To Thicc or Not To Thicc?

I loved watching Yumi Nu on Sport's Illustrated's cover! I loved how a magazine, notorious for featuring only a certain type of physique has over the years started celebrating diverse bodies from different ethnicities. And I finally love how the internet is breaking loose over it! The divided opinions on what is/not fat, on what is/not beautiful.?

Why? I like the fact that people are finally introspecting and debating what their or ideal healthy bodies look like. At least there is a discussion now than blind acceptance.?

You see when my elder sister was looking to find a suitor and get married. My relatives advised:

“You should lose some weight otherwise nobody will marry you! And you Aishu appi (dearest) you maintain your figure too. Slim girls look nice!” - Society

My 12-year-old brain wondered why my?brothers never received such words of wisdom.?

It of course affected my sister's confidence throughout her 20s. Took a toll on her mental health and well being. It also had a bearing on me! So you can say two Taukari women were shot down with bullets of #GiveADamnAboutYourFigure in a tier two city!

From then on, I thought looking lean, was the only way of looking beautiful. And thus began my quest to have?“the ideal”?body!

During my teen years:

I fasted. Skipped meals. Ran like a crazy cat and practiced yoga like I was a monk on hills.?This was the era when Kareena's size zero was considered hot! FYI size zero is now called Sticc (Resembling a stick! Flat bods if I must say)

After much struggle, I had finally achieved my much-desired body type only to soon lose it to an injury.?

But this obsession to have a perfect lean body continued in my early 20s. Even at work, I would admire tall, lean, women who wore swanky professional attire, just like in the show Suits? Jessica & Rachel remember? I would often wonder when will I be able to ever look like that!

THEN came the?trend to?look thicc and curvy. I was?bloody confused.?And so was my body! Only recently,?did I finally decide to not give a toss about any of this!

I now continue to:

• Work out at least 5 times a week
• Run/walk on the beach
• Swim regularly?
• Eat healthy as much as possible?
• And try to get as much sleep!

Do I have an ideal body type as per society??No. I will never!?

Am I perfectly healthy? Well no! I do have underlying conditions that I aim to alter. Many do!?

But do I try my best to take care of my body and mind?

Hell, yeah!

I keep trying and will always do.

Fitness and health is a constant, highly personal endeavor and I don't think “anyone” else has the right to define it for you!

You can?define your ideal body?the way you like and?also keep changing the definition from time to time. Do you know why?

Because breaking news it's YOUR body!?

So stop obsessing over the lean/thicc, or whatever the definition of a perfect body is on the gram these days! Stop constantly comparing yourself to them.?

Only then, will you truly be able to enjoy and celebrate! Who YOU are! Who others TRULY are!?

Because this change in your personal style has a bearing on your work too! I now choose comfort & style than just style while picking my work wear. I have stopped comparing myself to Lean Leenas because I know everyone's unique in their own ways!

(Even Leena with the beautiful bright red lipstick & the dress I can't afford)

I am not intimidated or critical of their fashion because it's not my business to! This has enabled me to build a network of diverse women from all walks of life, from fashionistas to investment bankers! I was able to better relate and learn from my girlfriends, acquaintances, colleagues and mentors once I started looking past their make up, hair and those beautiful dresses!

I am much more comfortable in my skin than I was yesterday! I now have my own style. The only difference? I own it & it's not borrowed! And this style will keep evolving. Doesn't matter if the rest of the world is thin/thicc/or whatever god knows will emerge tomorrow

Ps: This is me after a good sweat at the gym today! My sister is happily married for more than 6 years, to a man who loves her wholeheartedly. And NO she didn't have to go any size down for the wedding. That's me, my parents with them on one of the Diwalis :)

On much serious note!

This article is to not encourage an obese lifestyle. It is a cause of concern if it starts affecting you/your loved ones health severely. However, courtesy the obsession to have thicc/sticc bodies many women around the world undergo fat removal surgeries. The latest victim of this was a beautiful actress in Karnataka who passed away due to side effects caused by Lypsocution. There is even a grey market that is emerging across the world where teenagers without adult supervision undergo breast or buttock modification surgeries !

Many women also suffer with anorexia (an eating disorder, cause unknown but environment/conditioning is of influence!) and Body Dysmorphia (the obsession to look a certain way and self criticize by focusing on flaws). If you/ know anyone struggling with such disorders kindly take the SCOFF test available online. You may also contact Sneha suicide prevention helpline: 044-24640060 (8 am to 10 pm); 044-24640050 (24/7) .

In case you're trying to get a body modification surgery (You have the full right to lead your life the way you like love!) please ensure you're doing it through a trusted center, via a trusted doctor and keep your loved ones informed. Report illegal centers to local authorities! You may have just saved a life! <3