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Weight Stigma Awareness Week: Don’t Measure Your Self-Worth

Michelle May

diabetes wordsWhile sexism and racism have slowly declined, weightism is on the rise. While it is just as harmful, weight bias is somehow seen as justifiable – or worse, helpful. Those with medical conditions like diabetes may be particularly vulnerable to stigma related to their weight from employers, health care providers, and people they don’t even know.

Is there a bully residing between your ears?

Some people with diabetes internalize this stigma. In other words, the bully moves into their head. Pause and ask yourself: Do I experience shame about my weight? Am I preoccupied with dieting to try to lose weight? Do I feel guilty about eating? Have I convinced myself that this bullying is justified because it somehow helps me manage my diabetes?

A scale doesn’t measure your self-worth.

A scale simply measures the weight of your tissues and substances that are just passing through – none of which have anything to do with your value as a person. Your weight doesn’t accurately measure what’s going on  inside your mind, heart, spirit, or even your body! Yet, a number on the scale is given the power to change your mood and affect your behavior, often in unhelpful ways. For example:

Have you ever said…

  • I was so good but I didn’t lose any weight. I might as well eat.
  • I did so well this week. I deserve a treat!
  • I don’t have to weigh in until next week so I’ll splurge now and make up for it later.
  • I was terrible this week and I still lost weight. I guess it doesn’t matter what I eat.
  • I only lost a half a pound. It wasn’t worth it.

Clearly, focusing on weight interferes with your ability to make meaningful, sustainable changes to help you manage your diabetes.

Let it begin with me

We have a long way to go before weightism is a problem of the past. In the meantime, can you practice seeing your own weight as neutral – simply a number without the power to deflate your spirit and derail your intention to effectively manage your diabetes? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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