ATB BB Series: Does "Thin Privilege" Exist?

It has been about 8 odd months since I began my HFLC (High Fat Low Carb) / Wheat Belly diet. As a result of which I have lost weight and transitioned from being "fat" or "obese" to what might be called normal sized now (I'm wearing a Medium / size 10 so I guess I'm normal).

I was always subconsciously aware that our society seems to favour the thin. However the difference never really stuck me until I became a normal sized person.

Now, I'm not talking about clothes not being available in certain sizes and stuff. Those things, I feel, are dictated by supply - demand & the scale of economies a lot more than simple prejudice. So I know a lot of people are up in arms over Abercrombie & Fitch's recent public announcement that they want to sell only to the "Thin & Beautiful" and hence the women's clothing line will not feature clothes above Large. But I think that is okay. All companies are in the business to make money, and therefore adopt strategies accordingly. 

One wouldn't get angry at ALL for retailing only Plus size clothes, right? 

I have always felt that Fat Hate is the last socially accepted discrimination in society. The experience of going from "normal" to "fat" and then back to "normal" however really highlighted how prevalent it is for me. 

For example: 

1. Sales People treat me a lot nicely compared to before. Like 10x more. They are more attentive and courteous. I haven't really changed too much as a shopper. I am still the same sometimes patient, sometimes snappy me. But now across the board I get treated a lot more nicely - especially when buying accessories or clothes. 

2. I'm being seen as someone who is dedicated, disciplined & basically awesome since I lost weight. The truth is I have always been extremely disciplined. I was a stickler for my skin care routine and even at work I'm quite planned & organised. I wasn't fat because I was lazy. I was fat because I was ignorant about how the body processes Carbohydrates. It was a knowledge issue, hardly a personality defect. Now, I really don't have a problem being seen as disciplined, what I don't like is the corollary - that Fat people, therefore, are not disciplined. 

3. I'm treated a lot better at restaurants. The servers smile at me, and the overall service experience is a lot better. Odd? I know!! 

4. People talk a lot more to me now. Relatives and office colleagues included. The chats are longer, suddenly I'm more interesting as a person. People confide more easily in me. 

Of course you could say that all of the above could be simply explained by my increased self - confidence, but here is the most important learning I've had during this journey: 

It is far easier to lose weight, than it is to gain confidence. 

I still feel unsure about myself, judged, and look for validation through others. 

So why did I write about "Thin Privilege" on a Beauty Blog? 

Because I think while there will always be standards of beauty (tall, slim, fair etc) in the media, our society need not be dictated by it. Until a few years ago it was okay to shame a girl for being "Dusky" in our country. If brands try to do it today, a dozen bloggers rise up in protest. 

I want the same kind of acceptance for "fat" girls. Why it is that as a girl, the worst insult that we can throw in another girl's face is that she is "fat"? Not mean, boring, unfriendly. Fat it is.It is always about they way the girl looks. 

There is a lot of misconception out there about that fat people. That it is all a result of over-eating & under-exercising. I know from experience that is just utter bullshit. 

The size of your body is dictated by your internal hormones. You wouldn't think of shaming someone or being mean to someone just because they have extra melanin in their skin, then why the big people? 

No one should feel like a lesser human being just because they are different in the way they look. If as "beauty" bloggers that is the one legacy we can leave behind for women to come, it'll be a great achievement that we all can be proud of.

And ohh, for those of you following I've lost 30 kgs now! A few more left to go!

So tell me, have you ever noticed Thin Privilege, or experienced it yourself?