203: NYT "Confessions of a Former Body Positivity Influencer": What It Gets Wrong

In this episode, I am sharing the techniques you can explore to help you with your body confidence. From dispelling common fears to what to do if you're worried people are judging your body size and appearance. Then, an essential technique to shift beliefs and 5 steps to feel more confident in your body. To supplement this episode, I have created a free (and really fantastic!) guide called The Body Image Healing Guide: Surviving Anti-Fat Bias and Breaking Free from Body Shame. Get it here: https://fiercefatty.com/bodyimagehealingguide #BodyImageHealing #BodyConfidence #AntiFatBias #FatLiberation #BodyAcceptance

Thanks to the work of Black scholars, including Dr. Sabrina Strings, we know that anti-fatness comes from anti-Blackness as well as other oppressive forces. But WHY were certain beliefs about Black bodies created? Who started the myths, and what were they saying? How do those stereotypes about fat Black bodies manifest today? We are going back thousands of years to see where all this nonsense started. Using a variety of sources, including, of course, the go-to book for talking about this Fear of the Black Body by Sabrina Strings, as well as Belly of the Beast by Da'Shaun L. Harrison, and concepts from bell hooks, Patricia Hill Collins, and more. TW: O words, anti-Blackness, slavery, sexism, brief mention of sexual assault, general white fuckery.  Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/207 Support me on Ko-Fi and get the Size Diversity Resource Guide: https://ko-fi.com/fiercefatty/tiers FOLLOW: Website: http://fiercefatty.com/ Website for corporate training: http://weightinclusiveconsulting.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fierce.fatty/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fiercefatty Facebook: fb.me/fiercefatty YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/fiercefatty LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinnywelsby/ Other stuff and free stuff: linkin.bio/fiercefatty

We're constantly told that being fat is bad for us, that fat people are ticking time bombs and are pathetic, sad sacks. Is it true? Are fat people giant losers who are doomed to an "unhealthy," miserable existence? In this episode, we flip the script and explore the surprising advantages of fatness. From better disease outcomes to unique social benefits, mental health perks, and even survival advantages, I share 49 benefits of being fat you probably haven't considered. How many can you think of? TW: brief mention of O words. Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/206 Support me on Ko-Fi and get the Size Diversity Resource Guide: https://ko-fi.com/fiercefatty/tiers FOLLOW: Website: http://fiercefatty.com/ Website for corporate training: http://weightinclusiveconsulting.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fierce.fatty/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fiercefatty Facebook: fb.me/fiercefatty YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/fiercefatty LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinnywelsby/ Other stuff and free stuff: linkin.bio/fiercefatty

Are you thriving in your fat identity, or still getting lured with the promises of diet culture (ahem, GLP-1s)? In this episode, I share the details on the stages of fat identity, from "ugh, why am I fat?" to "heck yes, I'm fabulous, unapologetically me!" Learn the signs that show you're rocking self-acceptance alongside the traps that might still be holding you back. If you've lived your whole life being told that fat is bad and dieting will be your salvation, then unlearning those messages can be hard. This episode will give you a roadmap to track your progress and celebrate your journey so far! Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/205 Support me on Ko-Fi and get the Size Diversity Resource Guide: https://ko-fi.com/fiercefatty/tiers  FOLLOW: Website: http://fiercefatty.com/ Website for corporate training: http://weightinclusiveconsulting.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fierce.fatty/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fiercefatty Facebook: fb.me/fiercefatty YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/fiercefatty LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinnywelsby/ Other stuff and free stuff: linkin.bio/fiercefatty

In part 2 of this analysis of the NYT opinion video "Confessions of a Former Body Positivity Influencer," we look at the tension between individual weight loss choices and the political goals of fat liberation. We talk about how formerly fat influencers sometimes become the loudest critics of fatness, and why it feels so painful for fans and followers of so-called "body positive" influencers who seemingly collude with systems of oppression and turn their backs on a marginalized community. Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/204 Support me on Ko-Fi and get the Size Diversity Resource Guide: https://ko-fi.com/fiercefatty/tiers FOLLOW: Website: http://fiercefatty.com/ Website for corporate training: http://weightinclusiveconsulting.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fierce.fatty/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fiercefatty Facebook: fb.me/fiercefatty YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/fiercefatty LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinnywelsby/ Other stuff and free stuff: linkin.bio/fiercefatty

A recent opinion video from The New York Times titled "Confessions of a Former Body Positivity Influencer" claims to expose the dangers of the body positivity movement. But does it actually represent what body positivity (and fat liberation) have historically stood for? Short answer: nope. In this episode, we watch the video in real time and break down the misinformation and subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways anti-fatness is repackaged as just "caring about your health." TW: anti-fat beliefs. Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/203 Support me on Ko-Fi and get the Size Diversity Resource Guide: https://ko-fi.com/fiercefatty/tiers FOLLOW: Website: http://fiercefatty.com/ Website for corporate training: http://weightinclusiveconsulting.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fierce.fatty/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fiercefatty Facebook: fb.me/fiercefatty YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/fiercefatty LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinnywelsby/ Other stuff and free stuff: linkin.bio/fiercefatty

Join us for part 2 of this deep dive into weight loss surgery! We talk about how much weight people lose, the mental health outcomes of people (big trigger warning there), surgery in kids, and informed consent. TW: Mention of su!c|de, depression, children, and surgery as well as general awful stuff fat people endure. Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/202 Support me on Ko-Fi and get the Size Diversity Resource Guide: https://ko-fi.com/fiercefatty/tiers FOLLOW: Website: http://fiercefatty.com/ Website for corporate training: http://weightinclusiveconsulting.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fierce.fatty/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fiercefatty Facebook: fb.me/fiercefatty YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/fiercefatty LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinnywelsby/ Other stuff and free stuff: linkin.bio/fiercefatty

Does weight loss surgery make you thin and healthy? What percentage of people is it successful for? Are the side effects worth it, and what are they exactly? This episode is a deep dive into "bariatric" surgery AKA "weight loss" surgery AKA stomach amputation. TW: There are mentions of the types of surgeries, outcomes, and side effects as well as general awful stuff fat people endure. Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/201 Support me on Ko-Fi and get the Size Diversity Resource Guide: https://ko-fi.com/fiercefatty/tiers FOLLOW: Website: http://fiercefatty.com/ Website for corporate training: http://weightinclusiveconsulting.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fierce.fatty/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fiercefatty Facebook: fb.me/fiercefatty YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/fiercefatty LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinnywelsby/ Other stuff and free stuff: linkin.bio/fiercefatty

It's part 2 of the GLP 1 deep dive! In this episode, we are covering "food noise," the weird things that people are reporting happening to their bodies on GLP-1s, horrid stuff that's happening in the UK, lawsuits, safety planning for those taking the drugs, and whether taking GLPs goes against fat liberation. TW: for British anti-fatness, side effects, and mental health. Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/200 Support me on Ko-Fi and get the Size Diversity Resource Guide: https://ko-fi.com/fiercefatty/tiers FOLLOW: Website: http://fiercefatty.com/ Website for corporate training: http://weightinclusiveconsulting.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fierce.fatty/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fiercefatty Facebook: fb.me/fiercefatty YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/fiercefatty LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinnywelsby/ Other stuff and free stuff: linkin.bio/fiercefatty

Wegovy, (often referred to as Ozempic) was approved by the FDA in June 2021. Now that we have lived 4 years of a GLP frenzied hellscape, there must be new data on how well GLP1's work and how many lives they have saved. The numbers must be pretty impressive right? Hint: It's not impressive…not at all. Join me for part one of this deep dive into these (not so) new weight loss drugs where I share exactly how much weight people lose, if it improves their health (or worsens it), and all sorts of other nonsense that has been happening in the ensuing years after the press heralded Wegovy as a "game changer" that will "end" fatness. TW: for mentions of weight, mentions of children taking the drug and other general anti-fat ideas. Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/199 Support me on Ko-Fi and get the Size Diversity Resource Guide: https://kofi.com/fiercefatty/tiers Ragen's 3 bullet points on GLPs: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKa5xdovYxa/?igsh=bHh1Nml0NW82bG83 https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/02/health/wegovy-weight-loss-drug-new-prescriptions Changes smell: https://www.instagram.com/p/DL0fFPER4QX/?img_index=7&igsh=Mmttb3Y4cG10dHUx The Community Ozempic Stole: As Influencers Lose Weight, Their Followers Feel "Abandoned": https://www.teenvogue.com/story/community-ozempic-stole-influencers-lose-weight Ozempic's Origin Story is Insane: https://youtu.be/9dMpY-ZALXc?si=lb6r-d08fEo9XVKB Dr Rachel Millner: Some thoughts about GLP-1s for intentional weight loss versus fat liberation as a value: https://www.instagram.com/p/DLzrBuuRqfW/?img_index=6&igsh=ODZpMmwyemlhdmxt Another post from Rachel she describes the side effects of GLPs when taken at a higher dose for weight loss and anorexia side effects/complications: https://www.instagram.com/p/DLOUiFKI8TB/ Retatrutide study: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2301972 Ragen's blog: https://weightandhealthcare.substack.com/p/weight-loss-drug-cage-match-part The Race Is On to Stop Ozempic Muscle Loss: Gym chains, nutrition startups and drugmakers all want to solve a common issue among people who take weight loss drugs. Non paywall link: https://archive.ph/l25L9 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/08/well/live/ozempic-muscle-loss-exercise.html?utm_source=pocket_mylist The Race Is On to Stop Ozempic Muscle Loss: Gym chains, nutrition startups and drugmakers all want to solve a common issue among people who take weight loss drugs. Non paywall link: https://archive.ph/l25L9 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/08/well/live/ozempic-muscle-loss-exercise.html?utm_source=pocket_mylist Changes smell: https://www.instagram.com/p/DL0fFPER4QX/?img_index=7&igsh=Mmttb3Y4cG10dHUx Hannah from Queenbeastsays, The Labour Government wants Britain to be "fat-free" by 2035: https://queenbeastsays.substack.com/p/the-labour-government-wants-britain?utm_source=app-post-stats-page&r=2qfqs8&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=true Contraception warning over weight-loss drugs after dozens of pregnancies: UK watchdog has had 40 reports relating to pregnancies in people using drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jun/05/contraception-warning-over-weight-loss-drugs-after-dozens-of-pregnancies NPP Weight Loss Medications and Safety Planning: https://www.patreon.com/c/nalgonapositivitypride/home 7,000 potential claims already under active investigation Lawsuit Legal News+2Doyle APC Law Firm+2Darrow AI+2.