Sticks and Stone and Stupid Words

“…words can never hurt me.” Liar. 

I think we can all agree in more recent years that mental health/trauma is as damaging as the physical injury from “sticks and stones.”

It doesn’t mean we don’t forget that sometimes. 

I’m the first to admit I get so caught up in sarcasm and cracking jokes that I fail to realize when I’ve taken it too far—offended the unsuspected and undeserving (it’s a different story if you do deserve my venomous retorts). I say this to assure you of my self-awareness and potential hypocrisy in everything that follows…

I am forever amazed at the things people have the audacity to say to others—whether friend, foe, or random passerby. Examples of unsolicited things I do not recommend saying to someone under any circumstances:

(In no particular ranking order)

*I guess you’re not losing weight anymore?

*Don’t worry, I can slim down your face when I edit the photos.

*(We) are so grateful your husband still cares so much for you despite how much weight you’ve gained.

*Have you considered trying to lose without taking the easy way out with medication?

*You’ll have to be on this medicine for a really long time to get to my size; are you worried about it working long-term?

Okay, you get the idea. There are more, but I don’t need to paint a more detailed picture here of the variety of comments from people I may or may not even know. Honestly, I generally don’t give a shit, but that’s because I’ve become more emotionally detached as years go by. What I do hate though, is seeing and hearing disrespectful and/or ignorant comments that could hurt someone else that DOES care more than me. 

To be clear, I used to care quite a bit. I can describe in detail the outfits of the people involved, the wall color of the room in which it occurred, and the overall circumstances of the event when hateful things have been said to me over the years—starting at 8 years old. I probably would have preferred a stick, stone, or bat to the skull over some of the comments I listened to and internalized as a kid. 

So this is your reminder to think before you speak. Or not. Do what you want, BUT just be sure you’re aware that your comments CAN do as much damage as physical abuse. If that was your goal, carry on. If you weren’t aware, now you are. 

In contrast, if you’re just on the receiving end—I’m sorry. Just remember you’re the only one that needs to be okay with your journey and how you get there. You’re the only one who needs to understand your “why” and your motivations. So, “you do you” as they say. 

As for me…

I’m still losing. I still take medication because it regulates my body and organ functioning allowing me to lose like other “normal” people can more easily than someone with my diagnoses. Not that justification for my choice is needed.

I started at 324 pounds, so obviously this is a long journey. I’m not in a hurry. I don’t do unsustainable fads and crash diets to speed along my process. It may mean you don’t see a change in me every week (I certainly don’t), but it doesn’t mean I’m not still moving in the right direction. 

As of this morning, I am down 67.8 lbs (that’s 256.2 for my non-mathing peeps). 

Nobody’s Perfcet, but I’ll continue to try to be better tomorrow than I was today. 


Cheers, 
Kalin
​
SW: 324
CW: 256.2
GW: I still don’t know?