Adventures of a Maude in Training

My (belated) HAES thought for the day: Stop using the word "fat" to mean ugly, less than, repugnant, shameful, bad, wrong, or anything less than the simple size-descriptor that it is. Stop using it as in insult to yourself or others. Neutralize the word in your own language usage and others may follow.

My HAES thought for the day: Step away from the weight-loss "reality TV" humilitainment shows. Shows like "The Biggest Loser" et al, do not exist for any reason other than to make money for their producers, networks, and advertisers. They are not helping *anyone*. This type of programming is harmful all around and is actually a rather shameful by-product of a fat-phobic society.

My HAES thought for today, a little late since I was out being all HAES-ish with the Fly Girls: Try reading a size-positive/HAES/fat politics-related blog. Lesley Kinzel's Two Whole Cakes (formerly Fatsionista) at http://blog.twowholecakes.com/, Big Fat Blog at http://www.bigfatblog.com/, and Well Rounded Mama at http://www.wellroundedmama.blogspot.com/ are just a few you could check out.

My HAES thought for the day: Do something that makes you feel good in your body. It could be a walk, a massage, a soak in a hot tub, going for a swim, taking a hot shower, getting a facial, getting your hair cut, doing yoga, going to a dance class, etc. Just do something, anything, that makes you feel good in your body.

My HAES thought for the day: Try a new-to-you fruit or vegetable, or try a new way of preparing one that you typically dislike. Do this for the fun of it and variety in your daily food intake, not as a weight-loss strategy. You may discover a whole new world of food to enjoy!

I say this as someone who didn't eat a wide variety of vegetables for a long time. Over the past ten years or so I have really broadened my horizons and we eat a whole lot of produce around here. Fruits and vegetables we eat a lot of, assuming they are in season, are: Apples, pears, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, bananas, peaches, nectarines, kale, cauliflower, potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas, green beans, lettuce (many varieties), strawberries, celery, carrots, onions, garlic, bell peppers, cucumbers, summer squash, leeks, Brussels sprouts, corn, citrus fruit (grapefruit, oranges, tangerines, kumquats, satsumas, etc.), avocados, and tomatoes (a whole lot of tomatoes). Items that we eat less frequently (but still eat!) are: okra, celery root, fennel, spinach, chard, plums, winter squash, mushrooms, snap peas, snow peas, persimmons and artichokes.

Now go try something from that list! If you are at a loss as to how to prepare it, ask me...I probably know a way.

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 thought for the day: Don't make self-deprecating remarks about your body. It only feeds your own body hatred and the body hatred of those around you. You are not talking about just you, nor do you affect just you, when you make body-hating comments about yourself. Find a way to be positive, even if you have to fake it until you can make it.

So, instead of saying hateful things about your body, how about finding something positive to say? It can be anything, no matter how small. Your self-love will encourage others to love themselves and their bodies as well.

And this goes double for parents. Your kids take their cues from you. Kids often learn to hate their bodies because their parents' hated their own bodies. Help stop this cycle.