There is a lot of controversy about plus-size people’s health. Anyone who is bigger automatically equates to being unhealthy. For me, I can’t even lie – yes, I am unhealthy. I am the reason that I am fat, especially because of my emotional addiction to junk food.  

But there is a difference between your health and your size that people don’t seem to get. They are connected but they are not the same. You can’t just look at someone and determine if they are healthy or not.  

Did you know that you could eat so much junk food and still be skinny?  This also works on the opposite side with plus-size people. They can eat as many salads as possible and high protein/low calorie foods, but they won’t lose weight. It’s not the behavior; it’s your metabolic system. 

Weight and health do not always correlate. Some overweight people have normal blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels; while thinner people can face chronic health conditions like diabetes.  

I know people might read my blogs just to hate.  I know they’ll say, “You’re just fat because you choose to be.” I know there are many people who’ve lost weight through diets and consistent exercise – good for them!

But that doesn’t mean the same methods are going to work for everyone.   

Okay, let’s break this down.

Your body is powered by energy from three main nutrients: fats, carbs, and protein. This means that when you eat, these nutrients are absorbed into your blood and fuels your cells in order to keep your body running. This process is your body burning calories to create energy. Your body already naturally burns most of the calories just by being alive.

So, the baseline energy, called your basal metabolic rate, accounts for 75% of your daily energy. The rest of the calories that you burn come from physical activities like exercising, walking, and running. Your BMR is also influenced by your age, your weight, gender, and lifestyle.  

The assumption that weight equals health is so harmful, not only for people in bigger bodies but also for those in smaller ones as well.   

Being obese does cause risk for joint problems, sleep apnea, diabetes, different types of cancers, and many more health issues. But, you have to understand that just because you’re not fat and obese does not mean that you are healthy. Everyone needs to take steps to check their health.  

My plus-sized women, make sure that you go to doctors that will actually look into your lab work that will care about you and not just judge you based on what the scale says.  

Women who are skinnier and thinner: just because physically you look attractive, does that mean that you’re healthy. Make sure that you also check your health frequently.