Of all the relationships that have helped shaped my self-confidence and body image, there is one that sticks out to me the most, and it's the one I have with my mother.
As a girl who has struggled with my weight throughout my entire life--much like Gabriella in the premiere of “I Used to Be Fat”--I can say that my mother’s influence has been absolutely crucial. In fact, I truly believe that the way any mother goes about supporting her daughter can make or break the weight-loss experience.
Gabriella’s mother, unlike mine, put pressure on her to be perfect, which must have made it that much more difficult for Gabriella to take on the mission of losing 90 pounds in one summer. My mother always supported my endeavors to lose weight and live a healthy lifestyle because that’s what I wanted, and that’s what I knew would make me happier.
The challenges Gabriella encountered with food in her own home reminded me of my own. Gabriella, her mother and her trainer, Katie, discussed how difficult it is for Gabriella to live in an environment laden with temptation--temptation purposely put there by her mother as a test. Luckily throughout my weight loss efforts, whenever I asked my mother to not buy tempting goodies she obliged. Unlike Gabriella’s mother, who appeared to constantly be setting her up to fail, my mom agreed to buy the snacks that would help me reach my goals while suiting the needs of the rest of my family.
I admit that in my struggle, I am and always have been my own worst enemy. My mother has always been my personal cheerleader, and it's made such a difference in the way I view my body, and in my struggle to maintain a healthy weight. Had my mother ever expressed a view that I needed to lose weight, I think it would have completely undermined my personal motivation. I would have been harder on myself, become even more of my own worst enemy. If my mother didn’t believe in me, why would I ever believe in myself?
At the end of the episode, when Gabriella had succeeded on her own, her mom came around and offered her full support. To some of you it may have seemed too little, too late. But not to Gabriella, and not to me. We both understand the importance of having your mom behind you, even if it takes time to get there. And with a mom's support, whenever and however it comes, any girl can do anything she wants. Especially if what she wants is to be “fierce, fit and fabulous.”
Melissa, a student at University of Maryland, writes for CollegeCandy.com, an online lifestyle magazine for college women covering everything from grades and gossip to fashion and relationships. Find out more about her and the other 100 CollegeCandy writers.
