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Plus-Size Model Gets Fat-Shamed For Her Photo In Active Wear, Then This Brand Steps In
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Plus-Size Model Gets Fat-Shamed For Her Photo In Active Wear, Then This Brand Steps In

“This Is Disgusting. People Should Be Ashamed Of Being Fat”: Plus-Size Model Gets Body Shamed, So This Fitness Brand Steps InFitness Brand Defends Its Plus-Size Model Against Body-Shaming After Someone Called Her Pics Plus-Size Model Gets Body-Shamed For Being Fat, So This Fitness Brand Decides Steps InPlus-Size Model Gets Shamed For Some People Called This Plus-Size Model's Pics Plus-Size Model Was Body-Shamed Online Until This Fitness Brand Stepped InThis Fitness Brand Didn't Stay Silent When An Internet Troll Tried Body-Shaming Their Plus-Size ModelThis Fitness Brand Had The Best Response To An Internet Troll Body-Shaming This Plus-Size ModelPlus-Size Model Gets Fat-Shamed For Her Photo In Active Wear, Then This Brand Steps InActive Wear Brand Defends Its Plus-Size Model After She Gets Horribly Fat-Shamed On Instagram
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It seems like no matter how hard they try; plus-size women still face heartbreaking amounts of adversity when trying to break into the world of fitness. One activewear and outdoor clothing brand, however, just hired a plus-size model who wants to change that, and they’re even getting involved in the body positivity fight themselves.

Academy Sports and Outdoors has chosen plus-size Instagram fashion model Anna O’Brien as the new face of their ‘BCG’ line, which runs up to size 3X for women. The New York-based O’Brien has struggled to keep an active life herself over the years and blames some of the anxiety she felt towards working out on a lack of available and affordable plus-size clothes. “This single challenge is one of the greatest barriers to plus-size women becoming active,” she wrote for Academy’s Instagram page. Though O’Brien rocked a sporty photo shoot that has now attracted more than 13 thousand likes, not everyone watching had something nice to say about plus-size fashion and her photos.

Though O’Brien has proven herself in the past to be more than capable of putting Internet trolls in their place, Academy issued an excellent response of their own when they noticed a particularly nasty body shaming comment under one of her photos. It’s an encouraging step in the right direction towards acceptance of all bodies that strive to be fit. Scroll down to see what was said, and add your thoughts at the end.

More info: Academy Sports and Outdoors, Instagram (Academy | Anna O’Brien)

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This is Anna O’Brien, a plus-size fashion blogger who just became the new face of Academy’s ‘BCG’ active wear line

“For plus size women, finding active wear that fits and is available in-store is nearly impossible,” she writes

“I spent 25 years waiting to be active. Now I will spend 25 more helping people of all sizes see the benefits of moving more”

Still, even in the face of such a noble goal, a cruel individual felt the need to express their negativity

Though O’Brien is a pro at dealing with Internet trolls, the response to this one came from a surprising source…

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Academy Sports and Outdoors themselves

Did anyone else just hear a mic drop? Seriously, the world needed this more than ever right now

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People are now rallying around Academy, and we suspect they may have a spike in business headed their way

Three cheers for tolerance, support, and understanding each other

Do you think this was handled well? How would you have responded? Tell us below!

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Alex K
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

that's not plus sized. that's beyond morbidly obese. like, death at 42. i accept her if she's trying to get healthier, but "healthy at every size" is the biggest b******t i've ever heard. i am fat as f**k myself, but i'm doing something about it.

Daria B
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But the thing is that, to make an unhealthy obese person go and do positive changes, they should be given encouraging messages to get them moving, not criticism to make them hide and do nothing. What's important is that what she's doing, not how she looks, but this point seems to sadly always be lost in debates what's healthy and beautiful and what'a not. Who cares? You are doing something about your health - that's wonderful! She is doing something too - that's amazing! And if anyone who reads this feels too ashamed to do a positive change about themselves, please, know that your efforts make you beautiful, and I wish you best of luck! We've all been through hard times, and the struggle never ends. Same goes for all those charming role models you look up to. As long as your expectations are real and you have a plan, you can achieve wonders as well, so don't let the bullies get you down! Their words speak of themselves, not of you.

Load More Replies...
Becca The Bear
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love that they used a plus-sized model because, as someone who is borderline plus sized, exercise needs to be more accessible and attractive. I shouldn’t feel ashamed to run because of my weight because then I won’t be able to CHANGE my weight! They’re not promoting being plus size, they’re promoting not being too ashamed of it to not go outside, run, be free and enjoy life. Kudos to this company!

Pseudo Puppy
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I could write a thesis in agreement. Let's put it this way: I was the skinny athletic chick. I'm now the borderline "plus-size" chick, after gaining 20kgs / 45lbs, after surviving 2motorbike accidents, and dealing with neck / back / hips / knees / ankles injuries..... Now that I'm in a position to start being more active, my biggest challenge is finding *any* clothes that I feel comfortable in.... workout gear is even more challenging to find!!

Load More Replies...
Stille20
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why are people so afraid that obesity is suddenly going to be social acceptable. Girls who are even slightly over weight are shamed for it from elementary school. Let the woman feel good about a cute work out outfit with out screaming about how unhealthy she is. Believe me, she is aware.

Petra Donyale
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know about that.. ? Simply bc so many ppl are overweight now.. and yes, ppl are trying to normalize it. I'm not saying ppl should be bullied.. but, I think ppl need to be encouraged to eat more healthy.

Load More Replies...
Load More Comments
Alex K
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

that's not plus sized. that's beyond morbidly obese. like, death at 42. i accept her if she's trying to get healthier, but "healthy at every size" is the biggest b******t i've ever heard. i am fat as f**k myself, but i'm doing something about it.

Daria B
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But the thing is that, to make an unhealthy obese person go and do positive changes, they should be given encouraging messages to get them moving, not criticism to make them hide and do nothing. What's important is that what she's doing, not how she looks, but this point seems to sadly always be lost in debates what's healthy and beautiful and what'a not. Who cares? You are doing something about your health - that's wonderful! She is doing something too - that's amazing! And if anyone who reads this feels too ashamed to do a positive change about themselves, please, know that your efforts make you beautiful, and I wish you best of luck! We've all been through hard times, and the struggle never ends. Same goes for all those charming role models you look up to. As long as your expectations are real and you have a plan, you can achieve wonders as well, so don't let the bullies get you down! Their words speak of themselves, not of you.

Load More Replies...
Becca The Bear
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love that they used a plus-sized model because, as someone who is borderline plus sized, exercise needs to be more accessible and attractive. I shouldn’t feel ashamed to run because of my weight because then I won’t be able to CHANGE my weight! They’re not promoting being plus size, they’re promoting not being too ashamed of it to not go outside, run, be free and enjoy life. Kudos to this company!

Pseudo Puppy
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I could write a thesis in agreement. Let's put it this way: I was the skinny athletic chick. I'm now the borderline "plus-size" chick, after gaining 20kgs / 45lbs, after surviving 2motorbike accidents, and dealing with neck / back / hips / knees / ankles injuries..... Now that I'm in a position to start being more active, my biggest challenge is finding *any* clothes that I feel comfortable in.... workout gear is even more challenging to find!!

Load More Replies...
Stille20
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why are people so afraid that obesity is suddenly going to be social acceptable. Girls who are even slightly over weight are shamed for it from elementary school. Let the woman feel good about a cute work out outfit with out screaming about how unhealthy she is. Believe me, she is aware.

Petra Donyale
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know about that.. ? Simply bc so many ppl are overweight now.. and yes, ppl are trying to normalize it. I'm not saying ppl should be bullied.. but, I think ppl need to be encouraged to eat more healthy.

Load More Replies...
Load More Comments
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