210: What Dieting Does to Your Mind and Body

For those who struggle with body image shame, the question can arise: "Am I to the point of having body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)?" Others may wonder if how they are feeling is actually a deep internalization of anti-fat bias. But still, can't seem to shake the belief that their body is inferior, even though intellectually they know it's likely driven by bias. In this episode, I break down what BDD is and how it's different from body shame, and I also talk about the influence of anti-fatness on both. Plus, surprise surprise, there seems to be some anti-fat fuckery happening in the way BDD is diagnosed and finally - ever heard of body dysmorphic disorder by proxy?! TW: brief mentions of EDs and su!c!de. Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/211  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

Have you ever thought, "Starting this new diet is going to make me healthier, thinner, and more attractive! The upsides totally outweigh any small negatives." I know I have, but that was before I came to know the sometimes devastating harm intentional weight loss can cause - to our minds and our bodies. Dieting isn't a benign or neutral intervention for many people, and in this episode I outline what actually happens in your body and brain when you start that "healthy" cleanse or "balanced" diet. TW: mention of eating disorder behaviours, specific calories, and self-harm. Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/210 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 been 10+ years since I first discovered fat liberation...here's what I've learned. In 2014, I discovered fat liberation and have been talking about it since. So after all these years, I wanted to share my top takeaways about body image, being fat on the internet, the common fears we share, and more. TW: mention of body image struggles in childhood. Like the podcast? Leave a review where you listen! Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/209 Support me on Ko-Fi and get the Size Diversity Resource Guide: https://ko-fi.com/fiercefatty/tiers Oprah diet history IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/C4qzbt4yQmA/?img_index=1 Stages of Fat Identity: Signs You're Thriving or Trapped https://www.instagram.com/p/DXZeCH0ge0G/?img_index=3 NYT "Confessions of a Former Body Positivity Influencer": What It Gets Wrong https://www.instagram.com/p/DWVJ-IgkkJ9/?img_index=1 Links for Fierce Fatty Podcast episodes mentioned: 185: Oprah Leaves WW Board After Using Weight Loss Drugs: https://fiercefatty.com/185 205: Stages of Fat Identity: Signs You're Thriving or Trapped: https://fiercefatty.com/205 30: When Your Partner Says They Don't Find You Attractive: https://fiercefatty.com/030 99: Did Rebel Wilson Gain Weight To Become Famous?: https://fiercefatty.com/099 203: NYT "Confessions of a Former Body Positivity Influencer": What It Gets Wrong: https://fiercefatty.com/203 54: When Your Fave Fat Celeb Loses Weight: https://fiercefatty.com/054 28: My Story of Domestic Abuse: Part 1: https://fiercefatty.com/028 29: My Story of Domestic Abuse: Part 2: https://fiercefatty.com/029 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 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 Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/209 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

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