Woman Pens Viral Open Letter To The Man Who Tried Fat Shaming Her While She Was Jogging

For anyone who has ever started out as a non-runner, you’ll remember the awkwardness of those initial fitness footsteps. Whether it was trying to focus on the road ahead, keeping your breathing in check, or just making it to the corner of the block before passing out – keeping on track can be difficult at the best of times. So when Lindsey Swift, of Barnsley, England decided to go for a morning jog with her boyfriend, she was angered by a man in a van who sang a "sarcastic" rendition of pop song Big Girl (You Are Beautiful) as he drove past. Lindsey with her boyfriend, who witnessed the incident Speaking to the BBC, the young woman said: "Usually I'm not easily hurt, but my boyfriend was running a little bit ahead of me and so he stopped and I had to explain the situation to him. It was quite intimidating. Because he drove past I did not have a chance to respond to him in person. "Everybody has an opinion about health and things like that but some things, like my body, are not public property and I do not think anybody has the right to make comments like that." The 26-year old teacher wanted her chance to reply so wrote an open letter on her Facebook page, realising the hurtful comments could dissuade other people from heading out to exercise: The letter in whole reads: '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' Lindsey has said she has been overwhelmed by the warmth of support following her letter, adding that she hopes the original driver will open his eyes to his own degrading behaviour. Hat tip: BBC, images via Lindsey Swift/ Facebook