Weight, Worth, and the Lie of Thinness: Rewriting the Narrative

weight and body image

We live in a culture obsessed with weight. Everywhere we look—ads, social media, celebrity campaigns—the message is the same: thinness equals beauty, health, and worth. And le

t’s be honest, it’s exhausting. It’s so fucking frustrating when our value is measured by the size of our body instead of the fullness of our lives, our joy, or our humanity.

This isn’t just a personal struggle. It’s the result of centuries of social, political, and economic forces that taught us to believe thinner is better. To change this, we have to look at where these ideas came from—and then decide how we, individually and collectively, can stop breathing life into them.

How Did We Get Here?

Thinness wasn’t always the “ideal.” In fact, history shows us that body ideals shift depending on who holds power.

• Pre-20th century: Curvier bodies were often associated with wealth and fertility. Thinness was linked to poverty and illness.

• Early 1900s: With the rise of fashion magazines and Hollywood, slenderness became glamorized, especially for women. The male gaze and consumer culture began shaping what “desirable” looked like.

• 1950s–60s: Marilyn Monroe represented a fuller figure, but by the late ’60s, Twiggy’s ultra-thin look redefined beauty yet again.

• 1980s–90s: The fitness and diet industries exploded, selling us “slimness = discipline = success.” This was also when diet pills, calorie-counting, and weight-loss programs became mainstream.

• 2000s–Today: Social media turbocharged the obsession. Influencers, filters, and “wellness culture” rebranded old diet culture in shiny new packaging. Even when celebrating “strength,” like in Serena Williams’ campaign, the underlying message is clear: thinness still wins.

These shifts aren’t random—they’re tied to power, profit, and patriarchy. The more we’re focused on shrinking ourselves, the less time, energy, and money we have to challenge the system.

Why Change Has to Start Within

Here’s the thing: we can’t wait for the culture to hand us permission slips to feel worthy. That’s not going to happen. Change begins with us—individually, quietly, then loudly.

Finding Your Voice in a Culture That Silences It

Living in this culture often feels like being gaslit. You know you’re more than your body, but the world keeps trying to convince you otherwise. Finding your voice means:

• Naming the harm: Saying out loud that weight stigma is not okay.

• Rejecting silence: Speaking up when comments about your body (or others’ bodies) are made.

• Reclaiming language: Choosing words for yourself that honor your wholeness—not just appearance.

• Modeling change: When you stop talking about diets, calories, and “good” vs. “bad” foods, you free others to do the same.

This isn’t just personal healing—it’s activism. Every time you set a boundary, refuse a toxic compliment, or uplift a fuller truth, you chip away at the system.

What You Can Control

We may not be able to dismantle diet culture overnight, but we can set boundaries, protect our peace, and feed ourselves new narratives.

1. Go-to Phrases for Triggering Comments

When someone comments on your body (positively or negatively), you don’t owe them your story. You can say:

• “I’d rather not talk about my body.”

• “I’m focusing on things beyond appearance right now.”

• “Thanks, but my body isn’t up for discussion.”

2. Boundaries to Consider

• Asking friends/family not to comment on weight changes.

• Muting/unfollowing accounts that promote diet culture.

• Redirecting conversations away from food, calories, and size.

3. What to Decrease

• Exposure to toxic fitness/wellness influencers.

• Internal comparison spirals fueled by social media.

• Energy spent policing your body in photos, mirrors, or clothing.

4. What to Increase

• Community: surround yourself with people who see your worth beyond your body.

• Joyful movement: exercise because it feels good, not because it burns calories.

• Representation: follow creators and voices that celebrate diverse bodies.

• Compassion: practice talking to yourself the way you’d talk to someone you love.

A Collective Effort

Yes, this is personal—but it’s also systemic. Where we invest our money, time, and attention matters. Consumerism drives culture. When we support brands, media, and leaders who value diversity in body size, we chip away at the misogynistic narrative that thinness = worth.

But it starts with each of us deciding: I will not shrink myself to fit someone else’s story.

A Final Word

Living in a culture that worships thinness is hard, but you are not powerless. You can set boundaries, rewrite the story you tell yourself, and surround yourself with people and messages that remind you of your worth.

Let’s stop feeding the narrative that thinner is better. Let’s start feeding our minds, bodies, and souls with a new one: you are worthy, right now, in the body you have.

And I want to hear from you. What’s one way you uplifted your own voice today? Maybe you set a boundary, maybe you shut down a toxic comment, or maybe you just gave yourself permission to take up space unapologetically. Your story matters—because every time one of us speaks up, it gets a little easier for the rest of us.

If this is something you want to talk more about, I welcome the conversation. Whether it’s sharing your experience, asking questions, or simply needing a space where your voice is honored—I’m here.