Fat - Jezebel

posts about #fat more →
Shine On The Dotted Line
Study: Even Plus-Size Models Lower Self-Esteem
Female Fighter Slams Sexism, Fat People
Too Fat For Sex? — Or Too Crazy?
WTF Moment On Morning TV
Scientists Dream Up New, More Disgusting Form Of Liposuction
"Happy" Fat Acceptance Anniversary? 40 Years, Not Much Progress
More To Love Premieres Tonight; Two "Fat" Writers Weigh In
Idiotic Product "Turns Eating Into Exercise"
Owner Of Defunct Sex Gym Thinks Regina Benjamin Is Too Fat To Serve

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redqueenmeg
10/22/09

In reply to Shine On The Dotted Line
Anyone who can sprint, run, or jog for any length of time whatsoever has my total admiration. I will never be able to do it. #wellspringacademy
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PaintedTrollop
10/22/09

In reply to Shine On The Dotted Line
They look happy - they look like they're having fun. I'm cool with that. #wellspringacademy
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Vivelafat says Sweep the leg, Johnny.
10/22/09

@PaintedTrollop: Co-signed. They look like they are enjoying themselves. Who cares if that leads to weight loss. Equating fun with exercise is the really important part. #wellspringacademy
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mama_t
10/22/09

In reply to Shine On The Dotted Line
slightly OT... I really, really want to learn to like running. It's cheap, it's easy, and it works.

But I HATE IT. I hate it on a treadmill, I hate it on the street. Does anyone have any tips on how to get over this so that I can get myself healthier? #wellspringacademy
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thehighshelf
10/22/09

@mama_t: There are beginner programs called "c25k", which is couch to 5K. If you look them up, you'll find some really nice programs that don't expect you run out the door and go for an hour. runner's world has some decent programs online. #wellspringacademy
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Triphena
10/22/09

@thehighshelf: One of my friends did this program over the summer and ran her first 5k in 30 minutes in September. She really enjoyed the pacing of it and said that it was a great way to ease into running. #wellspringacademy
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mama_t
10/22/09

@thehighshelf: This sounds great, I'll look into it! Thanks, all. #wellspringacademy
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tankearae
10/22/09

@mama_t: As someone who is well into their second decade of being a reasonably competitive runner, this is what I tell people:

Learning to run is like breaking in a pair of shoes. For some people...its like a stilleto (and an expensive one): looks so much better than all the pain associated with it. But you invested a lot into wearing the damn things...and you're not gonna take a loss. But it takes awhile to get used to the feeling...though eventually, you do.

That said, I think a lot of people can't get used to the cramps and labored breathing you feel at first. You learn. It hurts for most people at first, but most people eventually don't feel the pain anymore. At least most of the people I've suckered into our little cult.

If you're truly curious about a beginning program, I recommend this: [www.coolrunning.com] #wellspringacademy
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Elaken
10/22/09

@mama_t: I started that and got up to running 10 minutes at a time at a decent pace. Hated every second of the running though. When I fast walk I can think about things, when I run all that goes through my head is "I hate this." Then of course I stopped doing it and tried again and suddenly 3 minutes was killing me so I have to start again from the beginning.

So what I got from this is, those programs are awesome into getting you able to run but if you are like me you still aren't going to like it. #wellspringacademy
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TOBERMORY
10/22/09

@Elaken: I started with a beginner's running group in May and am now up to 3-4 miles at a time. I will say, the first 1/2 mile or so ALWAYS sucks. For some reason, things perk up a little after you get through that.

One thing I will add (and if you check out the info on the Runner's World website, this is really emphasized), make sure your shoes are correct for you. The easiest way to do this is to go to a local (not big box) running store and ask to be checked out. I lost about a month due to Achilles tendon issues b/c I started on old shoes. #wellspringacademy
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Zulkey
10/22/09

@mama_t: if you have the money, see a trainer who is a runner for a few times. I see a personal trainer already but I told her I was interested in running and she showed me how to use better form and just generally coached me through enough runs to make me realize I'm better at it than I knew. #wellspringacademy
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Elaken
10/22/09

@TOBERMORY: Well that is encouraging. Maybe I can compel myself to start again, knowing that at some point it won't be too wretched. #wellspringacademy
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JustMe
10/22/09

In reply to Shine On The Dotted Line
They are doing awesome. When I run semi-competitive charity races, I like the volunteers who cheer us on yelling things like, "You look great! Keep it up! Good for you!" and sometimes "Thank you!" I feel like yelling encouraging things at these 2. Even THANK YOU - for inspiring others, including me - it's been probably 3+ years since I've done a charity race. They're doing great. #wellspringacademy
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LaComtesse
10/22/09

In reply to Shine On The Dotted Line
I'm curious and pose this to anyone with experience in this area-- is it helpful, dangerous, or potentially both to put a teen in a "weight/body awareness immersion" school? I'm certain that counselors are trained to avoid issues of body fixation, but can anyone succeed in that when you're going on almost constantly about health and fitness? #wellspringacademy
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bluebears
10/22/09

@LaComtesse: I am no expert. However I find the concept sort of disturbing. I feel the same way about The Biggest Loser and those types of shows. I mean, I think good health should, ideally, be a part of your daily life. I'm not saying its all bad or anything, but I think the real test comes when you're NOT in an environment where your being constantly hovered over and told to run this now or eat this now. Plus I do think it encourages kids to fixate. I don't know though...I'm conflicted. #wellspringacademy
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brokenscope
10/22/09

@LaComtesse: I would wager that what they do hinges on being healthy, not being thin or "beautiful". I would also wager that weight in of itself is not the focus.

I think the only reason we see it in the article is because it's a quick simple metric for an article. Most people wouldn't have any idea how to interpret something like body fat percentage or other good metrics of health.

Of course I'm assuming they are actually successful, and not a money sink. Benefit of the doubt.

EDIT: Eh, I think their whole "eat a low fat diet" thing is silly, but what ever.
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JerseyGrrrl
10/22/09

@LaComtesse: The only "experience" I have in this area is having been a teenager in a high school. But I wonder if being in an environment in which everyone is facing the same challenge translates into a more positive environment. Like, instead of facing constant taunts and cruelty, you're just another student with a similar goal. Or am I being naive, and is there likely a hierarchy and culture of teasing/meanness at any school?? #wellspringacademy
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LaComtesse
10/22/09

@bluebears: Likewise.

The environmental issue is huge, but the same could be said of rehab and no one says you shouldn’t go to that. And in some cases, I’m sure there’s similar destructive behaviors: emotional eating, food addiction, etc. BUT, are distinctions made between kids who are unhealthy, either emotionally or physically and kids who are just fat but otherwise healthy: kids who perhaps have self esteem issues from the societal pressures of being thin, which should be a completely different approach and perhaps school. In short, are we treating being fat in the same way we treat addiction and if so why, and is this the best approach to the situation?

On the other hand, being fat and not being fat is a person’s own damn business. If one decides to lose weight, they don’t owe it to anyone to stay larger because they owe it to the Fat Acceptance community or anything. So I applaud kids taking acting upon this resolve. I just don’t know if the methods are necessarily helpful. #wellspringacademy
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kimboslice
10/22/09

@LaComtesse: I think it's a good idea. They teach teens how to break unhealthy lifestyle patterns and gain awareness over their bodies and food. At the same time, they are in an environment with others like them, who understand their issues. #wellspringacademy
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LaComtesse
10/22/09

@brokenscope: Yeah, a lot of these places have weekly weigh ins.

@JerseyGrrrl: It is my understanding that at almost every fat camp I've heard of, kids still make fun of the "fattest" kid there. It's kinda tragic.

@AvaAdore: Being aware of your body/weight is very different from having a valid outlet to discuss it ad nauseum with peers and authority figures. I question if that's healthy. It normalizes potentially bad behavior. #wellspringacademy
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Caitastrophe
10/22/09

@LaComtesse: I saw this school on some DiscoveryHealth channel called something extreme like "Britain's fattest teen" or something like that. And based on what I saw on the show (which obviously should be taken w/ a grain of salt because I think they may have paid for this girl to go to this school) the school seemed well-balanced. They showed the girl at home trying to cook healthy meals with her mom, which didn't seem ridiculous as far as calorie or food group restriction. And a lot of the girls talked about finally being somewhere where they were singled out. #wellspringacademy
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theKP
10/22/09

@LaComtesse: The way it was put to me by one eating disorder counselor is that if you put a group of young women on a diet, a certain percentage of them will probably develop eating disorders. We don't know why exactly it triggers some people and not others, and more and more they think there's a biological basis. So the body awareness component would be operating in tandem with other factors that aren't easy to control or foresee. But I guess if we're going to encourage young women to lose weight I'd rather they did it in a controlled supervised environment rather than on their own. #wellspringacademy
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LaComtesse
10/22/09

@kimboslice: But are they unhealthy. We often equate fat with unhealthy and sometimes that's true and sometimes that's not at all the case. #wellspringacademy
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Runaddict
10/22/09

@LaComtesse: I'm a fat camp alum. Spent time at Camp Kingsmont in the mid 90's as both a counselor and a camper. It's not nearly so cut and dried and rarely are the fattest kids ever made fun of. Generally they received the most support because you can see how they struggle so to do basic things.

But that's not to say it was a perfect utopia of support. Many kids were made fun of or ostracized. Sometimes it was because they were thin (yes, thin kids did go to fat camp because they had crazy parents for the most part) and thus got to eat what they wanted and/or were treated special. Or they were flat out awful human beings. Mean girls come in all shapes and sizes.

Fat camp is an interesting place. I could write so much about it. #wellspringacademy
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LaComtesse
10/22/09

@Runaddict: "Fat camp is an interesting place. I could write so much about it."

I wish you would! #wellspringacademy
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kimboslice
10/22/09

@LaComtesse: Well, I think it's generally recognized that you don't get to that point without some unhealthy decisions involved. I'm fighting the battle against my weight right now, and I will DEFINITELY say that I made some incredibly unhealthy choices along the way. #wellspringacademy
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denapsu
10/22/09

In reply to Shine On The Dotted Line
I wish I had something like Wellspring when I was in high school or college. These girls are inspirational #wellspringacademy
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GirlFailer
10/22/09

In reply to Shine On The Dotted Line
Man they look happy. I enjoy running, but still somehow end up looking like one of the characters from Attack of the Killer Tomatoes while I'm running. #wellspringacademy
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bellzar08
10/22/09

In reply to Shine On The Dotted Line
I hope Marissa sees this: You are awesome, amazing, inspiring, confident and damn, well done! #wellspringacademy
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shorty63136
10/22/09

In reply to Shine On The Dotted Line
Good for you, Marissa! #wellspringacademy
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Vivien Smith-Smythe-Smith
10/15/09

In reply to Study: Even Plus-Size Models Lower Self-Esteem
I know you can be underweight, and I know you can be overweight, but can you ever just be weight? #selfesteemandmodels
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cate3710
10/15/09

@Vivien Smith-Smythe-Smith: I think you can in Europe. #selfesteemandmodels
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girlzilla
10/15/09

In reply to Study: Even Plus-Size Models Lower Self-Esteem
Are we ever going to start holding people personally responsible for their own self-esteem? Instead of blaming the advertising/fashion industry for it? I'm not saying that those industries cannot or don't exert influence over how women perceive themselves, but pointing the finger first and foremost at models/ads and not realizing that no one can make you feel a certain way unless you LET them... that's only giving women permission to victimize themselves rather than sit up and say "you know what, that model looks damn good all skinny and tall/plump and dewey and I don't look like that, but that's OK and it doesnt reflect on me, and her looking like that is completely unnecessary cuz I would STILL buy those sweeeet shoes, but I'm not gonna huff and puff about it because they're wayyyy more important things in life that determine my happiness anyways... " #selfesteemandmodels
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Katxyz
10/15/09

In reply to Study: Even Plus-Size Models Lower Self-Esteem
"Dirk Smeesters of Erasmus University in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Thomas Mussweiler of the University of Cologne in Germany and Naomi Mandel of Arizona State University
in Tempe recommended overweight consumers avoid looking at ads with any models -- thin or heavy."

Avoiding looking at any ads with any models sounds just about impossible without locking yourself in a dark little closet and screening visitors. #selfesteemandmodels
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jigglyball
10/15/09

In reply to Study: Even Plus-Size Models Lower Self-Esteem
Perhaps I'm being obtuse, but why is physical appearance always the indicator researchers use in self esteem studies? I mean, I understand why (especially given the context of this particular study), but I think a lot of this research just reinforces the (ludicrous) idea that self esteem is something you gain primarily from external factors. My mom and dad always said that self esteem meant not being shaken by descrepancies between you and beauty ideals/restrictive social norms. Then again, they're optimistic folk. #selfesteemandmodels
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tallgirl-in-heels
10/15/09

@jigglyball: I wonder if the test subjects were mostly young women and how the findings would change if a study like this was done on "older" women. It seems to me that the more time you've had to build your self-esteem in ways that aren't necessarily related to how you look, the less affected you'd be. Anecdotally speaking, when I was younger I would have been one of those women whose self-esteem plummeted after looking at models. But now I find I'm much less affected. I think that's because over time I've built my self-esteem though things like education, career, travel, and fulfilling personal relationships. I know aging is a whole other can of worms in our society, and not every woman is fortunate to have the same opportunities I've had. But still, I wonder how the age of the test subjects might factor into the findings. #selfesteemandmodels
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Bgirl_Hamster
10/15/09

@tallgirl-in-heels: Oh so true. Looking at pictures of models doesn’t effect my self-esteem at all anymore. What does make me feel crappy about myself is when a girl my age has accomplished something I could only dream about, or when a peer in my classes answers a question flawlessly, brilliantly, and confidently, or when college friends’ careers really take off. I so wonder if age and marital status are a determining factor in what lowers self-esteem. #selfesteemandmodels
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braak
10/15/09

In reply to Study: Even Plus-Size Models Lower Self-Esteem
Maybe the thing to do is to stop reading fashion magazines at all, until they just put in pictures of clothes without any women in them. #selfesteemandmodels
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lermanzo
10/15/09

In reply to Study: Even Plus-Size Models Lower Self-Esteem
i am a size 14-16. too fat for 99.9% of designer lines. THIS IS WHY FASHION MAGS ARE DEPRESSING. #selfesteemandmodels
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