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Fat Shaming Takes Center Stage: Let’s Do Something About It

October 1, 2016   91 Comments

This is not a political blog and today is no exception. But, I am sure many of you noticed that our presidential debate brought about a discussion of fat shaming.

Fat Shaming

The story, in case you have been ignoring the whole thing, is that Donald Trump called Alicia Machado (then Miss Universe) "Miss Piggy" because she gained weight after the competition. In my view, this has nothing to do with politics (who you should choose for president) and everything to do with what is socially acceptable.

No one, I don’t care if she is Miss Universe or a UPS driver, should be called “Miss Piggy” if she gains weight over the course of her job. It is demeaning and degrading to be shamed for your weight (or made fun of for any of your body parts).

I have written about this subject on and off for years. Once, as a way to combat the monolithic body images of magazines, I put up a photo of myself in a bikini. My daughter was humiliated by not being able to fit into skinny jeans and I wrote about how using the word “skinny” sends the wrong message to our kids.

Do I know a single woman who hasn’t been shamed about a body part? No. It is either her breasts are too big (or too small), legs are too short, hips are too wide, too fat or too skinny….You name it!

You really can’t win unless you are a super model – and some of those models have shared their problems with eating disorders (not exactly winning the body image Olympics if you have trouble nourishing yourself). There are so many stories regarding the pressure for models to remain a certain size. For example, one model admitted to buying a Snickers bar, tossing it out, and smelling the wrapper to satiate her hunger.

Our current culture has put us at war with our bodies. We can stop perpetuating the battle through the generations by sharing our pain and calling it what it is – body shaming, bullying, and downright wrong.

I will start. Way back in graduate school (when I was in my 20s), I met a guy who I thought was cute. As I was shy about my interest, I asked a friend to ask him what he thought of me. My friend reported back that he said,

“Her? I wouldn’t go out with her. She is too fat.”

Ouch.

But, was it an “ouch” or did I just dodge a bullet of dating an insensitive, shallow moron? At the time, I was swimming about a mile every other day and my stomach was as flat as a pancake (never happened again). My body type would have been called “athletic” but that really doesn’t matter, does it?

The message – that I am fat - because I am not a thin body type – has been reflected back to me many times. Did I get an eating disorder? No, but it has affected the way that I look in the mirror (sucking in my tummy for example).

It is painful and even more so because it so unnecessary. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and many different body types are beautiful and should be celebrated – not denigrated because they don’t fit an ideal vision created by a culture obsessed with youth and thin body types.

I challenge you to comment below on your experience with body shaming and what you hope to do (or have done) to change things.

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91 Comments:

I did department store modeling back in the early 70's as a teenager. I was 5 feet 10 inches and was 115 pounds. I was told my hips were too big and I needed to lose weight. I did not pursue a modeling career and I am glad that I didn't. I like to eat!!

Laura glad you didn't slide into starving yourself!

People should just keep themselves reasonably fit if you are able to(this makes you feel good to begin with) and at a weight they feel comfortable at.

He is obnoxious!

My older sister was a bully: she fat shamed me continually, even though I was considerably underweight. I didn't understand projection at the time, of course. Pam was overweight: she obviously felt better if she accused me of what she hated about herself. I went through extensive therapy over the years to undo the damage caused by that bully. I also totally cut myself off from the toxic bully, my sister. Therapy saved my life, and I hope anyone who suffers the scars of fat shaming gets professional help.

Toxic people are more damaging than breathing toxic fumes: one kills the body, the other kills the spirit. The overweight man who spent this week fat shaming a woman who wasn't even overweight, is like my toxic sister: cut them off totally and allow them to have NO power over you or anyone else. Call fat shaming what it is: physical, psychological and spiritual ABUSE. Call fat shamers what they really are: perverted abusers.

PS My sister has a daughter who weighs well over 350 pounds. She was unable to escape my sister's toxic 'fumes' and it will kill her.

I see enough of this on the television. I am unsubscribing! Best keep you politics to yourself when it comes to a site like this.

34 years ago I was FIFTY pounds thinner than I am now. My EX husband told me I needed to work out to lose my gut! Comments like those over the years caused me to become obsessed with not eating but because I destroyed my metabolism I continued to gain. But today, at 175lbs I feel fabulous. Started taking my health into consideration and am slowly seeing the numbers drop. We didn't have such a supportive sisterhood in those days. I am determined to support my daughter and granddaughter so they can live proud of their beautiful bodies regardless of the size tag in their jeans...

I will weigh 117 as soon as Don Trump does. How does it feel to be in a 70 year old body Donald? A group of female senators recently tweeted there should be a daily weigh in at the Capitol.

Darla B...

Thank you for this reminder! I have always been fat, chunky, overweight or whatever name you give it. I was bullied in one way or another all my life. I am still overweight but have been to weight watchers, lost 80 lbs and gained back 15...weight is a struggle but it no longer defines me.

Not a political blog?????? Enjoyed your postings in the past but just unsubscribed. Looking for healthy recipes not political opinions.

I am 63 and after a lifetime of low self esteem due to weight issues, I decided to just get healthy. Started walking, ate much less junk food, and started loving myself. I accepted my body type, lost 90lbs, and discovered how shallow toxic, weight obsessed people are. I am so sorry I spent my life thinking weight mattered! Health, happiness, true joy, those things matter. Accept yourself!

While I appreciate your protest against "fat", I feel this Is the wrong time to have this discussion. This political race is clogged with enough non political subjects. I feel this website is not the right place to get poticially involved . Disappointed . Let's keep the real issues in politics.

I agree, none of that has to do with him being president and he for sure should not have been name calling, she however, was under contract to maintain a weight similar to what she was when she won Miss Universe for the year of her reign. It was her job for that period of time and she walked right into that knowing what was required of her and she chose to change her eating/exercising habits. I for one, would never want that as a job, no matter the akolades.

Snack-Girl, I love your perspective! If we all shared it, we would be able to live as humans are supposed to - without constant pressure of conforming to others' ideals. We would be able to see each other as unique individuals instead of seeing the shortcomings and 'flaws' of the physical bodies. With more awareness from advocates like you, this body shaming trend just might change. What a better world it would be!

I agree with Rachel the poster above. Contractually an agreement at that time that she needed to fulfill. She was the one strutting across the stage in a swimsuit. Is that wrong? Of course, but 20 years ago it was the norm and that's how pageants were won. Based on ones looks and hers changed. Not taking either side here, just as I see it.

This is ridiculous. There is no proof that Donald Trump said anything of the like to that Miss Universe, who is now, once again, getting 15 minutes of fame. This is typical spin and obviously the author does not follow politics or the truth to know that this is a fabricated story. Show me a video or audio of Mr. Trump saying what you claim. If anyone shamed women throughout their life it is Hillary Clinton. I am also unsubbing. If the presentation of "facts" was true, sure, I'd stay. I don't need to contribute to anyone who lies and that includes Hungry Girl. Do your research before you slander anyone. Good bye. #Trump2016 #MediaLies

I am unsubscribing now.

Thank you for this discussion. I was fat shamed as a child and, even though I lost that weight in my teens, I still look at my body and wish I was skinnier. I am 61 yr old and in decent shape but fat shaming in my youth left me with a lifetime of not liking my body. Thanks Snack Girl for taking the chance with talking about this at this time when it is front and centre on television.

Thanks for standing up to speak truth to power that hurts and abuses. I wonder why so many women are afraid to do so?

Thank you for this timely column. I don't always agree with you but unlike some of those above, I think an open and honest discussion is needed. I don't think that we need proof to know that Mr Trump holds some pretty unpleasant opinions about women - he supplies it on a daily basis. But even so, your point is that no one should feel shame about their body, whether they are thin and fit or not. The only way to change the world is to bring light to the darkness- we owe that to those who come after us, our daughters, sons and grandchildren.

Thanks for you're post. I never comment but felt compelled to do so at this time. Not only am I not unsubscribing, I'm having friends subscribe! Donald Trunp is a bully who has joined society in the idea that women's worth is based on weight. Good for all who feel health and self esteem are what's important! Hillary Clinton has been advocating for women her entire proessional career and I hope continues to do so. Keep posting snack girl, we enjoy you and loved you're bikini post !!!!

I believe the tweets that trump makes are evidence that he said insulting things about her. http://www.npr.org/2016/09/30/496050913/trump-again-attacks…

He was obviously pissed that a woman he considered "his" (by way of owning the miss universe pageant) was supporting Hillary. So he took any easy shot he could take to try to demean her.

I find it hilarious that many women found this post insulting and have unsubscribed. I support that you brought up this subject. What if it had been a popular athlete who had said something like this? Would so many people be unsubscribing then? No, people would have condemned him.

I don't like Hillary much either, but I don't understand how anyone thinks that a man who says and think so many idiotic and hurtful things is the right person to lead this country. His perspective may be "refreshing" to some, but I just see a power-hungry attention whore.

If I've ever been fat shamed, I ignored it. I am more focused on how I feel and less on what I weight. Why do people think it's okay to judge someone by their weight? Not everyone can control their weight so easily (like hormonal or thyroid issues). Have you watched the new show "This is us"? One of the main characters is overweight and trying to lose. I like having someone who isn't super skinny as a main character, but so far she's only been defined as a fat woman who wants to lose weight, without much more to her personality.

I lost 98 lbs, and my mother's comment: "You're not as fat as you used to be." She really thought she was being nice and complimentary. And she wonders why we don't have a close relationship.

This is my first comment ever on your post. Society places so much emphasis on weight, looks, money. If you don't fit into the "mold" there is something wrong with you. Sad😢 I enjoy your website etc. keep up the good work!

It is too bad the people who unsubscribed didn't view your use of this political story for what it was - a lead in to a very important issue overweight people in our society have to deal with on a daily basis. It was not intended to be political.

As for holding in your stomach, keep doing it! I learned in multiple places - Pilates, Yoga, my own family doctor! - that if you keep your abs strong you have many fewer back issues!

I love your blog and most of your recipes. I am not trying to lose weight, just eat healthier.

Of course this is a political blog! Look at all the comments! This topic is nothing compared to what our country faces...terror, jobs, debt, racial tensions, divisiveness, and on and on! Poor comment, I agree, but how about you mention how hillary has degraded women with her insults, laughed about a rape victim case when she defended the accused, called her husband's accusers Bimbo erruptions! Snack Girl, give it equal time and then I might continue to subscribe.

I feel sorry for all those who see political slants under their beds. Fat shaming is a serious thing. It should be treated with clear eyes. I love your information and also feel sorry for those who will sneak and read you even though they said they have left. Keep up the good inspirational work!!!!!

Has anyone ever noticed that children go through a phase when they have "baby fat" and then it goes away? That women gain 5-10 pounds at "that time of the month?" That when women go through menopause (or stop periods due to surgery) the woman gains weight for awhile? Then in '70's a woman starts losing weight? There are rhythyms in a woman's weight we all should be aware off. People who shame others for carrying extra weight are showing how inadequate THEY are: their comment makes them feel superior. Just remember: God will punish the fat shamers in ways they cannot conceive. Women need to embrace and love themselves. This topic is worthy here because Snack Girl is about eating right to keep your body healthy and beautiful in the individuals opinion.

After reading all of your comments I felt compelled to write this. Geez ladies have we all become so media streamed that every single thing in life disturbs ours. I was a police officer in 1977 when women were just making their way in that profession. I can tell by your attitudes that those of you that replied was never have made it. Being called a pig, a c___, whore, fat pig, common Man lingo at the time, etc. etc, didn't change or hurt me. I'm God's daughter, a beautiful,woman with many horrible experiences but I refuse to let any of it change me. I'm disappointed in most of your comments because if you chose to swim with the crowd, you can't always win or like that your swimming in the crowd. Machado like most women mingled with the wrong crowd and now doesn't like swimming in it so let's blame everyone else but me. Don't we all have enough in our lives and family to keep us busy forever. Sorry snack girl politics don't belong in your blog which I loved up to this point.

It's totally appropriate for Snack girl to address the public fat shaming of Ms Machado. Snack girl is about feeling good and building self esteem by eating healthy. If Ms. Machado broke her contract by gaining weight that's still no excuse to shame her, privately or publicly. Trump didn't shame the beauty queen who it was discovered had an alcohol problem, and which I'm sure broke the contract. In fact he supported her. It is not okay for anyone to shame someone for their weight period. It is not okay for anyone to shame someone privately or publicly period.

Thanks for opening this discussion. I don't see fat shaming as a political issue. It existed before this current season and will exist long after. I have struggled with my weight since my 20's and have heard my share of negative comments about my appearance. I am now 70 years old and am still in the process of feeling comfortable with myself.

I applaud you for posting this issue. Our American society has had a skewed idea of beauty and body image since the post Marilyn Monroe/Jane Mansfield days.

Mainstream media and the fashion industry is to blame for perpetuating this Super Model image. I was bullied as a child by my thinner friends and as a result I had weight issues most of my life. I have been a Weight Watchers member for a long time and have maintained my goal.

It took courage to post on this topic and the only reason you were compelled to do so was because it has been brought up recently in a political forum where it shouldn't exist.

Shame on everyone who trashed you for doing this. It just shows how shallow they are for so totally missing your point. Go ahead, unsubscribe. Your loss, people.

Your loss.

wow. Im sure Secretary Clinton appreciates you support.

I though recipes were good. I do not wish to hear your political vent. Im unsubscribing.

I support this topic. It is a mental and physical health topic. It came up at a political event.

I was very thin all my life until the last 10 years. Then tragedy and lifestyle change took a toll on me. I look in the mirror and see problems, but I love Carol's comment that she's "n the process of feeling comfortable with myself."

"In the process" describes just about everything for me. Thank you, Carol and everyone else for your stories. Thank you, Snack Girl, for facilitating this discussion. And for your recipes. Eating the overnight oats right now.

Good for you for speaking up! Those that unsubscribe aren't willing to acknowledge the pain he causes with his numerous derogatory comments about women. It's not heresay! They have been recorded and we are seeing them rebroadcast over and over! Whether it was in her Miss Universe contract or not to stay a certain weight, there's a way to support someone -not humiliate them as he did by having the press film her exercising, saying she'd gained too much. He's no paragon of fitness himself! Let's look at facts and not blindly support a candidate no matter what cruel, rascist, misogynistic things they say. Or if you insist on supporting them, at least admit when they've crossed a line. Don't tantrum by unsubscribing. Your website is great Snack Girl and no matter what your political affiliation is -it's about you supporting us in our quest for enjoyable eating and health-so THANK YOU!

I came back after a couple hours and never saw so many people in a snit. Snack Girl, your comments were appropriate and timely. How can you be expected to have a blog about staying healthy and keeping a healthy weight without discussing the elephant in the room? To be politically correct, we tend to not bring up cruel things that a politician says....but it would not matter if George Clooney made those disgusting comments, or the Pope or Taylor Swift. WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT.

I can almost guarantee that some teenager is going to be fat shamed one time too many this week and will tragically commit suicide. Fat shaming is BULLYING. It is not ok!

Sneaking a camera crew in to observe someone exercising just for the publicity, is just about the worst fat-shaming/bullying I have ever seen. Most people who need to lose weight won't go to the gym because they are ashamed of being observed by other people in the gym. To bring a camera crew in and force an 18 year old to exercise in front of the camera (by the way, she was obviously barely overweight if you saw the video), is beyond abuse.

It is a good thing that Miss Universe was in a better psychological frame of mind than many people who have been fat shamed, or she could have done some self harm that would have totally destroyed the Miss Universe Pageant and the owner.

Nothing teaches a politician like crashing poll numbers, and maybe this whole experience will teach the world that bullying/fat shaming is NOT OK. And trying to defend the indefensible is not OK, either, so he should not be let off the hook. Miss Universe may have just saved Ms/Mrs/Mr America four years of total disaster. Thank you.

PS I am sharing your site with my 3,000+ FB friends. I hope your site doesn't crash when they all try to sign up at the same time. Good work.

And thank you, Snack Girl.

Fascinating how these comments demonstrate exactly what happens when a bully gets called out...most people will respond with compassion but there will always be some who respond by supporting the bully. I applaud you for taking a stand and will be following your blog more closely and will recommend it to my friends!

Unsubscribing because you don't agree with a post??!! I'm so glad that other peoples OPINIONS are so powerful. I may not agree with Snack Girl all the time but I love her posts most of the time and this will in no way sway my vote (for Trump) or my like for Snack Girl! Much love!!

Fat shaming is horrible I had to grow up with it as a child and ban adult... and the reason she brought it up about Trump is because she was trying to show you what kind of man you would be voting for.

Thank you for acknowledging what I've noticed for a long time. I experieced bullying & shaming over the years. I'm grateful for people ,like you who have helped me to call it out over the years. While I still have memories of 4th grade playground bullies, I continue to support the knowledge that my 50yr old self needs to support and care for all, and especially those with any type of physical challenge. #makeourheartsgreatagain

Hilarious how Trump supporters are offended and unsubscribing!!!

I was fat shamed throughout my life, first as a child, then a teen, then by husbands and bosses. Only now in my 50s can I say I don't give a darn ... I am healthy, happy, and who cares if I fit a societal standard or not?

Your story of the "she's too fat" shallow guy mirrors one of my middle school stories to a tee ...

her JOB was tp be thin... part of her contract. was he a jerk for name calling? absolutely but she broke her contract.

I stirred up a hornets nest this morning!! Thank you for all the thoughtful comments. I was not trying to influence voters. I simply wanted totalk about the impact of fat shaming.

I do agree that if you sign a contract - you must stick with it - but I don't think that breaking a contract means that an employer can abuse or bully the employee. Just follow the rules and go crown the runner up.

Thank you for braving the wrath of Trump's fans, most of whom I'm sure the Donald would also label as "disgusting" based on their weight. He seems to have a very low tolerance for non-supermodel faces and bodies, which excludes most of us. We women of all political stripes must learn to support each other in the areas that touch all of us, such as the body shaming flung at us by insensitive clods and by industries hoping to profit from our shame. Is that how you want your daughters treated, my right-leaning sisters?

You could have had this discussion without putting a political on it.

Signed,

Disappointed

*political spin

Great discussion ... I think this affects so many women (and men too). I am lucky to have had a great mom who never made comments when I was going through my chunky phases, just encouraged healthy eating and exercise and made sure I studied hard knowing that I had an education to get the best jobs.

It is (finally) unacceptable in our society to degrade people because of their race or religion, but people make fat comments all the time. I think we need to make sure this is unacceptable too. I think your post was totally appropriate. Keep up the dialogue.

How did Snack Girl make this political??? She did not slam either candidate. She chose to focus on a topic that is front and center right now. One that I fear my daughter will be subjected to. Good for you Lisa!! As for people unsubscribing due to politica content...did you even read the post?

Wow Snack Girl!! You hit the nail on the head. All of the comments saying unsubscribing are ridiculous! I wonder if they truly read your whole post. It was taking an issue that is the media (yes during an election, but it doesn't matter who said it), but an issue we need to talk about. I'm not American, but can't people post about what they want? Free speech and all. Why can't people have different opinions and respect each other? I didn't take this post as political at all and I'm a political junkie!! This is about fat shaming.

When I was younger, I was bullied. I had to go to a different junior high, but still was bullied there. I was beat up, spit on (yes I was), made fun of, etc. All because of my weight. Once I had more confidence, it ended. Everyone should be celebrated as long as they treat people with respect. And Snack Girl, you are very respectful on a lot of great topics!!

PS There was NOTHING IN THE MISS UNIVERSE CONTRACT ABOUT WEIGHT.

PERIOD.

SO, TRUMP NOT ONLY SHAMED MISS UNIVERSE, HE LIED ABOUT IT. HE ALSO LIED ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF WEIGHT SHE GAINED (AND HE ACTUALLY LIES EVERY THREE MINUTES, AS NOTED BY A DOZEN FACT CHECKING SITES).

SHE DID NOT BREAK HER CONTRACT AND SHE LOOKED EQUALLY BEAUTIFUL WITH A FEW EXTRA POUNDS.

MR. MISOGYNIST LOST,

Thank you for bringing up this topic. As a mother of 2 teen girls, and a middle school teacher, I believe it is a discussion we need to have often until it is an unacceptable behavior.

For those of you who think this discussion is political, SG only explained why this topic was in the news this week. She did not ask us to discuss our (or share her) political views. She asked for our experiences and feelings about fat shaming, which I hope people of all political persuasions agree is wrong.

In 1973 I received an advanced degree in Public Health and applied for a position in the local county health department. I was interviewed by what I perceived to be "an elderly woman" - probably in her 50s but to me at the time that seemed old! I wore a clean, unwrinkled, sleeved cotton summer dress, but I didn't shave my legs (I hadn't for the previous year or so). At the end of the interview, which I thought had gone well ... up to that point... the woman told me I should alter my appearance "so that if a man comes in the room he thinks 'There is a nice looking young woman.'" Needless to say I was stunned, didn't get the job, but went on to a better position with wonderful female and male mentors and role models.

I was fat shamed as a teenager. When I was 12 I got a job delivering the morning newspapers. I would get home and be starving and would eat and then go to sleep for a few hours (in the summer). I gained weight and my brother called me "Big Bertha" all the time. It was traumatic and I felt terrible.

I had the opposite experience growing up.....I was very very thin or as bullies liked to call me "skinny minnie" , "Turn sideways and you will look like a zipper", "scarecrow" and

"you must have a eating disorder...do you throw-up?". Now I realize that many people would think that those things are not that bad to hear but it devastated me and I would try as hard as I could to gain weight. Never felt that I was attractive enough. I hid in baggy clothes and never would wear a bathing suit. I missed out on a lot of social things back then because I felt ashamed of my body, so it isn't just "fat" that can be body shamed. People would laugh at me when I would share my pain, saying "I wish THAT was my problem...you are ridiculous ". I am now 64 years old, post-menopause and breast cancer treatment and I am now "over-weight". I wish I wasn't but I DON'T wish I was rail thin again either.

Snack Girl, I am with you!!! Politics aside....we just need to respect each other.

As we all know, Trump didn't invent fat shaming. I've dealt with being shamed and bullied for my whole life. My. Whole. Life. From kids, from adults, from teachers, from family, from co-workers, from complete strangers on the street. It started decades ago when I was maybe 20-30 pounds overweight, till now when I'm morbidly obese. There are many times I'm grateful I'm a caregiver as it means I don't have to go out into the world as much and get the snide looks, the sometimes well-meaning "help" and the cruel comments. I assumed early that this is how the world is, painful though it may be, and am not the least bit surprised to hear of a political candidate on either side being caught in the act of judging women (as well as men). We'd probably all cringe to hear the other comments that echo through our places of government and work. What can we do about it? I have no idea. Fat shaming to this day is still socially acceptable.

Snack girl (Lisa), thanks. As always, you push us to THINK. I am sorry so many readers missed the point. Fat shaming is socially acceptable, no matter what your party affiliation.

Thanks for your message.

Oops

That should have read "Fat shaming is socially UNACCEPTABLE no matter what your party affiliation is."

Thanks for addressing this topic, Lisa. I wish that we women could be judged, not by our appearance but by our intelligence, character, and kindness. It would be a much better world!

I agree with some earlier comments, there is no evidence this happened and if you look at a video from the time she was working out and he was holding a press conference, he was understanding of the weight gain and refused to fire her. Our society does have a problem with overweight people and how we are treated but others took advantage of it advantage of this woman. Sad, another woman would do it.

too bad some of your readers missed the point about your article! we are talking about body shaming and the results......Snack girl just mentioned an example of this in our every day world, it's not a political statement but a statement about what women go through privately and publicly!!

Dear Snack Girl, I love your site, your recipes, your humor and your humanity.

I'm 66 years old and I'm still struggling with weight, body image and fat-shaming. I'm so tired of it. I expected I would be wiser by this time of my life. With your writing and comments you teach honesty and a simple, tolerant self-acceptance. We all need to learn or be reminded of this. Thank you.

I can't believe so many people are unsubscribing and saying that Snackgirl was making political comments. She never commented on Donald Trump's politics. However, it's hard to ignore the fat shaming (and generally misogynistic) comments Trump makes about women. He didn't deny saying that about Miss Universe; he doubled down in interviews and twitter comments. Even if Miss Universe was contractually obligated to maintain a certain weight, that doesn't excuse the weight-related comments he's made about Rosie O'Donnell or other things he's said about women.

There are so many things in our culture telling me, telling my daughter, that we aren't good enough unless we reach a certain ideal of beauty that is unattainable for most of us. Setting aside anything else I feel about Donald Trump's actual politics, our daughters should not be receiving that message from their president.

Lisa started today's post by stating that this is not a political blog and she did not make a political statement - she invited us to join in a conversation on how we have experienced fat-shaming has affected us - those who choose to unsubscribe are missing the point.

That being said...

I have had weight issues and many scale fluctuations my entire life and many times have been "fat-shamed" I have worked hard to minimize the detrimental impact the shaming episodes have had on the way I view myself - I have a good life, great marriage - had a successful & satisfying career So I imagine I have succeeded, however, some things stay with you.

One incident that has stayed with me occurred when I was an 8th grade student - as I passed a group of classmates, one boy snickered and said - "there she goes - flat & fat" - to this day (and I am 68 - so 54 years later) I remember the soul-crushing embarrassment I felt - but the "shamer" was an adolescent boy who thought he was being funny not a senior citizen who, God help us, wants to be leader of the free world.

Vote for Hillary, ladies, not a fat shamer !!!!!

Guess I don't get why your comments are perceived as political since you didn't make any political statements and you certainly didn't offer an endorsement. If someone criticizes say a football players actions, for example, no one thinks it is "sports motivated" or an indictment of the entire team. The way I read your post is that you were using a current event example to discuss a subject that was definitely in your venue. When I was young I was extremely tall and skinny and I was teased, bullied and ridiculed...I wish someone had taken a public stand against bad behavior then and I thank you for doing it now.

I have, on multiple occasions, had men shout at me while I'm walking down the street "Hey, fat b----!" and then follow that up with some suggestion about what they'd like me to do to them, such as "Suck my..." This happened for the first time when I was only a size 10.

She gained 60-70 lbs while she was Miss Universe. For Pete's sake. Would anyone expect the sponsors to be happy. Ridiculous to generalize from this to the struggle the rest of us have

This article is extremely tasteful, and was very articulately writen. For those complaining, read the article! Then,think of your own daughter being shamed by someone that is so called in authority.The name calling is disgusting! No matter who it is, they need to be called out and held accountable for their hurtful, berating words.

All women deserve so much better.

BRAVO SNACK GIRL!

all you wahines that are unsubscribing because you think this was a political comment, you just gotta get a grip. this was a statement on a topic that needs airing. with me shaming of any kind was not cool. if I heard anyone doing it I would say something, got into some beefs for it.

Thanks to all those who have related a story of fat shaming and didn't go off in a stomp. How are we as human beings ever going solve our issues if we don't have the courage to have discussions?

At 5 feet and 120 pounds, I'm not overweight now.

I was never more than 105 til about three years ago. Even at my lightest weight, I heard my dad's voice in my head, " don't eat that, you'll get fa-a-a-t! " He passed away twelve years ago, but my body dis morphia makes me

loathe myself. Body shaming sometimes can be internally driven; I don't even need someone else to shame me.

I'm wondering if all those who have unsubscribed think it's acceptable behavior to ridicule a woman for not having the unrealistic body of a supermodel. I do not understand how any woman thinks this is OK in any possible way. It took courage to post this, Lisa, and I admire you for it. You rock!

I have never commented but I feel compelled to this morning. For all the folks who said they would unsubscribe because this post is too political.... what? Snack Girl used a current event to launch a discussion that doesn't have to connect in any way back to the election but is however, very connected to the topics she writes about daily: how to eat healthy, take a healthy approach to weight, and all the related issues. She could have written this whole post without the debate ever happening. Fat shaming is real, as you can see from the other comments. Your senstivity about the election is ridiculous.

Thank you for your thoughtful and intelligent articles that speak to our health and well-being Snack Girl. Unfortunately Donald Trump is a bully with a very big bull horn. For many years he has used media to spout his venom and hatred of people he doesn't consider worthy. Everything he says can be verified as coming repeatedly from his own mouth via television, his own books, newspapers, magazines and 3am Tweets. Always do your own fact checking people. This man wants to represent our country and that means EVERYONE...men, women and children, not just the beautiful people according to Donald. Unsubscribers, you lose.

Darla...

Clearly a hot button issue! As Michelle said, it matters less who said it, and more what was being said - when it comes from a celebrity of any sort it gets a lot of press (which may well be Trump's goal with these asinine, insensitive, primary-school comments). I wonder if the unsubscribers would be as quick to jump if it was Morgan Freeman (not that he ever would) - or another celebrity - somehow I doubt it. They'd be right here with the rest of us, denigrating the insults. Snack Girl's subject was NOT a political post, it was about fat-shaming. My guess is that had she wanted it to be political, it would have been a lot longer. It's interesting from a sociological point of view that the reiteration of a quote from a candidate can be grounds for such rage amongst the candidate's supporters, the slightest whiff of disapproval has them removing themselves from an environment where people may disagree with their choice. What that says to me (and only me) is that they suspect that their emperor has no clothes - they just don't want to think about it. I can tell you that the rest of the world is indeed watching what's happening within your electoral system, and most of us are shaking our heads in stunned disbelief.

Great blog! If I could have one super power it would be real self confidence. I have spent (wasted?) years afraid to meet someone due to the body shame I feel about being overweight. When I was a child, I was taught it mattered what was on the inside. I wish I could believe there was a man out there that might believe that.

Just a few points:

1 - You were very naive to think that this would not be taken politically

2 - Your blog is all about a healthy lifestyle- being overweight is clearly unhealthy

3 - "Fat Shaming" is the new buzz word in the politically correct world

4 - There will always be bullies and people being cruel

5 - The important approach is to lose weight to be healthy and learn to ignore ignorant people

To Joanne, who commented an hour ago:

1. Snack Girl is ANYTHING but naive: she has a PhD, which puts her into the brainiac position and into the 'never naive' position.

2.Being overweight is not necessarily unhealthy, and being underweight is not necessarily unhealthy. Healthy fits into a category of its own.

3. "Fat Shaming" is not a buzz word, or a politically correct word, it is a FACT that too many people have experienced whether they were fat or only thought they were fat or had someone shaming them who was fat (aka Trump).

4. There may always be bullies and people being cruel; BUT THEY SURE ARE NOT GOING TO BE RUNNING FOR POTUS!!!

5. The important approach is to be within a healthy weight range (not the TRUMP weight range, which is for ANOREXICS ONLY). And to NOT VOTE FOR IGNORANT PEOPLE AKA TRUMP. I can guarantee that Hillary Clinton will NEVER fat shame when she is POTUS. NEVER. And Trump will ALWAYS fat shame, because he always has...even though he is morbidly obese himself.

At back to school night last week I was accidentally wearing a shirt that no longer fit me and a skirt in front of a room full of parents (I was the teacher ). I knew the shirt was a small and I'm really a medium but didn't have time to find another outfit . I tried to make it work and adjusted the skirt and tried just sucking it in. Next day at school my young kids who obviously have no filter said "my mom thought you were pregnant !" It was in my mind all weekend and I was obviously upset but not heartbroken . I really don't think I'm overweight looking in the mirror but I'm defenitly guilty of not standing up straight and hunching over to make it look like I'm pregnant, and just wearing clothes incorrectly . Instead of letting This ruin my weekend , I decided to wear clothes that actually fit me and realize I'm not a size small anymore and that's okay. I didn't starve myself at a great fall festival , but defenitly kept things in moderation because of that comment .

I never agree with name calling, especially about weight, but the problem was she was representing the Ms. Universe contest for a year and she gained 60 pounds. The Miss Piggy comment is not acceptable.

Wow... I don't see this as a political commentary, I see that she used something from the news as jump start into a timely topic. No matter why or what - fat shaming is psychological abuse and should be addressed. I was fat shamed by an evil SIL and it caused some anorexia in high school. I'd eat nothing for breakfast, crackers and soda for lunch and a small supper. I see pics of myself and think how sickly I looked and why didn't anyone say anything? I do remember my brother telling me to lose 5 more lbs! Now, I am overweight but still work 4 jobs to support my family. That should dispel the 'fat and lazy' comments. I have weird allergies to fresh fruit and veggies. Yes, true! my allergist couldn't believe it and didn't really have a way to fix that with out attacking each separate allergy and then that still may not have worked. I am trying to work within the allergic limits and control my carbs. I have too many other things to worry about, than to worry about some idiot who thinks I'm too "fat", "old", "ugly" or whatever other comments one would want to use. I am more worried about my daughters. They don't deserve that kind of attitude either. Thanks for bringing this topic up and continue to shake people up!! We need supportive members, not ones that are afraid to stand up for what is right and run at the 1st sign of discomfort!!

Despite your disclaimer, you are obviously making a political statement. This is inappropriate and not appreciated. Yes, it's true that fat-shaming exsists, along with a multitude of other mean things we do to each other--but what did you just accomplish?Did you "do something about it"? No. Stick to talking about healthy food.

I don't think the content of this post was political at all, and I'm *not* unsubscribing. It's an important issue.

Quite frankly, if Trump does get elected, I'm not sure how I'm supposed to explain to my daughter how body shaming is wrong (whether she's on the receiving end or doing it to someone else) when the leader of the country has openly - and gleefully - done it.

It has been fascinating to read the responses to Snack Girl's comments. As a therapist, I love having opportunities to analyze the behaviors of people in various situations. This was a prime example, although limited and unscientific, it presented a great opportunity to observe the reactions of dozens of people to the same initial comments.

I have observed the Trump voters as they are interviewed in various circumstances: I am a news junkie and can't get enough. My mouth drops, I just shake my head and hit the remote to rewind, because I couldn't believe what I heard. There is a reason the college educated are not voting for Trump. Once the grueling years of college, especially graduate school and post graduate school, have shaped your brain, ignorance becomes revolting.

Uneducated people tend to think in black and white. Those are the people unsubscribing because comments were made that they disagree with...their is no chance to teach them. They must leave because if something is 'gray' and not black and white, they freak out. They run away from anything that discourages their 'set in stone' opinions. They don't believe in "when you know better, you do better", which is Oprah's number one quote.

Snack Girl should join with a psychologist and write a scholarly article about the response to the unacceptable, ignorant, sexist, racist, body-shaming comments from an obese man, a POS who will never be POTUS. I am sure the results would be fascinating and would tell us a lot about why fat shaming is considered acceptable if it comes from your particular political party.....and why it will continue. Bullying and abuse (which fat shaming is) will continue as long as a single person is left on earth who makes excuses for the bully. The body count will continue, of people who died because of the bullying or whose spirit died because of the bullying. Same/same. Shame/shame.

I also meant to share this blog post from a few months ago by Twin Cities performer/comedian/improv actor who has been doing crossfit, but was still heckled ON STAGE for her weight.

http://solcanafitness.com/week-39-heckled-and-doctor-jekyll…

What an interesting discussion. Sometimes the shout heard round the world comes from a strange place....like from a dead soldier's dad holding up a worn copy of the Constitution, or from a beauty's twenty year trail of tears caused by a cruel and crass candidate.

Thank God the shouts came before November 8, thus saving the world from the brutality of a vile and vicious tyrant named Trump. How brave of those who boldly presented their pain for all the world to see. Sometimes it takes just a whisper to be the shout heard round the world.

Karma came in the form of a Spanish speaking Muslim this time.......

Love your blog. Hate that you brought Trump into it. He shouldn't have said that and you didn't need to Jump on the bandwagon.

The bigger issue - be kind, one to another. Respect each other, no matter any differences.

So here's an article published at the time:

http://people.com/archive/weight-of-the-world-vol-47-no-5/

Machado was 5'9", 118 when she was crowned. That is a 17.4 BMI, which is underweight, which we know is more unhealthy than an overweight BMI. According to her trainer, “She had done that by taking dieting pills and powders,” he says. “That’s not a realistic weight for her.

So she gained 42 pounds (not 60) to reach 160, which is 23.6/normal BMI. In the article, she had reached 149, 22.0/normal BMI.

Donald lied about the amount of her weight gain, and refused to accept a weight that was considered well within normal for her height and build. So was she really in violation of any legitimate appearance standards? Ones that themselves were realistic and reflect being in good health rather than what is possible only with an eating disorder? No.

Some people here felt there was no evidence for Trump's disrespect of women. After yesterday's (10/7) replay of a recording of his bragging about his sexual assaults of women, I thought I'd check back to see if anyone felt they now have enough evidence. Yes, this is a political comment. But I had friggin' nightmares about that guy last night. I'd like to never see his face or hear his voice again - much less let him have the highest office in our country and see what he might do with it.

Jane, You are so right. In many ways, Trump represents all the males who have abused, criticized, shamed, hurt and assaulted women over the years. His words, his voice, his unattractive face and hair and his obese body, just make his criticism of non-perfect women seem ridiculous.

What a horrible, horrible man.

Thank God he will not be living in the White House: his kind deserves to be living in an out-house. I hope this teaches the world that fat shaming is not acceptable, and treating women like sex objects will destroy you.

Trump's businesses will go under, I guarantee it. Everything he owns is covered with his filthy fingerprints, and God only knows where those fingers have been.

Good riddance to bad company.

Nightmares? Drama much? If you think your boyfriend or husband doesn't talk lewdly with other guys, open your eyes. I can't wait to vote for Mr. Trump and for him to be POTUS. You go ahead and vote for Hillary and get ready for open borders and Sharia law. Oh, one more thing, Hillary has said things about women when her husband abused women while he was in the White House. Goggle "bimbo squad" and have sweet dreams. #Trump2016

At 60 years old I'm now learning to love who I am. It's sad that I've spent my entire life trying to be thin. I adored myself as a young girl.... and then at twelve a boy walking behind me said" Those hips are getting big"...well, that did it.I just quit eating. I then was bone thin for a time until my health was in question and became overweight.I think women are worse then men.I hear it all the time. It breaks my heart to hear people be so cruel. Woman need to support one another and not be critical of weight, attire and ones hairdo Yet I hear it everyday.

Just found this post while looking up articles on fat shaming to have more of a grasp on how to create the conversation with my family and friends who unknowingly say fatphobic things often, and completely agree with this article! Subscribing.

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