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I managed to avoid a lot of body image issues for most of my life, somehow.

Check out this hot bod! God DAMN!

But a few years ago I suddenly and rapidly lost a lot of weight.

Ummm....

And it was kind of scary.

You can see my ribs...

You need to go see a doctor, love.

Yeah.

But people in my life - acquaintances, colleagues, and clients - all offered their opinion too.

You look amazing!

Wow, what's your secret!

Looking good....!

Suddenly everyone had an opinion on my body, and that opinion was that this uncontrolled, undesired weight loss was great!

Over the next few weeks, we medically isolated the cause of the weight loss, and I stabilized and eventually gained back the weight I had lost.

And those comments on my body stopped.

I'm ok, but those few months really fucked with my body image.

The immediate and overwhelming positive feedback I got when I dropped below a healthy weight messed me up more than a lifetime of magazines, TV, and ads ever did.

Before this, I felt in control of my body.

Sure, I could be thinner I guess....but I am rocking this!

Sure, I could be thinner I guess....but I am rocking this!
.....

You'd be better if you were thinner

Your partners would like you more

You'd be happier if there was less of you

You'd be better if you didn't want to be thinner

Aren't you supposed to be a feminist?

This is pathetic

sigh