6 Tips for Unlearning Internalised Fatphobia

Fatphobia is on the rise, so today, we’re going to talk about it.Fatphobia, or anti-fatness, is the often socially acceptable form of discrimination and negative attitudes towards folks in fat bodies. This includes stereotypes and misconceptions that fat folks are less disciplined or lack self-control compared to their smaller bodied peers. Fatphobia is not just name calling or bullying someone for their size, it’s rooted in racism, and the transatlantic slave trade.In this episode we will be exploring:What fatphobia is, and why it’s harmfulExamples of fatphobia within society, specifically healthcareExamples of internalised fatphobia, and ways we were exposed to it, even as childrenAnd, I’ll be finishing the episode with 6 tips for unlearning our internalised fatphobia.Unlearning our own internalised fatphobia is something we have to do as an individual, accepting that we have also been part of the problem - no matter our body size - and recognising some of the thoughts and judgements we make to ourselves and others.If you’ve ever heard yourself say…“I’m not as fat as that person”“Have you seen how much weight they’ve gained?”“I’m never going to let myself get like that…”Or, perhaps assumed you know someone’s health, lifestyle or ability based on their size?That’s fatphobia.You can file this under “Once you see it, you can’t unsee it!”So dive in with me, we’re covering a lot, and I promise you it’s worth it.Takeaways:Fatphobia is a societal issue that affects everyone.Internalized fatphobia can lead to self-discrimination and negative self-image.Fatphobia is rooted in racism.Weight is influenced by numerous factors beyond personal control.Unlearning fatphobia requires conscious effort and self-reflection.Social media can perpetuate harmful beauty standards.Advocacy for marginalised bodies is crucial in the fight against fatphobia.Diverse voices in the fat acceptance movement are essential for change.Challenging diet talk in everyday conversations is important.Recognising one's worth is not tied to body size. Chapters:00:00 Introduction & Content Warning03:36 Melanie's Personal Experience With Fat Phobia06:36 Understanding Fatphobia: Definitions and Examples09:34 The Impact & Harm Of Fat Phobia12:46 The Harmful Effects of Internalised Fatphobia16:38 Understanding Internalized Fatphobia19:30 Tip 1: Stop correlating weight & health with worth21:20 Tip 2: Consider the experiences of people whose bodies differ from your own23:41 Tip 3: Unfollow Accounts Perpetuating Fat Phobia25:49 Tip 4: Reframing Fat Phobic Thoughts28:56 Tip 5: Ditch The Diet Talk33:55 Tip 6: Learn from fat liberationists & anti diet professionalsNext Week: Mini-sode: Fat phobia & The Rise Of GLP-1sThank you for listening to The Culture Of It All! this podcast is a reader-supported publication. To receive early posts, bonus material and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber on Substack. Come say 'hello' on social media! You'll find episode content on Instagram stories. Looking for more conversations around the politics of fashion? Join me on TikTok Until next time, pals — keep showing up, speaking up, and taking up space.