This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
“It isn’t going to be awesome if she gets diabetes.”
I aim to stay as objective as possible, but this was a tough batch of words for many people to hear. However, I was able to keep emotion out of it.
Jillian Michaels’s Comments
“But why are we celebrating her body? Why does it matter? Cause it isn’t going to be awesome if she gets diabetes. […] But there is never a moment where I’m like, ‘I’m so glad she is overweight.'”
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Let’s first tackle Jillian’s diabetes comment that offended people.
Being overweight is not the only way to place yourself at risk of getting diabetes, type 2, but it is the most common way to get it; we don’t need to dance around the fact or take it personally.
Was it irrelevant for Jillian to make this comment? Yes, but being overweight can significantly increase your risk of contracting the disease.
Here are some of the ways you can contract diabetes:
Medicines
Insulin resistance
Genetic mutations
Hormonal diseases
Genes and family history
Damage or removal of the pancreas
Being overweight, obese, and physically inactive
Read more about the causes of diabetes type 1 and 2 at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases here.
You Can Be Overweight, Underweight, Average Weight, Or Skinny And Have Poor Health
Being overweight is not the only way a person can be unhealthy.
If you eat garbage, maintain a high-stress lifestyle, don’t care for your mental and emotional health, drink too much, and avoid physical activity, you’re in the same boat as a person who is overweight.
Not being overweight and living an unhealthy lifestyle might shield you from others’ judgment, but it won’t prevent future consequences.
I’m slim, and I like sugar and burgers, but there is no way I will eat sugar and burgers every day because it will add up over time.
But This Was About Lizzo
In this video clip, Jillian didn’t talk about the others who fall into the unhealthy category because Lizzo is overweight.
Hence, her focus went on overweight people.
It didn’t have anything to do with her skin color. People immediately assumed that Jillian Michael was using her privilege to discriminate against Lizzo.
Privilege is not required to discriminate against people publicly, just a platform.
I Personally Love Lizzo And What She’s All About
Lizzo Has Done A lot for Women
Have you watched Lizzo’s show?
“Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls”
The show is f*cking epic. It made me feel more confident inside and out. I highly encourage all genders, sexes, and people to watch the show if you haven’t.
In this show, she consistently shows that you should and can love yourself at any weight.
We need more women to stop body shaming their bodies, wear whatever tf they want, and proudly present themselves to the world confidently because how you look shouldn’t make you less or more valuable.
But we should do all of this while taking the time to improve our health.
It Doesn’t Matter What You Look Like; What Matters Is How You Take Care Of Yourself
It doesn’t matter what you look like versus how you care for your body.
And I think that’s what Jillian was saying.
Though many people still fat shame people’s bodies, many people celebrate being overweight as something that’s okay and acceptable.
Some people will always have naturally thicker bodies, but there comes the point when “extra thick” is a “nice replacement” word for “obese.”
Calm Down Though On Jillian
One of the biggest reasons we have people who waste time on social media sites going back and forth with people and raising their blood pressure, anxiety, and stress levels are that they don’t know how to handle someone with a different opinion.
I didn’t see the full interview – just this segment.
But who really cares what Jillian said?
Are you going to allow one person to throw off your day?
If you find her comments offensive, move on and think about something else.
I don’t find this a case of white privilege.
Everyone will have something to say about you if you’re in the public eye. This doesn’t have anything to do with skin color.
People got on Adele.
People got on Oprah.
People got on Rebel Wilson.
People got on Amy Schumer.
People got on Mindy Kaling.
People got on Melissa McCarthy.
If you deviate from “slim,” people will always have something to say about you. And guess what? If you are slim, people will still have sh*t to say about you; you don’t become immune to people’s comments.
Related Pieces
Some Black Women Will Have Their Whole Look Together, But Be Overweight
Break the stereotype: live a healthier lifestyle
Why do we perpetuate being overweight in our community?
Black Women Are NOT Too Busy To Take Care Of Their Health: This Is A Lie
No more excuses
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.