Voiceless no more and a famous fat person just says no.

A while ago, I was interviewed for a paper about the Fatosphere (Unforunately you have to buy it or get a copy through the local library, here is the abstract). The interviewers wanted to know how writing my blog affected my wellbeing. The paper was about weight-based stigma and the fatosphere's response to it.  

Researchers who have examined the social consequences of obesity have shown that obese individuals experience extensive stigma and discrimination, which in turn impacts negatively on their physical and mental health outcomes

At the recent NAAFA con I talked about dealing with negative comments on my blog. When it was suggested I stop writing it, I knew I couldn't. This blog had become not only my voice but my therapy. I encourage everyone to start a fat positive blog or if you aren't one for writing, a twitter account.  The fatosphere is one of the few places that you can have a mostly safe space to tell everyone you love your body and give yourself a voice against the tide of fat hatred. This study shows that being a fat acceptance blogger can help you cope better with fat stigma.

And speaking of loving your body, Chef Julie Goodwin has refused a deal with Jenny Craig, not only because she is a chef and all chefs should be horrified by the idea of processed food, but because she has no interest in weight loss and loves her curves.  (Although sadly after Goodwin turned it down, the deal was offered and accepted by comedian Rebel Wilson of Bridesmaids).