This weekend, I had the honor and pleasure to moderate a panel at Fitbloggin‘ called Finding the Medium between XS and XL: Exploring the Controversy Between Fat and Skinny Shaming.

I have always been a huge advocate of positive body image, evident in my first venture of Fiterazzi Magazine. I have just always believed that every single person is so strong, beautiful, and talented in their own ways, and because those traits are so important, we should never get down on ourselves based on physical appearance. Whether we’re unhappy with our weight or frustrated with body characteristics, there is so much more to life than looks. If we just spent a little bit more time putting that effort into something that mattered, we’d be so much farther along. I think you are beautiful just as you are, makeup or no makeup, sweatpants or cocktail dress. I hope you feel that way, too. But, I digress.

I found out about Fitbloggin’ after a lot of research last year and sent in an application to speak on the topic of body shaming. My application was accepted and I am so thankful that I got this opportunity to speak in front of so many fitness influencers and ask some really uncomfortable body shaming questions to my incredible panel — Carla Birnberg, Sarah Bramblette, Martha Koeske, and Kia M. Ruiz.

Every single one of these women had something to offer to our discussion. Carla is an OG fitness blogger who started in 2007 and now has a published book, What You Can When You Can. Sarah owns the blog Born2lbFat and has battled with Lipedema and Lymphedema almost her whole life. She gets amazingly candid and honest with some of her real life experiences on the rudest things people have said to her. Martha is a registered dietitian in the Pacific Northwest, and has her very own practice that promotes positive body image and empowers women. Kia is basically a fierce community advocate who fights for the right things, no matter what it takes.

The panel was amazing and eye-opening for me, and I hope you get the chance to relive it, too, by checking out this live blog transcription.

Let me know what you think in the comments below. Have you ever been fat or skinny shamed? How can we finally put an end to all of this body wars against ourselves and the people around us?