South Asian & Plus-Sized: Building Body Confidence in a Fatphobic Culture
Address the constant body commentary Desi girls face and how to find beauty and power in your own skin.
If you’ve ever walked into a family function only to be greeted with “beta, you’ve gained weight na?” before anyone even says hello—you know exactly what this post is about. Being plus-sized in South Asian culture doesn’t just mean living in a bigger body. It means constant stares, passive-aggressive comments, and endless unsolicited advice disguised as “concern.”
But here’s the truth: your body is not a problem to fix—it’s a home to honour. In a culture where thinness is praised and fatness is shamed, choosing to love yourself isn’t vanity. It’s rebellion.
Let’s break down how to unlearn the noise and rebuild confidence from the inside out.
1. Fatphobia Isn’t “Just How Desi People Talk”—It’s Harmful
We’ve normalized comments like “you’d be so pretty if you lost weight” or “no rishta will come if you look like this.” But these aren’t harmless—they’re deeply rooted in colonialism, classism, and internalized shame.
Affirmation: “My body doesn’t need to shrink to deserve kindness.”
2. Reject the Myth That Thin = Beautiful or Healthy
South Asian beauty standards are narrow—literally. Light skin, straight hair, size small. But beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Health isn’t a look. And your body is not a “before” photo.
Reframe: Being plus-sized is not a failure—it’s a part of human diversity.
3. You Are Not “Letting Yourself Go” by Being Yourself
There’s this myth that bigger bodies equal laziness, lack of control, or self-neglect. But your worth is not tied to discipline or dieting. Choosing joy, rest, and food freedom is not weakness—it’s power.
Tip: Unfollow toxic fitness influencers and instead follow South Asian body-positive creators who uplift and reflect your reality.
4. Dress for Power, Not Permission
Wear the damn crop top. Rock the sleeveless kurti. You don’t need permission from society—or your phuppo—to feel good in your skin. Your body is not meant to be hidden or fixed. It’s meant to be lived in.
Challenge: Wear one outfit this week that you love, not one that “slims.”
5. Boundaries > Body Commentary
“You’ve gained weight” is not a conversation starter. You’re allowed to shut down body comments from relatives, aunties, or even friends. It doesn’t make you rude—it makes you protective of your peace.
Script: “I’m not discussing my body. Let’s talk about something else.”
6. Celebrate Function, Not Just Form
Your body lets you dance at weddings, hug your friends, survive heartbreak, and laugh till your stomach hurts. That’s beautiful. Start appreciating your body not for how it looks but what it does.
Journal prompt: “What has my body carried me through that I’m proud of?”
7. Build a Body-Positive Bubble
Find your people—online and offline—who hype you up without conditions. Surround yourself with folks who believe in self-love at every size, not just the “glow-up” version of you.
Mantra: “I don’t need to be smaller to be seen, loved, or respected.”
Final Thoughts:
Being plus-sized and South Asian can feel like carrying an invisible weight—but it’s not your body that’s heavy, it’s the judgment. And once you release that, what’s left is freedom. Confidence doesn’t come after weight loss—it comes after radical self-acceptance.
You are already worthy. You are already whole. And your body is already beautiful.