Size 20 woman says body positivity doesn’t promote obesity
Size 20 influencer who suffers from inflammatory arthritis, fibromyalgia, and lipidema hits back at claims the ‘body positivity’ movement promotes obesity and says she exercises regularly despite her conditions
Emily Jones, 31, who lives in London, has over 200,000 followers on InstagramInfluencer said she promotes living a healthy lifestyle and living to the fullestAdmitted she’s frustrated that people assume body positivity promotes obesity
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A plus-size influencer has hit back at claims the ‘body positivity’ movement promotes obesity and insists she promotes a healthy and balanced lifestyle complete with diet and exercise.
Emily Jones, 31, who lives between London and Malta and wears a UK 18-20, said she is frustrated with the assumption that plus-size people are unhealthy and unfit.
The self-described ‘CEO of being chubby’, who posts under the name Miss Jones and boasts almost 220,000 Instagram followers, explained she exercises regularly with a trainer and believes she is in the ‘best shape of her life’.
But despite this, Emily, who suffers from inflammatory arthritis and fibromyalgia, as well as lipidema, said she and other plus-size people face judgement when they struggle to walk in public, with strangers wrongly assuming they are ‘lazy or unfit’.
Emily Jones, 31, who lives between London and Malta and wears a UK 18-20, said she is frustrated with the assumption that plus-size people are unhealthy and unfit
Emily (pictured), who has nflammatory arthritis and fibromyalgia, as well as lipidema, boasts over 200,000 followers on Instagram and says she promotes a healthy, active lifestyle
Emily, pictured, who suffers from inflammatory arthritis and fibromyalgia, as well as lipidema, said she and other plus-size people face judgement when they struggle to walk in public
She told the Daily Star: ‘There is also a common misconception that the body positivity movement is “promoting obesity” – this is one that really irks me as to the contrary, I promote leading a healthy lifestyle and trying to better my own health too with a balanced diet and exercise in spite of my health limitations.
‘Health is not black or white and being plus-sized does not mean that you are automatically unhealthy.
‘I am promoting living life to the absolute fullest no matter what stage of your health journey you are on, no matter what dark circumstances come your way. It’s hard not to feel frustrated when I am misunderstood.’
Emily revealed that her career in social media began after she lost her job in London while battling ill health. She suffers from inflammatory arthritis and fibromyalgia, as well as lipidema.
Emily (pictured), who sometimes uses a walking stick, said people are more understanding when they can visibly see a disability
She explained that her mother had also been unexpectedly diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour when she decided to take control of her life by creating an Instagram page to challenge the beauty norms.
She said people want to see images they can relate to, with different body types on display and perceived imperfections on show.
‘People aren’t used to seeing larger women in bikinis, sexy lingerie,’ she said.
‘A thin woman can post a “hand-bra” photo in a thong and it’s considered haute couture whereas a plus sized woman faces criticism and is told to cover up.’
Emily (pictured) revealed that she was inspired to focus on promoting positivity on social media after losing her job along with her mother’s terminal brain tumour diagnosis
Emily (pictured) said people should focus on being their best self and unfollow anyone who isn’t uplifting
Despite facing criticism for her content, the 31-year-old claims her page quickly gained a large following.
She also campaigns for greater understanding of ‘invisible disabilities’ like her own; conditions that have been diagnosed but are not necessarily visible.
Emily explained that when she uses a walking stick she receives more sympathy from strangers than when she moves without one because passers-by can ‘see’ she has a condition.
But she said people shouldn’t need to ‘prove’ their disability to be understood and respected.