Lindsey chose to have her say but writing an open letter to the ‘idiot’ who hurled abuse at her (Picture: Lindsey Swift/Facebook)
A woman’s open letter to a driver who wound down his window to heckle her about her weight while she was out on a run has been getting lots of love on Facebook.
Twenty-six-year-old Lindsey Swift from Barnsley was out on a jog last week with her boyfriend – she’s training for a 10km run – when a guy in a white van slowed down and began to harass her about her weight.
He also shouted a ‘sarcastic’ rendition of Mika’s ‘Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)’ at her before quickly driving off. Her boyfriend was a way ahead of her on the road, so didn’t hear what the man said.
She admits she was ‘angry and embarrassed’ about the incident, and the more she thought about it, the more she realised how intimidating it could have been for someone less confident.
So, she chose to have her say. She called him out on Facebook with an open letter.
The letter begins: ‘An open letter to the idiot who thought it was ok to heckle me with fat jokes on my run yesterday.’
She goes on to say: ‘Normally I don’t get militant about these things, idiots are idiots. However, I can see why comments like these might put a person less confident than me off from running, and that is shameful. Everyone starts somewhere.’
She adds: ‘Let me make one thing very clear, I am not ashamed of my body. It has never stopped me from doing anything I want. My fat body has done things that you, hanging out of the window of your babe-magnet white van could only ever dream of.’
A woman’s open letter to a driver who wound down his window to heckle her about her weight while she was out on a run has been getting lots of love on Facebook.
Twenty-six-year-old Lindsey Swift from Barnsley was out on a jog last week with her boyfriend – she’s training for a 10km run – when a guy in a white van slowed down and began to harass her about her weight.
He also shouted a ‘sarcastic’ rendition of Mika’s ‘Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)’ at her before quickly driving off. Her boyfriend was a way ahead of her on the road, so didn’t hear what the man said.
She admits she was ‘angry and embarrassed’ about the incident, and the more she thought about it, the more she realised how intimidating it could have been for someone less confident.
So, she chose to have her say. She called him out on Facebook with an open letter.
The letter begins: ‘An open letter to the idiot who thought it was ok to heckle me with fat jokes on my run yesterday.’
She goes on to say: ‘Normally I don’t get militant about these things, idiots are idiots. However, I can see why comments like these might put a person less confident than me off from running, and that is shameful. Everyone starts somewhere.’
She adds: ‘Let me make one thing very clear, I am not ashamed of my body. It has never stopped me from doing anything I want. My fat body has done things that you, hanging out of the window of your babe-magnet white van could only ever dream of.’
Lindsey was out running with her boyfriend Ryan at the time (Picture: Lindsey Swift/Facebook)
‘Engage your brain before opening your mouth,’ she concludes.
Lindsey's open letter in full
An open letter to the idiot who thought it was ok to heckle me with fat jokes on my run yesterday,
Your comment was a clear indication of both your incredibly witty repartee and a feat of observational comedy. I am indeed a big girl, and I am indeed beautiful. Thanks for noticing. I’m not sure who you were telling I was fat, you clearly have eyes, and the only other people present were me and my boyfriend. I assure you that despite your concern I do own a mirror, and my boyfriend has seen my fat body as he too has eyes. Don’t tell anyone but I think he might even like it.
Normally I don’t get militant about these things, idiots are idiots. However, I can see why comments like these might put a person less confident than me off from running, and that is shameful. Everyone starts somewhere.
Let me make one thing very clear, I am not ashamed of my body. It has never stopped me from doing anything I want. My fat body has done things that you, hanging out of the window of your babe-magnet white van could only ever dream of. My fat body has been swimming in crystal clear Thai seas that you have probably only ever seen on TV. It has lived in countries you wouldn’t dream of visiting and been a part of cultures you are too small minded to appreciate. My fat legs have carried me up mountains on more than one occasion. My fat brain speaks languages you probably don’t see the point of learning, which is why you spend your time hanging out of van windows since you have nothing better to occupy it with.
Recently I made the decision to get fit as I thought it would be a fun thing to do, and good for my health. Not that I have to justify my body to you, but I have a goal to run 10k, and I will get there. I’m a stone lighter than I was, and can do a whole host of things I couldn’t do before. It baffles me that anyone would try to discourage that kind of effort. Excuse me if my assumptions about you are wrong, but I only have your actions to go by. If my fat arse running (quite slowly I might add, I was bloody shattered) offends you and spoils your journey, try driving with your eyes closed, into a lamp post.
But in all seriousness, now I have written this, I feel sorry for you. Your behaviour is not normal, and your manners are well below par. Most importantly though, I forgive you. Here’s hoping that anyone with a goal, fat or thin, isn’t put off by this kind of thing. I know I haven’t been.
Engage your brain before opening your mouth.
Lindsey.
The post has now been shared over 3,000 times. One of the supportive comments below reads: ‘I am one of those less confident who would not run outside on my own but with a friend I would. This would have upset me greatly if it had happened to me. However seeing your reaction and complete confidence in dealing with this has really inspired me to think sod em all!’
‘Engage your brain before opening your mouth,’ she concludes.
Lindsey's open letter in full
An open letter to the idiot who thought it was ok to heckle me with fat jokes on my run yesterday,
Your comment was a clear indication of both your incredibly witty repartee and a feat of observational comedy. I am indeed a big girl, and I am indeed beautiful. Thanks for noticing. I’m not sure who you were telling I was fat, you clearly have eyes, and the only other people present were me and my boyfriend. I assure you that despite your concern I do own a mirror, and my boyfriend has seen my fat body as he too has eyes. Don’t tell anyone but I think he might even like it.
Normally I don’t get militant about these things, idiots are idiots. However, I can see why comments like these might put a person less confident than me off from running, and that is shameful. Everyone starts somewhere.
Let me make one thing very clear, I am not ashamed of my body. It has never stopped me from doing anything I want. My fat body has done things that you, hanging out of the window of your babe-magnet white van could only ever dream of. My fat body has been swimming in crystal clear Thai seas that you have probably only ever seen on TV. It has lived in countries you wouldn’t dream of visiting and been a part of cultures you are too small minded to appreciate. My fat legs have carried me up mountains on more than one occasion. My fat brain speaks languages you probably don’t see the point of learning, which is why you spend your time hanging out of van windows since you have nothing better to occupy it with.
Recently I made the decision to get fit as I thought it would be a fun thing to do, and good for my health. Not that I have to justify my body to you, but I have a goal to run 10k, and I will get there. I’m a stone lighter than I was, and can do a whole host of things I couldn’t do before. It baffles me that anyone would try to discourage that kind of effort. Excuse me if my assumptions about you are wrong, but I only have your actions to go by. If my fat arse running (quite slowly I might add, I was bloody shattered) offends you and spoils your journey, try driving with your eyes closed, into a lamp post.
But in all seriousness, now I have written this, I feel sorry for you. Your behaviour is not normal, and your manners are well below par. Most importantly though, I forgive you. Here’s hoping that anyone with a goal, fat or thin, isn’t put off by this kind of thing. I know I haven’t been.
Engage your brain before opening your mouth.
Lindsey.
The post has now been shared over 3,000 times. One of the supportive comments below reads: ‘I am one of those less confident who would not run outside on my own but with a friend I would. This would have upset me greatly if it had happened to me. However seeing your reaction and complete confidence in dealing with this has really inspired me to think sod em all!’
(Picture: Ross Parry)
Lindsey said of the positive online response: ‘I’ve had messages from people all over the world saying that they have experienced similar things and will think twice before getting upset in future, which is amazing,’ she said.
Lindsey said of the positive online response: ‘I’ve had messages from people all over the world saying that they have experienced similar things and will think twice before getting upset in future, which is amazing,’ she said.
Metro
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