For far too long, we’ve been led to believe that skinny equals healthy and fat equals unhealthy. But let’s discuss what healthy really looks like.
As someone who has navigated different sizes, I’ve experienced the impact of society’s expectations of what a healthy woman should look like. I used to be a size 8, but over the past few years, I’ve grown into a size 10 or 12. It’s a natural part of life, we all grow and with that come body changes. Yet, some people still occasionally comment on my weight gain.
These remarks, often expressed as concern, stem from the deeply ingrained societal assumption that a smaller body is inherently healthier.
When thick turned thin: The reality no one talks about
Our Fashion & Beauty Writer, Oshorena, shares her experience. “Growing up in Nigeria, I always understood that being “thick” was not just admired, it was expected. I was a size 10, curvy in the right places, strong thighs, soft arms, that was the body I lived comfortably in.”
Oshorena says she was happy, but then life happened. “I went through a rough patch. Stress, heartbreak, depression, do not always show up as tears. Sometimes, they show up on the weight scale.” Before long, it took a toll on her body; she went from a healthy size 10 to a fragile 6.
“This was before Ozempic and the “skinny shot” craze had taken over social media. There was no trendy excuse for my weight loss. I was not trying to be fashionable. I was struggling to survive. And yet, nobody saw the pain behind my new body.”
“In Nigeria, where being thick in the right places is seen as healthier and more beautiful, my smaller frame was not seen as desirable; it was seen as a red flag. It did not matter that I was fighting invisible battles. All they could see was the weight that was no longer there.”
In reality, skinny doesn’t always equal healthy
In a society where women’s body shape and size are constantly scrutinised, our health is majorly tied to body weight. However, the notion that thin bodies and flawless skin are inherently better and healthier is a damaging ideology that perpetuates unrealistic beauty standards, discrimination, and negative body image.
Medical experts emphasise that body size is not an indicator of health, as good health can exist in every size.
My acceptance of my body began after reading a study which showed that a woman’s body undergoes a transformation throughout her menstrual cycle. We gain about three-five pounds as hormone levels shift, resulting in energy and weight fluctuations.
Furthermore, studies reveal that being extremely thin or skinny is deadlier than being extremely fat. For instance, a person can be thin yet have high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, or other health issues. Factors like nutrition, physical activity, and mental well-being play a much more significant role in determining one’s health.
The idea that “thin is healthy” fosters body-shaming, fatphobia, and ableism, all of which promote anxiety, erase diversity and overlook underlying health issues that actually affect women’s well-being.
Chasing my old body: Protein shakes, Greek yoghurt, and hope
Desperate to reclaim her old self, Oshorena says she tried everything. “I drank protein shakes religiously, packed my plate with eggs and Greek yoghurt, and prayed every day that my jeans would fit a little tighter. Every spoonful felt like a rebellion against what my body had been through. But no matter how many calories I consumed, how much I rested, how hard I fought, my body held onto its new, smaller frame , a reminder of everything I had endured.”
For Oshorena, weight loss is not a victory, and weight gain is not defeat. “Learning to live in this new body has been a journey of acceptance. Some days, I still mourn the old me, the body that felt like home. Other days, I marvel at my resilience, at how much strength it takes to exist, to heal, to reclaim your narrative when everyone else is busy writing their own versions of your story.”
Choosing strong over skinny
Being skinny does not automatically mean being happy or healthy. Even I can attest to being much happier since I stopped caring what opinions people have about my transformation from a size 8 to 12.
Ultimately, a woman’s body is more than just a size construct. It is who she is, carries her through experiences and is the canvas of her story. Health in a holistic essence is about being happy, healthy, and confident in one’s own skin. As for me, rather than striving for a specific size, I focus on nurturing my physical and mental well-being.
Happiness and health should be our ultimate goals, not conforming to societal standards of beauty. By being unapologetic about our bodies and choices, we redefine what it means to be healthy and beautiful. The key is not the number on the scale, but overall wellness. Your body is your primary home; nourish, respect, and care for it.
