Ricarda Lang, the former chair of the Greens party, has recently opened up about her significant weight loss, shedding light on the reasons behind her transformation and the public's reaction. Speaking candidly during her interview with Zeit Magazin, Lang revealed her weight loss was primarily driven by health concerns, marking the first time she addressed this matter extensively.
Lang explained, "I have a job that's incredibly exhausting, and I want to continue it for several more years. I should be taking more care of myself." Her statements came as she reflected on her health and the anticipation surrounding her professional responsibilities within the party. Surprisingly, she noted, neither her decision to step down as party chair nor the barrage of hate messages she received online spurred her to make such changes. Instead, she stated, "Losing weight was planned and hard work, and I started this process last spring."
This admission attempts to reclaim the narrative around her body, especially after enduring relentless public scrutiny and body shaming throughout her political career.
Lang's significant physical changes had largely gone unnoticed — sometimes, she joked, people would compliment her outfit instead of recognizing her weight loss. "People tend to take indirect approaches when addressing my physical transformations," she remarked. "I often receive compliments on how great my outfit looks, even though I've worn the same pieces for years. Some clothes had to go simply because they no longer fit me well."
Lang's narrative emphasizes her resolve to steer the conversation around her personal health choices. "I realized these topics wouldn't disappear simply because I ignored them. If they exist, I also want to maintain control over how they are interpreted," she declared.
She acknowledges the emotional toll public perception has had on her. Since becoming politically active, Lang has faced criticism and insults particularly focused on her weight, undermining her position within the party and her effectiveness as its leader. "The hatred and derision directed at someone, solely based on the body's appearance, often creates more deep-rooted issues with body image and acceptance within our society," she expressed.
Reflecting on her weight loss process, Lang stated she had not made drastic changes due to societal pressures, indicating a desire to prioritize personal well-being instead. "I did not lose weight as a reaction to external criticism; otherwise, I would have achieved this much sooner. I undertook this transition for my own health," she explained. Her approach involved adopting healthier eating habits and regular exercise. "I now make time to cook at home, explore delicious meals, shop for groceries myself, and am more conscious about my alcohol consumption," Lang shared.
Despite her progress, Lang finds herself grappling with the responsibilities attached to her public persona. Once considered as a role model for Body Positivity, she now questions whether her decision to lose weight contradicts the movement's spirit. "I often wonder if I might be betraying women who looked up to me. Am I now conveying the message they should only feel successful if they lose weight?" she pondered, highlighting the dilemma many women face when societal standards of beauty change.
Lang's tenure leading the Greens party ended amid low electoral performance, prompting her and several colleagues to resign from their positions last September. Recently, the party appointed Franziska Brantner and Felix Banaszak as its new leaders.
The Berliner continued to assert the necessity of acceptance and altering the public discourse surrounding body image. Despite her personal changes, she yearns for less focus on these superficial aspects, saying, "I wish for more relaxed handling of issues related to appearance. The constant commentary on public figures’ looks should ideally diminish over time. We still have long strides to make on this front us."
Lang's personal account serves to remind the public of the complexity surrounding weight, health, and the implicit pressures faced by individuals, particularly those living their lives under the public eye. Her story shines a light on the struggles of women dealing with societal expectations and pushes for the need for more compassionate narratives about body image. By sharing her experiences, Lang aims to dismantle the stigma associated with weight loss and promote a more supportive environment for discussing health choices openly.