We live in a superficial world, we all know that; a world divided in two categories: beautiful or not.
We’re fighting each other to know who’s the sexiest, who’s the one who’s going to win everybody’s heart. We’re inventing dumb challenges. We fix the bar so high that boys, if you do not have a six pack, you’re nothing and girls, if you can’t hold a pen under your boob, you’re never going to be sexy.
The fact is, that’s all we think about, isn’t it? That perfect image burned into our minds. Skinny, fat, brown, yellow, white, tall, small or just plain “average”…we all think about the same thing and that is not alright because, if you’re like me, you have been obsessed with that idea for so long and that is the first step of being unhappy.
I have been the overweight girl all of my life. I have been bullied, broken-hearted, insulted, and many other things. I remember the first day of high school when I just walked into the hallway and one of the most handsome guys in school, who was way older than me, passed me by and whispered “fatty” under his breath. It has scared me and I still think about it today, eight and a half years later.
I have suffered because of my physique: my puffy cheeks, my weird neck, my big arms, my flabby belly, and because of this poor society’s mind; this poisonous idea of a person. Then something clicked, and in 2017, at 21 years old, 271 pounds, I decided to change that. For the millionth time, again, but this time it actually worked. I actually lost weight and it is still going down.
I pushed myself. I climbed mountains I had never climbed before, step after step. I cried, laughed, shouted, and I quickly realized that giving yourself a goal was the worst way possible to lose weight. I didn’t give myself a goal. The only thing I said was: “I just want to be healthy,” and then I started to be healthier. I was eating healthy food, I was exercising more often. Not only did I feel my body getting skinnier, I felt my whole mind lifting. Everything was better; my attitude, my way of thinking, my sleep, and so much more. And then I realized I just wanted to love myself a little bit more. That’s why, even though I have not lost a hundred pounds yet, that I’m just at 26 pounds down, I’m way happier than I ever was before. I had been in denial all my life. Losing weight is not about being sexy for everybody else, it’s about being sexy for yourself.
It’s about looking at yourself in the mirror and thinking: Wow, I’m beautiful, and actually thinking it for once in your goddamn life.
So yes, we live in a society where being skinny is a synonym of perfection, where putting long lashes on, a bit of concealer, and too much bronzer makes you the queen of them all, and where what makes you beautiful is the size of your ass and breasts. Where a man needs to be tall and muscular. Where he needs to be virile and not at all in touch with his feelings. When a man crying is seen as weak.
It saddens me to see that, to this day, that is still the case.
But hear me when I say that we are the people who are about to change all of that. Why? Because we see beauty in everything. I see beauty in Selena Gomez, Ashley Graham, Barack Obama, Ed Sheeran, Adele, Billie Joe Armstrong, Demi Lovato, James Corden, and every single person on this planet.
I see beauty in my boyfriend, my mother, my neighbor, the girl I hate in my class at school, my boss, and my best friends.
I see beauty in myself.
I finally, for the first time in 21 years, like the way I look, and nobody will ever convince me otherwise.
Find your motivation, gather your strength, because you are capable. You can do it and you will.
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Stricter blood pressure guidelines are fueling growing unease among cardiologists, raising concerns about overdiagnosis and treatment
Recent changes in blood pressure guidelines have sparked a quiet but growing unease among cardiologists and healthcare professionals worldwide. As medical authorities lower the threshold for what is considered “high blood pressure,” millions of people may suddenly find themselves classified as hypertensive, prompting new questions about overdiagnosis, overtreatment, and the balance between preventive care and unnecessary medical intervention. The Shift in Blood Pressure Standards For decades, blood pressure readings below 140/90 mmHg were generally considered normal for most adults. However, in recent years, both the American Heart Association (AHA) and other international health bodies have revised their guidelines, lowering the threshold for hypertension to 130/80 mmHg. This change was driven by mounting evidence linking even moderately elevated blood pressure to cardiovascular events such as heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease. While the intent behind stricter guidelines is clear—catching potential risks earlier to prevent serious health issues—the practical implications are complex. Suddenly, a large portion of the adult population falls into the “high blood pressure” category. In the United States alone, experts estimate that nearly half of all adults would now be labeled hypertensive under the new standards. Cardiologists Sound the Alarm For many cardiologists, the shift raises concerns about overdiagnosis. Dr. Elena Martinez, a practicing cardiologist in New York, says, “We are medicalizing a huge swath of the population who may not have needed treatment before. While preventive care is vital, there’s a real risk of unnecessary medication, side effects, and patient anxiety.” These concerns are not purely theoretical. Blood pressure medications, while life-saving for those with severe hypertension, can cause side effects ranging from dizziness and fatigue to kidney complications. Prescribing them to patients with mild elevations might not always result in a net benefit, particularly if lifestyle interventions could have been sufficient. The Role of Lifestyle Interventions Many experts emphasize that lifestyle modifications—such as regular exercise, reduced sodium intake, weight management, and stress reduction—remain the first line of defense against high blood pressure. The stricter guidelines may push physicians to prioritize early lifestyle counseling, but in practice, patients often expect a prescription as a tangible solution. Dr. Ahmed Khan, a public health specialist, notes, “The risk is that the pendulum swings too far toward pharmacological solutions when, for many, diet and exercise could prevent progression without the risks of medication. It’s a delicate balance that requires careful patient education.” Public Perception and Anxiety Beyond the clinical implications, stricter guidelines can affect public perception of health. Patients newly labeled as hypertensive may experience anxiety, feel stigmatized, or overestimate their immediate risk of serious illness. Mental health impacts are rarely discussed but are an important aspect of overall cardiovascular wellness. Media coverage and public awareness campaigns have also contributed to heightened sensitivity. Headlines emphasizing the dangers of “high blood pressure” may inadvertently increase stress among readers, ironically exacerbating the problem they aim to address. Economic and Healthcare System Pressures The broader healthcare system also feels the strain. More diagnoses mean more doctor visits, lab tests, and medications. Health insurance systems face increased costs, while physicians must spend more time managing cases that may not require intensive intervention. Some healthcare analysts argue that the stricter guidelines, while scientifically justified, could inadvertently prioritize pharmaceutical intervention over holistic preventive care. The challenge lies in implementing guidelines in a way that maximizes patient benefit while minimizing unnecessary medicalization. Finding the Balance So, how can the medical community reconcile stricter guidelines with patient-centered care? Many experts advocate for a nuanced approach: Risk Stratification: Evaluate patients based on overall cardiovascular risk rather than just blood pressure numbers. Factors like age, family history, cholesterol, and lifestyle are critical in deciding whether medication is necessary. Emphasis on Lifestyle: Encourage sustained behavioral changes, with medications as a last resort for mild cases. Patient Education: Ensure individuals understand what their blood pressure numbers mean, the relative risks involved, and the options for non-pharmacological management. Regular Monitoring: Use home monitoring devices and ambulatory blood pressure measurement to reduce unnecessary clinic visits and detect true hypertensive trends. 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