How does the stigma of obesity impact your self-perception?
Do others' perceptions of you inform how you view your own body? What impact have they had on your experience with obesity?
Doctors keep referring me to nutritionists, as though I my size indicates a lack of understanding of healthy eating. I recently remarked to my PCP (after hearing my A1C had come down a bit) that I had been working on eating more. She automatically corrected me, "You mean better, don't you?", as though I must have misspoken. No. The truth is, I have trouble regularly getting over 1,500 calories.
Many people don't believe I'm a cancer patient, because I'm not emaciated.
The stereotypes, the judgements, are omnipresent, and harsh.Steroids definitely gave me issues! Yeast infections across my belly, back, and down my thighs, and A1C was out of control. So far, my treatment is successful - 2 years left on maintenance. But my lack of appetite makes it difficult to get enough daily calories. It's difficult to remember to eat, or eat enough, when the body doesn't want food. None of my doctors understand that. I'm glad to hear your treatment was successful. If you can just hang in there for two more years, maybe your body, especially your appetite and metabolism. will begin to normalize again after you stop the maintenance medication.
In the meantime, I hope you continue to stand your ground and advocate for yourself. You shouldn't have to educate the doctors, but that can be a sad reality. Maybe you can make things better for the next patient who has similar issues.
Can you stomach smoothies? You can pack a lot of different nutrients and calories into a smoothie, but they can also be hard to swallow when you don't have the appetite for them. Thinking of you. - Lori (Team Member)
People have looked at the size of my body and made an immediate judgement. Not just fat but lazy, stupid, not motivated, not competent for the job she's in. I took on many of those perceptions and made them my own for many years.
It really saddens and angers me that people are so quick to judge. They don't know you and they have no right. Have you learned to tune those people out over time? Gentle hugs. - Lori (Team Member)
I can say growing up and all my life ive been made to feel insignificant, non existent, worthless, unloved, the butt of everyone's jokes, horrible, no self esteem, internalized the teasing by punishing myself with food for comfort. Now at 46 I'm seeing all this, working through everything, been in 12 step program for my eating addiction and learning to love myself not punishing, forgive those who have harmed me and learning how to live life on life's terms one day at a time.
My heart aches for your younger self, but what an awesome path you are on. Anger only hurts those who harbor it, so forgiveness can be incredibly healthy -- physically and mentally. I hope the 12-step program is effective and that you are able to break that addiction. Regardless, learning to love yourself is a huge accomplishment. Thanks for joining the conversation. Warmly, Lori (Team Member)
Negatively, patronizing, unworthy, isolating and the butt of cruel jokes.
It's heartbreaking to hear that your experience with obesity has left you feeling that way. No one should ever have to carry the burden of such hurtful and demeaning treatment. You are not your weight, and I hope those words don’t prevent you from seeing the value within yourself. Please know that you deserve kindness, respect, and dignity, regardless of your body size. Sending lots of love and light your way. – Lori (Team Member)
