Why Fat Is Not A Feeling

Have you ever said to yourself, "I feel fat today." I can't even tell you how many times I said this to myself in my 20's, looking in the mirror, judging myself harshly.

What saying these words in a judgmental way actually does is push us further away from ourselves.

First, what does it even mean to be "fat?" It is our culture that has defined that being fat is "bad." In history, fat was previously connected to fertility, wealth, and beauty. In the past several decades, globalization of fat stigma has occurred. Weight shaming has been connected to depression, low self esteem, and weight gain. Research is also showing that there can be health at every size.

We can no longer listen to the cultural message that living in a larger body is a threat to health or our ability to be loved, appreciated, and accepted. Additionally, there are many who are reclaiming the word fat and making it something that feels empowering to them. If we continue to say the words, "I feel fat" in a way that puts being fat as something that is "bad" we perpetuate the cycle that there is a certain body type every individual is "supposed" to have.

Next, fat is not a feeling. Fat is something that we need to have on our body to be alive. Fat is a macronutrient in food. Fat is not a feeling. When we say we feel fat, this can actually be a cover-up and a distraction to how we're actually feeling. Think back to the last time you might have said this to yourself. Did you feel empowered? Did it make you feel closer to yourself? Did you feel clearer about what you were needing after you said this to yourself? Did actually saying this spark more self judgment and a heightened focus on your body shape?

The next time you notice the thought bubbling up wanting to say you are fat, here are some different ways you can respond.

1. Own it!

We have to strip away the previously defined meaning of what we have been taught being fat means. If your thoughts say, "I'm feeling fat" just own it. You can say back, "yes we are fat (or phat 😉), we have fat, we appreciate the fat." These words are just words that only mean something by the way we interpret them. Stop fighting the thought and just own that you are fat and that is alright. You get to make new meaning out of what you want that to mean to you. Our interpretation of our thoughts can be powerful to support us in bolstering our self esteem and feeling confident in the skin we are in.

2. Get curious.

Again, fat is not a feeling. Start to explore how you actually feel in that moment. Do you feel heavy? Sad? Stressed? Tense? Tight? Describe how you feel in your body back to yourself. The "I feel fat" statement can start to be your guiding light showing you that there are other emotions and sensations wanting and needing your attention. This thought is guiding you back to yourself to be with what is. When we embrace and accept our emotions, we step out of an inner battle of fighting what is where the intensity of what is showing up can decrease.

3. Take intentional action.

If what you discover is that actually you feel emotionally heavy, you then get to work with those sensations to explore how you want to be with or move those sensations through your body. Notice what heaviness feels like and make it alright to feel this way. If you desire to feel lighter in the moment, you can begin to explore what actions and thoughts would support you in feeling light just as you are right here and right now without having to change a thing about your physical appearance.

Can you imagine a world where women felt empowered in their bodies no matter what? Can you imagine a world where everyone felt respected and appreciated for who they are? How would that shift and change how we spend our time or what we focus on or what we put our energy toward?

The change we want to see in this world of more body acceptance starts within each one of us. When we start showing up for ourselves differently, we start showing up differently with those around us where you will become a role model for others that they too can love and appreciate themselves exactly how they are.