It has come to my attention that, thanks to my recent claim to outrageous fame, people may be coming here with little to no understanding of what fat acceptance actually is. (Including people from my real life – shout out to my MB 314 crew!) I write with a level of assumed knowledge, so it’s only fair that I provide some introductory information so you have an understanding of where I’m coming from.
Treat this like a class. You know how teachers act like you’re wasting their time when you ask a question that shows you haven’t done the reading? This applies here.
Welcome to Fat Acceptance 101.
Fat Acceptance 101 – Required Reading
Weight. An emotional issue. at Discourse
A balanced post, calling for both sides of the obesity debate to respect the experiences of others.
“Aren’t you worried about your health?” at Cosmopolitan Australia (written by me!)
Just So We’re Clear… Some Fat Facts at Body Love Wellness
Don’t You Realize Fat is Unhealthy? at Shapely Prose
Some posts that bust the common myths surrounding obesity.
The HAES Manifesto by Dr Linda Bacon
Brief overview of why diets don’t work and what health at every size, or HAES, is.
Health at Every Size: choice or coercion? at Fat Nutritionist
By far the most comprehensive explanation I’ve read of what HAES really means.
Second Verse, Same as the First; Fat Acceptance is for Everyone at The Rotund
Exactly what the title says: Fat acceptance isn’t limited to fatties.
Choice and Hate at Catalytic Reactions
Breaking down the common argument ‘fat is a choice’.
Acceptance is not ‘giving up’ at Spilt Milk
A beautiful post that rebutts the assumptions made about fat acceptance and explains perfectly what I love about this movement.
This is fantastic–I will gladly send this along to anyone who needs some FA 101 in their lives. Thank you!
Also, I find it equal parts hilarious and depressing that there’s an ad on this post for rapid weight loss drops. I know you don’t pick the ads… I’m guessing Google just reads “fat” and assumes weight loss as the goal.
What? Ads? I didn’t know I had ads on here… Very strange.
I suspect Riots may be reading via Google Reader?
Very helpful reading for those of us new to fat acceptance. There is so much bullshit about body shapes and sizes out there. More power to you, Miss Lobster
Wifey! ♥
Great post. The book that changed my life was “Screw Inner Beauty” by Kate Harding and Marianne Kirby. It was a Christmas present from my other half and it was possibly the best present he’s ever given me. Finally I realised it was ok to be FAT and still try to be healthy for health’s sake, not losing-weight’s sake. A blessed relief!
Just reading about FA gives me permission to feel good about myself. My confidence has increased and I no longer put up with the doubters and criticisers in my life.
thanks for putting this together. i’m sort of a newbie and have a lot of eating disordered thinking to overcome. this made my day better. thank you!
I get an ad, too, and found it amusing, if sad:
I am reading in MSIE.
and a great post, btw!!
Hey there! Thanks for the shoutout!
Long time reader, first time commenter. Not really fat myself but all for fat acceptance, and acceptance in its many forms.
Love your fashion, Frances. Apart from your insightful fat commentary, it’s why I read your blog.
Just wanted to ask if you’d checked out Beyonce’s plus-size clothing at http://shop.dereon.com/shop.php – poss not everyone’s style, but there is a cute hot pink dress there right now….
Thanks, snaffler!
I didn’t even know Dereon had a plus size line. Thanks for the link, but it’s not quite my style… all the bedazzled bits look a bit too much like Ed Hardy…
Bravo young woman!!! Bravo!!! I’d like to recommend googling Hilda Calendar Art to enjoy the delightful Hilda, a 50′s 60′s calendar art character who is always pink, plump and romping about the great outdoors clad in a polka dot bikini. You and your significant others will treasure her, I guarantee. JD
I well aware of Hilda. She’s adorable.
Love this! thank you for creating something like this!!
This is awesome!
Hey! I stumbled upon your blog, and Im glad I did. I am a plus sized webcam model and men LOVE my body!! They LOVE the fat, the rolls, the dimples, the giggles. Everything….! I love my body too!!
Its funny tho….but even as much as the ylove my body, when I say the word FAT, they say “no no, dont say that, you are not fat” then I repy “I am fat, and fat is gorgeous! nothing wrong with FAT!” They all agree!
keep in mind that “short” is not a neutral term anymore either. its starting to become like “fat” is. i am sick of hearing girls whine “euuu i’m so short” while my four foot nine self is within earshot. people yell “midget” at me from car windows. i am told how beautiful i would be if only i was a foot taller. the icky word “petite” Is used just like “fluffy”, a saccharine sweet euphemism. just as people assume fat=ugly, smelly, lazy, people assume short=cutesy OR ugly, weak, submissive. i am treated by society as a little puppy–strangers even have patted my head on occasion.
I have to admit, after I read this post… I went back into my New Year’s Day post (that I had JUST published) and removed some “fat-talk”. That post was to be about physical confidence, and you reminded me to keep the focus where it belonged.
So thank you for the ‘check”!
so awesome my birthday is feb 23rd and i googles positive immage of fat cewomen and found substantia jones…then this ……its on my facebook page now! thankyou