⛓️ Breaking the cycle of intergenerational diet culture
In which I talk about how parents pass diet culture to their children across generations, breaking that cycle, and the limits on what parents can do for their kids’ body image.
Thin privilege is not having your body used as a shorthand for a long list of negative qualities, characteristics and traits.
Thin privilege is not having your body used as a shorthand for a long list of negative qualities, characteristics and traits. Dolores Umbridge. Ursula. Kingpin. Jabba the Hut. The Dursleys. Fat lawyers and politicians in 150 years of political cartoons. It’s no coincidence that so many villains in books and movies are fat. Their weight…
Origins of Weight Stigma #11: The just-world fallacy
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 just world fallacy. Our culture wants us to believe that bodies are simple machines with simple…
😢 Body grief and privilege
In which I discuss the concept of body grief, grieving the loss of body privileges and how to talk about that without reinforcing oppressive beauty ideals. See @bodyimagewithbri for more on body grieving! Find a version with subtitles here. If you’d like to represent actual fat people in your marketing, check out my inclusive stock…
Thin privilege is buying clothes off the rack at a brick-and-mortar store.
Thin privilege is buying clothes off the rack at a brick-and-mortar store. This is one of the areas where the spectrum of privilege is really easy to see. The larger your body, the more limits there are on where you can buy clothing, and the options diminish really rapidly. Folks who wear a size 24…
Ask Lindley: “Should I use the word ‘fat?'”
Many fat folks have reclaimed the word and are using it as a neutral descriptor, but to the world at large, “fat” is an insult. So should you be using it?
🚽 Everyone breaks toilet seats
In which I talk about fat shame around toilet seats. If you’d like to represent actual fat people in your marketing, check out my inclusive stock photo site by clicking Stock Photos at the top of the page, and get three free stock photos every month by signing up for my newsletter:
Business, authenticity and marginalization
In which I talk about how well the standard marketing advice of “be yourself and be authentic” works for marginalized business owners, and balancing safety + authenticity. Get three free high-resolution, body-positive stock photos for your business every month with my newsletter:
Thin privilege is not having your body used as a societal scapegoat.
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….
40 kind words for your body
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…
What’s up with #normalizenormalbodies?
In which I talk about the hashtag #normalizenormalbodies and whether it’s a good thing.
“Guilt can be replaced with a clarifying anger”
“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,…
Why are fat people so mean?
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…
“Does it get any easier? Or does it just get harder the more vocal you get?”
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…
Thin privilege is not having three-year-old children think your body is bad.
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,…
On being “conventionally attractive”
“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….
“Sure, it might be unfair in some ways”
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.
Is it okay to be an activist when you run a business?
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:
Where does “Stop shaming me!” come from?
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:
Where does “Stop shaming me!” come from?
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/
Thin privilege is having medications like Plan B formulated for your body.
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…
Body image is a never-ending journey.
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…
Is it okay to be an activist when you run a business?
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.
Ask Lindley: “The group I run is fatphobic and I don’t know how to fix it”
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…
Learning While Fat: A guest post from author Ali Owens
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.
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…
Origins of Weight Stigma #5: Other Industries
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…
What is valuable and precious about fat bodies beyond being a comfort object
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!…
Body positive and fat acceptance definitions
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:
Weight Stigma in Healthcare and My Story
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…
I want to ask people in the fitness world to put themselves in the shoes — and yoga pants — of people who live in fat bodies.
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….
We shine brightly and will not be ignored: A guest post from Bee Gee
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.
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.
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…
16 body-positive, fat-positive and diverse stock photos with a fall feeling
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…
What might it look like if we established a culture of compensation?
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…
Origins of Weight Stigma #5: The diet industry
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 am more than just a fat activist.
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…
Our bodies have worth beyond comfort
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….
👗 Supporting companies that don’t carry your size
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 want us to build a world where….
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…
Our bodies are valuable for more than what they offer other people.
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: BodCon Tickets!
🎉🎉 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…
Every time I get into wild water (not a pool or hot tub), it’s a victory over my anxiety disorder.
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…
Origins of Weight Stigma #4: Toxic masculinity and sexism
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.
Body-Positive Journaling Prompt #57: Showing Up Fully
Here’s something to think and write about in this coming week: If you were able to show up fully in the world, without body shame, what might that mean for you and your life?
Ask Lindley: How can I live in a world that hates my fat body?
Ask Lindley: How can I live in a world that hates my fat body?
Thin privilege is never being denied the ability to immigrate due to your body size.
Thin privilege is never being denied the ability to immigrate due to your body size.
Hubby took these photos of me and I’m in love with them. (And him, too.)
Hubby took these photos of me and I’m in love with them. (And him, too.)
Origins of Weight Stigma #3: Political Power
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: Political power. We have a recent example of a fat man as the U.S. President, but here…