I live in a privileged body. And while I am an advocate for Health at Every Size (HAES) and body diversity, I know I don’t speak from embodied experience about what it’s like to live in a large body. There are many body-diverse activists out there, sharing their perspective and experiences. I wanted to add to these voices so I invited my friend, who lives in a large body, to share with us.
Here is our conversation:
Q: Let’s start with the word “fat.” How do you feel about the word fat?
A: It depends on how you say it. It can be used as a description or an insult. I know I’m fat. That doesn’t make me less worthy. As long as it’s descriptive and not derogatory, it’s fine.
Not every fat body is unhealthy. Fat doesn’t equal unhealthy. Thin people can be unhealthy. Fat people can also be unhealthy but it’s not causal. Being fat also doesn’t mean lazy. I worked out when I was thin and I work out now. “You’re fat and you work out every day? How much do you eat?” People assume I must binge eat my feelings. I eat normally but my body processes food differently now.
Q: You used to be thin. What are the differences you experience from being in a smaller body to now?
A: Thin privilege sucks. When I was thin I got more respect from people. Doctors treat me differently in a fat body.
Q: Can you give examples of how doctors treat you differently in a fat body?
A: One time, I hurt my knee playing handball. I stretched a ligament. A doctor told me I needed to lose weight. Whether I was thin or fat, I still would have hurt my knee. Another time I broke a finger and a doctor told me I was fat and needed to lose weight. I broke my finger and he somehow felt it was relevant to comment on my weight.
Q: How do you feel about your body?
A: I love my body. I stopped caring what others think of me. People hate when you love yourself in a fat body. It’s unacceptable. It’s radical to love myself fat.
Q: How did you stop caring about what others think?
A: I stopped caring because I want to live and enjoy my life. I no longer count calories. I like cooking. I like baking. I like to exercise. I like living. What people think of me only took away from my ability to do that.
Q: Are there still sometimes that it’s hard not to care about the opinions of others?
A: It’s hardest not to care about how my own family reacts to my fat body. It hurts when my family encourages me to lose weight. My mother is thin and struggles with her own body changes. She checks in with me about my eating and exercise habits, instead of checking in with me about how I am doing overall. I know she cares about me but when she does this, it seems like she cares most about my weight and “health.”
Q: How is dating for you?
A: As a heterosexual, fat woman, men don’t understand why I can love myself. People don’t think people in fat bodies can be loved or be in good relationships. This is absolutely not true. When you are fat, people think you should settle for anyone you can get. “How can you say ‘no’ to propositions?” If you say “no” to someone who approaches or propositions you, they’ll say “your loss” and possibly make a derogatory comment about my size. They believe I don’t have many options so I have to say “yes” but in truth, I have a lot of options. I have dated a lot and have many opportunities. And if someone is attracted to me, thin people wonder, “Why would he want to be with a fat girl?” News flash: There are people who genuinely don’t care about my body size! But it’s hard for people to believe that.
Q: What would you like to say to people?
A: Love yourself. Don’t spend your life wishing you were a different number on a scale. Just live your life. Don’t let the judgements of others hold you back. Ever. Live your life. Enjoy it. Do what brings you joy. Eat the ice cream. Eat the greasiest pizza you want. You can also choose to eat salad. Don’t be afraid to take up space. Be loud. Be proud.