I read a lot about body size and, now, body acceptance.
I’m a plus size woman and feel the pressure of public ‘disapproval’ of my size. I used to take it all very personally and I lived my fatness, hiding myself away so as not to offend anyone.
Recently I’ve hooked into the fatosphere and began learning about the politics of fat and food.
What an eye opening experience. The constant messages about health, body shape and what is or isn’t acceptable is largely rubbish. The whole ‘obesity epidemic’ doesn’t have much scientific evidence to support it, beyond confirmation bias, and its treated as a sanctioned reason to bully and discriminate.
Then we’re told ‘it’s for your own good’. Physical and emotional abusers have been using that line for centuries.
I read a lot of different information and views on this issues because its so polarising but I can’t help but wonder if my paying attention to the issue is simply perpetuating the issue. I believe strongly what we give our attention to increases.
My goal is to accept myself, whatever size and shape that I am. To eat what I want to eat when I want to eat it and stop when I ‘m full. To really have food become a delight again instead of an emotionally charged and dangerous quandary. Basically to give it no more analysis and attention than using the bathroom or breathing.
If I involve myself in this polarising retoric how do I convince myself the subject is not a major issue?
Clearly it is.
