health

Jelena Dokic has been body-shamed at every size. She has a message for the trolls.

Jelena Dokic is sick and tired of being body shamed. So she's taking a stand against it.

The TV presenter and former Australian tennis champion has been open and honest regarding her challenges with mental health, as well as her experiences with body image.

This week, Dokic shared a post on Instagram, acknowledging her recent weight loss and the complex public response that has come with it. 

"Whether I gain weight, lose weight, depressed, feel great, go through the good or the bad. I am always honest about both sides. So I thought I would just quickly address my recent weight loss because a few people have written to me and also commented," she wrote.

Addressing commenters and online trolls, Dokic said, "It's not good if you gain weight, and it's not good if you lose weight. It's not good if you are a size 0, 10 or 18 it seems."

Watch: Billie Eilish on her relationship with her body. Post continues below. 


Video via Good Morning America.

"I didn't focus on weight so much but just making better choices to feel my best. Now since a few people have already jumped on the judgement and shame train for my weight loss and said that I have succumbed to the 'diet culture' and don't represent the plus size people anymore, please don't even go there."

Dokic has previously had to defend herself against those who took issue with her size before her recent weight loss. It's the perfect example of how women can never win when it comes to the matter of our bodies.

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Dokic added that while she may have lost weight, "it changes nothing".

"I still want people to value me and others based on whether we are kind and good people. I will always be proud of myself and not hide or be embarrassed no matter what size I am," she wrote.

"And I will always be against body shaming and against valuing people based on their size and weight no matter if I gain or lose some kilos and dress sizes."

The response to Dokic's latest post is telling, with hundreds of women sharing similar stories, saying they feel constantly judged and shamed.

In a statement to Mamamia, Dokic said it's amazing to see the support.

"It's powerful to see it resonate with so many women because by talking about it openly we can change things and remove the shame and judgement. My biggest message and what I fight for is that our worth is not based on our size and the number on the scale," she said.

"I will stand tall and proud no matter what size I am and I will always be against body shaming and judgement whether a size 0 or 20. Unfortunately there is judgement whether you lose weight or gain weight. I am trying to stand up for women and girls to be themselves and embrace who they are but also that we create a society with no shame."

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Clinical and health psychologist Leah Brennan is a Professor at La Trobe University Body Image, Eating and Weight Clinical Research Team and a Director at the Centre for Eating, Weight and Body Image.

Speaking with Mamamia previously, Brennan noted: "Making people feel bad about their weight [a form of weight stigma] is associated with poorer health outcomes. The experience of weight stigma creates chronic stress, which directly impacts on both physical and psychological wellbeing."

Simply put, body shaming helps no one. 

This is an issue Dokic has tackled many times.

"I don't let my size dictate how I feel about myself and I don't allow it to make me feel any less worthy. My size and my measurements don't define my worth, character, work ethic, professionalism and most importantly my kindness, compassion, empathy, good heart and good intentions," Dokic has said previously in another post that went viral.

"If my size defines me and measures my worth for someone out there and makes me less worthy in someone's eyes, well that says everything about them."

Feature Image: Instagram @dokic_jelena.

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