When I see posts of beautiful plus-sized women not apologizing for anything, there are inevitably a whole string of comments from people who claim to be concerned about their health. They say things like, "You have such a pretty face, and I don't mean to take away from that, but you have to think about your health!"
Tess Holiday has been raked over the coals recently for being on the cover a magazine. People moaned and groaned because they said she "glorified obesity." Just by standing there. As if by being on a magazine, she'll inspire millions of women to leap from their treadmills and change their entire body type. ("Never mind! I never realized there was another option!") There's no risk of that, I can assure you. But... there might be some girls who look at Tess, look down at themselves, and realized that they're beautiful just as they are. Heaven forbid girls and women feel attractive and worthy, right?
We women go through enough at the hands of "the system" without turning on each other. No one is worried about a plus-sized woman's health to the point that they feel they can invade her privacy and spout off. Because really... you're concerned about her health? I call BS on that. If she were thin and standing here with a can of pop in her hand, would you worry about the amount of sugar she was consuming? Would a cigarette or an alcoholic drink make you suddenly alarmed for her longevity? Not likely. But when a plus-sized woman simply stands there feeling confident, looking beautiful and drawing the gaze of people who might not have looked before, suddenly everyone is concerned about a complete stranger's health.
Let me spell it out for them: DON'T BE! She's fine! She's happy. She looks good. I suspect she's also rich. She doesn't need their pity or their concern.
But I'm sure I've read somewhere that bitterness and jealousy can take years off a person's life. And I have to say... I worry for their health... ;)
That was a little bit catty of me... But it is because of attitudes like these that I wrote my most recent heroine as a gorgeous, confident, plus-sized woman. She's sweet, sassy, and just the hero's type.
No treadmill required. ;)
Their relationship isn’t real…
But his feelings for her are!
Detective Jack Talbott has devoted his life to ending police corruption. His latest target is Liv Hylton, the ex-wife of a dirty cop. She’s also the woman he’s secretly loved for years. To get close to her, Jack’s going undercover as her boyfriend. But when the evidence points to Liv’s innocence and a threat to her safety, he’ll do anything to protect her. Even risk his career…
E-book available now on the Harlequin site...
And on October 2, you can pick it up at any online retailer!
Tess Holiday has been raked over the coals recently for being on the cover a magazine. People moaned and groaned because they said she "glorified obesity." Just by standing there. As if by being on a magazine, she'll inspire millions of women to leap from their treadmills and change their entire body type. ("Never mind! I never realized there was another option!") There's no risk of that, I can assure you. But... there might be some girls who look at Tess, look down at themselves, and realized that they're beautiful just as they are. Heaven forbid girls and women feel attractive and worthy, right?
We women go through enough at the hands of "the system" without turning on each other. No one is worried about a plus-sized woman's health to the point that they feel they can invade her privacy and spout off. Because really... you're concerned about her health? I call BS on that. If she were thin and standing here with a can of pop in her hand, would you worry about the amount of sugar she was consuming? Would a cigarette or an alcoholic drink make you suddenly alarmed for her longevity? Not likely. But when a plus-sized woman simply stands there feeling confident, looking beautiful and drawing the gaze of people who might not have looked before, suddenly everyone is concerned about a complete stranger's health.
Let me spell it out for them: DON'T BE! She's fine! She's happy. She looks good. I suspect she's also rich. She doesn't need their pity or their concern.
But I'm sure I've read somewhere that bitterness and jealousy can take years off a person's life. And I have to say... I worry for their health... ;)
That was a little bit catty of me... But it is because of attitudes like these that I wrote my most recent heroine as a gorgeous, confident, plus-sized woman. She's sweet, sassy, and just the hero's type.
No treadmill required. ;)
****
But his feelings for her are!
Detective Jack Talbott has devoted his life to ending police corruption. His latest target is Liv Hylton, the ex-wife of a dirty cop. She’s also the woman he’s secretly loved for years. To get close to her, Jack’s going undercover as her boyfriend. But when the evidence points to Liv’s innocence and a threat to her safety, he’ll do anything to protect her. Even risk his career…
E-book available now on the Harlequin site...
And on October 2, you can pick it up at any online retailer!
Well said! I admit to being of two minds--well, several minds--about the whole weight issue, but I admire everyone who accepts and owns things as they are. And it's good to see a picture--and a heroine--who's bigger than a Size Two.
ReplyDeleteThank you! She was a lot of fun to write, too. :)
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DeleteI agree, Callie. The media's "ideal woman" is impossible for the vast majority of us to achieve. And for me, I don't even want to! I like myself as I am. And I won't want to let that media manipulate me into being hard on other women, either.
DeleteOf course! :)
DeleteDeleted the original comment for fear it might be misunderstood. Clearly you didn't. So, I'll say it again that I loved the episode of Diagnosis Murder where the son is attracted to a plus-sized woman. Also concerned that the "shaming" of people for appearance, style, etc., amounts to bullying. Have seen people attacked for following their veterinarian's advice. But we're rightly outraged by abuse, etc.
DeleteYour heroine is lovely, and the hero obviously agrees. I love the books in the background, too. I'm looking forward to reading the story.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Beth! :) It's set in a bookstore in the fall... I couldn't think of a cozier setting.
DeleteI just finished your book. Read it all in one day as I had to find out how it ended. Great job. I know there will be a lot of readers who identify with and appreciate your heroine. I know some active, healthy, plus-size women. Body shamers need to bug off.
ReplyDeleteI'm so tickled to hear that you enjoyed it so much! :) Thanks for telling me!
DeleteAnd I agree--they definitely need to bug off. :)
Sounds like a really good story with great characters--and that's what's important. I'm glad to see your post. I think most of us are pretty tired of "women shaming" for everything from their weight to what they feed their kids (and pets, apparently) to being viewed with suspicion because they adore their careers. It's just another form of bullying. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYes, we definitely need to stand up for each other!
DeleteAnd thank you--I do think it's a good story! LOL!
Great post! Once upon a time, women with a little meat on their bones was considered healthy and attractive and more likely to survive difficult times....I'm waiting for those days to return, lol. This story sounds fabulous and I can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteYes, my ability to survive a Canadian winter definitely improves with some meat on my bones, too! LOL! I always say that my body type's heyday was in the 1700s. I just need those times to come back. ;)
DeleteGreat post, Patricia! I agree with Virginia - can't we just let people be? Everyone is responsible for their own stuff. Let them own it. We all have issues. Let's mind our own beeswax and our own bodies and then love and support each other.
ReplyDeleteYou're right--supporting each other, we all go further together!
DeleteWonderful post. Well said. And many kudos for writing about a plus sized woman. That is where many of us sit. And we need to look at ourselves the way God looks at us. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI've read that 70% of American women are size 14 or higher. And that includes me! We're a majority. It seems to silly to push is aside and make us feel less than beautiful. And you're right--God sees beauty in us. And so do our husbands!
DeleteAmen and Amen.
ReplyDelete:) Thanks!
DeleteThanks for this post, Patricia, and thank you for your heroine! Looking forward to the read.
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome! :) I hope you enjoy it, too!
DeleteLOL, my husband eats three times more than me, and I gain weight. I gain weight from just looking at food. I walk every night. Big boned and somewhat proud!!!
ReplyDeleteAs a five foot three inch. 335 pound woman I have lived most of my adult life heavy. It is not a choice. I eat healthy, walk with my fitbit and have had to live with it. This year I had a vein study and complete physical and it came back my health age was ten years younger than my actual age. My mother will soon be 96 and most of the 300 - 500 pound range folks in my family lived into their nineties. My physician said I am better off staying the same weight then gaining and losing as it is hard on the heart. This summer I went White water rafting and other activities skinny folk do. I was the biggest person out there and lots of people stared. But I have one life and this is it and I no longer let people and the fear of them laughing at me prevent me from doing things I want to do.
ReplyDeleteI have been reading a lot about healthy eating and weight lately, and there is evidence out there that many plus-sized people are far more fit and much healthier that many 'skinny' people. Scientists are still figuring out what is causing people's bodies to become larger, and it may be related to chemicals in our environment or things other than actual calories consumed. I am a 'skinny' person who is really out of shape right now due to a leg injury, so that has opened my eyes to how much fitness matters, and how unrelated it is to a person's shape or size. Anyway, I am so thrilled to see all body types on the covers of magazines and in catalogs! It's a big step in the right direction!
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