My Body Positive: Bryson Mitchell
From childhood, I knew I was different from the average kid. I was often teased for many reasons, including the size of my body. Kids would often ignore me or single me out any chance they got. Always being chubby growing up, I felt I didn’t measure up to the thinner standards set by those around me. As I hit puberty and my body began to go through changes, I was still very insecure about my weight and had poor self-image. I made a conscious effort to lose weight and slimmed down to a size 30 waist. However, I would look at myself in the mirror and still not be satisfied. My stomach still wasn’t flat, my chest was too big, I wasn’t muscular enough. Constantly being called big and fat made me see that chubby kid every time I looked in the mirror. Losing weight meant nothing when it was for all the wrong reasons. I came up with every excuse in the book that I was not attractive or desirable.
Over time, I gained all the weight I had lost back and then some. Food became my companion when I felt sorry for myself. I was suddenly 236 pounds, the heaviest I’d ever been. My body soon began to show signs of exhaustion. Due to my poor nutrition, I was almost always tired and lacking energy, even in completing simple tasks around the house. I started to affirm myself that regardless of my size or shape, taking care of myself should always be top priority. Realizing that I was only feeding into my insecurities by feeding into the bullying that had taunted me for years helped me to heal. I began to find any reason to look at myself and smile. Eating better and exercising regularly put me in better spirits and made me appreciate myself more. My body continues to change for the better and the results feel incredible. I am enough.
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