I know this won’t make me popular. But popularity isn’t the point—truth is. And the truth is, we need to stop pretending that being plus-size is something to celebrate.
We live in a culture where discomfort is taboo, where “acceptance” has become a shield against accountability. Body positivity, at its origin, was a necessary movement. It reminded us that people deserve respect regardless of shape or size. But today, it has morphed into something far more dangerous: the normalization—and even glamorization—of obesity.
Let me be clear: this is not about shaming individuals. This is about challenging a collective mindset that tells people, especially women, that taking care of their health is optional, and that striving to look and feel better is somehow oppressive. That being “plus-size and proud” is not just acceptable, but aspirational.
The problem is, we don’t want to talk about the real costs of this mindset. We don’t want to say out loud that being significantly overweight is linked to preventable disease, decreased mobility, and shortened lifespan. We want to avoid discomfort—even when that discomfort could lead to change.
I’ve watched the term “plus-size model” go from niche to mainstream. And while I believe everyone deserves representation, I also believe we’ve lost our ability to discern between visibility and validation. There is a difference between saying, “You matter,” and saying, “This is something to emulate.” One recognizes your humanity. The other turns a health crisis into a marketing campaign.
I’ve had people call me harsh for saying these things. But sometimes love—real love—looks like challenge. Sometimes the most respectful thing we can do for ourselves and others is to say: You are worth more than settling for this. You are worth the discomfort of change. You are worth the discipline it takes to grow stronger.
If we really cared about self-love, we wouldn’t be selling people comfort at the expense of their well-being. We’d be encouraging them to fight for their lives, not post filtered affirmations about how “curves are beautiful” while quietly battling joint pain, fatigue, or depression.
You don’t have to hate yourself to want more for yourself. You just have to be willing to question the narratives that keep you stagnant.
The truth is, you are not a bad person for being overweight. But we, as a culture, are heading down a dangerous road if we continue telling people that staying there is a badge of pride.
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