The assumption that lean and thin equals healthy is still a widely held one. And actor Shraddha Srinath on Sunday made an Instagram post that went on to show how the connection between mental and physical health and being heavy or lean is a complicated one. Her post proved yet again that body positivity has to do with how you feel about yourself regardless of the body you have.
In the post, Shraddha posted two photos side by side. One from October 2014, and one from May 2019. She clearly looks thinner in the latter. However, she goes on to explain that even as she put on weight due to her lifestyle and eating habits in 2014 – when she was one year into her law career – she did not feel unattractive or lesser than anyone else.
“With this job came good money and a fun lifestyle and I was suddenly spending on things that I previously NEVER spent on - food, clothes, going out, movies, you name it. I was at the peak of my obesity, I only found the motivation to exercise once a month maybe, I ate happily and mindlessly, wore clothes I wanted to despite my jiggly arms and thighs, never considered myself unattractive, never felt lesser than anyone else. I did have bouts of self doubt but I was too lazy to do anything about it and then soon enough the feeling would subside,” she wrote.
And while Shraddha did get on the treadmill (literally) at some point after this, and lost 18 kilos between then and May 2019, it did not magically solve all her problems. She revealed that though she had become more educated about exercise, food intake and other related things, she had developed an unhealthy relationship with food.
“Unfortunately, I've developed this unhealthy relationship with food and I haven't been able to develop a sustainable lifestyle for myself which balances my love for food and healthy eating and exercise, but I'm working on it,” she said.
Shraddha also added that what made her work to lose weight was simply that she wanted to look better. However, that is an endless battle, what with social media and unrealistic beauty standards.
“[…] there is no end to "looking good". You'll always wish your belly was flatter, that other girl will always look better in that dress. Social media will always successfully feed your insecurities and you may end up miserable. So do it for your heart that works overtime, for your knees that will bear your weight until the end, for your body that fights for you and heals itself without you having as much as a clue. For a disease free life and for a good night's sIeep. Do it for yourself, not for the gram,” she wrote.