Reclaiming The Word Fat and Being with Body Grief with Kristin Jenkins

Happy Satiated Saturday! 

I used to say, "I feel fat" all the time. 

These words would fly out of my mouth like it was a totally normal thing to say. I would say this in moments where I felt uncomfortable, overwhelmed, out of control, and a sense like I wanted to crawl out of my skin.

But, not only is fat not a feeling, saying this in moments of emotional dysregulation perpetuates the connection between fat being "bad." 

If you can recall the last time you said these words, what were you feeling? 

This bodily experience may feel overwhelming and out of your control. It may feel safer to say, "I feel fat" because diet culture has provided the idea that fatness can be under a person's control, and if you're feeling unstable, the perception that if you're just "feeling" fat then you can control that and change it for yourself. 

And, it is going to take awareness and practice to shift how we culturally relate to the word fat and this doesn't fall all on you. It is going to take a societal and cultural shift for all bodies to feel safe to be here.

In this week's Satiated Podcast episode, I talk with Kristin Jenkins, Registered Dietitian with Rebecca Bitzer and Associates, about the connection between food, eating disorders, and body image, the harmful cycle of dieting and how it can contribute to poor body image, the importance of body trust, body grief, the need for systemic change in our culture's ideals of beauty, and a deep dive into the word fat. 

You can also read the transcript to this week’s episode ​here​: https://www.stephaniemara.com/blog/reclaiming-the-word-fat-and-being-with-body-grief

The Befriending Your Body Image Challenges with Somatic Eating® Practices Workshop is coming up in three weeks! To learn more and sign up, click ​HERE​: https://satiated.mykajabi.com/offers/EkFBjX2Q

With Compassion and Empathy, 
Stephanie Mara Fox

Keep in touch with Kristin here: 

Website: ⁠https://rbitzer.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marylanddietitians/