Ibelis says, “I visit the Operation Beautiful site daily just to read the wonderful stories, and I cry everyday because it just moves me so much at how this helps everyone.”
Tammy has some wise words on the effect of Fat Talk. Tammy wrote, “Lately, I have really identified with the idea of stopping "fat talk.” I never realized how much I do that – on a daily basis! It’s not the only area of negative self talk in my life, but probably one of the biggest ones. I have started to ask myself… Whose voice is that? Would you say those things to someone else? Someone you love? Truthfully, no, because it is so much easier sometimes to see the beauty in everyone else! I think a lot of women talk this way to somehow shame themselves for not being "enough"… or maybe it’s just me. Regardless, when I criticize myself this way (and in other ways), it doesn’t just hurt me..it hurts those around me, because then they wonder, “If she talks that way about herself, how can I ever be accepted in her eyes?” A sticky trap!”
Brianna wrote, “Here is a note I posted in a bathroom at my college’s library. It was the first one I’ve posted and it felt really good to know someone’s going to find it and smile!”
Pikarin says, “Today, I followed the example of someone else on Operation Beautiful and logged on to Omegle.com — an anonymous chat site — to tell strangers that they’re wonderful. I ended up talking to a 14-year-old girl who later planned to cut herself that night, and after talking to her for a little while (and telling her that she was beautiful and amazing just the way she is), she said she decided not to hurt herself. It made me feel so good.”
Tenecia wrote, “I stopped at the local grocery store this morning and decided to look at magazines. In the section of magazines "for" women, the magazines front & center were those about weight loss, changing your physical appearance, etc. So, I took out this post-it that I had made & stuck it to the magazine shelf.”
Kristen wrote, “I posted these two up in the women’s bathroom at work. A couple hours after I posted them up, I went to the bathroom and said, "Did anybody see those notes someone stuck up on the mirror? They’re really cute!" A coworker pulled me aside and told me that she felt like they were meant for her. She said her boyfriend had just broken up with her, and she came in to work really depressed and feeling low. She went into the bathroom to cry, and saw those notes and started crying with joy instead.”
Joanna wrote, “The other day I was at the mall with my friend, and I bought some cool sparkly gel pens. When I went to the bathroom I wanted to use my new pens to post a note, but I realized that I had forgotten my post-its. So i had an idea to use a paper towel, and this photo is the result!”
If you love Operation Beautiful and want to participate, post a note, take a picture, and email it to Caitlin at seebriderun@gmail.com. Spread the LOVE!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
fat talk?
we are in a society with a major health crisis. our children will face shorter life spans than we will because they are being raised on unhealthy over processed food and lifestyles of inactivity. alcohol and drug addiction will affect less lives negatively than unhealthy food choices and laziness. Yes, you are beautiful but put down the candybar and cheese burger and you might just live a little longer to enjoy what you’ve got
shannon,
i think there are a lot of things in your statement that are worth exploring more.
one, you are assuming that the only people who fat talk are actually overweight. have you ever met a woman who is a normal, healthy weight but still puts down her body? im sure you have. did you know that most girls go on their first diet when they are just 8 years old? or that half of teenagers would rather be hit by a truck than be fat?
fat talk has nothing to do with your size. you can fat talk and be overweight, a healthy weight, or underweight. even if you are overweight, why should you beat yourself up and tell yourself that you are worthless? you ARENT worthless because you are overweight or do not look like airbrushed models in a magazine. that doesnt meant that you should try to improve your health, but it also doesn’t mean that you should berate yourself.
i hope you think about these concepts and reconsider your comment.
ps – i know a lot of women who are active and eat healthy and would be considered by their doctors to be a little overweight. its just the way their bodies are made.
I am within the healthy weight for my height…I work out and run 5 days a week and I still “fat talk”…
Shannon,
Beautiful people are of all shapes, sizes, and colors.