In this graceful illustration from artist Mia Ohki, a partially nude woman with long hair and large thighs leans back on one hand. A leaf or leaf tattoo rests between her breasts, and a butterfly perches on one lifted arm. Purchase cards to share or frame:
Fat people suffer worse health outcomes due to weight stigma? Blame fat people and call them inherently diseased. Fat people are more at risk from COVID due to biased healthcare? Blame fat people and tell them they deserve it. Fat people can’t buy attractive, well-fitting clothing? Blame fat people and call them frumpy and unfashionable….
My photography studio is also my home, and I’m so grateful to have such lovely spaces to work in. It’s also a super comfy and homey environment for my clients. Can’t wait for it to be safe enough to start offering boudoir again…. Sign up below to be the first to know when my calendar…
When you think about bodies — your own or other people’s — what words do you use? Our thoughts and feelings about bodies are shaped by the words we use to describe them. Here are 40 kind, loving descriptive words to replace the negative ones we’ve been taught. Find the written post at https://www.prospecttherapy.com/blog/2018/8/13/guest-blog-post-40-kind-and-positive-words-for-your-body, and…
In which I talk about the hashtag #normalizenormalbodies and whether it’s a good thing.
Here is this week’s body-positive journaling prompt from Body Liberation Photos.
“You would be surprised how seldom it occurs to people that their problems are not their fault. By focusing on fairness and justice, a patient may have a chance to find what has so frequently been lost: an ability to care for and stand up for herself. Guilt can be replaced with a clarifying anger,…
In which I discuss why you might not get the reaction you want or expect when you interact with fat folks in the fat acceptance, body positivity or Health at Every Size® movements. (There’s a version with subtitles on Instagram.) ◇─◇──« »──◇─◇ Hi there! I’m Lindley (she/her, pronounced LIN-lee). I create artwork that celebrates the…
Reader M. asks, “Does it get any easier? Or does it just get harder the more vocal you get? I had a situation in which my admin team of my local athletic group, all thin or smallfat women with the exception of me, did not back me up when I called out some inspiration porn…
Children begin absorbing and reflecting weight stigma as young as 3-5 years old. That’s how pervasive anti-fat bias is in our society, and it’s wrong and oppressive to have generations of children growing up pre-prejudiced against other humans simply for the size of their bodies. And, of course, what does that do to developing minds,…
“Conventionally attractive” equals “willing to put in the time, effort, money, resources and pain and suffering required to gain social approval.” These are personal choices; (all people who identify as) women are equally valuable no matter which choices they make; and women are free to make the choices that work for them in their lives….
In which I discuss the audacity of thin privilege, what “everybody knows” about fat bodies, how even “bad” bodies deserve dignity, and the desperation behind enforcing oppressive systems.
Why do some business owners wear their opinions, politics and activism on their sleeves? Let’s talk about “keeping politics out of your business” and why that’s not an option for marginalized people. ◇─◇──« »──◇─◇ Hear more from me on body politics, oppression and body image:
Let’s talk about shame. Should we feel ashamed when someone challenges something we say? Is it true that when we object to someone else’s words, we’re shaming them? ◇─◇──« »──◇─◇ Hear more from me:
Let’s talk about shame. Should we feel ashamed when someone challenges something we say? Is it true that when we object to someone else’s words, we’re shaming them? See a version with subtitles: https://www.instagram.com/p/CTqH6GqgEwY/
I went to the chiropractor this morning and I am wiped, y’all. I’m grateful to have the freedom of a flexible schedule that allows me to lie down for a while, so I’m going to go do that. This much-needed chiro adjustment wasn’t something I particularly wanted to do, but that’s what radical self-care is:…
Did you know that Plan B (also known as the morning-after pill) is only effective for people who weigh 155 pounds or less? Fat people are left out of medical testing, equipment design, research and medication dosages. Privilege is unearned, but it’s not something you need to feel bad or guilty about. Let’s work to…
Today The Fat Athlete and I were talking about body image and how it’s a never-ending journey. It’s easy to think that a positive or healthy body image, or body acceptance, is a destination that some lucky people have reached and you just can’t seem to find. But no matter how much work we do…
Here is this week’s body-positive journaling prompt from Body Liberation Photos.
“When I started to use the word fat as a self-descriptor, people would actually gasp as if I had cursed or said something self-hating. If I said, ‘I’m too fat to do that,’ people would interject and say things like, ‘No you’re not fat, you’re beautiful,’ and I’d be so confused. Being fat does not…
Why do some business owners wear their opinions, politics and activism on their sleeves? Let’s talk about “keeping politics out of your business” and why that’s not an option for marginalized people.
Reader M. asks, “Does it get any easier? Or does it just get harder the more vocal you get? I had a situation in which my admin team of my local athletic group, all thin or smallfat women with the exception of me, did not back me up when I called out some inspiration porn…
The desk top stops at a sharp slant, unable to lie flat because of my belly and thighs in the way, and the angle is such that I will not be able to set anything on it, use my laptop, or even take handwritten notes.
Thin privilege is never having your body shape used as a shorthand in books, comic books and movies for gluttony, greed or villainy. If a fictional villain is shown in a thin body (e.g., Maleficent), we know that she is villainous due to her actions. (Along with musical and timing cues, as well as other…
There was an interesting discussion today in a Facebook group I’m in about how to keep from being sucked into and swallowed by other people’s energy when it’s negative or doesn’t align with your own. Here is my answer.
Why do people hate and fear fat bodies? Weight stigma — also known as fatphobia, fatmisia, anti-fatness and fat hatred — ties into threads of power and profit going back centuries. Let’s look at one of the factors: Other industries. From the beauty industry to the wellness industry, dozens of major industries reap the financial…
I recently challenged my Body Liberation Guide readers to answer the question, “What is valuable and precious about fat bodies beyond being a comfort object? How many things can you think of?” Reader Bee Gee’s response was wonderful and glorious, and they generously gave me permission to share it. Read the list at http://bit.ly/guestbeegee!…
What’s the difference between body positivity and fat positivity? How about body liberation or Health at Every Size (also called HAES)? Here’s a quick look at the terms and definitions I use in my body liberation work. Hear more from me:
Here’s something to think and write about in this coming week: What does a positive body image mean to you? You’re welcome to share your answers here (as long as they meet the space boundaries in my pinned stories) or write them down just for yourself. If this prompt was helpful for you, there…
Weight stigma is absolutely ubiquitous in healthcare. We know from studies that doctors treat fat folks differently. Many doctors assume that we’re lazy, gluttonous or noncompliant just from our body sizes, and a significant number don’t even want to touch us. Here’s a little of my own story about fatphobia, fatmisia and weight stigma in…
Recently I saw a comment from a fitness professional that got me thinking. She said that she wants to help people in bodies of all sizes get to the “happy place” of exercise. But it got me thinking. There are of course people who simply don’t get that kind of happy-making charge from body movement….
I recently challenged my Body Liberation Guide readers to answer the question, “What is valuable and precious about fat bodies beyond being a comfort object? How many things can you think of?” Reader Bee Gee’s response was wonderful and glorious, and they generously gave me permission to share it here.
Thin privilege is getting in and out of your car in a crowded parking lot. It’s never having to try to crawl through your passenger side — or your trunk — to access the driver’s seat. It’s never having to ask, and then trust, a stranger to back your car out of a parking space….
Thin privilege is a higher likelihood of being taken seriously in business and entrepreneurial contexts. Participating in business-related spaces as a fat person is exhausting. Other entrepreneurs and business owners don’t think my target market is a “real” market worthy of being served. I’m treated like I can’t possibly know the first thing about business…
Whether you’re preparing for fall marketing campaigns or grabbing last-minute photos for blog posts, seasonal images are always useful. Try using body-positive fall stock photos to convey not only a sense of timeliness, but also a warm, colorful, comfortable feeling. Here are 16 body-positive, fat-positive and diverse stock photos with a fall feeling. Use…
I recently talked about how people who are privileged in a particular area often expect people who are marginalized in that area to educate them, give them ideas and even fix their organizations for free. I’m also thinking about people like @ragenchastain, who answer literally thousands of emails per month to provide free labor around…
Why do people hate and fear fat bodies? Weight stigma — also known as fatphobia, fatmisia, anti-fatness and fat hatred — ties into threads of power and profit going back centuries. Let’s look at one of the factors: The diet industry. Worth $72 billion in 2020, the diet industry is one of the obvious culprits…
I wrote this in a moment of frustration recently and wanted to share it even though it’s not really meant for my folks here, because the very nature of a blog is to be consumed. To be clear, lurking is fine! No one owes me interactions or a relationship. But there are an awful lot…
Here’s something to think and write about in this coming week: How has your view of your body and society’s beauty standards changed since you started journaling? How could it continue to change?You’re welcome to share your answers here (as long as they meet the space boundaries in my pinned stories) or write them down…
You are not too old to be photographed. You are not too old to cherish the skin that covers your body and bears witness to each year of the life that you have lived so far. You are not too old to feel comfortable in your body, to feel gorgeous and loved and cherished and…
Our fat bodies are valuable for more than what they offer other people. So often, when people try to come up with something good about fat bodies, the first and only idea is “comfort.” So many folks have fond memories of snuggling with lovely warm soft fat bodies as children, or snuggling their own children….
Turns out I didn’t have enough spoons to both record this AND write a nice post for it, so in summary: 👗 Fabletics👗 Old Navy👗 Supporting companies that don’t carry your size👗 @saucyewest👗 #fightforinclusivity👗 I still have way more of a southern accent than I realized
I recently talked about how people who are privileged in a particular area often expect people who are marginalized in that area to educate them, give them ideas and even fix their organizations for free. I’m also thinking about people like @ragenchastain, who answer literally thousands of emails per month to provide free labor around…
In the Body Love Shop: Fat-positive soaps! Get a little bathtime love in your mailbox with one of these fat-positive glycerin soaps. Each measures about 3″ across by 1″ high. Created by a fat, marginalized artist of color. Buy one or a selection, or get a random soap surprise! 🧼🧼🧼 Lindley Ashline | Body…
Our bodies are valuable for more than what they offer other people. So often, when people try to come up with something good about fat bodies, the first and only idea is “comfort.” So many folks have fond memories of snuggling with lovely warm soft fat bodies as children, or snuggling their own children. After…
🎉🎉 GIVEAWAY DAY 🎉🎉 I’m excited to be giving away two pairs (four total) tickets to the BodCon’s Beauty and Body Confidence event (online) on August 31! I’m not affiliated with this event, but when they contacted me I was impressed by the range of body sizes, identities and heritages of their speaker lineup. Giveaways…
Here’s something to think and write about in this coming week: How can I be kinder to myself today, tomorrow and next week? How can I be kind to my mind? How can I be kind to my body? If this prompt was helpful for you, there are 57 more in my free 58 Body Positive…
Content note: Trauma, water fear, injury Every time I get into wild water (not a pool or hot tub), it’s a victory over my anxiety disorder. When I was about 13, I went wading in the ocean at a church camp on the North Carolina coast. I loved ocean swimming and had zero fear. The…
I’m old-fashioned and still buy all my music, because I’m super picky about what I listen to and I like owning my mp3s. (I once managed to narrow a Pandora list down to exactly four songs because I couldn’t stop messing with it.) My playlists could use some fresh sound, so I bought some new…
Weight stigma — also known as fatphobia, fatmisia, anti-fatness and fat hatred — ties into threads of power and profit going back centuries. Let’s look at one of the factors: Toxic masculinity and sexism.
