Woman Cheered for What She Told Doctor Who Warned Her She'd Gained Weight

"So you've gained quite a bit of weight," read the text over Mackenzie Marsh's viral Instagram video, quoting a comment from her doctor. The video, which has amassed 1.3 million views, then transitions into everything else she has gained.

The video, shared on June 8, transitions from a full length shot of the 24-year-old from Jupiter, Florida, to a montage showcasing Marsh's experiences and memories, such as dancing with friends, practicing yoga, and enjoying holidays and hikes.

Marsh explained her motivation for creating the video in an interview with Newsweek, emphasizing the need to shift focus from weight to overall well-being.

"I was inspired to make this video because too many girls spend too much time looking down at a scale disappointed at the number and not enough time looking around at their life and what they're able to do when their body is well taken care of," Marsh said.

Reflecting on a recent doctor's visit, Marsh recounted being told she had gained weight, which prompted her to think about how weight gain is often negatively perceived. "Even though I know my doctor didn't mean anything harmful by this statement and I had put on about 30 pounds, it wasn't the first time someone had made comments about my weight. I've had comments on social media and from men I've been interested in tell me they 'just like thinner girls,' and this all got me thinking how many comments are made when a woman gains weight in a negative way and how we are celebrated when we lose weight (healthy or not)," she said.

Marsh advocates for redefining health beyond physical appearance. "Women are being stripped of so much life by associating thin with healthy. Eating one meal a day is not healthy. Being 110lbs at 5'7 is not healthy. I wish I knew how much life I was missing out on by interchanging skinny for healthy for much of my life," she said.

An extract from the clip's caption says: "Sure I was skinny, but I was depressed. I was the standard for beauty but I avoided mirrors every chance I could because I never felt confident enough looking at myself. Sure I was thin but I felt like I was going to pass out at least once a day."

Emphasizing balanced health, she told Newsweek: "I'm not promoting eating whatever you want 24/7 because honestly that won't make you feel good either. I am a pretty healthy person, I work out five-six days a week and I eat clean but I still have thighs, a butt, my stomach rolls and I eat sweet treats just like every other normal girl with a full life. I want to empower women to focus more on how they feel in life over how they look."

Marsh grew up in South Florida, where thinness is often seen as a standard, leading her to develop a poor relationship with food.

She said: "The older I got the more and more I began to make excuses as to why I didn't need to eat as much. I remember days in college where I'd go a whole day where my only calories came from an iced coffee."

A turning point came over a year ago when she realized her body was not functioning optimally.

"There's things I wanted to do with my life and I physically could not. My desire to be thin was holding me back from the person I believed God created me to be. Once I started eating a normal amount of food my life transformed. I started to travel the world, I was a kinder friend, and I overall felt a purpose in life. Sure I might've gained weight but I gained my life back," she told Newsweek.

Marsh hopes her video will resonate with others, especially younger women struggling with body image.

She added: "I wish I could look at my 18-year-old self and tell her that if she gains weight from eating a normal amount, that weight was supposed to be there all along. Her life is about more than her appearance and I guess that was the inspiration behind making this video. When I post on social media I try to post content that I once needed to hear."

TikTok Reacts

The video has sparked supportive comments from viewers.

One user commented, "I'm a medical student and can't believe your dr commented on your weight when you look like this, 30lb gain or not... you are clearly the picture of health now. This is not what we're taught to do in medical school. I love your outlook and I hope you aren't affected at all by your doctor's inappropriate concerns!"

Another wrote, "Uh what kind of doctor are you going to? You look insanely healthy AND happy to me. Maybe time for a new doctor who holds your views and values? Keep shining babe."

A third commenter added, "Absolutely. Weight is just the side effect. Gained life is the main and BEST part!!"

Marsh's message emphasizes the importance of living a full life and taking care of one's body beyond just maintaining a certain weight, urging women to look at the broader picture of health and happiness.

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