Come Gather 'Round People Wherever You Roam; And Admit That The Waters Around You Have Grown

If you've followed this blog for a while, you probably know by now that sunflowers are my favorite. I received this set from ASOS's main range, and was so pleased that their straight-size UK 18 (US 14) actually fit. Because ASOS's sizing is sometimes inconsistent, it's difficult to know when something will fit nicely/be way too tight/fall off entirely. Because I am so in love with the pattern, a mix of sunflowers and polka dots (two very me things), the fact that some good, old size experimentation paid off makes me very happy. I have so many plus-size friends who refuse to try different sizes, but it just goes to show that even within the same brand, size inconsistencies exist. Thus why I always encourage trying everything.

This morning, I woke up to a comment from a public health professional, on a photo of myself and some fellow bloggers. It read: "I think society pushes size acceptance over health and wellness. Every size is beautiful, but every size is not healthy. Obesity puts people at a greater risk for preventable diseases." She left this comment on a photo that was just of some plus-size bloggers together, having a laugh -- it wasn't even a body pos, or "fat pride" post. It was just four women together, who happen to be plus-size, smiling together.

What I said: "I believe it's unfair to judge people's health based on a photo. I know plenty of men and women who are categorized as obese by a medical textbook, but are infinitely more active than some of the thin people I know. Health and size aren't always correlated, and making that assumption when you know nothing of a person's diet, health or exercise habits isn't justifiable. I understand you work in public health, so I am sure you know there are plenty of things that put people at a greater risk for preventable diseases: smoking, drinking, tanning. But that doesn't mean everyone who smokes, drinks or tans is unhealthy or destined for disease."

And I also had to say this: "Society isn't as a whole a size accepting place. The whole reason plus-size women began blogging was to try to bring some body positivity to an otherwise predominantly judgmental, bullying society. If society were accepting, people who are different in any way from the pre-approved norm, be it people who are fat, people who wear glasses, people are are Goth, wouldn't be judged and made to feel inferior everywhere they go. Individuals need to stand up for size acceptance, because 'society' surely won't stand up for them."