This Is The Perfect Response To Being Fat-Shamed

You'd think that any person's decision to get fit would be cause for celebration, but apparently, some people would rather sit back and heckle than offer any words of encouragement. Judging by the open letter Lindsey Swift wrote to the man she claims fat shamed her on Facebook, there are actually people out there who still think fat jokes are funny — as depressing as that reality may be. But while most women are taught to keep their heads down and ignore heckling and catcalls, this UK-based teacher chose to call out the man who insulted her — even if she has no idea who or where he is — and the results were nothing short of brilliant.

Though Swift's letter never does come right out and say what exactly the man said to her, it's addressed to the "idiot who thought it was OK to heckle me with fat jokes on my run yesterday." It then continues on to sarcastically praise the unnamed man's "feat of observational comedy," and even thank him for noticing her figure. "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," she wrote in her August 7 post. "Don't tell anyone, but I think he might even like it."

But if you think that's an impressive shut-down, just wait. Swift goes on to state that she refuses to be made to feel ashamed of her body, and that she recently decided to run a 10K as a "fun thing to do."

"My fat body has done things that you, hanging out of the window of your babe-magnet white van could only ever dream of," she adds. "[It] has been swimming in crystal clear Thai seas that you have probably only ever seen on TV... 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."

The post has gone viral in the last few days, racking up more than 6,000 shares on Facebook and getting picked up everywhere from Cosmo to the Mirror. "Wow! Well said, Lindsey!" read one Facebook comment. "It's a shame some people have the mentality of a spoon and it's those people that we should feel sorry for!"

Others chimed in with their own similar experiences. "I hate running round where I live because of the hecklers!" wrote another woman.

You can check out Swift's Facebook letter in full below, and give her your own slow clap:

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.

Image: Giphy