HAES: Do it anyway

HAES thought for today: Is there something you are not doing because you believe yourself too fat to do it or you are waiting to do it until you are thinner? How about just going for it? It could be anything: taking a dance class, buying a swimsuit, swimming in a public pool, going hiking, getting married, dating, etc.--these are all things we can do at any size, regardless of what we are led to believe.

I want to add that I know many things can be extra-daunting for fat people for myriad reasons (not the least of which is a very legitimate fear of ridicule) and I know that at as a smaller, able-bodied, fat I have an easier time of it. I am... not trying to dismiss anyone's struggles.

That said, as a larger and smaller fat I have done all of the following: swam and competed on a master's swim team, taken countless dance classes, joined a dance company, gotten married, hiked the Harding Icefield Trail in Alaska, swam with my children in public pools, been on TV, performed all over the place, performed while showing a whole lotta' leg, had two babies one of which was a successful VBAC, choreographed numerous dance pieces, and taught dance classes to fat and thin people.

HAES: Get treated

HAES for the day: Have you put off treatment for a medical issue because you fear getting weighed and fat-shaming by your doctor? PLEASE seek treatment. Saying, "I'd prefer not to be weighed" or asking to be weighed backwards are helpful strategies. If the doctor insists on discussing your weight you can say "I am here to discuss issue X, not my weight. Please tell me how we can treat issue X in the absence of weight loss."

Also, bring an advocate! Having another person in the room with you can really help make the visit more productive and professional by helping to keep the doctor focused on why you are seeing them that day, and not on weight loss. It can also help ease your anxiety in the situation, and your advocate can help take notes and ask questions.