Yesterday I received an eye-catching email from my former sorority, Delta Delta Delta (aka TriDelta), with the subject line: Friends Don’t Let Friends Fat Talk. Upon reading the content and checking out the website, I felt compelled to post something on my blog, because I may be one of the guiltiest women out there when it comes to this.
What is fat talk? The site defines it as:
Fat Talk describes all of the statements made in everyday conversation that reinforce the thin ideal and contribute to women’s dissatisfaction with their bodies. Examples of Fat Talk include: “I’m so fat,” “Do I look fat in this?”, “I need to lose 10 pounds” and “She’s too fat to be wearing that swimsuit.” Statements that are considered Fat Talk don’t necessarily have to be negative; they can seem positive yet reinforce the need to be thin — “You look great! Have you lost weight?”
I am terrible when it comes to fat talk… Like the majority of women, I have body image issues and frequently buy a one-way ticket to negative town. When I start the down negativity spiral, it really does have an effect on everything in my life. The other morning my pants were really tight, I got down on myself and it ruined my morning—I know I’m not alone on this kind of morning.
That’s why I’m on board with Fat Talk Free Week and am going to work on promoting a more positive body image:
Fat Talk Free® Week (Oct 19 – 23, 2009) is an international, 5-day public awareness effort to draw attention to body image issues and the damaging impact of the thin ideal on women in society. This 2nd annual nationwide body activism event was borne from Delta Delta Delta’s (Tri Delta’s) body image education and eating disorders prevention program, Reflections: Body Image Program™.
The top 5 ways to promote positive body image:
- Choose one friend or family member and discuss one thing you each like about yourself.
- Keep a journal of all the good things your body allows you to do (e.g., sleep well and wake up rested, play tennis, etc.).
- Pick one friend to make a pact with to avoid Fat Talk. When you catch your friend talking negatively about their body, remind them of the pact.
- Make a pledge to end complaints about your body, such as “I’m so flat-chested” or “I hate my legs.” When you catch yourself doing this, make a correction by saying something positive about that body part, such as, “I’m so glad my legs got me through soccer practice today.”
- The next time someone gives you a compliment, rather than objecting (”No, I’m so fat”), practice taking a deep breath and saying “thank you.”
Yesterday, I prevented several fat talk moments and felt better about myself. However, I let a few negative comments slip, but I corrected them in my head with a positive thought. The next time I let a fat talk moment happen I have to say the positive comment out loud for reinforcement.
If you would like to learn more or get involved, visit their site and watch this video. Spread the word!!