Comments on: When a Person with Visible Abs Says Visible Abs are Meaningless

By: artemis

artemis — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 22:25:11 +0000

I love your level-headed advice and ruminations.

It’s wonderful to see someone who has a culturally approved appearance acknowledge the priviledge that comes with it.

It’s hard to negotiate the looks-based oppression of our society (especially as a woman). No woman is spared, though. Some things can be easier (e.g. people paying more attention to your words) if you are visibly fit, but looks based judgements continue, nonetheless.

Each woman has to choose her own path on how best to deal with it, since the opression affects each differently. Thanks for sharing how you’ve decided to navigate these waters! And giving us the benefit of your perspective.

By: Summer

Summer — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 20:21:59 +0000

YEESSS!!!! I don’t think you need to justify yourself to anyone, BUT I’m glad that you did because this issue gets raised a lot. We need as many voices as we can in the body positivity movement and using what you have to achieve a greater reach is commendable. Your daughters should be so proud.

By: Go Kaleo

Go Kaleo — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 17:16:30 +0000

Thanks Gary! I really appreciate your vote of confidence. It really is a tightrope, great analogy.

By: Gary

Gary — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 15:40:58 +0000

Being a psychological professional who has specialized with food and weight issues for the last 25 years, I’m LOVING that this type of dialogue is happening! I should ad that the type of perspective you put forth is a bit of a tight rope from where I sit, but one that you walk nicely. The conventional focus on “eat less and exercise” more has created the diet yo-yo and no lasting results to show for it. The cultural focus on appearance has created a multitude of psychological and emotional deficits. It cannot be said enough that our value lies not in what we look like or what we do, but in who we are. It’s also not arrogant to revel in our own value, as long as it comes from a place of humility and we don’t think we’re better than anyone else. Thanks for being the advocate that you are. Our culture needs A LOT of this kind of message.

By: Go Kaleo

Go Kaleo — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 23:41:59 +0000

“You did what you did for yourself and not to be recognized.” It’s true! I didn’t start my blog until after I’d made these realizations. I have something to say…and a platform to say it on.

By: Go Kaleo

Go Kaleo — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 23:40:41 +0000

You sound absolutely perfect to me!!! 🙂

By: Go Kaleo

Go Kaleo — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 23:22:01 +0000

Yep. It’s hard to accuse someone of ‘making excuses for being fat’ when they’re not fat – and in fact are visibly fit. That’s what people do, they dismiss body acceptance rhetoric as excuse making. It’s fucking lame, but it’s reality.

My appearance is actually a case of form following function. I exercise and eat the way I do because it makes me feel better and impoves my health. The aesthetic effects are a side effect. 🙂

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 23:11:42 +0000

Great post! Of course, the flip side is also true. If you didn’t have visible abs and said that visible abs don’t mater, I am sure idiots would say that you were just envious and/or you didn’t know what you were talking about. It amazes me how dogmatic people can be about diet and fitness issues.

As far as I can tell, you changed the way you look because you are happier with the way you look now. I always appreciate your sensible viewpoint!

By: Gen

Gen — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 22:37:22 +0000

Another awesome post! You say what I think so much more eloquently than I ever could, so thank you! The way I see it is that you work hard and nurture your body and your appearance is the natural consequence of that work, for YOU. Others could live exactly your life style and their bodies will look different, and the point is that how their bodies choose to look as a result of that nurturing is inconsequential, or should be. I’ve been on a mission for a lower body fat percentage for ages now, but – reality check – I’m pretty damn happy at 27% body fat, with my current fitness levels and my persistent little pot belly. It’s all good – after losing just over 60 pounds my body loves me now and I love it 🙂 Today. Tomorrow might be a different story 😉

By: Evelyn

Evelyn — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 21:43:58 +0000

Your message is right on. You may have changed the way you look but you have not changed the way you think. You did what you did for yourself and not to be recognized. That is the message. You are awesome.

Keep on keepin’ on!