Being a woman is difficult. Not only do we have to bear numerous responsibilities but we are expected to do so with perfection. Also, did I mention we need to look “pretty” while doing so? And, in case you are wondering, no we barely get any ‘me’ time.
Speaking of which, twitter user Rituparna Chatterjee, a mother and a working professional, spoke about how a woman doesn’t have the privilege to focus on her mental or physical well-being. She mentioned how she can’t find time for her fitness journey as she is occupied with a ton of other responsibilities.
Thread: As a mother with a young child, working several professional assignments, household work, outside errands, at least 3-4 hours daily of focussed engagement with child's studies and bedtime routines, I find the process of weight loss and diet impossible
— Rituparna Chatterjee (@MasalaBai) December 19, 2020
Further, she said that exercising and food management is a privilege that many women can’t afford.
I’ve struggled with body weight all my life and have hit the gym, enrolled to yoga, followed numerous diets and have found that exercising and food management for weightloss is a matter of extreme privilege. Most diets don’t factor in women’s regular labour.
— Rituparna Chatterjee (@MasalaBai) December 19, 2020
Not everybody has a full-time worker to help them.
Any extra or a particular type of food, two hours at the gym, any arrangement of such food requires time that has to come out of an already packed day with multiple responsibilities. This is for women who don’t have a full-time worker to help them run the household. Now the money
— Rituparna Chatterjee (@MasalaBai) December 19, 2020
Plus women need to do cost cuttings in order to pay for nutritionists and gym memberships.
Diets, nutritionists (I am talking of prescriptive weightloss) gym membership, trainers cost money that either comes out of our own savings or household expenditure or make women dependent on a family member. The irony is, we’ll never get the look right.
— Rituparna Chatterjee (@MasalaBai) December 19, 2020
After everything a woman endeavors to get all the work done, it’s still not enough. People pass comments about their appearance as well.
We’re either so thin that now we “have dark circles and a flat chest” or “fat like a whale” or “completely let ourselves go” or “sloppy and lazy” or “yeah, some men dig that but not my type.” How do women find the time, effort and money for professional-assisted weight loss?
— Rituparna Chatterjee (@MasalaBai) December 19, 2020
She even spoke about getting dressed and clicking pictures.
Adding this: So you know selfies and how women get constant sarcastic comments for clicking and posting too many? That’s our way of controlling how we want to step out in front of the world.
— Rituparna Chatterjee (@MasalaBai) December 19, 2020
Here’s what people felt about her confession:
Even with full time house help, it is difficult. It involves diff. meals for diff. members, mental labour of multiple rounds of planning and additional wastage. I find the process of weightloss and nutrition a privilege for those with leisure or money or both.
— TaxingTeacher (@sho_hini) December 19, 2020
This world needs more compassion+acceptance of others as they are. People body shame women without any mercy. And I agree with you that no matter how much we put efforts in our appearances they will always find ways to criticize us for something or other 🤷🏽♀️.
— Sneha (@Sneha_Draws) December 19, 2020
Agree with you totally. I’m a single working parent & this fitness & weightloss has caused me anxiety for years..I think since I was a plump teenager..finally did a lifestyle change in the past 2 months..on a sustainable weight loss prog. Have lost 7 kgs!🎉❤️
— Radhika (@Radhika_7_10) December 19, 2020
No man. The best kind of weight loss is free and instantaneous. You lose these Budget Batmans from your life and you instantly start feeling lighter than the pastry I am currently daydreaming of. Best hai.
— Sonali (@SonaliKyun) December 19, 2020
From looking after kids to doing everyday chores, women ALWAYS have their cups full. However, it’s vital that they make time for themselves too. After all, health is wealth. What do you think? Tell us!