On Wednesday night, Pilar Vidaljournalist and regular television contributor, sat down with Sonsoles Onega on his show to share a heartbreaking and honest account of his struggle with obesity. It was a brave testimony that resonated deeply with the audience and left a powerful lesson about the importance of empathy, self-acceptance and health care.
Pilar began her story by talking about how her relationship with food and her weight began from the moment she was born. “I was born with almost five kilos,” he shared, “and my mother didn’t like that I was so big.” From a very young age, her weight was a cause of concern in her family environment. Between laughter and tears, he recalled how his mother, with the best of intentions, tried to handle this situation from the first years of his life: “This Christmas I found out that even for my communion my mother put me on a diet,” he confessed. Since then, Pilar’s life has been marked by diets and strict control over what she ate, in a constant attempt to reach an ideal standard. While her brother could enjoy omelettes with ketchup, she found dishes of grilled liver and vegetables, which made a clear difference in the childhood that she herself described as “hard.”
A misunderstood disease
Obesity is a disease, Pilar stressed, but it is still not treated as such by a large part of society. “We are condescending to certain diseases, but we are not condescending to obesity,” he stated forcefully. This reflection points to a larger problem: the lack of empathy towards people who face this challenge. Pilar advocated for a cultural change, urging that obesity be recognized as a physical and emotional problem that requires specialized treatment.
Pilar highlighted that one of the biggest mistakes is not teaching healthy habits from a young age. He compared his experience to that of children who suffer from other chronic diseases, such as diabetes or asthma, who learn to manage their conditions from an early age. “People who have obesity to a certain degree should learn these habits from a very young age. Not be on a diet, but know how to live with it. But I never had that,” he lamented.
A change of life in Madrid
The change in Pilar’s life came when she moved to Madrid for work. Suddenly, she found herself alone, without the constant support of her parents and without the eating routines that, although strict, had marked her life. “I no longer had anyone to tell me ‘Not this, this is’. I started eating badly. I didn’t even know what Burger King was until I got here,” he explained. During that stage, Pilar began to adopt unhealthy habits due to her busy work life, working endless shifts as an intern at a radio station. “When I went out, the first thing I did was buy something quick, like a chorizo sandwich. That became my regular diet.”
Although Pilar confessed that she has had periods in which she managed to lose weight – at her best she weighed 62 kilos – the emotional and physical roller coaster of diets and stress always ended up taking their toll on her. Today he weighs 20 kilos more than his ideal weight, something he bravely admits, but without losing his characteristic sense of humor.
Discrimination in fashion and society
One of the most shocking moments of the interview came when Pilar talked about the discrimination that overweight people face, especially in the field of fashion. As a clothing lover, she described the frustration of going to a store and not finding clothes that fit her body. “When you have money to spend but there is nothing for you, it is the biggest frustration,” he said. Although Pilar has always made an effort to dress well and appear stylish, she recognized that this task becomes more complicated for overweight people. “If I were thinner, I wouldn’t have to work so much on my style,” she joked, while making clear the emotional impact that this situation has on her self-esteem.
The problem is not only personal, but also social. Pilar urged the fashion industry to be more inclusive and consider people of all sizes. “We are all consumers. It is time for brands to think that we all have the right to look and feel good,” he emphasized.
A constant fight for health
Although she has faced criticism and malicious comments, Pilar made it clear that her motivation to lose weight is not aesthetic, but health. “This year I decided to do it. I no longer do it for aesthetics. I do it for health,” he said. However, he acknowledged that it is not an easy path. Lack of willpower, social pressure, and emotions are constant barriers he faces. “There are days when I just can’t,” he confessed. But far from seeing herself as a failure, Pilar interprets these moments of vulnerability as an opportunity to connect with other people who are going through the same thing. “Sometimes saying ‘I can’t’ is the bravest thing you can do,” she said.
Self-esteem and personal relationships
Pilar also reflected on how her relationship with her body has affected her love life. “To love someone, you have to feel good about yourself. And right now I don’t feel good,” she admitted excitedly. Although her words denoted sadness, they also revealed a determination to work on herself and overcome these obstacles.
With his characteristic humor, he revealed that he has a list of people whom, in the future, he hopes to surprise with his transformation. “There are people who only value physical appearance. Someday, when I look better, I will tell them what I think,” he said with a mischievous smile.
A message of hope
The conversation concluded with a message of hope and determination. Pilar assured that she is prepared to face this new chapter of her life, but not from pressure or guilt, but from self-love and the desire to be healthier.
The testimony of Pilar Vidal in And now Sonsoles It was not only an exercise in personal courage, but also a call to society to reflect on how we treat people with obesity. His words, full of honesty and humor, made it clear that, although the road is difficult, there is always room for resilience and change.
At the end, Sonsoles Ónega could not help but praise his partner, highlighting the importance of her testimony. “You help much more than you think, Pilar. What you have done today is going to inspire many people.” And without a doubt, it will be so. Pilar Vidal’s story is a reminder that although weight can be a challenge, true strength is in the heart and mind.
LinkedinBeloud