This archive report was first published on 2 September 2019.
On a recent lunch date, a man's comments left me speechless. He told me I was 'just bones with a fine ass,' and gave me three weeks to add at least three kilos or forget he existed. I chose to forget him, but his words stuck with me.
It's not the first time I've encountered men who pressure women to change their weight. Some men go for chubby women, only to manipulate them into losing weight. Others prefer slender women, and try to get them to gain weight. It's a double standard that's unfair to women.
As women, we have the right to choose our partners. We shouldn't be forced to change our weight to please someone else. It's our bodies, and our weight, not theirs.
I see many women trying to add or lose weight to please a man. But it's not worth it. If he doesn't love your weight, tell him to hit the highway. Remove his side mirrors, if possible, so he doesn't get tempted to look back.
Let's love ourselves unconditionally, just as we love others. We shouldn't be given ultimatums to gain or lose weight within a certain time frame. It's time to take back control of our bodies and our lives.
