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Rima Eneva's avatar

Another great piece, Sabah! I have so much to say re this topic because I've been there myself and now that I'm out, it makes me SO angry that this was drilled in our heads, especially as women. In the early 2000s it was being a skinny b**ch now it's all about being "fit & healthy" which is the same dietary bullshit covered as "healthy". Most of the current health advice does not fit women's physiology or their hormones, most studies the advice is based on were done on men 🤷‍♀️

I really do think having us hyper-focus on our weight/body is a way to distract us from our power. I LOVE my body but my body isn't me, it's an extension of me and reflects my inner state. I take care of my body not to look good (important to note though that I do like looking good it's not a bad thing to want it) but I take care of my body because it's the only way I can experience life to the fullest. Have you ever stubbed a toe and all of a sudden noticed that your experience got affected in a negative way? It's just a toe if you think about it, but it's an integral part of a good life! I feel the same way about my body - if I take care of it, don't put trash into it, sleep and stay active it will keep my quality of life high, therefore experiencing life fully. That's all I want from my body really.

Funnily enough, as you know I just got back to London yesterday so the timing of your email is perfect because the friend I'm staying with said "Did you gain weight? you look like you gained weight" What's the point of such a comment? 😂🤷‍♀️ I said "I don't know" which is true because I don't weigh myself, I determine my health based on how I feel. I also look AND feel better than ever so... 😁 The point is that women are also trained to relate through weight: I have friends who say shit like: "Oh I'm being so naughty eating this treat I'm gonna have to work this off later" etc etc. Food and weight loss is a constant thread in female interactions and it just drives me mad. I do not relate to it any more. I have so much to stay but I'm going to end the rant here because it already came out too long 😁

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Deeba's avatar

Your letter has given me so much insight and Allah made me read it to give me answer what I was looking for. Thank you for sharing. May God bless you

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