Fat ain't that bad.

Alright y'all.  Here's the lowdown for the week.  Some days, no matter how hard you try to stay positive, remind yourself you're beautiful and treat yourself with compassion, you're just going to feel fat.  Unfortunately it's one of those facts of life that seems to be unavoidable as a woman in the 21st century.

But instead of wallowing in hatred of your little tummy pooch or just-too-jiggly arms, how about a little reminder from one of my favorite women that fat is not the end of the world?

Take a peek...

 

How about that ladies and gents?  I want to talk about this for a moment because I think it's important in the journey towards self-love that you have something to cling to during a setback.  Sure, when I'm feeling down on myself, do I try to brighten things back up?  Of course!  But does it always work?  No.  Some days it's just not going to happen. Some days life just throws you a bad mood that you're going to have to ride out.  But do you have to do it without a little help from your friends?  Nope!

One of the things that helps me through these "moods" (and I call them moods because it's not like you're any fatter than you were yesterday when you were feeling fine), is reminding myself that even if I have somehow magically become fat overnight, it's really not the end of the world.  Because at the end of the day, even if you really are little chunky, there are so many things that are worse than being fat.  As Ms. Rowling so aptly addresses, would you really rather be skinny and superficial?  Skinny and bitter?  Skinny and bland?  In this moment, you might be thinking, "Yes, I actually would, so why don't you just leave me alone and let me wallow in my obesity?!"  Because we both know that's not true!  We both know that once you get past that shitty mood you're in right now, you are one seriously incredible woman with so much more going for you than your pant size alone. 

One of the worst things about humans is that we're so quick to judge each other, especially us girls.  We will judge virtually anybody based on a little extra thigh or some overhanging back fat.  But one of our biggest flaws is also one of our greatest attributes, in a sense, because if we're judging each other on being fat, that means that we can also judge each other (and ourselves) on other things as well.  Do you have a killer sense of style?  One point for you.  Do you help others without being asked?  That's another one.  Are you really great at the things you set your mind to? You're up to three!  Got a bright shining future ahead of you?  Four for you, Glen Coco!

When you're playing the "I'm so fat the world is going to end" game with yourself, take a moment to remember that you are so, SO much more than your weight or your measurements or anything else you've decided to physically judge yourself on.  Of course it's okay to have a bad day.  Of course it's okay to just let yourself feel bad for a little bit.  But while you're feeling bad, just take a moment to remind yourself that this mood is going to pass, and even if those fat feelings remain for a while, you are still just as amazing as you were before these feelings hit.  If you're willing to put aside your body issues for just a second and recognize the one thousand positive things that make you a beautiful, strong and incredible human being, I promise you that other people will start doing the same. #