Fit is a Feminist Issue, Link Round Up #29

This is where we share stuff we can’t share on Facebook page for fear of being kicked out! Read why here. Usually the posts are about body image, sometimes there’s nudity but we’re all adults here. Right?

By the way, Facebook recently clarified its stance on nudity, writing, “We remove photographs of people displaying genitals or focusing in on fully exposed buttocks. We also restrict some images of female breasts if they include the nipple, but we always allow photos of women actively engaged in breastfeeding or showing breasts with post-mastectomy scarring. We also allow photographs of paintings, sculptures and other art that depicts nude figures.” For the full story see here.

Oh, so scary. Nipples!

Why does a fitness blog even care about body image? You can read about that here.

‘You Are Beautiful’ Is A Global Campaign To Share Women’s Portraits And Authentic Stories

Beall, the photographer behind The Bodies Of Mothers, is currently fundraising for “You Are Beautiful,” which she described to The Huffington Post as “a rad new media platform for female photographers from all over the world to contribute un-photoshopped images and inspiring stories of women from around the world to promote healthy self-esteem, self-love and empowerment for women and our wee ones.”

The site will feature portraits of women accompanied by narratives about their lives and bodies.

The Right Swimsuit For Your Body Type Is Whatever You Want It To Be, So Go Ahead And Wear One Of Every Style

From the moment spring begins to breathe its pollen-y breath, talk of swim season and the ensuing bikini season permeate just about everything, from tabloids in the grocery line to billboards advocating for the “perfect” beach body. And we begin to hear the women around us ask about ”the right swimsuit for your body type,” as though there’s just one. As though there’s just one heavenly and glorious suit in existence that’ll make us look different — slender, toned, or whatever else we associate with aspirational beauty.

While I’m sure the “bikini body” struggle is one all women (and probably many men, in their own way) struggle with, I don’t doubt that it’s especially prevalent within the plus community. When you consider that plus-size fashion’s goal for so long was to minimize the body and make fat bodies look, well, not fat, then it’s pretty obvious that swimwear is the ultimate enemy of this ideology. Swim season involves stripping down, baring it all, and wearing what’s basically waterproof underwear out into the world, for all eyes and spectators to potentially judge you or hound you with accusations about your health or the “negative lifestyle” you’re encouraging by… existing?

The thing is, if you’re a plus-size woman, there’s no bathing suit in the world that’ll make you not look plus-size. We can, of course, wear tent dresses and baggy coverups, but at the end of the day, most of us will still be fat. And at the end of the day, everyone around us will still know that. I can assure you that no matter how many swim skirts and tankini tops I’ve worn in my life, I’ve never fooled anyone into thinking I’m skinnier than I am. But… why would I need or want to do that, anyway?

It’s OK To Be Fat. Go Ahead. You’re Allowed

I know the fat shamers on the anti-fat Reddit threads and the “concern trolls” all over the world will disagree heartily, but I am allowed to take up as much space as I want to take up. And, you know what else? I do not OWE IT TO ANYONE to be fat and healthy, either.

Contrary to popular opinion, I can be fat and healthy if I want to be. I can also be fat and unhealthy. Fat people have existed as long as humans have existed, so get used to us. We’re not going to go and hide just because a bunch of people who have a lot of time to waste on a computer are creating hate sights dedicated to making fun of our fat body. I’ve been fat for over 30 years. My fat skin is extra thick and used to your vile and mean comments. They roll right off my back. (And right over my fat ass, too.) And, the mean threads that are started by the fat haters actually fuel my fire and serve as a reminder as to how much there is still to do in the Body Acceptance movement.

To me, it’s plain and simple: You get to exist any way you want to exist. As Pink so eloquently put it recently when being attacked about her body: “I’m not worried about me. And I’m not worried about you, either. I am perfectly fine, perfectly happy, and my healthy, voluptuous and crazy strong body is having some much deserved time off.”