Is it Really Body Positivity If You Use a Euphemism Like “Curvy”?

April 8, 2018 Ashley 0 Comments

Okay… here we go.

So, when someone’s been lifting like crazy, how do we describe his or her body?

Built. Muscular. “Swoll”.

Right?

How about the chick who’s been at Barre nightly till she’s lithe, slight, and a quarter of her former size?

We’d describe her body as… slim. Lean. Skinny.

Right?

Neither’s better or worse. Each chick’s going for a certain body type. Sometimes it’s for function – like wanting to be bench press your boyfriend (first picture above) or fit in his luggage (second picture). Other times it’s for aesthetic purposes. And, if you’re looking to add a bit of adipose tissue or even just keep around the layer you’ve got for either reason – that’s fine too. No one’s arguing it. Some blubber helps keep us warm in chilly climates. Likewise, plenty’ve folks find it fetching. But my question is this: if we celebrate all body types, then why are we lying with our lexicon? In other words, if “big is beautiful”, then why do we use a euphemism like “curvy” to call it something it isn’t?

If you’ve got fat on your body, then that’s what you’ve got.

Lemme give it to you straight. I’ve been fatter than this before. I hurt my back some time ago, went on meds, got fat… and you know what? It ain’t curvy. Fat’s curvy the way cystic acne is. Alexis Ren is “curvy”. Fat’s bumpy. Fat’s lumpy. Fat’s undulating. Those aren’t necessarily negative words. My favorite lava lamp from the 90’s did all’ve that and I loved it. So, if you’re okay with that, then that’s awesome. There are plenty of peeps that dig it. There are even cultures overseas that have special feeding huts devoted to becoming exactly that: fat. It’s sexy to them. And that’s why they don’t call it something it’s not. So why do we? If it’s beautiful, why are we calling it something else?

That’s not rhetorical. I’m asking you to own it, if you truly own it.

(You ain’t gotta explain why. Not if you’re legitimately-not-in-denial happy.)

Now, before we prepare to crucify the author, let’s set something straight. This.Is.Not.A.Shaming. You do you, shawty. Sure, an excess of fat is unhealthy. It strains your joints and causes inflammation. I’m not going to pretend it’s in alignment with healthy living in order make anyone’s brain happier: too much adipose tissue is not good for your body. But you know what? My exercise addiction and nicks in my shin bones from MMA aren’t either. Training with broken toes or a pulled piriformis probably isn’t something I could write an article about, asking you all to follow my lead. (Please, don’t.) I’m not perfect. We’ve all got our things that make us feel beautiful in some way or another that might not be great for us. No, you say? Not you? Well, that’s okay. ’cause even the most halo laden angels who treat their flesh vessels like a temple have got some sort’ve sinful proclivity. (And maybe a healthy dose of denial if they’re vehemently disagreeing with that statement.) They’ve got some unhealthy practice that makes them feel good. So, in case anyone’s thinking my bony backside’s judging you, I’m not.

Actually, ya know what? I am. I am judging you. I’m judging you for judging yourself. I’m judging you for feeling so insecure about your decision to embrace what it is that you like, in spite of society, that you have to make up a glittery label that makes it okay. What you like doesn’t have to fit into the strict standards of how the social programmers describe beauty. And if you’re not just doing it for them, then maybe it’s time to ask yourself if you really support your own lifestyle habits… or if your pretty description of it is simply confirmation bias for bad habits you truly wanna change. In the end, if you’re truly okay with it, you don’t have to go around convincing anyone. If I had to describe myself, I’m lean and muscular. I don’t hafta tell anyone that. And I don’t give it too much thought. My physique’s just an effect of what I enjoy doing. That’s how it should be for everyone. Sure, ya might have extra insulation on your body, but it’s not what defines you. The “swoll” chick above might be a nurse or a stay at home mom. The “skinny” chick above might be a motivational speaker who just talked a tween of the ledge. The “fat” chick below might be the next president. And if each is truly content with where they’re at, thanks to all of their lifestyle decisions – diet included, then that’s all that matters.

So, if someone gains a layer of fat, what do we call them?

If they just gave birth, went on holiday, or had any other elating experience causing gain weight…

And they’re happy with it… then what do we call them?

Happy. Content. Pleased.

Your body is your home.

And if you’re happy with the fat on it, just leave the justifications and fake labels at the door.