It’s true, I’m a prolific Instagrammer.
In my line of business, it comes with the territory and nowadays falls under ‘PR and Marketing’.
Before social media was even a twinkle in anyone’s eye I spent my life having my shape scrutinised – by the world as a whole[/caption]
I’ve had family ‘elders’ (ie, people who should know better) comment on me having a ‘fat a**e’[/caption]
But before social media was even a twinkle in anyone’s eye, I spent my life having my shape scrutinised – by the world as a whole.
The perception that the media ought to shoulder the burden of responsibility for this is just lazy conjecture.
Comments about, and pressure on the shape I am in have existed since I first learnt the words ‘fat’ and ‘skinny’ myself.
I’ve had family ‘elders’ (ie, people who should know better) comment on me having a “fat a**e” and only last September I was called “skinny” and told I looked “ill”, by one.
Naturally, if you show yourself off on a public platform, you have to expect some scrutiny.
But to what degree and, really, why?
Having constantly been told I had a big behind and big knockers, that I was “big boned” and had “good childbearing hips”, has always weighed heavy on my mind.
They are the kind of remarks that stay with you like a stubborn, immovable grease stain on your best top.
None of this was helped, over the years, by the fact that I’ve spent a total of three years (36 months) of my life being pregnant and gaining at least 3st each time before shrinking back to whatever you might consider ‘normal’.
ENDURED A LOT
My body has endured a lot.
And still the comments keep on coming.
Only the other day one of my Instagram followers worried about me because I looked “very slim”.
It was a caring enough remark and I responded cordially but it brought to the surface all the derogatory, disparaging and unflattering comments I’ve endured over the years.
As a woman, I know I’m not alone and as I grow older, the landscape is fraught with even more mines of insult and shame.
Now, I have to ensure I don’t look as if I’ve let myself go.
Not at my age.
Having constantly been told I had a big behind and big knockers, that I was ‘big boned’ and had ‘good childbearing hips’ has always weighed heavy on my mind[/caption]
Only the other day one of my Instagram followers worried about me because I looked ‘very slim’[/caption]
The constant shaming and vilifying of women’s figures and sizes has to end[/caption]
Most read in Opinion
But the constant shaming and vilifying of women’s figures and sizes has to end.
Men are certainly not under the same scrutiny.
Most painful of all, it’s women who weigh in on this abusive issue which means it really cuts both ways.