'Skinny women must be happy'

I have been pondering this topic for a while and I really don't know where to begin. So I figure, being honest would probably be the best start!

These comments are just getting a little old...

' You wouldn't understand, you are skinny, you don't have to worry', 'you don't need to go to the gym' or 'you can eat whatever you like'. OR... some lovely advice like, 'you look like you just need a pie' AND 'oh, your vegetarian, that explains why your so small.'

It's so frustrating, the stigma that surrounds people that have a small body frame. If the shoe was on the other foot, OMG... there would be hell to pay!

What they (they being the people, that have to make judgement on anything and everything) really don't understand, that behind this so called '38 year old small famed body' (one that apparently doesn't have a care in the world) Is...7 years of suffering an eating disorder, (but recovered), three pregnancy's, lots of stretchmarks, small boobs (that have actually, successfully fed three children) a diagnosis of an auto-immune disease, which lead to infertility (anyone who knows the stress of that can relate and has not helped the fact that I can't put on any weight) And you know what, I actually don't give a hoot if they are small, they have done their job.

I have had it just as hard, as any other person. Be them, small framed or large. Because you know what, we are all strong women no matter what the size and I'm over the stigma that surrounds the concept that 'skinny women must be happy.'

Because everyone has a story and if we went by the concept of 'don't judge a book by it's cover' then we would all just give each other a break.

There is so much pressure out there today for women to be 'perfect,' but who are we doing this for? Do we really want to spend the rest of our lives, living up to the expectation's of society. I know, I certainly don't.

We are all unique in our own way and should be able to make our own choices and live our life the way that we want to live it, without being ridiculed or judged.

Every single human should have the right to live exactly how they choose. We don't get to choose the card we are dealt with at birth. We don't get to choose our genetics. Every single person's body is different and no two are the same. As Taryn Brumfit would say... 'Don't waste a single day, worrying about your body. Just Embrace it!'

My name is Nikki Morris, I am a proud Ambassador of the Body Image Movement. I have Embraced and I chose to accept myself, as I am now. I don't obsess over my weight, and I think all scales should be banned! When I can get to the gym, I go because I enjoy it. It wasn't an easy road just because I'm 'skinny.' It took me a long time to realise, that obsessing over trying to get the 'perfect body' was time consuming and exhausting.

I don't expect that body acceptance will come easy for anyone. It is a long road.

However, I do expect that all women from around the globe, generally experience similar dissatisfaction within themselves. So, instead of shaming, judging and comparing one another, why don't we do the exact opposite! Encourage, love and support each other just the way we are.

Till next time,

Nikki