jk jk. Sophia is quite an outspoken person; I follow her on Twitter. But I think she's wrong in this case. Like you said, zero is a size. My friend is a 0 and she works out and eats well. Why should she be punished for that?
ReplyDeleteMikell, you are revolutionary! I just read something about how loving your body isn't concieted, it is beautiful. I agree that Sophia's message was probably conveyed in the wrong way. Although I have never been close to a size zero, beside maybe when I was ten (damn big bones;) ) I understand how you would be offended when someone says "do you need some food?" and such. How rude!!!! You were just blessed with being able to enjoy more food than most of us. If I were you and someone said that, I'd take a cupcake and shove it in my face. Just kidding. Thank yo ufor your positive message that beauty comes in all sizes.
ReplyDeletexx Laur
laurynlasko.blogspot.com
There is literally no way around the fact that society directly relates obesity to laziness, and being unhealthy. I personally think the bigger the boobs the better so I don't really care about the rest. But I can see it from a corporate standpoint. Would I want my company to be represented by a bunch of lard? Probably not, it isn't esthetically pleasing. These are just the harsh facts of life, its like smoking, we know how bad it is to smoke but people still do it? Obese people get discriminated against, And I am equally hated because well... I am practically perfect in every way lol just kidding. But still, Everyone faces their own battles and I think it comes down the fact that people are jealous, threatened or whatever and we tend to dissect those people instead of building them up. Who gives a crap if you run marathons on your feet or on your jazzy scooter, we as women already have it hard enough. We need to focus on our strengths and encouraging each other to be better people regardless of our size. Oh and maybe put down our 44 ounce sodas.
ReplyDeleteKel, I absolutely loved this post. Because it is so true, every single size is a size! We all are beautiful and we all need to love ourselves. I hated when people used to tell me I needed to eat more because I was going to fly away. My famous come back was “you obviously haven’t ever eaten a meal with me then, cause there isn’t anything holding me back.” The size of a person doesn’t define you or make you who you are, the person whom is inside of you does that.! And you hit it right on the head, indeed, size is just a number!
ReplyDeleteThis is why I love your blog! I was going to write something similar, but you said it so eloquently, there is no need for my post. I've always had a tiny frame and been the smallest among my peers. When I saw this article, I was more offended at the "0 is not a size" than the "eat less" one! I'm not a 0 anymore, but when I was, I HATED it. I always wanted to be bigger and couldn't no matter how many happy meals I ate. But I learned to love my small body and you are right - size is just a number! Thanks for this great article. Definitely sharing. :)
ReplyDeletexo
Daniela
Put A Bird On It
I completely agree with you! It is a size and people don't always need to think that just because you are tiny means you aren't eating. I had some of the same problem you did.
ReplyDeleteYou made such a great point! As women we should appreciate beauty in EVERY shape and size! love this post so happy i stumbled across your blog!
ReplyDeletexo, Kelsey Young | Happie Reading Blog
Zero IS a size!! I can't count the number of times I have been asked if I am eating enough, or why I never gain weight. I eat like a horse!!! Great post!!!
ReplyDeleteBrianna
http://keepingupwiththekeens2428.blogspot.com/
AMEN! Body shaming is body shaming, no matter what size you're dissing. It pisses me off when people just assume you aren't healthy because you're small, medium, or large. Mind your own dang business and realize that "healthy" does not equal any specific size. AARRRGHHHHH
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