I’ve been holding myself back in my self-acceptance journey, long after I stopped relying on the scale. Can you guess what my mistake was?
Here’s a hint: if you lift weights, you may be doing this, too.
Women and Strength
Why We Need Fat Role Models
When Tess Holliday was featured in May 2015 in People magazine, I saw some commentary discussing whether Tess was a “good role model.” I felt very uneasy when I saw this.
Not even getting into the arguments that we can look up to people for their talents or accomplishments without wanting to look like them. Not even getting into the fact that people seem to always be quick to point out that happy fat people could be construed as “promoting obesity.” Not even getting into the fact that if a thin or average sized person becomes famous for their accomplishments or talents, nobody questions their body and whether it compromises their worthiness as a role model.
Not even taking any of these things into account, I’m going to go so far as to say that we NEED fat role models. Yes, I said it. Not just “it’s okay that they exist.” I’m saying that I’m glad that they exist, because we need them.
Overthinking: Kid-Friendly Alternatives to the Porch Gym
Now that my health is getting back on track, and my hormone cycles are regulating, I’m starting to notice some patterns. I’ve been feeling down the past couple days, and noticing that I felt down almost exactly one month ago as well. Right around this particular time in my cycle, my body image is low, and the weights feel heavy. A friend shared this article with me a few months ago, and I’ve been noticing this trend in myself too (hello luteal phase!). Things in my life also seem to weigh heavier on my mind. It’s good that I am noticing these patterns, so I can recognize when things are weighing heavier than they normally would.
Power, Peace, and the Porch Gym 