My thoughts on the word "fat"

I've posted my thoughts on the word "fat" on Instagram before, but with the start of my blog, I am getting some of the same comments that spark my desire to address this again but in more words, so here goes.

Things that people say to me when they hear or read my social media handle:

"You're not even fat!"

"Why can't you call yourself something nicer? Like, chubby? or Husky? or Phat? or Plus size? or Curvy?"


I have my reasons, and here they are.

1. Fat as a negative term is a social construct

In 2012, I traveled to Ghana in Africa as part of a study abroad program through Eastern Washington University (GO EAGS) to learn about disabilities in a third world country.

I was called fat multiple times, or my size was brought up in comparison to others in the group by Africans multiple times.  And looking back at pictures, I feel like I was skinny!! But that's beside the point.

Views from the Elmina Slave Castle in Ghana

We went into a convenience-style store in a smaller village, and the two women working there couldn't stop staring at me.  They literally followed me around, I thought they were worried that I was going to steal something.  Then as I was leaving one of them said, "You are so beautiful.  You have the most beautiful chin I have ever seen."  It is possible that they very rarely see white people, but I had to stop myself from laughing out loud when I got that compliment.  A beautiful chin?!?!  Then I realized, its because I had a double chin 🤣🤣🤣

So fat = a good thing in certain cultures.  Fat = a bad thing in other cultures.  If you know me, you know cultural constructs kinda bother me, especially when people assume that our culture is the correct way to think.  Our religion is the only correct religion.  Our holidays are the only true holidays.  Our way of doing things is the right way, everyone else is just not there yet.  So the negative connotation that the word "fat" has means nothing to me.  It's a social construct.

Another example - In Mexican/Spanish cultures, adults use the word "gordo/gorda", calling kids "fatties."  When I first started working with Mexican babies and their Spanish-speaking parents, parents would consistently refer to the babies as "fatty" in Spanish, I was like WTF thats a baby! Of course it's chubby, it's supposed to be! Poor baby!  But when I learned "gordo/gorda" was a term of endearment, I remembered my time in Ghana.  & again, the negativity of the word is a social construct.

Fat is an adjective.  We have made it negative.  It's not.  It's a descriptive word.  

I am an advocate for person-first language (i.e. people with disabilities vs disabled people, or person with autism vs autistic person). You could argue that calling myself a "fat girl" is not person-first.  I should use "girl who is fat".  But. That isn't as harsh and in your face.  And I'm going for harsh and in your face.  I'll talk about that later.

2. Fatness does not equal unhealthiness

I'll say it louder for the people in the back

FATNESS DOESNT EQUAL UNHEALTHINESS

I feel like the assumption that being fat is a negative thing, is because fatness is associated with unhealthiness.  & obviously, fat CAN equal unhealthiness, but my BMI is 38% (aka VERY overweight) and my blood pressure is perfect.  My resting heart rate is outstanding.  I'm healthy.  A family member is convinced that something is medically wrong for me to be fat and is constantly encouraging me to get my blood drawn, but no thanks.  I'm healthy.  Just kinda fat.


I've had doctors tell me that medication is contraindicated because of my weight.  But my blood pressure is good and I'm active, so I "should be fine."  Yeah.  I will be fine.  Because I'm healthy.  I lift weights 4+ times a week.  I climb mountains. I eat homemade chicken and spinach salads for lunch.  I am conscious of what I put into my body, because I want to be efficient in the mountains.  I'm still fat.  But i'm healthy.  & I am not the only person with this experience.

3. The doctor says I'm overweight, so yeah, I am fat

For all the people that say "you're not even fat!"  Actually, I am.  I'm pretty good at hiding it.  But i am fat. & thats all I have to say about that.

4. It's empowering, not only to me, but to others

Again, I'm calling it like it is, and I'm emphasizing that its a descriptive word, not a negative insult. Obviously, i'm not going to walk down the street and be like "What's up fatty." Just because I believe it's not a negative term, doesn't mean other people feel that way.  But raising awareness over the fact that it IS a social construct is empowering to me.  And from what other people have told me, it is empowering for them too. 

5. Using the word fat gets the point across

The shock factor of calling myself "fat girl hiking" is what people seem to be impacted by.  Like, wow thats harsh.  But that's the point.

You might see my account on Instagram and be like "huh, that's eye catching, lets see how fat this chick really is" And then someone sees my account, learns something, and the world is better for it.  calling myself fat raises attention for people to notice me and know what I'm about, just from my name. 




SO


I wasn't raised with this mindset.  I had to learn it.  Calling myself fat makes my tiny mother cringe, as she sees it as negative. 

I am NOT saying go out and eat a bunch of cake and get obese because its good to be fat.  I AM saying go out and do whatever the f you want and be who you want to be and do you.  Happiness is what matters in the end.  If you're unhappy because you have fat on your bones, I hope this post can help you realize that fatness is not bad.  Weight loss might seem like the answer to your happiness, but true, genuine happiness comes from MF self-acceptance. 

- Lexi