NEED TO KNOW
Jess Kahler shared an emotional video after being body-shamed during a water-walking workout at a public pool
The influencer, known for promoting body positivity, said she’s been struggling to love her own appearance recently
Kahler urged people not to comment on others’ bodies, emphasizing the lasting harm such remarks can cause
A popular Australian influencer is opening up about being body-shamed by a stranger while exercising.
Jess Kahler, a body-positivity advocate with over 125,000 Instagram followers, shared a video of herself crying in her closet as she recounted an unexpected encounter that occurred on a “water walk” on Monday, Sept. 21.
She spoke about being body-shamed at a time when she’s been struggling to love her appearance.
“I’m a body positive advocate and I hate my own body. How ironic,” Kahler said through tears. “I’m having like a little sad girl moment in my closet. I am really struggling to like anything about my body.”
“I was water walking and a lady said how horrible my legs looked,” she recalled. “I didn’t disagree with her. I agreed with her and it just made me feel so sad inside.”
Water walking is a low-impact cardio exercise that involves walking back and forth in a pool, according to Healthline.
“I guess I just wanted to share this because everything looks perfect online,” Kahler said in her video. “I could just keep posting perfect photos, but I am really struggling. It’s something that I have battled for years — liking my body, loving my body, treating my body nicely.”
The content creator wrote over a black background that she had to stop recording herself because she was “crying too much.”
“That lady’s comment really broke me. 💔,” Kahler continued. “If you see someone trying their best to move their body, please don’t comment. You don’t know how much it took to get there — or the damage your words can leave.”
Jess Kahler
Credit: jess_kahler/Instagram
She repeated her plea for people not to comment on others who are exercising in the caption of the post, while also apologizing for being teary in the video.
“I’ve struggled with loving my body my entire life,” Kahler added. “It’s a huge reason why I’m so passionate about speaking kindly and positively about yourself, and why I’m such a strong advocate for body acceptance. 🫶🏼”
“But lately, I’ve been struggling so much. 😔,” she wrote. “Sorry for the crying — I’m just a natural crier anytime I talk about anything upsetting. 🤍”
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Several people in the comment section attempted to reassure Kahler that she’s “beautiful,” while others sent their “love” and claimed they could relate to being body-shamed.
“Oh honey, I feel this so deeply this year has been really difficult in particular ♥️sending so much love and just know how special you are to all of us in our little community 😘😘,” one person wrote.
“This makes me so sad & mad 😭 Your legs are beautiful exactly as they are. The audacity some people have to think someone else’s body is up for public discussion is wild. Keep showing up, keep wearing what you love and take up ALL the space, babe. 🫶🏼❤️,” another said.
“Unfortunately, one nasty comment will outdo 100 positive ones. I hope you know how beautiful you are, inside and out! ❤️❤️,” someone else commented.
Jess Kahler
Credit: jess_kahler/Instagram
Many hours later, Kahler revealed on her Instagram Stories that she was “overwhelmed” by the reaction to the video.
“The hard thing is this is not an isolated incident. This is my whole life, so… and it really sucks,” she said. “If you see someone working out, doing their best. Just leave them alone, you don’t need to say anything. Just please stop staring.”
Kahler told Daily Mail Australia the body-shaming incident occurred at a public pool that she regularly goes to practice her water walking.
“I will continue to do my water walking, it’s what my doctor has recommended and for my health. I want to continue so my knees don’t hurt and I can run a 5km race next year,” she told the outlet. “Unfortunately, this is a normal occurrence and something I experience quite often.”
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