Tuesday, April 26, 2011

fatphobia rises its ugly head again

I can understand the desire to look athletic, slim and fit. I really do. I have nothing against looking athletic myself. I want to be fit, strong and have good stamina. But I didn't get into paleo to lose fat or in order not to gain weight. I got here, b/c after reading "Good Calories, Bad Calories" it made sense to me. It was rational, logical and I am a very rational person. After researching even more the evolutionary point of view made it even more clear. I eat paleo b/c it makes sense. If I lose some fat on the way, fine, but that's not my goal.

I am shocked with the level of fatphobia and fatism among the paleo community. Assuming that fat person cannot be athletic, healthy or fit, and obsession with losing fat, sometimes "the last x Ibs", which often is amount that is really impossible to notice and is part of natural fluctuations of our weight. Being offended by suggestion that there are fat dancers, and that being extremely thin might be unhealthy. Making fun of a fatter person (as long as that person is not on paleo trying to lose it). Being fat is allowed as long as you feel disgusted by your fat and are obsessed with losing it. By the BMI I am "overweight", which is a total bullshit. I am strong, fit and pretty healthy. My fibro is down, I can lift and carry heavy stuff, walk for hours, even run fast when needed (like recently when I had 12min to catch plane in Atlanta). I have fat around my midsection and butt. I have awesome biceps, which I love and hope to make even bigger. I am 6/8 size and I think it's healthy, good size for a woman in her mid-30s. Why would I want to obsess about losing this little bit of fat around me? Why not just live and strive to be happy and healthy?

This very often is linked to sexism as well, as both men and women feel free to judge women based on their looks, no matter age, childbaring, health history, hormone levels and what not. As usual, what is typical for male is seen as default for the whole species, and whatever is different with women, it's "wrong", is the fault of gluttony fatass bitch, who should just put down the donut. it's frustrating as hell.