Being branded “fat” hurts. So why?
After Allison, a mother of two, wrote about her recent swimming trip, everyone wondered what happened.
Allison responded well when the 30-year-old’s daughter labeled her obese, and her response is going viral.
Dieting began at age 14 for Allison Kimmey. She managed to stay in sizes two to four during graduate school, but it was hard, and she wasn’t happy. Allison reached size eight three years ago at 27 and realized she’d be happier if she stopped battling her weight gain.
Allison started the @allisonkimmey Instagram account to motivate herself with photos and words. Allison’s body acceptance encourages her fans, but not everyone hears her important message.
Allison just brought her son and daughter swimming. Allison’s child shouted at her and called her fat as she left. Allison posted on Instagram:
Question: “What did you say about me?”
I called you fat, mother. Apologies.”
Let’s discuss. My weight is normal. Fat nobody. It is impossible. I’m overweight. Everyone’s overweight. It preserves muscles and bones and provides energy. Have fat?
She said, “Yes!” My stomach has some.”
Yes, I said! I agree with your brother!”
Brother: “No fat. Skinniest me. Just muscles.”
Everybody has fat, actually. We all have various amounts.”
Brother: “Sure! It protects my massive muscles! But you have more.”
I said, “So true. Some are rich, others are poor. One individual isn’t better than another. Understand, both?”
“Yes, mama.”
“Can you repeat what I said?”
They said, “Yes!” Everyone has fat, and it’s good to have varied fat.
Me: “Yes!”
Allison wanted to educate her children how to communicate and share the idea that everyone is equal regardless of physical form. Imstagram post becomes viral.
Allison adds, “If I shame my children for saying it, I am proving that it is an insulting word and I continue the stigma that being fat is unworthy, gross, comical and undesirable.”