National Healthy Weight Week

 This week is also the annual Delta Delta Delta Fat Talk Free Week.    As part of Fat Talk Free Week, women all over the country are pledging to stop fat talking for just one week.  Hopefully, this week will become a month, a year, a LIFETIME!  We don’t need Fat Talk in our world, at all.

 Did you know…

• 54% of women would rather be hit by a truck than be fat.
• The average American woman is 5’4” tall, weights 140 lbs, and wears a size 12 or 14.  Fashion models are thinner than 98% of American women.
• Barbie, the best selling fashion doll in the world, has unattainable and unhealthy body proportions. If she were alive, her waist would be smaller than patients with anorexia nervosa, and she would be unable to menstruate.
• 1 in 4 women have avoided engaging in a physical activity or sport because they feel badly about the way they look.
• 81% of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat. 51% of 9 and 10 year old girls feel better about themselves if they are on a diet.
• Seventy percent of young women say they want to look like a TV character.

 I don’t know about you, but I do NOT want my daughter to grow up in a world like this.  I don’t want her to strive for an unrealistic, Photoshopped concept of beauty.   And guess what – I don’t want to do it, either!

   PLEASE take the pledge to stop Fat Talking this week. 

I rarely Fat Talk anymore, but I definitely CAUGHT myself doing it this morning!  I was still so full from last night’s heavy meal and felt so bloated.  I was brushing my teeth when I realized that I was actually thinking, “Ugh, I feel so FAT!”

 I immediately corrected myself.  I stood up straight, looked at myself in the mirror, and said out loud, “That is ridiculous.  One indulgent meal on a nice date does not mean ANYTHING.” 

 I didn’t even believe my Fat Talk when I thought about it, it was just a knee-jerk reaction to a really big meal.  But, that kind of thinking is so damaging, especially if you let yourself do it all the time.  It really does add up and hurt you mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.

It happens! That is why it is SO important to be AWARE of Fat Talk and stay conscious of your behaviors.

Delta Delta Delta, who is sponsoring Fat Talk Free Week, sent out a newsletter with this Fat Talk Free Tip:

Stand in front of a mirror alone wearing as revealing an outfit as you can without being overly uncomfortable. Write down only positive attributes about yourself, including emotional/personality (e.g. I like my sense of humor, I like that I care about others) AND physical (e.g. I like my legs, I like my hips). Write down everything that you like and make it as long as possible.

 Do you have any other tips for stopping Fat Talk?  I think the immediate correction tip works really well for me, as well as remembering my past accomplishments.

The Real Deal with Fat Talk:

I was SHOCKED the moment the thought crossed my mind!  I truly have not Fat Talked in quite a while, either out loud or in my own head.  Part of me was horrified, and the other part of me was really, really confused.  Not only am I definitely not getting “soft,” but even if I was – I would normally NEVER speak to myself in that horrible, disparaging tone.

I intellectually know how bad Fat Talking is, and I understand that it has no place in my life.  I try to replace all my Fat Talk with realistic, positive thoughts.

Not only did I Fat Talk on Wednesday, but I caught myself doing it again this morning while I got dressed.  Again, the Fat Talk is almost like thought vomit.   

Fat Talk has almost NOTHING to do with how you look, what you eat, or what you do in the gym.  It has EVERYTHING to do with how you feel about yourself, your life, and your circumstances.

In some twisted way, I think I feel at times that its better to punish myself than deal with the issue.  It’s a habit so ingrained in us as women (and men, too)!  It breaks my heart.

I wanted to share this because I really think Fat Talk is something most people struggle with their entire life.

Struggling with Fat Talk doesn’t make you weak, but you can’t let it win.  Life is hard enough without beating yourself up all the time.

Do you struggle with Fat Talk?  How does your circumstances and stress levels affect your self image?  Got any advice for me and other women who Fat Talk?