In a short Twitter thread last week, Chasten Buttigieg shared advice and his personal experience with weight gain during the pandemic lockdowns this past year.
Chasten Buttigieg is a teacher, LGBTQ+ rights advocate, husband to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and now author of a memoir I Have Something to Tell You. He's also no stranger to sharing his thoughts and beliefs on Twitter.
His latest tweet on body acceptance read:
"I gained twenty pounds during COVID and felt awful about it. Then a good friend told me 'maybe just dress the body you have and stop worrying about it'."
"So I finally went and bought new pants. I'm very grateful for having such good friends... and also for these bigger pants."
"This past year has put us all through a heck of a lot."
"If you, like a lot of us, gained some weight while trying to survive a deadly global pandemic, consider me officially on your '[who gives a f'k?]' team."
This past year has put us all through a heck of a lot. If you, like a lot of us, gained some weight while trying to… https://t.co/9zmRsWrVFV— Chasten Glezman Buttigieg (@Chasten Glezman Buttigieg) 1620167821.0
@Chasten On the team with you. But in addition to Covid concerns, you wrote a book, moved halfway across the countr… https://t.co/wLVuKZJuuN— Danna B-R (@Danna B-R) 1620181154.0
Chasten Buttigieg has received many tweets of love, support and gratitude for sharing this advice.
For many people in urban areas their lives were forced to become sedentary with pandemic risks shutting down parks and gyms.
@Chasten well that was unexpected. i just burst into tears reading this. my relationship with my body is so screwy… https://t.co/JukEZtKFPX— highway highway hopes 🏳️🌈🐝 (@highway highway hopes 🏳️🌈🐝) 1620168208.0
@Chasten This is why we love you, Chasten. When you share your stories, we see ourselves and feel less alone. Count… https://t.co/38iaT8QUl8— Paula of House Moderna (she/her) 🐝 🍷 (@Paula of House Moderna (she/her) 🐝 🍷) 1620173809.0
@Chasten Most relatable tweet in the history of...pants.— Mark Harris (@Mark Harris) 1620168682.0
@Chasten Thank you so much for this. I’m feeling pretty rotten about my 20lbs but it has been just the worst year.… https://t.co/GgH8SovkOY— Lori Gaskill (@Lori Gaskill) 1620174164.0
@Chasten The only positive thing for me during this past year is that I wear pajamas(aka scrubs)to work every day.… https://t.co/64m8A82jVs— Traci (@Traci) 1620181115.0
@Chasten A year ago, I was SO stressed, working at age 59 on Covid + patients. I was terrified every day that I wou… https://t.co/9f07iUUxxm— Karen RN (@Karen RN) 1620168968.0
@Chasten Did I buy a long sleeve, high cut scuba-style swimsuit off the internet to try to embrace my post-Covid bo… https://t.co/ivf96gfhHR— Lorem Ipsum Dolor Pete Amet 🐝 (@Lorem Ipsum Dolor Pete Amet 🐝) 1620173493.0
@Chasten Went to my physical - I gained 10 lbs. Doc said, "so what, everyone gained something. Your blood pressure… https://t.co/caOqDWCl08— Dr. Laura A. De Veau 🐝🚂🛤 (@Dr. Laura A. De Veau 🐝🚂🛤) 1620169950.0
@Chasten You don’t know how much I need this today.♥️JUST YESTERDAY, 1st thing out of my mom’s mouth:”You’ve gained… https://t.co/UIwzVVUXhT— Miss (@Miss) 1620172868.0
@Chasten I needed this. A co-worker mentioned that walking the flights of stairs in our bldg. would give me the cha… https://t.co/yV5c0R9gTu— FostersImaginaryFriend (@FostersImaginaryFriend) 1620172900.0
A few people who survived contracting Covid responded to Buttigieg's tweet.
@Chasten I was a fitness devotee until COVID put an end to my classes at the Y, then even exercising at home fell b… https://t.co/R4qOwV7F9x— Alyssa Everett 🚉🍷 (@Alyssa Everett 🚉🍷) 1620168200.0
Unfortunately, there's also been a rise in eating disorders during the pandemic, and a few people shared there perspectives.
@Chasten I lost around 30 lbs after pandemic anxiety triggered my ED and OCD to make a resurgence after laying dorm… https://t.co/MNS4SCnlS8— Kristen Sebesky (@Kristen Sebesky) 1620216433.0
@Chasten As someone who has struggled with eating disorders and who is dreading a return to "in person" events, thi… https://t.co/dAGVWUkTdM— Traffic Circle Stan (@Traffic Circle Stan) 1620188268.0
Whether you gained or lost weight during this pandemic, we can all take Chasten Buttigieg's advice and dress for the body you have, while thanking it for getting you through a difficult time.