This is NOT a good sociological experiment, and not just because some people were starting at this woman standing in the middle of busy places taking pictures of herself (and no, I don’t think everyone is even looking at her!)
Stick with me—I’ve tried to make this short:
When I was 100 pounds lighter, I got strange looks (at times) and comments said to my face. I was called, “Pregnant cow” and screamed at—one time when I was riding my bike, someone yelled, “Hey! Don’t bend the rims!” My boyfriend was asked in front of me, “how does it feel to date someone so ugly and fat?”
I walked in shame and tried to kill myself numerous times.
HOWEVER…now I like myself. Do I need to be at a healthier weight? Yes I do, and I took ownership of that fact and am working on it through diet and exercise (I can only walk in a pool, but it’s working). I also started helping others with any talents I may have been given (instead of focusing on herself, why not take pictures of homeless pets up for adoption?)
Then, for the 1st time, I went to an outdoor swimming pool and tried to walk on the deck with confidence. But I had smiles and conversations with EVERYONE. It was amazing! I go often now, and the staff there helps me along and supports me. I do not have people making fun of me to my face, and what a person does behind my back doesn’t matter. It’s all in the way I perceive myself, and NOT what others may (or may not) be saying. I’ve gotten thinner and learned to take better care of myself. But if I died today (not that I want to anymore), I’d die happy, because I know I am me, and who I was created to be, and not someone who judges myself on how others look at me.
Beauty is 5% genetics and 95% what I do and how I help others.