Monday started National FAT TALK FREE WEEK. Started by Delta Delta Delta sorority, this amazing campaign is a much-needed one in today's society. I'm going to share lots of links in this post. I hope you'll take the time to view them and really think about them.
I was introduced to Fat Talk Free Week last year during my rotation at
The Elisa Project in Dallas. This year, knowing it was coming, I have followed more closely. It has been interesting to follow the responses and comments on different articles out there in the blogosphere. While many, like mine, have been incredibly positive, there has been a fair share of negative feedback as well.
Examples:
"Yet another attempt by the psycho-babble crowd to further erode the strength of our country. Get a trophy just for showing up? Check. Don't keep score because it might hurt somebody's feeling? Check. Send a hoard of counselors to schools every time there is a mildly disturbing event? Done. Now...let's make sure our obese kids don't get their precious self-esteem hurt by actually telling them they're too fat. We need a country full of happy diabetics and cheery heart-attack victims."
"They should ask more does this make my but look bigger because not asking is how we became such an obese nation!"
(Don't worry! I created an account to reply to those ignorant comments.)
I think this is a beautiful week. As a dietitian who has had my own share of eating struggles, I know how
crippling "fat talk" can be. I watch my clients experience it frequently. I have experienced it. There were times I missed outings with friends, deleted pictures with wonderful memories, and held myself back from fun and exciting experiences.. all because I felt so uncomfortable in my own skin.. even when average or underweight. This is no way to live life!
As you can see, this campaign is not about embracing or ignoring obesity at all. Instead, it is promoting self-love and self-acceptance... and health. But we must remember that health doesn't necessarily mean being a size 0, or having a six-pack, or whatever the case may be. Health means feeding your body nutritious foods, participating in whatever type of physical activity you enjoy (see my previous post), and knowing when to hold back and when to indulge. Health means taking care of yourself... getting enough sleep, taking long hot showers or bubblebaths, reading books, listening to music, shopping, going out to eat, spending time with your friends and family. Health, in my opinion, is about showing your body how much you love it.
So, ladies, stop comparing yourself to all those air-brushed models. They're not real anyway.
Stop comparing yourself to your coworkers.. that girl in your sorority.. the woman next to you in the gym.. your sister, your mom, your best friend. You are a beautiful child of God. You are unique, and you are wonderful. There could never be a more beautiful you. Remind yourself that everyday. Let's end Fat Talk once and for all!!
