“This Is Us” star Chrissy Metz reflects on how her relationship with her body has evolved and what her role as Kate Pearson taught her.
Estimated reading time:2minutes
How has your relationship with your body and your health evolved over the years?
I always wanted to be an athlete, and I am obsessed with sports, but as a chubby girl, I didn’t understand I could be both. I was discouraged and became a devoted spectator. As I get older, I understand that two things can be true. I am heading into perimenopause, and that has opened up a whole new world of how I can be the best version of myself — mind, body, and soul — with that little athlete shining through. I have also been cultivating the ability to give myself more compassion through the years, which allows mindfulness without overidentification.
What are some of the biggest misconceptions people have about living with obesity?
The most notable misconception is that obesity is solely a choice. There are many contributing factors, like chronic stress, genetics, socioeconomic status, and medical conditions, that need to be taken into account.
Weight loss isn’t always a sign of improved
Weight loss isn’t always a sign of improved health, and not every medical issue people have is caused by their weight.
Through your role on “This Is Us,” you helped bring conversations about weight and body image into millions of homes. What did that experience teach you?
Weight bias is wildly prevalent, and eating disorders do not discriminate. I have met and spoken to many people who are in pain and lost, no matter what their bodies look like.
The role of Kate Pearson started real conversations
The role of Kate Pearson started real conversations with mothers and misunderstood daughters. People finally felt seen and heard in ways we hadn’t been in television or film before.
How has weight stigma affected you, and what do you wish people understood about its emotional impact?
Weight stigma is an inherent bias against anyone living in a larger body. I experience it in every facet of my life, every day. The emotional impact is devastating and counterproductive. It truly costs nothing to be kind.
What would you say to someone struggling
What would you say to someone struggling with their weight, confidence, or feeling judged by others?
Please do not take it personally. What anyone says about you says more about them than you.
While it is difficult, try to give yourself the love and grace you don’t receive from others. At the end of the day, it is who you are and how you treat others that matters most. I also don’t believe that people who genuinely love themselves can be hurtful or critical of others.
