There has been a lot of buzz around the “Fat Acceptance Movement” lately which aims to tell women that being overweight is fine. Not only fine, but better. That being fat might even make you a happier person. They are attacking the yo-yo diets, the get slim quick scams, the Jenny Craig’s, the Weight Watchers, the diet pills and the fads like South Beach, Atkins and more.
The problem with their fat and fabulous argument is two fold: first, why would anyone even consider a yo-yo diet to lose weight? And second, what about your health?
Crash diets are called “crash” for a reason - you starve yourself, deprive yourself and can’t sustain - so you gain it all back. Its a vicious cycle. If you want to slim down, what you really need is a lifestyle change. You need to re-train your body to love foods that are good for you - fruits, vegetables, whole grains - and cut the shit (the refined, over processed foods) from your diet. Processed foods contain chemicals which stimulate the brain and make us crave more. They often cause us to feel lethargic and overeat because our body isn’t getting enough nutrition.
And, once you change your eating habits, its easier to also change your exercise habits. With a better diet, also comes increased energy, vitality and confidence. Kick start a better diet - try eating only whole foods - fresh veggies and fruit, and whole grains. Cut the shit. And then get off your ass. Take a yoga class, jog, go for a walk. Whatever it takes.
While I encourage people to be happy in their own skin, I can’t encourage people to think that being obese is fine. Its not healthy and we shouldn’t send this message to our kids. If you continue eating whatever you want because you think fat is fabulous, you’ll likely find yourself with an array of health problems - whether its diabetes, heart problems, high blood pressure, or cholesterol - not to mention a lot of difficulty doing every day things - like um, walking? I’m not saying you have to be rail thin or the next Nicole Richie but we should all know the difference between fat and healthy. What do you think? Fat and Fabulous? Or just plain reckless?
For more on the movement, visit Gabrielle Greg’s blog, Young, Fat and Fabulous or check out GMA’s recent segment: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=7823614&page=1
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Fat and Fabulous? Or, just plain reckless?
Fat doesn’t always equal unhealthy, just as thin doesn’t necessarily equal healthy. Looking at some of the images on the F&F blog, many of those women look like they might very well eat a balanced diet and get adequate exercise. Society has ingrained us to think in a one-size-fits-all kind of way that we forget that people come in different sizes. While I don’t advocate unhealthy eating and a lethargic lifestyle, I do think it’s dangerous not mention unfair to judge the health of someone based solely on how they look.
Did you even read the article or watch the piece on GMA?
Gabrielle Gregg said she talks to her doctor, eats well and exercises. You should probably do some more research on the fat acceptance movement before you attempt to define it, your description above is pretty inaccurate. Your stance is also oversimplified and knee jerk, the issue of fatness is more complicated than the solution you’re relating.