Stop telling me I don’t eat.

Here I am sipping my coffee and eating a meal in a local coffee shop, baffled at the thought that I still have to share this notion with people. “Why don’t you eat?” the question I get almost daily with usually a piece of food in my hands.

I’ve always been smaller for my size, for being over 5 feet and under 100 pounds’ people are quick to say I don’t eat. Or ask if I suffer from an eating disorder (which shouldn’t be taken lightly) while I can assure everyone that I do not have an eating disorder, heads still turn when my weight and size are talked about.

Sadly, we still live in a world where body shaming is still a dominant thing. In a society where waist size and weight somehow determine a person’s worth (which it definitely does not) it seems that one can’t be over a size 4, but if you are a double 0 it’s taking it too far. And since when it anyone in charge of what my body looks like except for me?

I take a lot of pride in my body, it’s nothing spectacular in realms of fitness accomplishments but I take pride in working out and eating well. That’s not to say that I don’t indulge in some Ben and Jerry’s now and then. I could continue to go on about metabolism and what not, but that’s not the point I’m trying to get across. Each body is different and unique in its own ways, and honestly I cannot believe this still has to be said today. Why can’t we just empower one another when it comes to bodies? You like the way you look that’s great! Post that gym selfie if you’re feeling good, wear sweatpants in public, don’t be afraid to wear whatever you want.

Let’s stop assuming and shaming others because of the way they look. Eat what you want, workout if you’re feeling it and take pride of being in your own skin. Already as a society we come with our own insecurities especially with our bodies. You never know what someone else is going through in terms of acceptance in their skin. Believe it or not when you start to tell someone certain things you can believe it. Being told over and over again if I eat has affected me in more than one way, it’s often posed the question if I should be eating if so many people are “concerned” that I don’t.

Build one another up, whether it’s a compliment or a smile. Life is too short to be deeming others on the way that they look. Take pride in who you are and what you look like regardless of waist size or weight. Love yourself, your friends and family, and don’t be afraid to eat a whole thing of ice cream by yourself.