Tame the shamers

Pop star Kesha took to Instagram earlier this week to slam body shamers and Internet trolls after they posted harsh remarks about her physical appearance. The singer was previously in rehab to treat an eating disorder in 2014. Not too long ago, Prison Break star Wentworth Miller was also at the receiving end when a Facebook group ridiculed him for his weight gain.  The actor took the opportunity to educate people about depression and suicide. He wrote on his FB page, “I’ve struggled with depression since childhood. It’s a battle that cost me time, opportunities, relationships, and a thousand sleepless nights.”

It’s not just celebrities who have to deal with body shaming. It is rampant nowadays riding on the social media wave and can harm one’s self-esteem just as much as any other form of abuse. Life coach Priya Kumar observes, “If you are happy with who you are and how you look, what others say about you wouldn’t matter. However, if a person hasn’t made peace with his/her shape or size, chances are that such comments will get their confidence spiralling downward — not having the ‘perfect’ body can slowly start affecting their relationships and daily routine.”

There are ways to work around the problem. Life coach Khyati Birla says that often, the closest friends and relatives play a huge role in perpetuating body shame. “It could be

unintentional, but if the friend is deliberately shaming you, it is important to let him/ her know that you are not comfortable with it.  Do what is necessary to

protect yourself. If there are nicknames that annoy you, subtly steer away the conversation to keep the focus off your weight. Take it as a responsibility to educate them.”

Life coach Chetna Mehrotra states that the fight against body shaming starts with the individual wanting to put an end to it — being comfortable about one’s body could help curb the
shaming. “It doesn’t matter how you look. You could be skinny, fat, chubby, short or tall — people will always find a way to pass a comment.” She adds that if you find yourself exhausted from correcting people in your circle, it is best to put an end to it. “At times you may want to end the conversation because they aren’t open to understanding body positivity. In such cases, let it go. Focus on your priorities, and not random taunts,” she says.

Fitness consultant and model Updesh Saluja, has often witnessed his clients being subjected to body shaming. He, however, chooses to channelise the negativity to shut body shamers. He says, “If you are happy about your body, no one can dim your confidence. But if you aren’t, take this as an opportunity to push yourself to get fitter. Channelise your negativity and use it constructively.”