Reality TV star Whitney Way Thore does not want to be ‘anybody’s weight loss inspiration’

'I'm just a complex human being focussing on a lot of other things in life besides losing weight'

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Reality television celebrity Whitney Way Thore has explained why she does not want to be perceived as "anybody's weight loss inspiration".

On Thursday 25 July, Thore shared a video of herself on Instagram alongside the caption: "Just had to get this off my chest."

In the video, the My Big Fat Fabulous Life star stated that she had noticed several of her 691,000 Instagram followers leaving comments underneath her posts complimenting her on her supposed weight loss.

"But I guarantee you that I'm still fat as s**t, and this hasn't changed from day one," the 35-year-old with regards to the comments.

"I am just not out here to be anybody's weight loss inspiration."

Thore continued, adding that while she "appreciates" those who do feel inspired by her, she will never feel "comfortable saying thank you" when people compliment her for apparently losing weight.

"I'm just a complex human being focussing on a lot of other things in life besides losing weight," the television personality stated.

"If you're inspired by me, that's wonderful, I'm glad. But I hope it's because I'm a woman who learnt to love herself no matter what size she is."

Thore added in the caption that a person's value "does not increase if your weight decreases", highlighting the fact that "a fat person or a thin person" can lead a healthy lifestyle.

Several of Thore's Instagram followers commended her for her stance on body acceptance.

"I can completely understand that! Your goal is to be healthy and happy not a certain size or a certain weight," one person wrote in the comment section.

"I am inspired by how hard you work and how strong you are, not by your weight loss."

"Yesss... you inspire me to love every inch of me," another commented.

In April 2018, Thore shared a post on Instagram in response to online trolls who had questioned why she had not lost more weight considering the active nature of her lifestyle.

The reality television star wrote that she used to struggle with disordered eating, and that when she was 18 she gained a significant amount of weight due to polycystic ovary syndrome.

"Where I am today is a woman who, just like you, is trying to be balanced, who is trying to be healthy (also mentally and emotionally), and who is just... doing her best," Thore wrote.