CC: Diet Teas

I have messages in my inbox trying to get me to try diet teas, cleanses & meal replacements. ⁣ ⁣ And at one point in my life, this would have made me cry. In fact, it probably would have made me cancel my plans, change into something way too big/bulky & proceed to binge eat in front of the couch — pretending to believe that there was comfort at the bottom of a Ben & Jerry’s. 🍨👎🏻⁣ ⁣ Because I thought they saw me as I feared everyone saw me:⁣ ⁣ -overweight ⁣ -in need of help⁣ -a pretty face with potential for more if (and ONLY if) I was skinnier ⁣ ⁣

And ya know...for the longest time that’s how I saw myself. 👁⁣ ⁣ I loudly showed that to other people - I told them with my actions that I hated my body. I often told them with my mouth how badly I needed to “change”... & how desperate I was to “finally” stick to my diet (or whatever food myth I was believing that week). ⁣ ⁣ I often said out loud my inner insecurities so that people “knew” I wasn’t IGNORANT — that I knew (and agreed with) what they were most likely “thinking.”⁣ ⁣ How dang sad. 😱😱😱⁣ ⁣ But now. ⁣ I laugh. ⁣ ⁣ I laugh because they VERY clearly have NEVER read a single post of mine or understand my views. I laugh in the joy of knowing I’m not “the perfect candidate” any more. ⁣ ⁣ But then slowly that laughter changes to anger...⁣ and frustration — ⁣ ⁣ It comes because I know other girls are getting these messages...⁣ Often times younger girls...⁣ Girls that are neck-deep in a world that tells them they’re not skinny/pretty/good enough...⁣ Girls that are where I once was for so so so many years...⁣ ⁣ Y’allllllllllll. This is notttttttt cool. ⁣ And frankly, it breaks my heart. 💔⁣ ⁣ Pyramid climb all ya want. I get it. ⁣Hustle on. ⁣ ‼️‼️‼️ BUT be mindful about the messages you’re sending when you’re selling these products. Guilt/shame are a selling point Diet Culture has made 💵 BILLIONS 💵 off of — BUT in it’s path has left millions of women in a vicious cycle of eating disorders, harmful habits and crappy self esteems. ⁣ ⁣ 💔💔💔💔 ⁣ ⁣ To the girls receiving these messages or anything like it: there’s a big ole DELETE button in your DMs that would love to be pushed.⁣ Repeat it with me:⁣ ⁣BYEEEEEE