Fall into Fun Activities
It’s my favorite time of year. I love the fall. I love the weather. I love the cozy nights. I love the fact that my birthday and my anniversary fall…
Animals Make Life Better
Ah there’s nothing like random special days to pumpkin spice up your October calendar. Today is National Child Health Day, National Golf Lover’s Day, National Cinnamon Roll Day, National Taco Day and National Vodka Day.
It’s National Diversity Day!
Happy Friday! And happy National Diversity Day. It’s a wonderful day to celebrate that although we all share one planet, we also share so many wonderful differences. We are of…
Motivation Monday: Create Your Self-Care Plan
So often we start the week with lists of things we need to do, places we need to go, people we need to call. But I want to make sure…
Heck Yeah! It’s time for Public Acts of Dancing Spontaneously
It’s time to bring back one of my favorite blog themes of all time. It’s PADS-Friday y’all. What is PADS? They’re Public Acts of Dancing Spontaneously and it is seriously…
Avoiding a Case of Monday-itis
Back when I was on the diet, binge, repeat cycle, Mondays were special days. This was the daywhen everything reset. I got my new calories, poins, food servings or what…
Five Fabulous Fitness Trends
There’s little question we’ve been on a roller coaster lately. From serious pandemic fatigue to the hope of vaccines to the reopening of the world to the Delta variant to…
I’m Talking about the Love in the Mirror
My husband often smiles as he steps in front of the mirror. Not because of his rad fashion sense or physical prowess. But because he’s reading all the notes I’ve…
Dancing Your Way to Fitness
Any kind of movement that feels good to you is good movement. But anybody who knows me,knows I especially love dance. And as it turns out, dance is uniquely suited…
It’s a Labor Day Three-Fer!
Let me tie these things together now. I think this weekend should include equal parts of the 3 big “C”s—COLORS, CELEBRATION, and COMPASSION. This is a great time to pull out your cozy college sweaters or sweatshirts. Wear your colors proudly. And celebrate the work you’ve done this year. It’s been a tough one, and you made it through.
Pucker Up, Buttercup! It’s Lemon Juice Day!
Photo by Kelly Varner Photography What do you think of when you hear “lemon juice”? Do you think of the sourness? The acidity? Or do you think of the POSSIBILITY?…
Mom Bods, Dad Bods and Just Plain Bods
Hey! Do you know you have a “bunny bod” Take your way-back-machine to 2015 and you’ll see the emergence of the “Dad Bod” on social media. What’s a Dad Bod? …
MOVIE MONDAY: (BIG) Girls on Film
My little stint on the Iron Throne at the Produced By Conference I’ll never forget the first time I watched Hairspray. (I’m talking about the original movie with the spectacular…
The Cost of Confidence–Paying The Troll Tolls
Recently Lizzo and Cardi B released an epic new video: Rumors. It is a gorgeous, raunchy, nasty, glorious music video that is most definitely NSFW. And in many ways, it’s a tribute to being yourself, and not caring what anybody says or thinks about you. And it’s inspiring. But like so many inspiring things, it comes at a cost.
Motivation Monday: What if I Just Don’t LOVE My Body?
Some days it’s enough just to be grateful… Have you been following the “body positivity” movement? And like Grammy-winning plus-sized artist Lizzo, have you noticed how often it’s represented by…
Bebe, Camila, Body Positivity and YOU
And as a celebrity, sporting an “average-weight” body certainly invites trolls to criticize their bodies on social media. And while I applaud these celebrities for giving a nod to body positivity, I’ve noticed a few things.
Book Lover’s Day—A Few of my Body Positive Faves
In honor of Book Lover’s Day, I thought I would share some of my absolute favorite body positive/size acceptance books of the past two decades. All of these selections are thumbs WAY UP!
I’m Back Baby!
After a bit of a rest it feels good to be back! Hello there dear friends. I’ve got to admit, it’s been a minute. As I imagine was the case…
Weighs More Wednesday–Stuff that Weighs More than Me
That is one big batch of dough! It’s really been a long time since I’ve done one of these posts. But I found this pic on my phone and decided…
Don’t Worry! Be Happy!
Makeup and care–free. Posted by Jeanette DePatie on Sunday, July 28, 2019 The above clip is from a Facebook Lip Sync recording I recently did with Bobby Mcferrin’s Don’t Worry,…
PADS Saturday Coolest Dad
What happens when mom sets up a camera to capture spontaneous cute kid moments? She gets this total awesomeness! Welcome to PADS Saturday (Public Acts of Dancing Spontaneously). So yeah,…
Thanks but no thanks-
Recently actor Jonah Hill posted a comment that resonated with a lot of people: Instagram post from Jonah Hill And believe me, I get it. I know it seems cool…
Loving Your Way to Better Health
Hello and happy motivational Monday. I hope many of you are enjoying a wonderful day off from your labors. And if you’re working today, I hope work is the BEST!…
Stuff That Weighs More Than Me: Jeff Bezos’ Space, um, “rocket”
Jeanette at the Kennedy Space Center I’m back baby with stuff that weighs more than me. Sometimes when I feel like the heaviest thing on the planet, I feel the…
Pennies for Ice Cream Bars
Jeanette on one of Marilyn Wann’s Yay Scales! She “Yays” Sexy! It’s our brand-new Motivation Monday post and I’m so excited to be back in the saddle and writing for…
All the CHEESES!
Saw this image by Kayden Hines on the Book of Face today and I love it so much. There are so many reasons: I love cheese. Like I am a…
Another PADS Saturday
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xm67vTnFjw Hi Guys, been a while but I thought it was time to post another PADS Saturday video. What is PADS you ask? It’s: Public Acts of Dancing Spontaneously.…
Music and Joy
It’s 2019 and guess what? Yup, I’m finally blogging again. I’m not engaging in any new year’s resolutions this year. However, I’m engaging in some new year’s permissions. As in…
Zany New DVD to Show Seniors (Including Santa) that EveryBODY Can Exercise!
November 25, 2018 Los Angeles, CA. 20-year veteran licensed fitness instructor and body positive activist Jeanette DePatie (AKA The Fat Chick) recently met up with Santa to talk about getting…
A long awaited PADS Saturday
It’s been more than a little while since I’ve posted. But I saw this fellow and got INSPIRED. Now this is fabulous PADS. Wondering what PADS means? It stands for…
I can’t do it alone, thankfully I don’t have to.
I’ll admit it. I’ve been working in the body positive, Fat Acceptance and Health At Every Size movements for nearly 20 years now. And while certain things have gotten better…
Imagine a Body Positive World
In my last blog post, I talked about the importance of asking for help. In this post, I’m going to talk about imagining a body positive world, AND I’m going…
Asking for help.
If I’ve learned anything this week it’s this. Ask for help. Ask for it sooner rather than later. Do NOT spend time exhausting every other option on the planet first. …
New Video and a New Plan
There’s no question, I’ve been away for a while. As this video demonstrates, I’m still spending plenty of time talking about Health At Every Size and loving the skin…
More Evidence that Fat Stigma is Killing Us
Today, I got an email pointing me towards some new research on fat stigma. There has been an ever increasing pile of evidence indicating that weight stigma is making us…
New Study Suggests Obesity Doesn’t Make Joint Surgery Less Safe
I came across a recently published study that was published in The Journal of Arthroplasty regarding overweight and obese patients and joint surgery. In particular, the study evaluates data from…
On the Power of Sisterhood
I went to an event called TEDx Pasadena Women last night and it was amazing. I don’t know why I am still sometimes surprised after all these years about…
P.A.D.S. Saturday–Dance to your own beat
Hey kids! My birthday falls on a Saturday this year so here we go. A special birthday edition P.A.D.S. Saturday submission. What is P.A.D.S. Saturday you ask? It’s Public Acts…
Bullying is Ugly, But we Need to Look at it with “A Brave Heart”
This ugly, UGLY picture was taken today of a poster that was taped to a wall at Northern High School in Calvert County, MD. There’s a lot of argument about…
Not Jolly and Not Sorry (Letting go my need to make everybody laugh…)
I recently spoke at the Environmental Awards in Irwindale. My speech was called No BODY Left Behind–Workplace Wellness for All. I talked about workplace wellness in terms of four “i-opening”…
In a World of “Click Bait Hate” Let’s Share a Little Love
On Saturday’s post, I hinted about certain people that serve as a proxy for hate. They say the things that people no longer may wish to say for fear of…
Agents .000007–License to Hate (Electing hate proxy holders to be mean for us)
Okay (deep breath). There’s a video that surfaced on YouTube yesterday by a woman named Nicole called “Dear Fat People” (There is no force on earth that will compel me…
Half in the Data Dark, We’ve More Work to Do!
Today, I read a horrifying statistic about the state of statistics. A group called All Trials has flatly stated that of all the clinical trials, encompassing hundreds of thousands of…
5-year-olds on a Diet
Sometimes people ask me why I do this. I work in Hollywood. Writing a blog doesn’t really pay all that well. And it can be a solitary process at times…
Apparently Body Positivity Goes to Size Large (or maybe XL)
Victoria’s Secret is that every body is perfect as long as they look exactly like this… I recently came across a link for a “Body Positive” fitness company (not gonna…
Are the three white powders ruining our civilization? Or is the screaming a bit overblown?
Nope, I’m not talking about heroin or cocaine or meth. I’m talking about flour (gluten) salt and sugar. And it seems like you can’t open a magazine or newspaper…
Extrapolating to Absurdity–Reporting on New Study Takes Things FAR OUT.
I was driving around in my car yesterday, minding my own business, when a story came onto my local NPR station that caught my attention. Kevin Hall PhD was on…
PADS Saturday–Grandpa Pushes It Good!
As the nearby “Cabin Fire” has us coughing and staying inside, I thought I’d cheer myself (and you) up with a PADS Saturday. What is a PADS Saturday you ask? …
Recent Tests Show Sending “Fat Letters” Home from School Earns a Failing Grade
Forgive me for once again pointing out the blazingly obvious, but recent studies have not been able to find any actual benefits from sending “fat letters” home from school. …
Beauty diversity and unlikely animal buddies.
Well this video recently surfaced in my facebook feed (thanks Gina) and I woke up singing the song and thinking of these adorable animals. It was much more pleasant than…
Stuff That Weighs More Than Me: Wilson Observatory 100-Inch Hooker Telescope
On a recent, beautiful, sunny, California day my husband and I snaked our way 5,710 feet up the steep and winding roads to Mt. Wilson Observatory. We took the 2…
I run because–t-shirts and food policing.
Today, while visiting my sister, I happened to look at an ad flyer for a local department store. And guess which t-shirt was being advertised (just in time for back…
The 1% efficacy rate and weight loss as a prescription
Talk to nearly any person over a size 12 and chances are, they have run into a doctor or medical professional who recommended that their health would improve if…
PADS Saturday–Kid Rocks Out to Cuba Pete at Local Swimming Pool
Not gonna lie, it’s been a tough week. So I think it’s time for a PADS Saturday? What’s a PADS Saturday you ask? It’s a blog featuring a Public Act…
Doctor Posts Joke Video Demonstrating Stigma That Kills People. Where’s the Hippocratic Oath When You Need It?
So apparently Dr. Terrible is getting a run for his money in my all time list of creeps. Meet Dr. Irresponsible and Dr. Hatemonger. So yesterday, a number of…
How Long Do We Have to Hate Our Bodies?
It’s not new, but it recently surfaced in my Facebook feed–an article on CNN.com called What the Dying Really Regret. In this article Kerry Egan, a hospice chaplain who…
Facebook Envy: Feeling Bad About our Pretend Digital Lives
Really struggling to lift that styrofoam… If you scrolled quickly past the above picture in Facebook, you might be convinced that I’m lifting some pretty hefty weights. You might feel…
Diminishing Distress Dials Down Diabetes
First do no harm. Diabetes scare tactics just might kill you. I recently ran across this article on Diabetes Hub which describes two important studies which correlate distress with poorer…
Doctors Consult on Fat Profits from Medical Weight Loss Programs
New profits from an old formula A recent article in the New York Times got my blood boiling this morning. The article cites a few medical professionals (and others) talking…
Sorry, RogerEbert.com, It’s Not Okay that Sadness is Fat
Guess which one is Sadness. Go on. Guess. Recently I saw a piece by columnist Olivia Collette Roger Ebert. com called “Why Can’t Sad Be Fat?” The piece was written…
Newly Published Paper says Social Media Campaigns Balloon Up Stereotypes and Stigma associated with Fatness
Eric needs a new job–preferably one that doesn’t stigmatize an entire population. I’m pleased to share with you that my colleague Lily O’ Hara has recently co-authored a paper in…
Sticks and Stones May Break Your Bones But Words Can Hurt You Forever
I was recently having lunch with a beautiful and talented young woman, one who was enrolled in a good school getting a professional degree at a good school, who had…
Boy Was My Face Red–Exercise and Flushing
It can feel so embarrassing. You’re just working out and minding your own business, and somebody or several somebodies stop by to ask if you’re okay. When you look in…
Fitness is for ALL of Us
Ragen Chastain and I are so very pleased to release our first video on our brand new YouTube Channel: Fitness for All of Us. We’ve released our fight song to…
In your own time, at your own pace, if even at all.
When I read about this woman, I thought Oh EM GEE! I have to tell you guys about this! Here we have a woman who not only decided on and…
Functional Fitness Means LOTS More Painting
I get asked a lot about functional fitness. What does it mean? How does it impact Quality of Life? What is Quality of Life? To me, Quality of Life, means…
Weight (Stigma) Affects School Children’s Grades
My dear friend and colleague Angela Meadows recently penned this important article for The Conversation discussing the issues surrounding weight, school children and academic performance. There have been a number…
150 Minutes
I just ran across this article online that talks about some new studies that talk about how much exercise you really need to do to significantly increase the chances of…
Don’t Exercise
Last night I gave a speech at Kaiser provocatively entitled, “Don’t Exercise”. It was a big hit, so I thought I would share some of the highlights with you today. …
Get me to the Dressing Room Please
As a “plus-sized” person, I know that my options for buying clothing are much more limited than my “straight-sized” friends. It is not all that uncommon, especially in certain parts…
Recursive Recrimination–Beating Yourself Up (For Beating Yourself Up)
Several decades ago, I made the decision to not let negative feelings about my body rule my life any more. I decided to stop putting my life on hold until…
Paradoxically(?!) Fatter Diabetics Live Longer
A few days ago a new study was released which indicates that of people living with type-2 diabetes, those in the overweight category live the longest. They even live…
PADS Saturday
Okay y’all. I’m not gonna lie. It was an awesome week and a tough week all rolled up in one. So I felt that I needed to have a PADS…
Speaking With My Sisters
Yesterday I had the honor and privilege of speaking as a panelist at Digital Hollywood on a panel hosted by the Alliance for Women in Media. It was a part…
More Victims Dying to be Thin
I recently read about this story about student Ella Parry who died after accidentally overdosing on diet pills she bought from the Internet. The pills were found to contain Dinitrophenal…
Tuesday Reviewsday–Harriet Brown’s Body of Truth
For today’s Tuesday Reviewsday, I am pleased to discuss Harriet Brown’s recently released book “Body of Truth”. Harriet Brown is already well known for her previous book, “Brave Girl Eating”…
Weight Stigma and Trekking Barefoot
I’ve talked before about how much meditation has helped me to live mindfully and peacefully. Part of my practice involves meeting with a group up in the woods in the…
New Study Suggests Fat Correlated With Lower Risk For Dementia
Previously we heard that obesity increased your risk of dementia. Now a new study contradicts these former findings and suggests that increased body size is correlated with a decreased risk…
Paris Cracks Down on Super Skinny Models
French MPs have voted to make it illegal to put models who are too thin on the catwalk. Modeling agencies who put models on the catwalk who are deemed too…
New study says weight stigma signficantly reduces Quality of Life–and water is wet.
Don’t get me wrong. I am deeply glad that they are studying the negative effects of weight stigma. But I am wondering when this will finally be considered obvious. I…
Reviewsday: Amanda’s Big Dream
For today’s blog post, I’m very excited to review for you a brand new children’s book called Amanda’s Big Dream. This book, written by Judith Matz and illustrated by Elizabeth…
P.A.D.S Saturday will make you “Happy”
If you are wondering what PADS stands for, it is: Public Acts of Dancing Spontaneously And for our very first PADS Saturday, we have this totally epic dance to Pharrell…
Feel Like Your Fitness Efforts Have Flopped? (Corgi Inspiration Porn)
We’ve all been there. You put on your best fitness gear, you lace up your sneakers or pump up your bike tires or struggle into your swimsuit (a workout in…
Sunrise
Well, I certainly have been burning the midnight oil lately. In fact, I’ve been burning it enough to see the dawn. This morning, as I watched another glorious sunrise, I…
Weighing the Verdict–Punished in the Courtroom for Being Fat
Recently I ran across this article in Scientific American about how certain stigmatized groups are more likely to elicit harsher punishments than other groups. In particular, the article talks about…
Listening to your body means listening.
There has been a lot written about the notion of listening to our bodies. Many people (including me) have written volumes about how our bodies have wisdom that can answer…
Obesity Society Recommends Half of America Should Waste More Time and Money
This week, I came across this little gem from the Obesity Society. And let me state for the record that while a society composed of rad fatties would be cool,…
Docs Admit Diet and Exercise Don’t Equal Weight Loss, Then Jump to Wrong Conclusion
An article hit my feed from LA Times today and it seemed to offer some refreshing news. It seems 4 doctors, weight-loss specialists set out to say what so many…
A Joyous Sufficiency
I’ve been adding more meditation time to my life and this has been a wonderful decision. I was deeply encouraged by a dear friend (Thanks Gina!) to pursue this and…
When Docs don’t listen…
I have to thank my colleague Michelle May, M.D., CSP for recently posting links to two articles that I had missed in the past. Both were very interesting. But what…
Quis traversum elit? Is your fitness tracker running your life?
Click to check out an interesting article about the “quantified self”. Quis traversum elit? Who is tracking the trackers? I feel compelled to write about this as I’ve run across…
Dancing with Body Diversity
I ran across a video in my feed yesterday and I have to admit made me smile. It’s not perfect. The song lyrics have some problematic phrases. And I wish…
Another study indicates fitness more important than fatness for longevity
Functional fitness kitty adds activities for daily living (ADLs). Recently on one of the lists I was introduced to another study which suggests that one of the most important things…
The 3500 Calorie Fallacy and the Invisible Man
Lord knows I don’t often agree with Dr. Sharma. His views on bariatric surgery are very different than mine, thus I will not be providing a link.) But this week…
FDA Approves New (Torture?) Device for Fatties
I guess I should have seen it coming. We’ve seen forks that talk to you and bracelets that shock you for eating too much. We’ve seen painful patches you sew…
Belty at CES: Comfortable Technology or Uncomfortable Community Rorschach Test?
If you follow the technology news at all, you know that Vegas hosted the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this week. And if you follow the news at CES at…
OMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM My Plan for 2015
Well, like everybody everywhere I’m thinking over 2014 and making plans for 2015. At first I was a little worried that my post for today wouldn’t be all that original,…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: 8 “Tiny” Reindeer (+1)
Haven’t done one of these posts in a while. And given the fact the airways are about to be flooded with weight-loss dreck, I thought I’d get in there early…
REVISITED: Paring Down that Holiday List
I’ve noticed that several people have gone back and found a particular blog post I wrote two years ago about doing triage on your holiday list. And in honor of…
Can we get a little FREAKIN’ PEACE around here?
Here in Southern California, the holidays are a special kind of stressful. People here just sort of just plum lose connection with any sort of common sense for a few…
Santa Brings Coal for Snake Oil Salesmen: FTC and BMJ Call BS on Sensa, The Doctors and Doctor Oz
Call it a holiday gift. This week I’ve come across TWO scathing reprimands of bogus weight loss profiteering and frankly it fills me with holiday glee. First, I learned that…
“Guilt-Free Holiday Partying”
Hubby and I get started on some guilt-free holiday revelry at the Producer’s Guild Holiday Party. Over the past few weeks, the media has been requesting experts to comment on…
When the fatties win, they just change the rules.
Recently I came across a link to this important story in the Guardian that talks about what happened when a fat man won the Mr. Gay UK contest. The contest…
On the tenth day of Christmas–Ten Jumpers Jumping
Dear readers. Please excuse me as I interrupt your regularly scheduled reading for this DANCE break! I ran across this great video yesterday and I just needed to share it…
If you’re happy and you know it, Weight Watchers says you probably shouldn’t be…
MASSIVE MEGA TRIGGER WARNING. I’m going to be talking about an unbelievably annoying Weight Watchers ad. If you don’t want to hear about a lot of icky concern trolling, food…
Hippocratic Hypocrisy?
An article recently released in Lancet magazine calls out some prominent researchers who presented at the Association for the Study for Obesity conference on September 16-17, 2014 in Birmingham, UK. …
Thankful for my Online Sisters
At this time of year it’s natural for us to be thankful. And there are so many things to be thankful for. I have a wonderful husband and family who…
Body Love is not a Pant Size
Let me be clear. I think people should learn to love their bodies, full stop. I don’t think they have to wait until they lose ten pounds to love their…
New Beginnings Now vs. New Years Resolutions
Recently I saw a reporter request asking fitness and medical professionals why they shouldn’t wait until New Years to get fit. And I imagine they were expecting a lot of…
Fatshioning a Better Relationship with Clothing Companies
Plus-size model? Most of the world doesn’t seem to think so. I was reviewing my email when this article from Digiday entitled “For brands, marketing ‘plus-size’ is a tricky line…
Jillian Michaels Co-opts Body Love Messaging (This is why we can’t have nice things…)
Body love courtesy of Jillian Michaels. In an epic moment of facepalm, my facebook feed threw up this little fact: Jillian Michaels has published her “Top 3 Guidelines for Improving…
“Fall Back” in Love with You
I’m not going to lie. I love fall. It’s my favorite time of year. And one of my favorite things about fall is that in the U.S. we get to…
Kids, Bullying and Plastic Surgery
I was somewhat floored this weekend as I listened to a brief radio report on my local public radio station about kids and plastic surgery. The story (which made reference…
All the Comebacks We’ll Never Say
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN3zrFBXynw?rel=0] TRIGGER WARNING: I’m going to talk about verbal abuse. So I don’t know if you got a chance to see this, but it’s pretty awesome. Chelsea Handler lays…
Hey! Don’t “Shop” My Kid!
The girls of South Park learn about Photoshop. Mahli had always been told that the birthmark on the side of her neck was a “beauty mark”. So when the photos…
(Body) Love is Patient. (Body) Love is Kind.
As I thought further about my recent post about marrying my body, I wondered what is really the hard part of this for me? What about the commitment to love…
Marrying Me: A Day Full of Love
I hope you’ll forgive me for being a bit tardy. You see, yesterday, October 14 was National Love Your Body day. It was also the 19th anniversary of my marriage…
“You look great! Have you lost weight?” And other phrases on “What NOT to Say!”
Want to start out with a trigger warning. I’m going to be talking about illness-induced weight loss and our society’s often idiotic response to it. Part of my recent health…
The Health Continuum
The day before I woke up in excruciating back pain, I gave a keynote address at a health conference. And during that keynote I talked a lot about how we…
Radical Self Care
I am so excited to announce our new challenge on the Fit Fatties Forum called the RASCAL challenge. This stands for Radical Activist for Self Care and Love. In this…
Back
Well I’m back here telling you that the pain in my back is, well, back. Last week after I gave my speech at the Duarte Health Fair, I took a…
Making Fitness About Fun, Not About Weight Stigma
Today, I’d like to direct you to the blog I wrote for Weight Stigma Awareness Week. BEDA is doing absolutely amazing work in this space, and I am very proud…
Dear Abby, Let The Fat Chick Give you a Little Advice
So I don’t know if you’ve been following the kerfluffle regarding Dear Abby’s terrible advice regarding a fat woman and her mother’s reaction to the crime of wearing a bathing…
The Childhood Obesity Challenge
Uuuuugh! Well we’re halfway through “Harass Kids About Their Weight Month” otherwise known as “Let’s Build Eating Disorders As Young As Possible Month” or “Childhood Obesity Awareness Month”. I’ve mentioned…
Conducting Cloud Census, BRB
Hello dear readers, Just wanted to let you know that I haven’t dropped off the earth and (hopefully) haven’t been eaten by a bear. I’m just dropping you a brief…
Talking to Kids About their Bodies
I am sad to say that September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. I cannot see the need for this particular marker. I don’t know a single adult who isn’t aware…
Don’t Slim me Down! Wooooo!
A very good friend of mine turned me on to the story of model Meaghan Kausman’s very public outcry over recently released images that have made heavy use of Photoshop…
Magic Beans
It all started this week with dimples. This week I came across these photos demonstrating an early invention for creating dimples on the cheeks. I had a fleeting moment where…
Time for a Little Self Care
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKrDAeNxtLA?rel=0] Coming off a very busy week after an incredibly busy weekend hosting the first annual Fat Activism Conference. Over 30 hours of content with over 40 speakers in…
Dance Break at the Ball Park!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9TjLBu-BsQ?rel=0] We just finished the First Annual Fat Activism Conference and I am still a bit giddy. Of course there’s plenty of stuff we can do better next time.…
When the Bully at the Gym IS the Gym
I was horrified to hear yet another story of corporate bullying by a gym against an innocent person. In this case, the person was somebody I know and in this…
New Study Finds that Losing Weight Won’t Make You Happy
In the past I’ve talked about how fat people can be happy without losing weight. Now a new study confirms something else I’ve known for quite a while, that losing weight won’t…
New Electronic Food Police can Cyber Bully You About Eating Habits
Ahhh, gone are the days where you could simply count on your Uncle George or your Mother to track every morsel of food you put in your mouth. And past…
Important New Editorial discusses Weight Stigma in the Gym
I recently came across this editorial discussing a subject very close to my heart. It’s called “Obesity Bias in the Gym: An Under-recognized Social Justice, Diversity, and Inclusivity Issue”. The…
80 Odd Years of Happy
The title of this post might refer to the notion that you’ve been hearing that infernal song for 80 years. But in this case it does not. It refers to…
How to Have a Movie Star Body (It’s not what you think…)
In a recent interview, Elizabeth Banks dared to step outside of the common, “I look like a movie star because of my alfalfa smoothies, my personal trainer and my guru”…
New Fluffy Fitness Heroes and Heroines!
Hi everybody! Today, I’m super excited to tell you about two new fluffy fitness folks that have just made my week! First, Angela Meadows posted about this lovely lady on…
For People Who Hate Exercise (continued)
I promised I would write more about this topic and here we go. I have you six reasons people hate exercise in my previous post, and I’m giving you six…
For People who Hate Exercise
First and foremost let me tell you that it is completely within your rights to hate exercise. It is also completely within your rights not to do any exercise at…
Exercise, Fattie! (But Don’t Make Me Watch)
Warning: Fit Fatty Crossing! It is one of the great hypocrisies of the fat hating concern troll. They tell us to put down the cheeseburger, and go for a walk. …
Powerful new Resource Helps Medical Professionals Understand HAES.
I am very excited to tell you about an epic new article that has appeared in the Journal of Obesity. This article called, “The Weight-Inclusive versus Weight-Normative Approach to Health: Evaluating…
New Slacker Shocker Appliance Designed to Jolt Fatties into Compliance
Move along. These are not the Wonder Woman bracelets you were looking for. Okaaaaaay. So today I read about a new bracelet that is coming on the market that will…
Greater Than the Sum of Our Parts (Boobs, Bellies and Butts)
Over the past week or so, a number of things have floated across my path about the objectification of fat bodies. Whether meant for good or for ill, the objectification…
BACK (sorta)
Hello my dear readers. As you may have noticed, I’ve been gone for a while. Fortunately I had the opportunity to meet and speak with over 400 schoolteachers this…
ESPN Hits It Outa the Park with New Cover Model
OMG I am so excited that ESPN chose studly baseball man Prince Fielder as the cover model for their 2014 Body Issue. Far from the typical wasp waisted, v-shaped Adonis…
Women (truly) Kicking Butt and Taking Names in Male-Dominated Sports
Over the past few days, I have run into stories of some absolutely fabulous women kicking butt in sports traditionally populated only by men. And when I say traditionally, I…
Hubris can be Bad for your Career, Bro.
So Adam Richman, a guy who was originally famous for eating massive amount of food on a dare on cable television, lost some weight. The star of the Travel Channel’s…
Star Trek and the Two Minute Chair Workout
Best exercise chair EVAR! One of the things I hear quite often on the Fit Fatties Forums or in emails is, “I can only do two minutes of exercise or…
Scientists Say they may have Underestimated Fat Hatred. I say, “Yup!”
Wow, what a week. On the one hand I got a nice mention in Women’s Health magazine. On the other hand, a rabid group of haters found my YouTube channel…
Stuff That Weighs More than Me: Columbian Mammoth
Spent a wonderful afternoon at the Page Museum next to the La Brea Tar Pits. It was super fun and we were spoiled for choice in terms of stuff that…
Slugs on Hamster Wheels, Belly Flopping Corgis and Other Poster Creatures for Unselfconscious Exercise
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5gI1joaCxI?rel=0] Okay, so the video visual quality is not awesome. But even before I saw it, the title had me giggling. I mean “A Slug using a Running Wheel”? …
Skinny Scientists and Pseudoscience and the New Scientific Method
This week was kind of a bad news good news week for the science of fatties. On the good news front, Dr. Oz got a very public spanking in Congress…
Turtles, Penguins, Whales, Hippos and other “Insulted Spirit Animals”
As a person who previously did an awful lot of slow running, it’s hard to avoid the wonderful writings of John “The Penguin” Bingham. At the ripe old age of…
A Killer Green Dress and other Fashion to Die For
Recently I heard about Fashion Victims: The Pleasures and Perils of Dress in the 19th Century a new exhibit at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, Canada. The centerpiece of…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: The Way by Alexander Liberman
Yep I’m in that picture. Look verrrrry closely. While on our recent trip to Missouri, we stopped at Laumeier Sculpture Park in St. Louis. This magnificent space hosts so,…
Exercise and the Brain: Tricks, Treats and Truth
So I came across yet another study last week about exercise and the brain. I’m frankly more than a little annoyed about the premise of this one, but I think…
Study Proves “Not all Fat People are Unhappy”–Follow up to indicate Papal Affiliation With Catholicism
So I got a notice in my inbox this week that a study has been announced that indicates “Not All Fat People are Unhappy.” And honestly, my first thought was,…
Oh the Places You’ll Go (with fitness)
Yesterday we officially launched our Fit Fatties Virtual Vacations with a virtual sunset cruise in Paris. And it really got me thinking. Of all the super wonderful and awesome things…
Friday Dance Break
It’s been a tough week for me and in many ways a tough week for our country. So I thought for today’s blog I would post a FRIDAY DANCE BREAK!…
A Different Sort of Tennis Star
You’d think since being rated the top Junior player in the United States, tennis phenom Taylor Townsend would be best known for her prowess on the court. However, aside from…
When the Fat Chick Sings…
Sad, but oh so true. One thing that a lot of people don’t know about me is that I have a master’s degree in Opera Performance. Yup, at one time,…
An announcement plus Stuff that Weighs More than Me: World’s Biggest Chess Piece
Okay, so we have a few things to talk about today. One is to share with you my latest entry to stuff that weighs more than me. In the above…
Taking a Vacation from a Common Equation: Calories in, Calories Out
Myrtle, Esther and Bessie take a little trip outside of their comfort zone… For the past few days, I’ve been back in Missouri. First we went to Rolla where my…
Does Eating Margarine Cause Divorce? Correlation is not Causation.
There’s a lot of buzz on the list serves about a new website that just launched called Spurious Correlations. The site reports a new “correlation” each day. For example, the…
Is Godzilla Yo-Yo Dieting?
Japanese fans are up in arms about the new Americanized Godzilla’s hefty size–citing poor diet as cause for the unwelcome change. The trailers for the newest Godzilla film have hit…
On Golf, Waffle House and Becoming a Professional Hater
Recently, Bubba Watson won what is arguably the most important title in professional Golf–The Masters. He didn’t go to Disney World to celebrate. Nope, Watson celebrated his 1.6 Million dollar…
See Fatty Run, Can Fat People Run Safely?
I am frequently asked both on Facebook and in the Fit Fatties Forum, “I am fat. Is it still safe for me to run?” So I thought I’d take up…
Fat Chick Rages: Don’t Teach Exercisers to Ignore Body Signals!
My dear friend Ragen Chastain mentioned on Facebook that she had gone to an enjoyable Zumba class the night before, but was dismayed the next day when she checked out…
Stuff That Weighs More Than Me: Russian MiG
Jeanette rocks out in a Russian MiG I haven’t done one of these in a while, but I just CAN’T resist. I am speaking at the National Association of Broadcasters…
Tutus, Wonder Women and Haters
Look at that fabulous picture up there. Does it make you smile? Think it’s a story about motivation and joy and taking back your own power? Sorry. It’s a story…
The Red Handle, The Hot Button and Other Hair Triggers
Recently I came across this article about Chris Christie and pulling the “red handle”. I remember clicking on it because I didn’t know what the “red handle” was. As I…
In EPIC Wardrobe Malfunction, Target Creates Thigh Gap by Removing Young Woman’s Lady Bits
Close up of gruesome wardrobe malfunction. EEEK! In it’s quest to ensure that all its models are sporting an appropriate thigh-gap, Target PhotoShop artists appear to have removed a junior…
Because I’m Happy…
I think one of the most difficult barriers I’ve encountered on my journey towards self acceptance is the constant barrage of input telling me that people in larger bodies can’t…
Why we need to “broaden” the Definition of Exercise
If you haven’t seen it already, I am sorry to be the one to bring this to your attention. The news agencies have begun to pick up on a “study”…
the HAES® files: DIY Decathlon – Winter Games for Every BODY
Here’s a post I did about the Fit Fatties Forum on the Health At Every Size Blog! Enjoy, and I’ll see you in the comments section! oxoxoxo Jeanette (The Fat…
Protecting your Heart from new Weight Loss Drugs
Well it’s that time of year again. The time of year that we talk about cupids and Valentines and love and stuff. And, as a good friend of mine on…
Love (for yourself) is in the Air
Aside from being the week of the Winter Games, here in the U.S. it’s also the week of Valentine’s Day. It’s a week to think about love. And I would…
Why do we pay good money to feel bad?
Look, you can buy your very own “Food Police” cookie jar. Click to watch the video… Okay, I was reading through my email and I came across a wonderful new…
Why the First Ten Minutes of Exercise are the Hardest
DISCLAIMER WARNING STUFF FIRST It’s very important to know your body. There are certain warning signs that may let you know that your body is in distress. I talk about…
Exercise from the neck down and the neck up.
Integrating the head and the body through exercise! We are doing a lot of fun and useful exploration in my Every BODY Can Exercise group right now. Quite a bit…
The Unwritten Sports Stat: Female Athletes Must Be Gorgeous
A friend forwarded me a link to an interesting article in the Guardian about how female athletes fear that how they look may outrank how well they perform in terms…
You know what’s fattening? News about the Obesity Crisis.
I wonder how many times studies will need to come out and people will need to talk about the damage caused by panic mongering over the obesity crisis before the…
What is a “healthy weight”?
I have to admit I was taken aback when I was named one of “Healthy Weight Week’s Top-35 Healthy Weight Blogs”. I am actually aware of “Healthy Weight Week” from…
Red Carpet Walk–No Diet, No Girdle, No Regrets
You know what I did last night? I went to a the Producers Guild Awards in Beverly Hills. You know what I didn’t do? Give even one hoot about whether…
Searching for Reality among the Dummies
So this week, American Apparel hit the news again with some brand new mannequins. Apparently they are causing quite a stir because THESE mannequins are sporting prominent nipples and a…
Frank Sinatra as Exercise Inspiration
In case you’re noodling over my semi-bizarre title, let me just say this. Frank “did it his way”. And when it comes to exercise, I’d like to invite you to…
Why self esteem isn’t just about you.
I talk a lot about self esteem and self efficacy in this blog, because I think both of those things are very, very important. I think the way we see…
How the tortise stayed out of the emergency room and still beat that hare.
So my dear reader, it can’t have escaped your attention that it’s a new year. I’ve talked about it and written about it and recorded movies about it. And it’s…
Training to Become a Regular Exerciser
It’s 2014 and it’s time for a new FREE video. YAY! In this video (click above) I offer some new tools to help make 2014 the year YOU become a…
Resolve to have More Creative Resolutions
It’s the time of year when all of us size acceptance and HAES (R) folks start talking about why you shouldn’t diet as your New Year’s Resolution. And I’m sure…
All About Gifts
During this time of year, it’s pretty natural for us to think about gifts. We’re frantically making finishing touches on the gifts we’ve yet to give, reflecting warmly about the…
5 Reasons Santa is a Healthy Role Model
Yep, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. All the weight loss companies that sell all the things are lining up at the door and chomping at the bit…
Resolve to have Different Resolutions Next Year
Hi kids! I know it’s a little early to be talking about New Year’s Resolutions. I mean at this point, I am just resolving to, please God, make it to…
How do I know when I’m exercising hard enough?
This question can be a bit difficult for beginners to navigate. Given all the mixed messages we’ve heard about exercise from the notion that working out feels like being kissed…
Do I owe it to anybody to lose weight?
Ahhh, the holidays! It’s a time for sharing food, family, friendship and GUILT. I recently shared some thoughts about setting boundaries for the holidays here. (And of course, there’s always…
Fit Mom Vs. The Fat Chick, The Cage Match Edition
The online world is absolutely full of people arguing with Maria Kang alternatively known as “fit mom” or “what’s your excuse mom”. She stirred up a whole lot of controversy…
Even more research on Fitness and Fatness
For the 1,000th time, fitness is more important than fatness when it comes to overall health outcomes. In the midst of the holiday hubub, I came across yet another study…
What are the odds?
Hey there! Sorry I haven’t blogged in a few days. I’ve been on the roller coaster and hanging on for dear life. Seems like that’s the way of it, doesn’t…
Arriving
I had a chance to put some of my steps technique into practice yesterday as I jetted off on a last minute jaunt to New York City. I’m going to…
More Steps Towards Awesomeness: Thanksgiving Edition
All that holiday activity makes me tired! Well it seems I have the jump on the competition when it comes to holiday travel. I’m flying out to New York City…
Athletics and Allergies–Ahh-ahh-CHOO! (Now, with cat pictures!)
Ah, the fall. It’s a time of crisp air, falling leaves and lots and lots of stuff to make your nose get all stuffed up. I’ve noticed that my seasonal…
Taking Your Spirit for a Walk
We’ve been talking a lot about pedometers and counting steps and walking towards physical fitness in the last few weeks. But walking does a lot more than strengthen your body…
The True Virtue of the Turkey Trot and Other Tips for Holiday Fitness
Rockin’ the turkey trot! Thanksgiving will be here soon (at least if you live in the United States) and we’re swinging right into the major holiday season. Between the holiday…
Up Hill Both Ways: 30th Anniversary of Shadow on a Tightrope
A new generation is introduced to Shadow on a Tightrope. Photo Credit: Substantia Jones I have to confess. I recently re-read Shadow on a Tightrope in honor of this blog…
Exercise, Empowerment and Free Botox at the Finish Line
OMG does my makeup look okay? My friend and colleague Kjerstin recently posted this article about the upcoming “Diva 5K” in Miami Florida. The race, which exhorts women and girls…
Why this Might Be the Best Week all Year to Start Exercising
Sure, any time is a good time to start exercising. But if you live in the United States, this might just be the best week all year to start a…
Overcoming Parking Karma and Adding More Steps to your Life
Earlier this week, I wrote a post all about using the pedometer to gradually add to your fitness level. It’s easy to use. It’s safe. And it’s cheap! All you…
Wicked Witch Hands Fat Kids Shame-Filled Letter instead of Candy
*Loud record scratch noise* We interrupt our regularly scheduled blog to make this public service announcement. Apparently a woman in North Dakota called into a local radio station saying that…
Step into Fitness the EASY Way
So often we think getting started in fitness requires a big ramp up. We think need to find a class that fits with our schedule. We plan on buying lots…
The Terror of a New Exercise Class
Signs that maybe that exercise class isn’t quite right for you… It’s Halloween time so I thought I would talk about one particularly scary situation. We’ve all experienced the trepidation…
Fitness Training and Trash Talking
Did you know that it’s “Fat Talk Free” week? I just found out yesterday and I’m super excited. A whole week dedicated to not trash talking our bodies?!? Sign me…
Knock it off, Michelle Obama!
AAAAAARRRRGGGH! We’ve recently gotten news that Michelle Obama is to appear on the upcoming series of the television show, “The Biggest Loser”. Apparently her topic will be somewhat benign. She…
Exercise Discovery–Finding Your Fun
Naturally a lot of people ask me what I do. And very often when I tell them, they say, “Oh I hate to exercise.” And if they seem happy with…
Loving Your Body by Listening to Your Body
I’ve been married for nearly 20 years, and that’s quite a while. If I’ve learned anything over this past 20 years about relationships, it’s this–if you love somebody you have…
Stupid F@#!ing Injuries
Medic! If you’ve done any sort of exercise for any length of time you’ve probably experienced some sort of pain or injury. I know. I feel ya. I’ve experienced injuries…
A Sensible Approach to Healthy Kids
Folks of ALL ages dancing their hearts out! I have to admit that the blog post I did on Monday broke my heart. The idea that it is even possible…
Six Year Old Girl Dies–Diagnosed as Fat?
Sorry to start your week out with such a sad story, but I think it needs to be told. Late last week I became aware of the story of Claudialee,…
I’m Back! (With a New Video)
Maybe we all need to do a little more dancing… Okay kids, I’m a little bit tardy (2 days) but I am back with a renewed desire to offer you…
ROUND numbers–the 500th Post!
Well hello there! Welcome to the 500th post on Fat Chick Sings! It’s always great when we reach a ROUND number. A 10-K, a 25th or 50th wedding anniversary, a…
Sharing Some Boogie Time
Folks of all ages whoop it up at Summerfest! As you may or may not know, I grew up near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I grew up in a state known for…
What fitness looks like*
Today I was tagged in a post by the super awesome Kimber Simpkins pointing me to a gorgeous new slideshow on Mind Body Green entitled I Am A Yogi. It…
Hater Plate
The other day, I was waiting in the drive-thru for an iced tea to quench my thirst. Delirious with the 100+ degree heat, I had to look twice when I…
Skin
Well a few weeks back, I issued a nudity challenge to y’all and I thought I’d check back with you to see the results. As promised, I spent 15 minutes…
Try, try again and again and again and again and again…
text text Fifth time’s the charm for Diana Nyad I’ve been meaning to write to y’all about Diana Nyad. As I’m sure many of you know, Nyad fulfilled a lifelong…
Come dance with us in the Bay Area!
Hello my dears! It’s September of 2013, and do you know what that means? It means it’s time for some Hot Flash Mobs! This is the second annual installment of…
Thanking Those Who Fight for Rights
I love labor day. It’s a last breath at the end of summer. It’s the break that makes the beginning of the school year a tiny bit more bearable for…
New Uniforms for the Sexylympics and WTF?
I guess I should just be glad that the IOC isn’t considering THIS judo uniform… I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I love, love, LOVE the Olympics. …
Why BMI stands for “Blatantly Meaningless Information”
Yup, higher shoe size means higher BMI. Maybe we should re-institute foot binding for better health? The LA Times has published another awesome article, this time taking aim at BMI. …
Stuff That Weighs More Than Me: Ship Loaded with Containers
This weekend some awesome friends of ours asked us to go out sailing with them. And while we were having a wonderful time, I didn’t forget about YOU my dear…
Proof Please
So very often these days we hear that the world has deemed to help the portly because they so desperately need help and the world is being nice–and stuff. Millions…
Nobody Said it Better: Of Tiny Pink Dumbbells
My dear readers, sometimes I come across a post that leaves me so inspired and so awed that I just have to share it with you. Today I read such…
Right Now Show 017: Setting Exercise Expectations
Hey everybody! Here’s episode 17 of the Right Now Show. This episode is drawn from a speech I gave at the Wellness Beyond Weight Seminar at the ASDAH conference. It…
The Tattooed Muppet Lady
I’ve been going back and watching old, OLD episodes of one of my favorite shows of all time, The Muppet Show. It’s hard to explain what I love most about…
Body Hatred–We have an “App” for That!
Arrrrrrrgh! A good friend recently shared this link with me. (Warning–following link leads to stupid picture and ridiculous article. Please check your sanity points level before you engage.) It’s an…
Spontaneous Fire and Falling Stars
Firelight on upturned faces as we watch the stars begin to fall. Last week I mentioned that I was going on retreat. I went. It was wonderful. The church choir…
Stuff That Weighs More than Me: World’s Largest Caravan
It was actually THIS picture, sent to me by a friend, that got me on the whole “retreat” theme for this week in the first place. The Globe Caravan (pictured…
Professor Terrible Learns about Consequences
I was oh so VERY happy today to read that the University of New Mexico has decided to Censure Professor Terrible, (AKA Professor Geoffrey Miller) about his now infamous tweet. …
Retreat
It’s August, and a lot of us are thinking about getting in those last summer vacations before school starts. Last week was awesome but had a hellaceous schedule that has…
Nekkid–the Joys of being Nude.
So, a number of things in the universe are conspiring to make me think about the joys of being in the altogether. There’s my post last Friday about the drama…
Big Fat Yoga Pants
Yesterday a brouhaha was begun when former Lululemon employee Elizabeth Licorish told reporters that her former employers routinely discriminated against larger customers. In other news, water is wet. I mean…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Mirrors on the Hubble Telescope
Well, all the selfies on the Fat and Proud project has got me thinking about how cell phones are modern mirrors, so naturally I thought more about mirrors and which…
Right Now Show Episode 16: The Fat and Proud Project
In episode 16 of the Right Now Show we discuss the Size Diversity Task Force’s New “Fat and Proud” project. We also talk about why The Fat Chick has chosen…
New Zealand Tells South African Chef, “You’re Too Fat to Live Here!”
I know I am not the first and I certainly hope I’m not to write about this story. Because you know what? This scares me right out of my sparkly,…
New Study Finds Shaming People Doesn’t Help Them Lose Weight: Confirms Ursine Creatures Poo in Forest
Bear poops in woods. News at eleven! Yet another study came out this week confirming that perceived weight stigma does not help overweight get thinner people. In fact, weight discrimination…
Why We Can’t Forget Dr. Geoffrey Miller AKA Professor Terrible
It seems a lot of the uproar surrounding Dr. Geoffrey Miller has died down. But a new study out of Bowling Green University helps to confirm that this issue of…
Stuff That Weighs More Than Me: Cassini Spacecraft
As I was writing my post about “waving at Saturn” yesterday, I had a realization. “Hey,” I thought, “I’ll bet that Cassini Spacecraft taking photos from Saturn weighs more than…
First Interplanetary “Photobomb”–Geeks Celebrate Globally
Mr and Ms. Geek Celebrate NASA’s World’s Largest Photobomb Last week Friday, my hubby and I confirmed our card-carrying geek status by participating in the first interplanetary photobomb. On Friday,…
Should the Boy Scouts Add a “Weight Cycling” Badge?
Proposed (by me) “Weight Cycling” patch In the wake of my previous blog post about BMI and the Boy Scouts of America (BSOA), I’ve been reading some responses. And the…
Boy Scouts, BMI and Managing Risk
Would the BSOA deem Russell “too fat” to go to camp? Yesterday, I read Ragen Chastain’s amazing post on the new policies implemented by the Boy Scouts of America regarding…
Our Big Fat Community
Working out at the ASDAH conference Over the past week, just after my return from ASDAH’s very successful conference, I have seen a number of additional examples of our Amazing…
See Fatty Run: Designer Sweat and Supermodel Athletes
It’s enough to make you crazy. People of size are constantly asked to exercise, but are criticized for neglecting to look like supermodels while they are doing it. Sometimes in…
The Dubious Power of Pretty
It seems like everywhere I look in the last week or so, I’ve seen more and more stuff about the power of being pretty. We’d love to deny it. We’d…
Free E-Book Helps Every BODY Exercise!
Frustrated or scared by exercise? Jump start your fitness efforts with a free copy of my e-book designed to help you love your body and love exercise again! Just click…
When doctors are wrong.
I recently watched this video–a TED talk–by Dr. Peter Attia. You may have seen it as it’s become quite a viral sensation over the last few weeks. But even if…
Too Sexy for our Shirts? Cleavage, morality and discrimination in America
Not all big girls have big cleavage. But some of us do. And when we dare to reveal them in public, look out! The morality police may just be on…
Body Independence Day! The Right Now Show–Episode 015.
The Fat Chick demonstrates the right to Bare Arms on July 4, 2013. In episode 15 of The Right Now Show, Jeanette DePatie (AKA The Fat Chick) shares her declaration…
Stuff that Weighs More Than Me: F4F-3 Wildcat WWII Fighter Plane
During the elebenty hours I spent at O’Hare Airport today, I did have the fortune to run into at least one thing that weighs more than me. As you can…
Workplace Wellness Doesn’t Heal the Bottom Line
I think we’ve seen lots and lots of press of late concerning workplace wellness. There are a variety of companies charging huge premiums to corporations promising companies healthier employees. And…
Coming Home to our Bodies
If my blogging has been somewhat irregular this week, it’s because I’ve gone home. I’ve gone to the house that my Mom and Dad and sister and I built with…
ADA Says Not All Fat is Bad
The ADA suggests that not all fat is “bad”. Well it certainly has been a week of ups and downs. On the one hand, we had the very disturbing news…
The Fat Chick on Hallmark’s Home and Family
Hi Everybody! At long last, I’ve gotten a copy of my appearance on Hallmark’s “Home and Family” Show. It’s pretty light-hearted, but I got the chance to say some important…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Giant Orange
Yup, that’s a person up there in the observation area! Apparently, they just grow stuff bigger down under. The search for the stats for the giant espresso pot, led me…
On Doggie Diversity
It’s always amazing to me, just how hard it is for people to wrap their heads around size diversity. They readily accept that some people are tall and some people…
The Tyrrany of Jolly
Canadian doc crew interviews the Size Diversity Task Force Recently, I hosted a Size Diversity Task Force meeting and a Canadian documentary film crew at our house. They were interviewing…
Your Big Fat ASSumptions: The Right Now Show Episode 014
Today’s episode of the Right Now Show shares two things that you may safely assume when looking at a fat person. We also discuss five Big Fat ASSumptions that we…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Molto, Molto Venti Coffee!
This week’s entry for stuff that weighs more than me was inspired by the picture above which was submitted by the most amazing and awesome Bev Whittington. According to Bev,…
Once upon a body…Comparing Ourselves to Pretend People
Melissa McCarthy is almost unrecognizable in these American and UK posters for the movie “The Heat”. In popular culture it can be pretty difficult to find examples of bodies that…
Fat Hating German Gym Ad May Make You Stabby
Warning, the bulk of this blog post (#450!) is likely to make you really, really mad. If you don’t want to be mad today, might I suggest you refer to…
Fat and Bad Knees
This ad for moisturizer suggests you use their body creme ” for sexy knees”. One of the things I am constantly told as a fat person is that for fat…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Offshore Platform
I was just watching the History Channel series “The Men That Built America”. One of the interesting bits was about how John D. Rockefeller got his start in refining oil…
California Gov. Health Organization “Photoshops” Kids Picture to Fight Childhood Obesity
Good job California. So you passed Proposition 10 to collect a fifty-cent tax on every pack of cigarettes. You’ve used that money to create First 5 California, also known as…
Prof with poor impulse control wishes he hadn’t tweeted about will power, part the second
Cat Pause, who recently created a new tumbler feed featuring fat PhD’s. Nyah! So, yeah. I’ve been continuing to follow the saga of Dr. Geoffrey Miller and day two of…
Dear Dr. Terrible Your Bigotry is Showing…
Ran across this in my facebook feed today and almost wanted to cry. This tweet from Evolutionary Psychology Professor at NYU & U. New Mexico Dr. Geoffrey Miller is really special. …
Does this Blog make my Butt Look Big? Why “Fat Talk” may be Bad for your Social Life.
“Fat talk” is a bonding ritual that many of us learned at our Mother’s knee. Many of us have participated in fat talk over the years because we felt social…
Stuff that Weighs More Than Me: Haul from the LA River Clean Up
It’s what you call a win-win situation. You and 3,000 other people gather a big pile of debris (that weighs more than me) and you get to help clean up…
F@#$k Purple, I wanna be a Footballin’ Granny!
Hello Peeps. I saw this picture and it inspired me to write something special for you this morning. Enjoy! Football Kickin’ Granny When I am old, I will certainly wear…
Paging Doctor Good…
Sometimes fat chicks have to shop a little harder to find a good doctor… Well, yet another study has come out indicating that fat stigma is alive and well…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Life-Size X-Wing Fighter Made of Legos
Okay, take the coolness factor and turn it to “eleven” because this Lego(R) sculpture is “one louder”. This super fun sculpture is an exact 42x scale model of the Lego…
Fun with Dick and Jane (and Why Tim doesn’t Exercise)
See Tim develop an eating disorder… Oh my God. Where do I even start with this monstrosity? I was going along, minding my own business, eating my breakfast and checking…
There’s No Time
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cch9ckGnOk] I have had so many reminders in the past 24 hours that no day is guaranteed. None of us know when our time will be up. From the…
Fashionably Impoverished
So I ran across THIS story this past week about Charlotte a fashion student in London who dared, DARED to make a plus-sized collection for her graduate project. Unfortunately (but…
The Right Now Show 013: Finding the Right Fitness Trainer
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acFn9NtZA98] In this episode, Jeanette DePatie AKA The Fat Chick shares some information about finding the right fitness teacher or trainer. She shares a personal story about a really…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: A Mil V-12 Helicopter
Okay, I think it’s safe to say that pretty much any helicopter weighs more than me. But there are helicopters, my friend, and there are HELICOPTERS. I mean just look…
Just What the #$%&! am I Supposed to Eat!?!
So have you seen the article in the New York Times that says it might be okay to eat salt again? It seems some recent research is calling into question…
The Body’s Battle with Weight Loss
I recently ran across this little gem on Cracked.com entitled “Fat is Officially Incurable (According to Science)” which offers a surprisingly accurate portrayal about just how likely those “before” and…
Only Fat People Need to Walk: As Indicated by Blue Cross Program
Study showing healthy habits most important for health outcomes in ALL weight categories. Oh dear. I think it’s going to be hard to keep up with all of the discriminatory…
Right Now Show Episode 012–Fit-lanthropy: Making the World Better for EveryBODY!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu6SOHo8TQA] In this episode of the Right Now Show, we talk about “fit-lanthropy”–my term for combining fitness with raising money or otherwise helping other people. I also unveil a…
Stuff That Weighs More than Me: The Humble Manatee
Frankly, I’m a little surprised that I haven’t done this blog post yet. After all, when the meany, meany, MacMeanersons start taunting the fat folks, this name is definitely in…
The Other Side of INDD
My dear readers, today I was so moved by a blog that was created by a friend of mine, that I decided to link to it here. With special thanks…
International No Longer Dedicating my Life to Dieting Day
Hello out there boys and girls, and happy International No Diet Day or INDD. Today is a day when I celebrate and honor the decision I made many years ago…
Stuff That Weighs More Than Me: The Titanic
Ran into this photo this week and realized that I have never posted about the Titanic before. I know, can you believe it? This ship has “launched” so many superlatives–largest…
My “Soap Box”–The Right Now Show: Episode 011
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J2FDjdwY4Y] In this episode I offer a bit of perspective on the controversy surrounding the videos recently released by Dove. This episode also features a special treat–a poem composed…
Redefining Female Superheroes
I recently came across this blog post about a young woman who dared to go to Comic Con and participate in a portfolio review to share some of her drawings…
Ads, Women and Mental Health
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWKXit_3rpQ] I recently came across this lecture from Jill Kilbourne and wanted to share it with you. In one of the classes I’ve been teaching we’ve been talking extensively…
Here we Go Again
I really wish I was making this stuff up. Once again, we’ve got a blogger (female this time) spilling “ink” in a very public forum about the shape of the…
You Don’t Need to Sell Soap to Be Beautiful!
I was so very excited when I came across this in my facebook feed. Fat positive blogger and artist phenom Rachele AKA The Nearsighted Owl has a project called The…
Big Fat Ripoff: Too Heavy to Tan
This week a story is surfacing about a woman in Akron who was told after she signed up for a month of tanning that she could not use the lay…
Talking about Bullying
This past Saturday, I had the great privilege to speak on behalf of the Size Diversity Task Force at the Stop The Pain Anti Bullying Conference in Riverside. I spoke…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: The World Peace Bell
In the aftermath of all our country has experienced in the past week, I felt that I was ready to think about peace. So today, I bring you the World…
Thursday Theater: Dancing Queen
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtg-zINT8-c] It is difficult to describe just how happy this video makes me. You guys already know I have a thing for videos featuring spontaneous dancing. But unlike this…
For the 100th Time, Shaming People Doesn’t Help!
This week I ran across even more research that indicates that shaming fat people does not turn them into thin people. This is hardly the first time this sort of…
Death and Taxes
Well we’ve survived another U.S. “tax day”, so I thought I’d share a little post about inevitability. Most of us have heard this quote, “In this world, nothing is certain…
Weight Loss Surgery, Colon Cancer and Some Other Considerations
Recently I read about a new study that links increased risk for colon cancer with weight loss surgery. I thought it was important to share this information with you, because…
Stuff that Weighs More Than Me: The Biggest Pot of Tea in Boston
If you have a big craving for tea, here you go! If you’re having a craving for tea, I’ve got just the thing! If you go to the corner of…
Right Now Show Episode 010: Craving the 2K Cookie
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2CAQys1poE] Many of us have been taught that cravings are something to be thwarted, ignored or denied. But our bodies have a way of insisting on getting what they…
Desires–What I Wanna
I LOVE jammie time! Not all cravings are for food. Sure, chocolate chip cookies are important, but there are other things in life. And in learning to listen to what…
Mindful Eating
A friend of mine had the above picture in her facebook feed this morning and it got me thinking about mindful eating. I gave it some thought, and I guess…
Cravings
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXWUSwu0r9Q] Recently, a very dear friend sent me a link to this video. I think it’s partly because she knows how I feel about cookies. But it got me…
Doing Size Acceptance Like a Rock Star
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhszZ53SEC8] I ran across this old recording of an interview with Jim Morrison this week. In this refreshingly frank discussion, Morrison asks, “what’s wrong with being fat”? He recounts…
Stuff That Weighs More Than Me: Antique Bath
If you are a major bath lover and I am a MAJOR bath lover, you know that antique, claw footed tubs totally rock for long happy soaks. You also know…
Size Diversity Soundtrack–300 Pounds of Heavenly Joy
This week, as part of a special project I’m working on, I’ve been exploring some fat positive music. And my goodness, I had no idea there was so much of…
Elephants, Pigs and (land)Whales, Oh my!
So often, people equate us fat folks with various animals. We’re compared to a pig or an elephant or a whale (or even the elusive “land whale”). And usually this…
Spring Chicks
The first day of spring was a while back. But I have to admit, for me spring starts with Easter. This is a time of year where I yearn for…
The Right Now Show Episode 009: Finding Support!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkLRmDSmc-0] In episode 009 of The Right Now Show Jeanette DePatie (AKA The Fat Chick) shares some tips for finding support in your journey towards loving the skin you’re…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: World’s Largest Chocolate Bunny
Sorry for the schedule change kids. But look at it this way, you’re not just getting the newest episode of “The Right Now Show” late, you’re also getting “Stuff that…
How to Dress When You’re a Fatty
I was so excited this week to see this piece outlining some “fashion rules” from Beth Ditto. Now here’s a woman who has created her own fierce style and is…
After Happily Ever After…
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diU70KshcjA] Watching this video really got me thinking. It’s hilarious and awesome because it ties into something we all so desperately want to believe. We want to believe in…
Why I am NOT Shopping at CVS
Employees of “Gattica” surrender a drop of blood for analysis before starting work each day. There’s been an awful lot of talk lately about CVS and their recent decisions regarding…
Stuff That Weighs More Than Me: Edible Hotel Made of Cake!
YAY this marks my 400th blog post. Woo Hoo! Let’s break out the bubbly! And you know what goes great with champagne? Cake! Look out Hansel and Gretel, what we…
The Right Now Show 008: Fit Fatties Cross the Finish Line!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUyfwqDetAA] In this episode, we watch the Fit Fatties as they enjoy the final leg of their virtual journey–swimming, cycling, walking, running and dancing across the USA. Watch as…
Young Guns in Self Acceptance
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASCruaLwRZc] I was excited to see this video on YouTube this week. It’s so exciting to see fresh, young faces who are embracing elements of the size acceptance, size…
Bullying is Also Bad for the Bullies
Last week, while wiling away minutes and hours on facebook, I came across this study about the negative effects of bullying on the bullies. Now lest I be accused of…
Now Trending on facebook: Mannequins that Look Like People
Late last week, these lovely ladies started going viral on facebook. Apparently a shopper named Rebecka, took pictures of these mannequins at a store in Sweden and posted them on…
Stuff That Weighs More Than Me: The Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is big. In fact, for many centuries, it served as the epitome of big. While best known for it’s central large domed structure, the Taj Mahal is…
Hold Your Tongue, Fatty!
In the category of “not necessarily new, but new to me” I ran across this article about a doctor who claims that he can make you thin by sewing a…
Warts and All: New Sources for Inspiration in Body Diversity
Over the past two weeks, I’ve seen a number of new sources for inspiration in the world of body diversity. Of course we have new inspiration from tried and true…
Teenage Boy “Diagnosed Fat”–Infection Missed
How many times have we heard this same story? A vibrant, active young man goes to the doctor, in this case, with knee pain. The doctor does a routine test…
Stuff That Weighs More Than Me: World’s Largest Treadmill
In honor of yesterday’s post about exercise equipment, today I present, the world’s largest treadmill. Apparently this huge piece of gear was originally designed to be used by Maggie, an…
The Right Now Show–Episode 007: Free Exercise Equipment
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aOSRAv48ZQ] You don’t need to spend tons of money on fitness gear to get a good workout. In this episode of The Right Now Show, I show you how…
Embracing Beginnerness (and Kitties!)
Based on your awesome feedback, I have balanced yesterday’s snark fest with this video of an adorable kitten just learning to walk. You’re welcome. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5JFUK7tSWE] I’m not just posting…
Joan Rivers Gets Schooled re. Why She Should SHUT UP about Adele.
ALERT ALERT ALERT: NSFW, Plus likely loss of sanity points ahead The following video contains Joan Rivers acting like a complete idiot and saying mean fat hating things about Adele…
Fit Fatties Across America–California, Baby!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFGgLNlDh0M] Well hello out there. I’m so very proud to announce we have reached my home state, California in the Fit Fatties Across America project founded by myself and…
Stuff That Weighs More than Me: Mars-bound SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft
Not only is super-rich civilian space traveler Dennis Tito planning a private mission to do a Mars flyby, the mission pilots are gonna do it in a commercial space vehicle…
The Right Now Show Episode 006: Exercise and Chronic Pain
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZKJXywwybA] In Episode 6 of the Right Now Show, we address a viewer inquiry about exercising with chronic pain or disability. We discuss strategies for exercising with osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia…
Hollow Leg Days–FEED Me Seymour!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7SkrYF8lCU] I think one of the realities of intuitive eating is understanding that some days you are hungrier than others. Some days I hardly think about food at all. …
What Happens When We “Let Ourselves Go”…
After I tell people that I support Health At Every Size (R) and after I explain what Health At Every Size is, people often share with me their fear that…
And the Award for Best at Wearing a Dress Goes to…
Long before the final statuettes have been given out, the awards for who looks best (and worst) in a dress are being decided. From the moment these film actors and…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: The H2 in the Best Buy Lot
In honor of Wednesday’s post, I present the H2: a not so very fuel efficient ve-hic-le that I feel fairly confident weighs more than me. This bad boy gets less…
Right Now Show Episode 005: The Big Fat Cookie Cycle
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FiP-nr3e_M] In Episode 005 of the Right Now Show, we explore the cycle of dieting, deprivation and desperation that I have dubbed “The Big Fat Cookie Cycle”. Learn a…
Entitlement 101
I pulled into the parking lot at Best Buy today. It was raining. Now you should know that typically, Californians consider rain a deep, personal tragedy. So, like most Californians…
The Courage to Try
In putting together my new college “Love Your Body” speech and in reading Ragen Chastain’s awesome blog post, one thing has been coming up over and over again. That thing…
Take Yourself for a Walk
When the amazing and wonderful Velvet D’Amour asked me to come up with a workout for her new issue of Volup.2 she said that the theme was “simplicity”. It really…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: World’s Largest Box of Chocolates
Well I hope your Valentine’s Day was full of everything you desired. Like this GIANT box of chocolates maybe? This colossal confection was commissioned by Thornton’s and holds the record…
Love Your Body Week TRAVEL Edition (sigh…)
Baby elephant metaphor day 2. Yup, last night and this morning’s travel kicked my butt. Not gonna lie to you. Started out in Harrisburg, PA at around 6PM EST last…
Why I Love “Love Your Body Week”
I’m having such a great time presenting at Love Your Body week at Dickinson college this week! I feel just like that joyful little baby elephant up there. The students…
Why You Just Shouldn’t Mess with Wisconsin Women
Once again, a woman from Wisconsin is at the center of a controversy over body snarking, and once again, a woman from Wisconsin has totally schooled the world on why…
Stuff That Weighs More Than Me: Big Ben at Dickinson College
In honor of my upcoming appearance at Dickinson College, I thought I’d find something on campus that weighs more than me. And it didn’t take me long to settle on…
Dealing with Diabetes: Episode 004 of the Right Now Show with Jeanette DePatie (AKA The Fat Chick)
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4Xa-Lx77WU] Are you coping with diabetes? Is your doctor shaming you because of your weight? Do you wish you had some body-positive advice for coping with this disease? I’m…
Buyer Beware: When the Trainers at the Gym are Big Stupid Bullies
What happens when you sign one of those one-sided, draconian gym contracts and then find yourself verbally and emotionally abused by the trainers in that gym? Think you’ll get out…
Working Out in High Heeled Shoes and Other Forms of Insanity
When I came across this in my facebook feed, I thought surely this is a joke. Clearly this is some sort of Onion-esque wry statement on the deep link between…
Dance Like Nobody’s Watching–Even at the Airport
Okay, first you gotta watch the video. Grab a cup of coffee and click the arrow. It will only take a minute. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S32bgx36G-0] Wow, how cool is that? We’ve…
Stuff That Weighs More than Me: Oscars Night Red Carpet
Sporting my black dress at the Producers Guild Awards It’s getting close to that time again. The Oscars are nearly upon us and you can’t spit in Hollywood these days…
Right Now Show–Episode 003: Healthcare and YOU
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhUka5Jr59o] In episode 003 of the Right Now show, we explore the new initiative by the Association for Size Diversity And Health (ASDAH) called RESOLVED: addressing weight bias in…
Ellen and the Biggest Bully
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1NHCbw51sM] I love the Ellen show. I love the sweet, silly nature of it. I love the dance breaks. I love Ellen’s work to end bullying. So I was…
A Fatty Affair 2013 was Off the Hook!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGONJ5ZKvvg] If, like me, you were privileged enough to go to A Fatty Affair last weekend, I imagine you are still basking in the afterglow of what can only…
Joyful Movement Taught by 14 Month-Old Ivo
Click on the photo to see a beautiful video… A friend recently sent me a link to this fabulous video on facebook. Apparently some dancers were looking for some inspiration…
Stuff that Weighs More Than Me: Giant Frozen Poo Sculpture
Oh my goodness. Once I saw this posted on my friend Kathleen’s wall, I just knew what I was going to use for my Friday blog post this week. I…
The Right Now! Show: On the Size Diversity Task Force
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQNTp0UPiSY] This week on episode 2 of “The Right Now Show with Jeanette DePatie (AKA The Fat Chick) I’ll be talking about a fabulous activism project created by the…
I want to be the chubby mouse with the big fat brain.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YdemGR2Hcw] Isn’t it interesting how so many people who have never met us are nevertheless quite sure they know exactly what we want? I have been inspired by a…
Resting Quietly
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A43JOxLa5MM] Okay, so the laryngitis has not let up. In fact it’s gotten worse. I included the video above to both approximate the only sound I am capable of…
Strengthening our Voices
Now with 36% more shout! This weekend I have been battling with a little rhinovirus-related laryngitis. Which is a fancy way of saying the nasty gook from my latest head-cold…
Stuff That Weighs More than Me: Lolong, The World’s Biggest Crocodile
Holy handbags, Batman! This is one huge reptile! Lolong, shown above, is the largest saltwater crocodile in captivity. He was captured by local townspeople in a remote southern Philippines town…
Thursday Theater: Presenting Right Now (With Me!)
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dkty-3aKT9A] Hi everybody! I’m so excited to present the very first episode of my new web show “Right Now! With Jeanette DePatie AKA The Fat Chick”. Hope you like…
What is Health?
One of my regular readers recently sent me a question about how I define health. She was particularly interested in my definition, as she felt that most if not all…
Baby Steps
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to7uIG8KYhg] So often when it comes to integrating intuitive eating and moderate joyful exercise into our lives, we hear that we should take baby steps. And by that, what…
Why it’s so Good to Fail Big and Fail Often
I was recently inspired by this article in New York Times Magazine called “Be Wrong as Fast as You Can”. It talks, in no uncertain terms about how the author…
Stuff That Weighs More Than Me: World’s Largest Scale Model of the Solar System
The Ericsson Globe Let me start by saying that this is one of the coolest things I have heard of, like EVER! And I also will have to state for…
Biggest Loser: Part Two Corrective Guide Based on Exercise Science
If you are doing as the advertising suggests and watching the latest season of The Biggest Loser with your family, you may have seen some stuff that is pretty disturbing. …
Biggest Loser: A Corrective Guide Based on Exercise Science Part 1
If you were unfortunate enough to have watched the season opener for The Biggest Loser this year, you saw some very frightening and confusing things. You saw people vomiting. You…
Why I Write About Health
There are times when I and other fellow bloggers in the fatosphere are criticized for talking about fat and health. We are accused of healthism and ableism. We are told…
Trigger Warning: Why an At Home Stomach Pump Might Not be Such a Good Idea
Okay, what I’m going to talk about today amounts to potential corporate backed, government sanctioned bulimia. And it has a pretty major “ick” factor as well. So if either of…
Thursday Theater: Shake Your Tail Feathers
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bt9xBuGWgw] Hope you had a chance to watch the bird above. Did ya? Did ya have fun? Well, you’re welcome, and have a nice day. But seriously folks, this…
Okay, let’s get back to WORK!
I confess, the second day of the year is often a bit of a letdown for me. We’ve been preparing and preparing for the holidays. We’ve made (and distributed) over…
New Years Resolution Special Edition
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJeHJdLjPR0]Hello everybody. Sorry the post is so late today, but I was working up the special treat you see in the video above. I’ve been thinking a lot about…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Tex Randall
My dear (and extremely awesome) friend Donna sent me this picture from her recent trek across the country. (Her search for the world’s biggest frying pan continues…) She pointed out…
Thursday Theater: Sled Dogs
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRSsxfu0F3o] Just in time for the new year, I present some very, very happy doggies sledding in the snow. I do this for two reasons. Reason #1: This video…
Grace
So often we feel the world does not offer up what we deserve. We feel like while we work and slave and give, the world is stingy with its rewards. …
Setting Boundaries to Get Through the Holidays
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZ0ZUVXqJc4] When Ragen Chastain put out the call to record this amazing new song she created, I just KNEW I had to do it. So I fired up the…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: World’s Largest Floating Christmas Tree
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtAeR9F05EI] Wow, who thought of taking a giant Christmas tree and floating it on the water? Some folks down in Brazil did and what a beauty! This behemoth. created…
Thursday Theater: S’wonderful Life!
Recently a dear friend of mine sent me a holiday card that he created using JibJab. It’s a fun and very brief synopsis of one of my very favorite holiday…
Tucking Myself In
Truth be told, I haven’t been getting a lot of sleep. So I’m writing my blog tonight, turning in nice and early and planning to get up when my body…
Roll Models
It’s hard to say whether kids today have an easier time or a harder time with the whole size acceptance thing. On the one hand, kids have access to a…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: The Rockettes
Over the years, more than 3,000 women have smiled, danced and high-kicked as one of the Radio City Rockettes. Founded in 1925 as the Missouri Rockets, the dance troupe was…
Body Intelligence or Body War?
This week, I’ve come across two very different approaches to young bodies in the media. One is the announcement (and subsequent activism response by the amazing Golda Poretsky) that the…
Exercising Through the Long Night
The long winter nights can really take a toll on your fitness routine. For many of us, it’s already dark when we begin our commute home from work. Coming home…
Cranky Cookies
As you can see, my awesome husband and I went down and used the church kitchen and made a few cookies yesterday. And by a few, I mean about 60…
The Holiday Magnifying Glass
The holidays are here with all the extra activities and fun and stress. Just to be clear, I love the holidays! I love the decorations and the visiting and the…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: World’s Biggest Hanukkah Menorah
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxiF-8Wh8nk] Just in time for Hanukkah, I give you, the world’s largest Menorah. This amazing edifice stands at Fifth Avenue and 59th Street, by Central Park, between the Plaza…
Thursday Theater: Even Monkeys Understand Fairness
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8mynrRd7Ak?feature=player_embedded] This video is wonderful for a few reasons. In the first place it is really funny. And in the second place, it reminds us that even monkeys understand…
Being in Flow
If being in flow makes me a lone wolf, I’ll howl at the moon… You know in this multitasking, multitrack, insanely busy world, I’d like to put in a word…
Obesity Panic: Now Available at Birth
Counting baby’s fingers and toes and BMI The Washington Post recently reported on a study that purports to predict which kids are most likely to become obese. This study claims…
Where there is Hatred, Let’s Sow Love
Recently my good friend Deb Lemire sent me a link to this amazing Ted talk. Why not go take a look right now? It’s that good. I’ll wait. It’s clear…
Stuff That Weighs More Than Me: World’s Largest Santa Snow Sculpture
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74nrvnfOOjA] Check out this magnificent snow sculpture, reported to be the largest ice/snow sculpture of Santa in the world. The sculpture was created in Harbin China (where the temperatures…
Thursday Theater: The Fat Chick Onstage at The Hard Rock Hotel, Las Vegas
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ6wc6RfUc4&w=420&h=315] Check out this video of me performing on the Soundwaves Stage, poolside at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. It was the end of the day and…
Women’s Wednesday: Exercise as Medicine for Perimenopause
The Fat Chick leads a group of laughing and dancing menopausal and perimenopausal women in a Hot Flash Mob in Manhattan. Are you perimenopausal? Many of us have come to…
The Power of Being Wrong
Yesterday I posted a story about some women who verbally attacked me. As I mentioned, I think these women were willing to go to these lengths of nastiness simply to…
Sit Down Piggy
Look, I captured a (feline) bully. “Sit down piggy. You just sit yourself down you fat b@#$ch!” My mouth hung open as I heard these words leveled at me at…
Stuff That Weighs More Than Me: Kermit the Frog Balloon from Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAJde8y4Y50] I love parades. Well to qualify, I love watching the holiday parades in my jammies in front of the TV accompanied by a box of cereal and some…
Thursday Theater: With a Thankful Heart
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bpb9EbmvM5M] Good morning my dear Chicklettes! This Thanksgiving I am grateful for so many things! And, in addition to my wonderful heart, I am especially grateful for the amazing…
Shoppercize
If you’re like me, you’ve got a fair amount of pre-holiday shopping to do. While I don’t typically participate in the Black Friday shopping insanity, I do have to hit…
The Joy of Soup
While working like a maniac yesterday, I did manage to find time to make a little soup. What a fabulous way to celebrate fall! My household has just two members,…
Stuffed
Thanksgiving is nearly here. And even though I haven’t eaten my Thanksgiving dinner or begun to cook the cranberries or season the bird, I’m already feeling “stuffed”. What is…
Stuff That Weighs More Than Me: Lenin’s Head (Sculpture)
So, we were furniture shopping on La Brea the other day with my fabulous friend Jim when we ran across this bad boy right out there on the street corner. …
Thursday Theater: Pets Help Keep Us Fit
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsbudbdVHw0] While not all pets are as “talented” as the one pictured in this video, it is clear that pets (especially dogs) help us to keep fit. It is…
The unparalelled power of owning your beauty
Today I was privileged to read this powerful post from a woman speaking about how she chose to call herself beautiful in front of her daughters. She understands the power…
Plan Ahead to Deal With Holiday Stress
Thanksgiving is coming up next week, and the holiday onslaught will be here in just minutes. We’ve all heard of holiday stress. But few of us are aware of how…
The Fat Chick on TV: Talking About Body Snarking
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rr3OgNu7JRY] Hello my friends! I am excited to share with you this interview from CBS news in LA about “body snarking”. This is a relatively new term that refers…
Stuff That Weighs More Than Me: Chili the World’s Largest Bull
Well there are foundlings and then again, there are foundlings. Chili, a black and white Fresian bull was found running around on the doorstep of the Ferne Animal Sanctuary…
Snuggle
Fall is my absolute favorite time of year. It brings blessed relief from the hot yucky weather of summer. The leaves put on a fabulously seasonal fashion show. It’s time…
Modern Foot Binding and Zed Nelson’s Exhibit
In Zed Nelson’s amazing exhibition entitled “Love Me” is this photo of a woman who had her toes shortened to better fit into Jimmy Choo’s stiletto heels. Recently a friend…
Daylight Savings Time: Here Comes the Sun
Today is the second day of daylight savings time here in Southern California and since I’m typically an early riser, I’m enjoying the little extra jolt of sunshine in my…
Stuff That Weighs More Than Me: The World’s Largest Jack O’ Lantern (2011)
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kuA6CXEbj8&w=560&h=315] Well after the world’s largest pumpkin is grown, the world’s largest jack o’ lantern cannot be far behind. This beauty was created by renowned carver Scott Cully. The…
Thursday Theater: Empowerment Cards Presentation by Dr. Rick Kausman
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Imm4vCYxkg] Ran across this link in my bookmarks list and wanted to share it with you. Dr. Rick Kausman is doing absolutely amazing work with HAES in Melborne, Australia. …
The Energy Balance: Simple Arithmetic or Differential Calculus?
One thing that makes me crazy as a fat person is people spouting the old energy balance equation at me. They say, if you’re fat, the reason is simple. You…
Caution: Medications May Cause Problems During Exercise
In our current western culture, it seems that many–if not most of us are taking some sort of medication. In 2007-2008, 1 out of every 5 children and 9 out…
In Other News, Water is Wet: Research points out Biggest Loser Doesn’t Work
Late last week, I got notice of a study that was conducted in Alberta, Canada that looked at how the television show “The Biggest Loser” makes people feel about exercise. …
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: World’s Heaviest Limo
Okay kids, this ride goes way beyond your average stretch limo and even puts those stretch Hummers to shame. This bad boy is HUGE. Towed by a 440 horsepower semi,…
Thursday Theater: Joy in the Dance with Helen Keller
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqJL5uSZznU] For this Thursday Theater, I wanted to share this amazing video featuring Helen Keller and Martha Graham. Apparently when these two women met, they recognized that they were…
Fat Activism’s Day in the Sun?
Well looking back, I’d have to say that this September and October have been pretty amazing months for fat activists. Both Jennifer Livingston and Stella Boonshoft rose from obscurity and…
Size Acceptance Young and Old
I recently ran across this photo on Facebook and was floored by the brave beautiful young woman staring at me. And when I read the post from Stella Boonshoft that…
Hooray for Hydration: Pour Yourself a Tall One
Here in the U.S. many of us have a drinking problem. I’m not talking about alcohol here. I’m talking about simply not drinking enough water. Sure, there’s a lot of…
Stuff That Weighs More Than Me: The Giant Spud from the Famous Idaho Potato Tour
Well pass a bucket of butter and sour cream and collect a bushel load of chives for this baby! Meet the giant potato from the Famous Idaho Potato Tour. This…
Thursday Theater: The Second Candy Crowley Debate about her Weight
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onvj_w4TCis] I have to say that Candy Crowley did a pretty good job of being tough in the most recent presidential debate. And it’s no surprise that some folks…
Never Good Enough: How a Big Body Means “You’re Doing it Wrong”
One of the things I find deeply frustrating as a fat woman is the assumption by many complete strangers, that I am not doing enough for my health. And the…
Big Girls on the Red Carpet
Jeanette working the Red Carpet with the two directors of the Haute Curves Fashion Show for LA Fashion Week: Angela Rene’ AKA “The Purple Diva”, CEO of PurpleDivaDesigns.com and Jasmine…
Love and Marriage, Size XXL
Celebrated my 17th wedding anniversary with the most amazing man in the world yesterday! What a lucky, lucky duck I am. All together I have spent over 25 years and…
Thursday Theater: Sometimes You need a Boost
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUbY9T5VyXs&w=420&h=315] I’m having a busy/sleepy morning. And you know, sometimes it feels like I just can’t quite get there. Like I’m almost where I want to be, but I…
Filling the Barns
We had the house tented for termites this past weekend. This is a rite of passage that nearly all Southern California folks go through at some point in their lives,…
On being a Shameless Woman: How Forbes Got it Right
Ooooo, I’m so excited about THIS article from the Forbes.com site She Negotiates! In this piece, author Brooke Axtell talks about why shame doesn’t make us thinner OR healthier, and…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: World’s Biggest Pumpkin
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eQljtg3tAA] Well it IS fall even if the weather in Southern California doesn’t seem to reflect it. 106 in October? Are you kidding me? It makes me sad for…
Thursday Theater: The Fat Chick Talks About Bullies
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKkfwnoZukk] My response to Jennifer Livingston’s amazing video and my entry for Ragen Chastain’s Amazing New Project. :o) Jeanette PS: We. Will. Win.
The Ongoing Costs of Bullying
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUOpqd0rQSo] It seems like everybody is talking about what television anchor Jennifer Livingston said on air on WKBT in La Crosse, WI. If you haven’t heard it yet, go…
Why does doing good sometimes feel so bad?
In yesterday’s post, I shared with you a glowing report about an amazingly awesome activism event–Take Back the Beach. It was powerful and wonderful and moving. It was a special…
Beach taken Back by Cool Kids in Bikinis (News at Eleven)
This last weekend I participated in an activism event at Huntington Beach called Take Back the Beach. The event was a coming together of a number of size acceptance groups…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: A Bicoastal Hot Flash Mob
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PVtMgj3nrU] Well y’all have been hearing about that bi-coastal Hot Flash Mob we did earlier this month and we finally have the video up for your to share in…
Thursday Theater: Cats and Treadmills
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1k86fWsmRE] Okay, here’s the reality. I love exercise, but I don’t love every form of exercise. I love dance classes and I love walking outside and I love cross…
Lady Gaga’s Response to Body Comments
Yesterday’s post was all about how bodies don’t come with a comment button, and that we are under no obligation to make our bodies look the way other people want…
Why my Body has no Comment Button
Today on facebook I came across two different posts about how people in the world feel compelled to share their disappointment that not everybody in the world chooses to meet…
When Life Gives You Lemons–Work Out!
The Fat Chick now appearing in the fall issue of Volup2 in English and French. C’est chic, non? Hello my little Chicklettes or mes petits poussins as the case may…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Space Shuttle Endeavor on top of an Airplane
Yesterday, many of us in the LA area watched in awe as the Endeavor Space Shuttle, nestled on top of its Shuttle Carrier Aircraft flew all around over our heads.…
Thursday Theater: Confirmation Bias
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyXJ1sAQtaY&w=560&h=315] The video posted above is hilarious. I mean I LOL’d big time. But then I started thinking. I thought–what an amazing example of how our society filters information…
Another year older…
Okay, sorry kids. The blog post is late today. But I have an excuse. You see I’m another year older. Well technically, I’m only one day older than yesterday. But…
Mangia! (And the Sandwich Rule)
Today’s short but sweet message is to remind you to eat! Even if you’re a person like me who loves to eat, it’s easy to get busy and caught up…
Why You Don’t Have to be the Perfect Example of Anything
On one of the list serves I regularly read, a person came on asking for support. She has secured some very important opportunities to share Health at Every Size and…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Water Buffalo
Pictured here in concert with The Fat Chick at one of its other habitats: the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles. The water buffalo is the largest of the Bovini…
Hating Fat But Not Fat People?
Gah! If I had a dollar for every time I heard somebody say they aren’t fighting fat people, they are just fighting fat, I’d be a very rich woman. And…
Finding Your Rhythm
The Fat Chick performing at a Taiko Drum Demonstration This morning I was dreaming about drumming. I know, it’s weird. But I was pounding away on a little tom tom…
On the Red Carpet with some Lettuce (With Not-So-Fancy Dressing)
Hello my chicklettes! I’m back from a crazy whirlwind trip to New York City where we recently performed our Hot Flash Mob in honor of Menopause Awareness Month. While there…
Booty-shakin’ Good Time in The Big Apple!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5pIRNNZ4xw&w=560&h=315] Hey Chicklettes! Just thought you might like to check out some raw footage of our Hot Flash Mob in Manhattan! Our Bi-coastal booty-shaking menopause-mamboing selves had a…
ROUND numbers: Fit Fatties Forum nears 1,000!
Hello kids! Sorry for the semi-demi-advertisement here, but I just realized that we are only one even dozen members away from hitting 1,000 on the Fit Fatties forum. Now I…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: World’s Biggest Cheeseburger!
Now that is some serious toppings kids. And there’s no question that this is a big, Big, BIG burger! This world-record-breaking patty was cooked and created at the Black Bear…
Free Advice
Let me tell you a secret. This blog feeds a need in me. I have a burning need to offer free advice. I have a compulsion to tell people what…
Taking Back the Beach
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtUiIX2GP6Y&w=420&h=315] Well kids, it’s been a video kinda week. But I wanted to share this amazing skit I created with my LA Rad Fatty Friends. It was super fun!…
Thursday Theater: The Dog Days of Summer
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ4qrHWdrXM] Oh my dears. They don’t call them the dog days of summer for nothin’. It’s been hot. I mean really, really hot. And sometimes exercising in the heat…
Special Thanks to Fae’s Twist & Tango for the Nomination
Just want to offer a special note of thanks to Fae’s Twist & Tango for nominating me for the Illuminating Blogger Award. Fae has a great blog herself and you…
First Do No Harm: Are Doctors Who Discriminate Hurting Us?
Hippocrates: “First, do no harm.” There’s been a fairly hot story in the news this week about a Shrewsbury, MA doctor who has publicly stated that she will not treat…
The Power of a Few Unkind Words: Project Runway Fail
[brightcove vid=1801239087001&exp3=34284451001&surl=http://c.brightcove.com/services&pubid=1578086874&pk=AQ~~,AAAAAF4Psdo~,VHRSAKDeoHkslgOFpvEewbCdoNHqT8LI&lbu=http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway#video&w=300&h=225] Well the world is buzzing with the recent antics of new Project Runway “super villain” Ven Budhu. Apparently the past week’s challenge was to create looks for average…
The Power of a Few Kind Words
Over the weeks and months that I’ve been writing this blog, a number of you have left nice messages in the comments. I wonder if you realize the impact you…
The Next Big Crime for Women: Getting Older
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bnx95KyQEAA] Yup, after getting fat, it seems the next deadliest sin for women is getting older. Unlike so many societies in the world that revere and honor people as…
Thursday Theater: Learning the Menopause Mambo
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCX4oD9CvLo] Hello my dear Chicklettes, Today, I’d like to present to you, the Menopause Mambo. This VERY easy dance is what we’re doing at our Hot Flash Mobs around…
The Hot Flash Mob is Comin’ to Town!
Well we’ve been working feverishly behind the scenes and I’m so excited to reveal our new Hot Flash Mob Movement, a worldwide, synchronized dance flash mob movement held to honor…
You Can’t Buy Fitness: Why Buying Lots of Stuff Won’t Get you Fit
How much did you spend on that device for hanging laundry? How many of you out there started a fitness program by buying something expensive like a big piece of…
Smart Enough to Laugh at Myself?
The other day I saw this picture and I laughed out loud. I mean clearly this is a picture of a smart dude. This guy is one of the greatest…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Blue Whale Tongue
I’m sure you could guess that a whale weighs more than me. I mean whales are BIG. I mean REALLY big. But what you might not know is that the…
Fine Dining Doesn’t Come Through the Window
In the name of true confessions, I eat in my car more than I would like. I am really struggling to schedule my life a little less tightly so that…
What Everybody Knows
I got yet another comment on the video of Julianne and I on Fox News as posted on my YouTube channel congratulating us for saying that plus-sized people should feel…
Tuesday Theater: How to Deal with Hair Haters
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBxpjtcBAG8] Okay, this after all the recent hair debate, this is seriously, seriously awesome. That is all. Enjoy! Love, The Fat Chick
Baggy
Wear what feels good to YOU! Well it was hot in So Cal this past weekend so I did what every single other red-blooded California resident did and I went…
Some Athletes are Notably Missing from NBC’s Creepy Bodies in Motion Video
An Olympian woman licks her lips accompanied by a boom chicka wow wow 70’s soft porn soundtrack in NBC’s Bodies in Motion clip on the NBC website. I’ve admitted it…
How to Never Clean Your House
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrnoR9cBP3o&w=420&h=315] With the extremely hot (well at least for LA) weather we’ve been having I can tell you that our house is dirty. Not a little bit, needs some…
Dive Right In
This happy bear shows off his great diving form… In honor of the Olympics diving competitions, I thought I’d present this awesome looking bear and make a little suggestion. So…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Big Ben
“Big Ben” actually refers to this bell within the Clock Tower in London. Thought it was time for some Olympics-sized stuff that weighs more than me. And since the Olympics…
Olympic Athletes Say “Enough” With the Fat Bashing Already
It seems even winning a gold medal in the Olympics Heptathlon isn’t enough to shut people up about your weight. Women who can run and jump and hurdle and pole…
Ripples on the Pond
At the Blogging Panel at the NAAFA Convention with some amaaazing ladies! One of the things I loved past about this past weekend at the NAAFA convention was the blogging…
Reducing A World Title to a Hairdo
I’d like to talk today about another way that obsession with thinness reduces us. I wasn’t always a person who spoke out on behalf of HAES(R) and Size Acceptance. For…
Thursday Theater: Nike Ad Featuring Fit Fatty Runs During 2012 Olympics
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsXRj89cWa0] I have to admit that I was pretty excited to see this Nike ad pop up during the Olympics. When the jogger trotted into view I held my…
All New From Concentrate: Fat Chick Quips
Keep an eye out for “Fat Chick Quips”! Reduction does mean to make smaller. But sometimes, like when you’re cooking an AMAZING sauce, reduction means to distill or to concentrate. …
Reductionism: Why They Want Us Smaller
Yup, those dogs sure like to chase! A friend of mine recently started experiencing a lot of success and positive attention in her career. She started doing really well, and…
OM: Using Meditation to Help Manage Stress
For better health, find a few minutes per day to just breathe… The idea of meditation may seem a little “woo woo” to my Midwestern upbringing, but there is more…
Thursday Theater: Knee Stress
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHVcZ0fRFM0&w=560&h=315] Here’s a video about dealing with stress of a whole different kind: knee stress. Here’s some basic information about protecting these amazing and wonderful joints. Love, The Fat…
The Stress of Stigma and Body Dissatisfaction
Loving your body can really help reduce stress in your life! Over the past few weeks we’ve been talking about satisfaction and stress. Today I’m going to stand at the…
4-Legged Stress Relievers
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Bmhjf0rKe8&w=420&h=315] There is a lot of evidence out there that pets are a great way to relieve stress in our lives. That’s not to say they are stress-free. …
Dealing with Stress
It’s so interesting to me that so many discussions about health begin and end with losing weight. As I mentioned, the need for a decent night’s sleep is rarely discussed. …
The right to bare arms
In my previous post declaring body independence I asserted “I have the right to expose my fleshy arms as I embrace my freedom”. And I firmly believe this. Yet I…
Thursday Theater: Choosing what Kind of Exercise is Right for You
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBPq1hPf6Uo&w=560&h=315] There are a number of different forms of exercise to choose from. All three forms are good for you, but it’s a good idea to pick just one…
Too Pooped 2-pl(a)y? Get some shut-eye!
It’s hard to run around and have fun if you’re too sleepy! Whenever I talk about the many dimensions of health (aside from and beyond body weight) I always mention…
Exercise Animals: I Cannot Tell a Lie…
A kitteh haz to do what a kitteh haz to do… Sure, I did some exercise today. I taught my class, and it was super fun and awesome. But sometimes…
Basta! When you’ve heard ENOUGH about your weight.
Sometimes being fierce is pretty tough my dear chicklettes… So we’re going to extend our series on having enough to talk about when you’ve really HAD ENOUGH of hearing criticism…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Oregon’s Giant Mushroom
I’m going to tell you right off the bat, that I don’t know how much this thing weighs. However, this giant mushroom, which has been described by The Independent as…
Getting Just Enough Exercise: Increasing Gradually
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV8H-fHQXe0&w=560&h=315] Hi Kids! For our Thursday Theater, here’s a video clip about how to safely and gradually increase your fitness until you are doing just enough! Love, The…
Dieting: How Never to Feel Full Again
There is no doubt in my mind that there are few things as expressly designed to make you lose the gift of sufficiency as going on a diet. You…
The Gift of Sufficiency
There is no doubt that our country has been through some tough economic times lately. Many of my friends are without work. And many of my friends are working hard…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: The Hollywood Sign
In honor of our week of stepping out into the limelight, I thought I’d test the weight of a Hollywood Icon. I wasn’t able to find exact verifiable statistics on…
Thursday Theater: Exercise for People of Size
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xG6IEtljLKE] Steppin’ out can include stepping into an exercise program. In this week’s video I talk about how to maintain physical and emotional safety while exercising in a big…
4th of July Reprise–A Declaration of Body Independence
Enjoy your independence my little chickies! NOTE: This is a rebroadcast of a post I did in February. I’ve been thinking a lot about bodies and the rights we…
Haters Gonna Hate
When you’re THIS awesome, some people just can’t handle it! Yesterday, in our talk about stepping out, we discussed the notion that often you don’t know what’s in a person’s…
Stepping Out: Sharing Your Hotness with the World
The Fat Chick and her fabulous husband on the red carpet at the New Media Vault Event at the W Hotel at Hollywood and Vine. Last week my hubby and…
The Zen (sort of) Art of Camping
Sometimes I joke that the best part of camping is how relieved you are not to be camping any more. Seriously. You know, like when you say to somebody, “It…
The Fat Chick Unplugged: Back to Nature
The Fat Chick and family get back to nature I often talk about balance on The Fat Chick Sings. My husband just finished up a pretty intense gig and I…
Gone Fishin’
Don’t worry. The Fat Chick will be back soon! Hello my dear chicklettes. I don’t want you to feel neglected. I’m out with my family for a much-needed recharge! New…
How You Should REALLY Use Your Digtial Scale
In honor of our secret agent week, I couldn’t resist this happy little photo. So many of us allow the scale to be our evil nemesis. We step into its…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Giant Hovercraft
In keeping with this week’s James Bond theme, I recently watched “Diamonds are Forever”. My husband had yet another opportunity to wonder about my sanity this week as I jumped…
R.A.W.R.–Random Acts of Weightloss-industry Rebellion
In light of this week’s James Bond/Secret Agent theme, I’ve been thinking about some specific revolutionary maneuvers of my own. Recently the “Screaming MeMeMe!” has helped to clarify what we’re…
Finding the Right Training Program
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEQa3jbo4Gw&w=560&h=315] Okay my little secret agents in training. Looking for the right program to get you started? Here’s a little video about how to find the class that’s…
I expect you to DIE(T) Mr. Bond.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1TmeBd9338] My husband and I have been watching a lot of vintage James Bond lately. So this morning when I was trying to decide what to write in my…
Stuff that Weigh(ed) More Than Me: The Beatles
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s-F7ZmmGbY&w=560&h=315] In all of this week’s talking about helping one another, I found myself humming 2 different songs by The Beatles. “I get by with a little help from…
Sometimes It Takes a Village–And a Pedicure
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-KaKfgFfJM] This week on the blog we’ve been talking about help–why it’s important to give it and receive it and how to find it. Now I’ve got to share…
Finding Help: Buyer Beware
When it comes to fitness, if it hurts, DON’T DO IT! So far this week we’ve been talking about helping others. And I’m a BIG fan of that. Today we’re…
Exercise Animals: Getting a Little Lift
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f02-6EX7rok&w=420&h=315] Okay my dear little chicklettes. Sometimes it can be tough. But it’s amazing how far we can fly when we help one another. That is all. Love,…
Why it’s Good Karma to Put Yourself Forward
Dancin with myself at the Relay for Life event… Among many activities this weekend, I went and did the morning wake-up workout and stretch for the American Cancer Society Relay…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: A Teak Sauna
Just waiting and ready to be filled with some awesome friends. Ahhh, thought I’d round out The Fat Chick’s Perspiration Inspiration week with a nice relaxing sauna, like this one.…
Is Exercise Sexy?
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbsSeVr5NSI&w=420&h=315] The Shake Weight demonstrates the sex/fitness connection, sort of, well not really… I saw one of those ads for athletic shoes the other day. You know, one…
Sweaty and Fabulous: Plus Sized Fitness Wear for EVERY Body
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ0wMDF0Jhs] Following yesterday’s post about sweat, I thought I’d publish this new video I created with advice about plus-sized fitness togs. For a lot MORE information about plus-sized fitness…
Getting into a Lather: Why Sweating can be Good
Sweat can be sexy. Sometimes. Really…. If there is one question that got people talking on our Fit Fatties Forum, it would have to be the question about sweat. Love…
Exercise Animals: Porcine Olympic Diving Competition Entrant
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbpVMYJZHKw&w=420&h=315] Wheeeeee!! How fun is that? Just a reminder to keep cool this week! Love, The Fat Chick
The National Weight Control Registry: Oh look, a Unicorn
Results not typical… Over the past few weeks, I’ve heard several people advance the National Weight Control Registry as evidence that people can permanently lose weight. To take just two…
What we Said BEFORE Meme came on…
Hi everybody. There’s been a lot of talk about Meme’s hate speech approach to people of size on Dr. Drew’s show yesterday. And I want to especially thank Ragen for…
Judging for Yourself: Some Size Acceptance Data
I’m headed off to share the size acceptance message on Dr. Drew’s Show on HLN tonight at 6:00 with the amazing and beautiful Julianne Wotazik. We’ll also be hearing from…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Tallinn TV Tower
A big, BIG antenna for watching a few boats. With all this activity around The Fat Chick on TV, I thought I’d check out some transmission possibilities. I’ve already done…
Olympic-levels of FUN!
The Fat Chick with Olympian Cheryl Haworth, Filmmaker Julie Wyman and awesome producer Barbara Multer-Wellin at the Pasadena screening of Strong! I am so excited and blessed that my dear…
Julianne Wotasik, The Fat Chick and NAAFA on the News!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kIhXh41ukI&w=560&h=315] I’m so excited to share with you a clip of an interview on Fox News in LA yesterday. Finally, a nice piece where we share our thoughts without…
But won’t you lose weight if…?
At the San Bernardino Valley College screening of “Strong!” Last night at the panel discussion after the screening of StrongI at the San Bernardino Valley College, I got asked a…
Feeling Poopy without Feeling Guilty
Over the last few days I haven’t been feeling very well. I’m not saying this because I want you to feel bad for me and try to make me feel…
Some seriously strong chicks!
Check out me and HELLGA (Robin Coleman) from American Gladiators posing at the Operation Fitness Red Carpet in Culver City last weekend! It was super fun and I was so…
Exercise Animals: Muscle Buildin’
Check out this little guy. Clearly he’s been doing his resistance training to have created such magnificent biceps. There’s lots of reasons to consider resistance (weight) training like: stronger bones,…
Stuff That Weighs More Than Me: Largest Combined Olympic Weight Lift
Okay, so I”m cheating a little. But the Olympic “combined” weightlifting score is devised by adding the heaviest “clean and jerk” weight lifted to the heaviest “snatch” weight lifted for…
Weight of the Nation: Five Techniques for Preserving Sanity Points
If you gotta watch it, you might as well get something out of it. In my work with ASDAH and on the Health At Every Size(R) approach to wellness I’ve…
Being “Strong”
I was on a panel last night at a screening of Strong, Julie Wyman’s new documentary for PBS Independent Lens. The movie chronicles the life and career of female Olympic…
The West Wing and Moderately Sexy Exercise
Can we sell it? No! We need an idea! I’m sure quite a lot of you have seen this tongue-in-cheek walking PSA video that went super mega viral today: http://www.funnyordie.com/embed/3dc51a407a…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Communications Satellite
The Iridium satellite at the Challenger Space Museum Cafeteria... I ran into this bad boy in the cafeteria of the Challenger Space Museum in Peoria, AZ. This shiny thing is…
Exercise Animals: Yoga Kitteh Purrfects Relaxation
Kitteh Yoga! This kitteh has purrfected the art of relaxation. How about you? You can join us for a relaxing day at the upcoming NAAFA-LA Pamper Party in honor of…
Spring Cleaning: Making Room
Sometimes ya gotta throw the bums out! Call me old-fashioned, but like Ms. Franklin said, “A little R-E-S-P-E-C-T” is what is needed here. I find that relationships can manage to…
TFC Celebrity Sighting: Jeanette and Ben Vereen
The Fat Chick (Jeanette DePatie) with Ben Vereen in the S.T.A.N.D. booth at the ADA convention. Here I am at the American Diabetes Association S.T.A.N.D. booth with actor, dancer, singer…
Spring Cleaning: Wardrobe Malfunction
I have so many friends that have closets positively stuffed with “aspiration clothes”. You know the ones that fit you once in a distant past? Or the ones that never…
Exercise Animals: Starting Small with Exercise
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IoiWzS98cQ&w=560&h=315] As many of you know, I’ve suggested that you start small with your exercise routine. You don’t want to bite off more than you can chew. Take a…
Wine and (whine) Pairings for Life’s Little Dramas
Fund raising paired with a nice bottle from Leucadia Red. I was talking with the amazing and awesome Marilyn Wann the other night and we got to talking about some…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: World’s Biggest Vacuum Cleaner
It may arguably be a stretch of the term vacuum cleaner, but some have suggested that world’s largest vacuum cleaner title goes to the Queen of the Netherlands. You wouldn’t…
Spring Cleaning: Wiping Out Fitness Fallacies
In the second installment of our “spring cleaning” series we’re going to talk about eliminating some of the more common fitness fallacies. In an industry that’s been around since the…
New Photo Shoot Just in time for Easter!
I had tons of fun putting this together. Wishing a fun and happy Easter to all my chicklettes! Love, The Fat Chick
Stuff That Weighs More Than Me: The World’s Biggest Bucket
In keeping with our “spring cleaning” theme, I thought I’d explore cleaning stuff that weighs more than me. So now, I present to you, the world’s biggest bucket. Actually this…
Spring Cleaning: Wiping out Negative Body Talk
Let's do some "spring cleaning"! In honor of spring, I’m initiating a little spring cleaning. But instead of cleaning closets and windows and cars, this year I’m going to try…
Stuff That Weighs More than Me: Boom, you’re OUT!
Letting Loose at the world’s largest dodgeball game. This week’s post on reliving playground dramas, got me thinking about that nemesis of so many primary school PE programs, dodgeball. A…
The Playground Pecking Order
I’ve had a recent experience which has really shaken me up and brought back a lot of drama and stuff that I thought I had vanquished in adolescence. Yeah right. …
Stuff That Weighs More than Me: You Can Ring My (Liberty) Bell!
The Fat Chick Visits the Liberty Bell in the Land Of Brotherly Love and Cheesy Sandwiches So often when I travel, I never manage to get out beyond the conference…
Independence Hall–A Declaration of Body Independence
The Fat Chick in front of Independence Hall So on my recent trip to Philadelphia, I saw Independence Hall. Besides being a gorgeous building, this was a site where…
Stuff That Weighs More than Me: Above Ground Pool
While there are many sizes and forms of above ground pools, they are all fairly big. Take the example above. This bad boy is available on Amazon for about $1500. …
Getting Ready for Swimsuit Season
Now that we’re through the resolution craze of New Years and the thwarted crazy expectations of Valentine’s Day (alas no Lexus with a giant red bow on top for ME)…
Stuff That Weighs More than Me: Asteroids!
I had a friend say to me that she feels as big as an asteroid. To which I responded, “That’s not likely, in fact I’m going to do a little…
Heavenly Bodies: The Joy of Being a Rock Star!
This past weekend, I did my new “Divaluscious” workout (honoring the academy awards) at the Operation Fitness Expo at the Century City Mall near Beverly Hills, CA. I was so…
Stuff That Weighs More than Me: The Race Car in the Art Gallery
Indianapolis Race Car on Display at the William Rolland Gallery at California Lutheran University. It was somewhat surprising and also kind of cool to run into a Indy Race Car…
The supremacy of sweat pants
Dancing with Sandra Hull (Lolcatburglar) of Lolcat Fame in my super stretchy awesome clothes! My dear friend Ragen and I were chatting on the phone the other day. She was…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Giant (Broken) Heart
The old walkthrough heart exhibit at the Science and Industry Museum When I was a kid and my parents asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday, did…
Getting to the Heart of the Matter
Further proof there is someone out there for every body! It’s American Heart Month and it’s Valentine’s Day so we’re gonna talk about hearts today. I know that this cardiac…
The Power of Identification
Out on the town with friends Ragen, Julianne and Rose Stay tuned for a super special new project announcement at the conclusion of this blog post. Thank you! I remember…
Stuff That Weighs More Than Me: World’s Longest Lemonade Stand
So some kids in Michigan decided to make a lemonade stand to raise money for their school, and get into the world record book. So they decided to make the…
The futility of shame
Lately the Strong4Life campaign in Georgia has received a lot of publicity and a LOT of pushback. For those of you who aren’t familiar, this is a group of ads…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: The Big Suit
Here’s yet another of the wonderful sculptures at the St. Louis City Garden. This behemoth by artist Erwin Wurm is simply titled, “Big Suit”. Despite it’s soft, pastel colors, (and…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Santa’s List
This is a late post-Christmas entry, but I’m going to use it anyways because A) New Years is all about lists and B) I had the research done before I…
Surviving the Holidays: Making a List
So, I was making a list and checking it twice. Wanted to find out if there’s a Psychiatrist willing to prescribe emergency Xanax and trying not to hyperventilate. Seriously at…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: The Tree At Rockerfeller Center
Photo Credit: ATTRIBUTION. © by James G. Howes, 1987. 2011 Tree Stats:Type: Norway SpruceHeight: 74 ft.Width: Approximately 35 ft.Lights: 30,000 LED lights on five miles of wireSwarovski Star on Top: …
Surviving the Holidays: Managing Expectations
Last year, as I was frantically finishing final edits to my book: The Fat Chick Works Out! I had to accept that I had neither time nor money for a…
Stuff that Weighs More Than Me: Really Big Bed Sculpture
In honor of trying to get more sleep during the holidays, I’ve been thinking about beds. And this my friends is a BIG one. This famous sculpture, entitled “In Bed”…
Surviving the Holidays: Get Some Sleep!
Now don’t laugh when I ask this, but seriously. When is the last time you got a good night’s sleep? I know during the holidays (at least in MY…
Stuff That Weighs More than Me: Shark Tank!
This past year, we spent one night at the Golden Nugget Hotel on Fremont Street in Las Vegas. The hotel was fairly average for 21st century Las Vegas, except for…
Freakin’ laser beams on their freakin’ heads.
I was trolling through photos, looking for inspiration for my post-Thanksgiving blog post when I came across this beauty. “Yup, that’s the one,” I said. You may ask why. You…
Things That Weigh More Than Me: Super Fun, Tons of Buns!
While these bunnies may look soft and fluffy, they are anything but. These colossal cuties (by Dutch artist Tom Claassen) are on display at the Citygarden in St. Louis. …
Tubby Bunnies, Moral Panic and A Partridge in a Pear Tree
Let’s truss up Santa! (Photo provided by Coley Chen under Creative Commons License.) Over the past few months, few things have driven home the overblown panic surrounding fat…
Stuff that Weighs More Than Me: Safe!
This safe door was built in St. Louis, then installed in a bank in the “Loop Building” in Chicago and then rescued from demolition, brought back to St. Louis…
The illusion of being safe.
“Safe!” Shouted as a runner gets to a base, shouted as you reach the goal in kick the can, this word is a happy one. It means you made…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: World’s Biggest Cupcake
Normally we think of a cupcake as something sweet and diminutive. Even cute. But not THIS bad boy. Introducing the World’s largest cupcake recently unveiled in Detroit, Michigan. (Thanks Kat…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Elephant
Elephants are big. REALLY big. In current terms, they are the largest land animal. I mean, these puppies weigh 200 – 250 lbs. when they’re born! And they can run…
Yee Haw!
That foreground shadow–that’s me on Fremont Street in Las Vegas during the BBW Bash last week. For those of you who don’t know, the BBW Vegas Bash is one amazing…
Stuff That Weighs More than Me: David
Well probably not the cheesy fiberglass replica pictured behind me. (Which is out front of the Mad Greek Cafe in Baker, CA). But the real deal, for sure! The Michelangelo’s…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: The Saguaro Cactus
The Saguaro Cactus is the largest cactus in the United States. Despite great height and weight, the saguaro has a very shallow root system–only 4 to 6 inches deep. The…
Coming out of the Desert
Sometimes writing a book can seem like crossing a long, barren desert. It’s a solitary pursuit. Often you stagger around and encounter no one. You just step over the bleached…
Viva La Revolution!
Well it’s the second full week of January and by now I’ll bet some of the shine has fallen off those New Year’s resolutions. You know, the ones you fervently…
Stuff that Weighs More Than Me: Fire Engine
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Too Darn Hot! (Happy New Year)
Well it’s the beginning of a new year and I’m starting us off with a picture of a fire extinguisher. There’s really two reasons for this. One, is that my…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Singing In the Rain Group
The autumn rains have arrived in LA and I think it’s fair to say that I have rain on the brain. So in my ongoing search for stuff that weighs…
Feel the rain and do it anyways.
One of the primary lessons I’ve learned in getting and staying fit is that exercise sessions often don’t go as planned. Your exercise buddy doesn’t show up, the class is…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: SWAK
Okay, the whole Maura Kelly blog kiss kerfluffle finally got me off my (proverbial) butt and back to blogging. And what else should I blog about but the world’s largest…
A Big Fat Juicy Kiss!
(Fantastic Photo by Kelly Varner) After the flap over the now infamous Maura Kelly blog post on MarieClaire.com about how she felt that fat people kissing or indeed walking across…
Eat, Move, Live, and SHARE
I’m so excited! I’ve been invited by the City of Hope to present fitness information and demonstrations as part of their Eat, Move, Live series. In these sessions I meet…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: King Kong
Just last week I got a chance to see the King Kong 360 3-D ride at Universal Studios in Hollywood. I got the special VIP tour with the Producers…
Acting Like a Kid Again
My newfound FAME, in the Pasadena Star News led to an opportunity to teach at a kids health camp in Duarte last week. I led a 45-minute exercise class with…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: A really BIG mama
Towering seventeen stories above the Russian city of Volgograd (formerly known as Stalingrad), this statue (known as “The Motherland Calls”) stands as a “striking combination of neoclassical styling and Stalinist…
Being Seen
Well, to say that it’s been a while since I’ve posted is, um, an understatement. But I’ve got an excuse! I’m busy out there in the world being SEEN. This…
Stuff That Weighs More than Me: The World’s Biggest Vuvuzela
For a little piece of plastic, these things make a very, VERY big noise. Even for the little plastic version, sound pressure can reach as high as 120 decibels at…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Solid Gold
Temple of the Golden Buddha or Wat Traimit houses a solid gold Buddha image. At one point, towards the end of the 18th century, the statue was covered with stucco…
Thai Green Fishies
I promised to give you some fish recipes, so here goes. This one is for Thai green curry fish and it’s adapted from a recipe in Sunset magazine. Yummy! 1…
Something is a little bit fishy here…
As I have mentioned BEFORE, every month I try to tackle a new, very discrete, very tiny health habit. I don’t diet or engage in a “whole new way of…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: 720ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.
This is a bra sculpture, apparently seen at Burning Man. I actually have very little information about it other than the obvious–it’s big. I mean REALLY big. This thing gives…
Under Where?
Under there is your underwear! In our ongoing series on sexy, I want to tell you one thing. Even if you’re the only one who sees them, you need some…
Stuff that Weighs More Than Me: T. rex
Don’t let my friendly picture with Buddy the baby T-Rex and my friend James at the recent PGA screening at the Egyptian fool you. A full grown tyrannosaurus rex was…
Now I KNOW I’m sexy
Many times, in the deep dark past, I let a number on a scale tell me each day whether or not I was sexy. Goal weight? Sexy. 10 pounds down? …
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Four Really, Really Big Beds
A recent promotion hosted by IHG to celebrate a free hotel room giveaway featured the “World’s Largest Bed Jump.” With over 20,000 participants bouncing in four different cities in 4…
Big Girls Get Some Too
It’s amazing how many people have the idea that fat chicks don’t have sex. Some believe, we’re so far from the female ideal fed to us by the media and…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Strawberry Shortcake
No, I’m not talking about the little girl with the pink prairie hat. I’m talking shortcake baby, I mean a big one. Specifically, the world’s largest strawberry cake. Apparently in…
Sexberry Series Part two.
Well, I’m happily nomming all those strawberries and I have to say they are delicious. And after a little googling I found a study conducted by some scientist-type-guys that show…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: World’s Largest Strawberry
Located in Strawberry Point in Iowa (where all the big fiberglass veggies live) is the world’s largest strawberry. The giant berry was apparently built in 1968 by F. Hardie Advertising…
Sexberries
It’s so funny how the mind works isn’t it? This week I went to the Farmer’s market in Monrovia and picked up some of the sweetest, juiciest and most luscious…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Whale Shark
The sweet chile salmon I had for dinner the other night [recipe here] got me thinking about the biggest fish in the sea, and that my friends is the whale…
A Saucy Little Salmon
I’m constantly looking for yummy, easy, healthy fish recipes and I recently found this gem for broiled salmon. It’s super easy! Salmon with Sweet Chili Glaze, Sugar Snap Peas, and…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Riding the Rails
My excursion to the McDonalds Railroad got me thinking about rail cars. As it turns out, passenger rail cars went through several heavyweight and lightweight stages depending on whether smooth…
Getting off the Fast Food Train
We recently stopped at McDonalds on our way to a trade show in Vegas. The McDonalds had converted rail cars–which is where we sat. As you can see from the…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Dover (and his Bloomin’ Arse)
Went to the races today and so I have horses on the brain. (Not literally, I mean–ouch!) But I loved watching those beauties sprint across the line. So I did…
What Eliza Can Teach Us.
Spent the day at the horse races at Santa Anita Park. We had won some tickets to the fancy “Turf Club” at a silent auction at my church. Everybody was…
Exercise Superstar!
I realize I’ve been promising to share some info with you about our big video shoot for weeks now. Well better late than never, I guess! In late March, we…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: The World’s Largest (Easter) Basket
Keeping with the Easter theme, today we’re talking about the world’s biggest basket (which becomes the world’s largest Easter basket but only between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday). The basket…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: The World’s Largest (Edible) Easter Egg
Oh. My. God. Sure there’s the architectural marvel of the world’s largest Easter egg. But we’re talking about CHOCOLATE now. In 2005, the people of Guylian lovingly created an object…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: The World’s Largest Easter Egg
Holy hernias Mr. Bunny. The world’s largest Easter Egg is found in Vegreville, Canada and was built in 1975 to commemorate early Ukrainian settlements there. The Pysanka is a tremendous…
Please Stand By
Well my commitment to blogging every day has frankly flagged somewhat. But my commitment to my project, of sharing The Fat Chick has grown exponentially. So how to classify? Should…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Where’s the Giant Pita?
Well along with the decades-long argument between Lebanese and Israelis about where hummus originated, we also have a battle for who can make the biggest hummus plate. The Israeli’s launched…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: The South Tower Bell at Notre Dame
The great bourdon bell, called Emmanuelle, is located in the South Tower at Notre Dame in Paris. It is the largest of five great bells at the cathedral. It is…
Mourning the Old Ways
Periodically, (okay–all the time) I run into folks who think I am crazy for my belief. They cling to the idea that only thin people can be healthy and their…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: A Stegosaurus
Watching the Fat Dinosty (which is awesome by the way) got me thinking about the good old Stegosaurus. Apparently the translation of this guy’s name is “roof lizard”. Don’t ask…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: World’s Biggest Bamboo
While looking at some of the huge bamboo groves at the Huntington Gardens today, I started to wonder just how big this stuff gets. Well in August 2003, botanists at…
Stay at Home Travel to Another World
Went to the Huntington Gardens today, It was yet another of a long list of wonderful places right in our backyard we hadn’t previously found time to explore. It was…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: A Giraffe
Went to the zoo yesterday and had a nice look at these stately beauties. That’s me (in the picture) eyeballing a baby giraffe (who was really just interested in the…
The Power of Play
I think a lot of times as adults we lose one of the most important tools in our get happy, be happy, stay happy arsenal. That tool is the power…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: A Pearson Triton Sailboat
Meet the Pearson Triton, one of the earliest production fiberglass sailboats. It looks thin and graceful, but she’s got some poundage in the water folks. Oh, and if you’re…
Sailing: Bouncing Away on the Waves
My awesome husband surprised me with a sailing trip on our vacation! This was a huge luxury and not the sort of thing that we normally do. But we went…
Changing it Up
Yesterday, I was able to take a dance class that I once loved but don’t often find the time to get to these days. All my old friends were there…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: The Olympic Medal Haul
Weighing in at just over 20 oz. each of the individual medals from the Vancouver Olympic Games weighs considerably less than me, but multiply that 20 oz by 185 events,…
Pooped but Working Out Anyways
Man when it’s early in the morning and you’ve been up late and you’re tired, it’s so hard to drag your butt to a workout isn’t it? I have a…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Giant Laser
Yup, don’t mess with California, we’ve got a freakin’ giant laser here people. The National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory will focus 192 laser beams on a hydrogen pellet…
Starting Fresh: A Brand New Day
I’m up early this morning as usual, and I’m reminded why I like mornings so much. At this time of the day, everything is fresh and everything is new. …
People that Weigh More than Me: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
Let’s make no mistake here. I certainly weigh more than any one of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. But the whole squad? Weight one Cheerleader: 95-105 lbs.Number of Cheerleaders in Squad 36-38Weight…
Want Encouragement? Be Encouraging.
Yesterday, I was blessed to have a few friends calling me seeking encouragement. There have been many times in my life that I might have seen these calls as a…
Please sir, may I have some Maoi?
The giant maoi are statues found on Easter Island. The statues are thought to be generalized depictions of various important tribal chiefs. So far 887 maoi have been located on…
Procrastination: and L.O.S.T.
Sometimes I have problems with exercise procrastination. I admit it. But my little chickadees that’s nothing compared to my problems with procrastinating on my writing projects. No matter how well…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: GIANT CARROT!
Okay, since I was talking about motivation (and the carrot and the stick) in my Fat Chick Sings Blog, I thought I’d research the world’s largest carrot. Unfortunately the world’s…
Motivation: Success is the new Carrot
Today I got a request from a reporter to send my tips on how I stay motivated to exercise. For example, do I put my exercise clothes out the night…
Baby Steps: Glued Butt
Recently I went to a social gathering (a real one with drinks and stuff, not a virtual one) and I spoke with an editor friend of mine. He was complaining…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Zaaaammmmboniiiii!
Zamboni Ice Resurfacer 552 Stats: Length (Snow Tank Up): 5.03 m (198 in.)Height (Snow Tank Up): 3.91 m (154 in.)Overall Width: 2.13 m (84 in.)Weight (Empty): 4423 kg (9750 lb.)Weight…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Now THAT’S a Valentine
I know that after all the chocolate and other Valentine’s Day goodies I consumed, I feel a little like the heaviest object in the world. However, if you want to…
One small waddle for ducks, one huge step for kid kind…
I just watched a beautiful little video on the icanhascheezburger site that shows a little boy with physical disabilities learning to walk from his pet duck who also had an…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: 4 Man Bobsled Team
According to the Olympic rules, a 4 man bobsled team cannot weigh more than 630 kg (1,388.9 lbs). Add the weight of the sled and you’re talking about a ton of team…
Being your own darn Valentine
OMG there are few holidays better designed to sow anxiety, stress and deep depression than Valentines day. This is the time of year where my husband and I giggle and…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Piles of Pigeon Poo
Yes ladies and gentleman. Apparently pigeons can make some pretty big piles of poo. In fact the above gas station awning collapsed under the sheer weight of, wait for it,…
Freedom: A really bad day.
I had a really tough day. One of those, “why on earth did I ever get out of bed sort of days’. I drove over fifty miles to go to…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: World’s Largest Motorcycle
Zoomin down the highway, looking for adventure…I think you’d find it with this mamma jamma. Built by Craig Dunham for a cost of over $300,000,the world’s largest motorcycle is steered…
Declaring Freedom
As of today, right now, I am declaring and asserting my right to freedom. I am free to wear colors other than black. I am free to wear clothes that…
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Cafesjian’s Carousel
Built: in 1914 by Philadelphia Toboggan Company. (The word “toboggan” in the company name is an old term for roller-coaster, which was the company’s original product.) Size: 50 feet across…
Lemme Off the Merry Go Round
So we’ve discussed all four elements of the Big Fat Cycle:1. Panic (Omigod I’ve gotta do something).2. Fantasy (I’m going to look like a GODDESS! I’m going to win an…
Organisms that Weigh More than Me: Trembling in the Breeze
The largest living organism on earth is probably NOT what you thought. I was surprised to learn that the Aspen tree forms large groups of genetically indentical trees (or stems)…
Despair: Watch for Falling Grace
The thing about despair (major or minor) is that it causes us to obsessively look inward. The thing about grace is it’s unexpected and undeserved. It literally comes from nowhere. …
Stuff that Weighs More than Me: We (barely) have liftoff…
The Spruce Goose made it’s first and only flight on November 2, 1947. Height: 79 feet, 3 3/8 inchesLength: 218 fee 6 ¼ inchesPower: Eight Pratt & Whitney R-4360, 3,000…
Despair: Making a U-Turn
Despite all the agony of realizing that you’ve been sprinting down the wrong road, the only way you’ll leave despair and get back to a happier, better you is to…
Lady Liberty
The Statue of Liberty (not including its base)Height of statue from the base to the top of the torch: over 151 ft.Length of nose: 4 ft. 6 inchesShoe Size based…
Despair: Sprinting down the Wrong Road
In our talk about despair, I thought it important to mention that despair can also happen after you’ve discovered that you’ve made a significant amount of progress down the wrong…
That’s no…
If you’re talking about a tall tale, I can’t say. If you’re talking about the critter 1200-2000 lbs. Conclusion: At least the four legged furry variety of bull weighs more…
Despair: Always and Never
We’ve been talking about the big fat cycle and leading up to the big dark daddy–despair. This is when we’ve enjoyed the magical thinking, built up the fantasy and fallen…
Would You Like to Buy It?
Total length of bridge, including the part on land: 5,989 feet Total height of the bridge towers above water: 276 feet and 6 inches Height of bridge towers below water:…
Surrender: Catastrophic Failure or Chipped Paint?
So often what happens in the surrender portion of the Big Fat Cycle is that we believe small setbacks are automatic precursors to catastrophic failures. I promised myself I’d blog…
Shish, boom, bah!
The Spirit of Troy, also known as the University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band (TMB), has over 300 members. Given a variety of instruments ranging from a piccolo (1.5…
Surrender: Use What You Got
My sister sent me a link to this amazing video today: Why not take a few minutes to take a look. I promise it will be worth your while. Bring…
Boom!
Weights of Typical American Tanks: 1. 6 tons WW1 M1917 Renault Tank 2. 30 tons WW2 M-4 Sherman Tank 3. 52 tons Vietnam War M-48 Patton Tank (Vietnam War: 17…
Surrender: Giving Up Gracefully
So all the month of January, we’ve been travelling around the Big Fat Cycle. So far we’ve discussed Step One: Panic–(“Oh my gosh, I got fat over the holiday–I…
Here come’s the…
The rain has finally stopped and we got some of that glorious CA sunshine this morning. It got me thinking about the size of that bad boy… Specs: Diameter: about…
Fantasy: Elbows Rubbed
Well it just shows to go ya! I went to the PGA awards and met one of my true idols Joss Whedon. My colleague Van and I did his presentation…
Fantasy: Before and After
At this time of year it seems you can’t flip on the TV or open a newspaper or magazine without being inundated by those weight loss ads with “before” and…
Baby, it’s cold outside!
Growing up, we always heated our house in Wisconsin with firewood. We often gathered the wood from trees that were knocked over anyways during construction of new housing projects. It…
Rain, rain, go away…
We are getting dumped on here in usually sunny California. So much so, I thought about getting one of these rain barrels. Capacity: 50 GallonsWeight of Barrel: 16 pounds Weight…
Fantasy: Reality Check
So we talked about all the fantasies we’ve had about how much fun we’d have if we were thin. You know, if the Fat Chick Fairy came and magically changed…
Beep, Beep.
This smart car is one of the lightest cars built. It can even park perpendicular to the curb in a standard parallel parking spot. But even this car weighs over…
Winner by a Yard
Object: 1 Cubic Yard of ConcreteWeight: 3300 lbs.Conclusion: A Cubic Yard of Concrete weighs more than me.
Fantasy: Shopping for a New Life
I went shopping today, for a new dress. But not just any new dress. I was buying a cocktail dress for a formal Hollywood Awards Show I’m attending this weekend. …
Fantasy: Perfect Thighs/Perfect Life
So this week, we’re going to talk about the second part of the Big Fat Cycle, the Fantasy part. Okay, so if the Fat Chick Fairy came and visited you…
Thats alota sauce-a
Although I sometimes think I could eat the biggest pizza in the world all by myself, the truth is, I probably couldn’t. The largest pizza ever baked (according to The…
Sometimes, heavy helps
Object: Cargo of a Red Cross Plane bound for HaitiReason: Delivering food, medicines and supplies to an area ravaged by an earthquakeCargo Weight: Over 40 tons Conclusion: Sometimes being heavy…
Coping with Panic: Divide and Conquer
So you’ve been staring at your to do list, right? The one that you made to help you cope with panic. And maybe your list had 47 things on it,…
One a day, keeps the doctor away
There are more than 7,000 varieties of apples grown in the world.The apples from one tree can fill 20 boxes every year.Each box weighs an average 42 pounds.So one tree…
Coping with Panic: Sorting
So, we recognized panic, took a mind clearing walk, stopped to engage our brains and we made a list. Outside of eating that paper list out of sheer frustration, what’s…
Coping with Panic: Making a list and checking it twice…
One of the simplest ways I’ve found for coping with panic is to formulate a plan. Often this plan starts with something as simple as a piece of paper, a…
Coping with Panic: Stop. Just Wait a Minute.
One of the first things that happens when we panic is that our brain rushes to and prepares for the worst case scenario without an accurate assessment of whether or…
Big as a House…
How big is the Average American House? The Formula: The basic ratio of square footage to weight for a home is 2000 pounds or 1 ton per square foot…
Whoosh…
Object: Windmill Tower outside of Palm Springs, CAHeight: Up to 300 ft.Weight: The compartments at the top containing the generator, hub and gearbox weigh 30,000 to 45,000 pounds. Conclusion: A…
Coping with Panic: Flight
When we are in panic mode, our bodies are urgently prepared for fight or flight. And while you may be tempted to fight–especially if there’s some dunderhead that made some…
Tinkling the Ivories…
Steinway Model D Grand Piano Introduced in: 1884 Available in: Mahogany, Walnut, Rosewood & Ebony Length: 8′ 10 3/4”Width: 4′ 6”Weight: 990 lbs Conclusion: A Steinway Model D Grand Piano…
Coping with Panic: Recognition
On New Years Day we talked a little bit about the big fat cycle. That 4 step circle that we go around and around every so often or every year…
Nourishment–Friendship
There is little nourishment in the world as important or as satisfying as spending time with a good friend. Someone to share your joys and your sorrow. A shoulder to…
Vrooom, vroom
Hummer H1 AlphaCurb weight: 7847 poundsConclusion: A Hummer weighs more than me.
Nourishment–Zzzzzz
Sometimes there is nothing quite as nourishing as 8 glorious hours of uninterrupted sleep. After spending the last 4 days working nonstop at a convention for one of my clients,…
Brrrrr….
There are several grades of ice that can be used for sculpture. Crystal clear ice is made with more water circulating during the process and better quality water. A large ice…
Tour Eiffel
Mais Oui. C’est grande! She’s a big one: 2.5 million rivets 40 tons of paint Total Height: 1052 feet, 4 inches Total tower weight 9441 tons Conclusion: The Eiffel Tower…
Construction Deconstruction
More common in Las Vegas than surefire tips for winning at blackjack and polyester pants is the construction crane. Statistics: Maximum Unsupported Height: 265 feet Maximum Lifting Power: 19.5 tons…
Nourishment–Pampering
Sometimes a girl or guy, just needs to be pampered. From the tippy top of your head to your teeny, tiny toes. Yesterday, I went and got a pedicure. This…