Editor's note: In addition to publishing the blog post that has gotten Stella so much attention this week, we wanted to publish two posts she's written since. This one on the origins of her body image issues first appeared on the Humans of New York Facebook Page.
I struggled with body image my whole life. As a young teen, I was diagnosed with Polycystic ovarian syndrome. PCOS makes it incredibly hard to lose weight, and spikes up your insulin levels which can lead to diabetes and other complications. I felt like I was just getting bigger and bigger and could do nothing to stop it. I was so awkward and uncomfortable with what I looked like that I began to self-medicate in the way most teenagers do, except it was to a scary excess. Finally, my parents intervened and when I was 15 I got the help I needed. The past 2 and a half years have essentially been a struggle to come to terms with who I am and live life in a constructive, not destructive manner.
A couple weeks ago, I started a blog, just as a way to get out my thoughts and feelings. I found the body acceptance movement online, and it was like my eyes were open for the first time. I realized that my size or weight is not something to be ashamed of, it is a part of me. Health and weight are not synonymous, and I know that to be healthy means to manage my sobriety and PCOS the best that I can. I may not ever be thin, but that's okay. It's all about progress, not perfection.
So I posted a picture of myself in my underwear with a message to all the people who'd ever bullied me about what I looked like. Amazingly, in less than a week, it got over 50,000 likes and reblogs. It's upwards of 80,000 now, and the response has been 90 percent positive, I would say.
Two friends of mine, Savanna and Lucy, are in the process of planning a documentary on sizeism and its effect on young girls. My dream is to go back to my middle school, where all my body image issues began, and work with young girls on the issues of self-esteem, body image, sizeism, and bullying. I want to give these girls something I never knew, which was that your body does not define who you are as a person. To people who judge people on their size, weight, pants size or health -- shame on you. No one is the authority on beauty, and everyone has a different road to trudge to happy destiny.
MORE FROM FROM STELLA:
Read Stella's initial post and see the picture that sparked so much commentary.
Follow Stella Boonshoft on Twitter: www.twitter.com/brrbitchbrr
http://lifenergy.com.au/blog/
I think if you read up on the truths about weight and not what America spoon feeds you into believing, you might just be surprised at how many skinny people are unhealthy compared to those who weight more. It also might surprise you to what exactly healthy and unhealthy is. http://www.obesityinamerica.org/combatingObesity/myth-fact.cfm
Firstly, America hasn't spoon fed me anything. I'm from Australia, the second fattest country in the developed world behind the US. Secondly, her 'health' as you (and her) described it, largely relates to body image issue, which has arguably been developed from media and advertising. I'm not arguing the what is on media and advertising is an indication of health, nor am I arguing that someone who starves themselves or is skinny with a diet of fast food is an image of health either.
Thirdly, Stella is unhealthy, but is at an unfortunate disadvantage because her polycistic ovarian syndrome. That's something she can't help, where as many other people without this syndrome can in fact engage in a healthy lifestyle, but choose not to and then re-enforce their decision making comments like "she is not overweight", completely oblivious she suffers from an endocrine disorder.
What I am saying is I agree with the above blog. If one is happy with their body image, then that is fine. Seriously, good for them. Good on her for keeping her chin up. In saying that, stop glorifying obesity and an unhealthy lifestyle by calling something like 'real'. Health (a healthy lifestyle) is not entirely image (as you think I'm indicating), it's action. Action in the form of physical activity and a healthy diet.
It's insensitive, but blunt and true.
Yes this is insensitive, but blunt, true and if you are going to shout ignorance, necessary.
Unfortunately, she has a friend that is doing just that.There is no problem with having a different view on something but to attack someone is a problem. You can have an intelligent conversation but this girl has anger issues and obviously can't do that. I asked her to stop writing and she continued so if Stella sees this, I hope she will talk to her.
You are NOT anything close to obese imho, just a little "over-healthy" lol. That's what my mom said to me when I was in 4th grade and she said "you're HEALTHY, just a little OVERhealthy". Didn't hurt my feelings a bit, I thought it was funny and have never forgotten it.
It wasn't until after 4 kids (maybe it was 3) that I got to be about your size, and now I'm sure I'm bigger, but shorter. Just can't seem to dump the weight. BUT - just had my blood tested by a naturopath who said my blood looked to be among the top 5 they'd seen all year. So, just keep working on the healthy part, and do consider looking on the internet for the value of basic supplements to balance hormones - I too have a BIG problem there. After all these years I found that a good quality Cal-Mag, Zinc w/ copper, and Vit B help tremendously - took a few months tho so be patient. Anyways, kuddos to you young lady,
Please.
I don't know if you watched the X factor with the one girl that was bullied and sang a song that she wrote from the heartbreak from what she went through. Same thing..
Jillian maybe? Sorry if I'm wrong..Loved that song....
Between your post and the "Mom Stays in the Picture" post, I know I'm not alone in some of the issues I face. I wish you luck with your film and hope you can bring awareness to this frustrating condition.