This post has been on my mind for a very long time and I’m finally going to get it out. Inspiration for these posts came from the article in The Monthly titled, “Fat City: What Can Stop Obesity”. The article is well written, from a doctor’s perspective, but really only touches on the majority of issues surrounding our obsession with the “F” word. In our culture you’re either fat, avoiding fat, or aren’t fat. I’ve been searching for the reasons why one single word causes such grief, hate, and misery. Fat has become a word so interconnected with our sense of self and body image that some people literally fear it.

So, let’s talk frankly and cut the fat. Part 1 will be about our mindset and fear of fat, Part 2 covers the actual reasons why obesity is on the rise (FDA, agriculture, lifestyle, psychology), and Part 3 will be partially my story and hopefully a call to action for us all to change from fat fear to health gain. I have a lot to say here, someone grab me the megaphone.

Part 1 – Why We Fear Fat; the Mindset of Anti-Fat

Let me start by saying something: avoiding fat is an unhealthy mindset. This pattern of thinking leads to destructive behaviors, diets, and workout plans. I truly believe the goal of fitness and wellness is just that – to be fit and well. Studies have shown that intrinsic motivation (wanting to work out for the sake of feeling good) plays a much larger role in fitness adherence than extrinsic motivation (wanting to look good) across the board. By avoiding fat, we drive ourselves into a corner where outside validation and body fat percentage determines our value as a person.

Don’t get me wrong, I have feared fat. I’d be lying if my teenage chubby self didn’t fear gaining weight and being called even more names. No one wants to be fat because of the negative associations with fatness. Fat is not as sciencey sounding as “obese”. Fat is shame, harmful to your health, and automatically linked to laziness and sloth instead of psychology, socio-economic factors, and even genetic predispositions. Fat says more about you than your hair color, intelligence, and creativity. Fat says you are worth less to others. And why?

These two fitness magazines skeeze me out. I found these in a major grocery center with women looking photo-shopped to oblivion. The legs on the left and the waist line on the right are disturbingly tiny for how much muscle they have. Key point: slender and healthy ladies are also lovely, but the contrast between built arms, tight abs, and no quads seems very unrealistic. I know that baby steps are important when it comes to women’s issues (eg:”Strong, fit, and toned” is an amazing message and Oxygen gets my vote for trying), but FitnessRx says “Drop 10 LBS” and the “Holiday Diet” tag actually says,

“Eat all you want, burn, fat like crazy, stay healthy!” You can catch a glimpse of the words “Melt Away Fat” at the bottom. There it is. Avoid fat. Is this what fitness has come down to?

Our mindset about fat holds power. This works in many ways including the “Strong is the New Skinny” fad. I ate that up when it first came out and loved the new emphasis on muscle, tone, and strength. I am strong in so many ways and it felt good to call out from the mountains, I am an amazing strong b*tch and my thighs touch! Come over and watch me deadlift your body weight. But, as time went on, this has only compounded the issue further. Strong is the new skinny/sexy/right shape is still on the far end of the avoiding fat spectrum. By being strong, we aren’t fat just as by being skinny we weren’t fat. It’s the same words in a different context. If you are strong, you are sexy. You aren’t fat and furthermore, you are attractive and valuable (that’s a whole ‘nother post about how this still objectifies women).

Also, the pictures, oi. The pictures are the worst part. I know a few women who figure model or who have that cut lean six pack but does anyone know how much work this actually takes? I applaud them because I can carb cycle and cut until I OD on sweet potato mash, but a real ab wall isn’t going to happen for me. I believe the goal in getting healthy should not be a six pack (unless you’re a professional) just like the goal in getting strong should not be to avoid being fat.

Let’s be honest and really try and talk about our prejudices and fat avoidance. We fear fat, but why? I think Karen Hitchcock said it very well:

I don’t know if there is any force that could purposefully change a culture’s definition of beauty. Is fat inherently ugly? Ask Aristotle, Susie Orbach, Naomi Wolf. Their answers are different, their arguments from different places. It is not an empirical question although it reads as one. Today when we look at those who are thin, part of what we see is a triumph of will over gluttony, so the beauty is a moral beauty; it has little to do with health.

A moral beauty. As I previously stated, your physical appearance becomes a statement of your worth. You have not been able to control, strategize, and win the war against your own body and furthermore against your own psychology. This is weakness and being strong, lean, and physically appealing is the greatest measure of your ability to conquer temptation. This thought pattern is so destructive to all women, thin, muscular, chubby, tall, etc.

Your conquest of sin or temptation does not manifest itself in your body; it shows through your actions, how you interact with others, and your various and wonderful forms of intelligence. The only thing we should think about anyone else’s size is that they are on their own path and, relative to you, are either further along or in a place you have never been. Some people may never catch up, but it is not our obligation to tell them to hurry. It is our obligation as people to be kind and understanding.

Fat avoidance is tricky and controversial. I’ve heard all the health arguments possible but these still have a deep root in our internal fears about external judgement. In closing, ask yourself the following questions:

Do I fear fat for myself or others? Why? How do I feel about the perception of my appearance? Is health and wellness my ultimate goal?

Part 2 next week!