Daily Fatspiration

Shared Story | T.W. body hate, depression etc.

Shared story: swimsuit perils and the mermaid who saved me.

Submitted by Lesley (e-mail withheld for privacy)

Before I found this gracious wonderful blog, I was (and still sometimes struggle with) a world full of self-loathing. I’m a size 22/24 and my favorite activity is swimming, but I was always so embarrassed about my body in any swimsuits that didn’t cover me completely like a wetsuit. Esther Williams is my favorite person in the world. Her autobiography inspired me to forge ahead even when life hands you troubles and unexpected turns. I wrote to her and told her how much of an inspiration she is to me and that I had planned on dieting and working out so that someday I could lose enough weight to be worthy of one of her company’s lively bathing suits. Weeks later, I received a signed photo from her in the mail along with a beautiful suit—free of charge. I cried with joy for days and days and no one seems to understand fully what she did for me. In one small gesture of kindness, she essentially told me that no matter what size, I AM WORTHY. sadly, this suit didn’t fit me (since she had to guess because I never even gave her my size) so I decided to pass along the generosity and gave it to a friend. I was always worried about not doing an official Esther Williams swimsuit justice, but now I’m going to save up and buy one because I’m worth it. Thank you, Esther. And thank you, Daily Fatspiration blog, for letting me know my worth. :)

Shared Story: Total. Meltdown. [TW: body shaming, anger]

Submitted by the-wordnerd

While getting reading to leave the house, I was hoping to wear a pair of jeans. I’ve grown out of all of my jeans unless I wear my shapewear underneath. For the life of me, I could NOT find that damned shapewear. Not in the laundry basket, not on my shelves, not with the clothes I wore it with last, not in the fucking pile of shit I throw on my floor when I’m too lazy to do anything else - NOWHERE. 

Enter the breakdown.

I yelled a little, swore a lot. I tried to force myself into my jeans but couldn’t stand the pain. I angrily and far too rudely asked my girlfriend what she had done with it, and when the answer was not satisfactory, I repeated the same thing to my mother. Still no shapewear. So, next step? I cried. I cried and cried and cried. I fucking bawled.

Was I crying because I had lost a pair of old, stained, torn, stretched out shapewear? No. But, that was the very last straw. I had let myself go. For so long I’d maintained a consistent weight and body shape and size, and now that is changing. I’m slowly outgrowing my size 18/20 body and I’m not dealing with it well. When I first noticed, I purchased yoga wear and leggings and had been living quite comfortably in those until now.

This whole thing put me back in a state of self hate. Not because I completely dislike my fat body, but because I’d let myself do something to myself that I did not want - Something that I’m really not happy about.

I went out and bought another shapewear. After I put it on I realised something: This piece of material might smooth and tuck the bits that I’m uncomfortable with, it might minimize the roll over the top of my jeans, but that’s all it is - just a piece of material.

I will continue to wear it. Why? Because it helps me to hold my head up just a little bit higher. But I’m aware that my body remains what it is. I’m fat. And I’m cute. And if it takes a meltdown and a $40 pair of undies that I have to sweat to get into for me to realize that, then OK

Shared Story: this blog has changed my life!

submitted by thesilentlibrary

the change has only occurred inside my heart and my soul and no one else knows it yet, but I feel better. Just the thought, the possibility that I could one day love myself fills me with a mix of hope, joy, disbelief, and much more it’s a feeling that I have never experienced before so I can’t explain it. I posted an anonymous question here a couple of days ago about the intense emotional reaction I had to this “radical” idea of body acceptance. It was incomprehensible! But now I know it’s upon my reach, I know I can unlearn this hate that burdens me, and just live and love myself. THANK YOU thank you a million times thank you! I will never be the same.

It may have taken me a lifetime to get it but I have finally come to the realization that you don’t need a perfect body or a definite gender to feel beautiful. Thank you.

Submitted by dontblamemeivotedsaxon! Thank you!

Shared Story: my own two cents [tw: body shaming, diet talk]

Submitted by princess-screamy

I just wanted to point something out for everybody here, because anyone dealing with body-shaming needs to know that nothing can stand in the way of success.

Cheryl Haworth is an olympic weightlifter (women’s, 75kg+). At the age of 25, she stands 5’9” and weighs 300lbs. At a glance, someone might look at her and assume that she’s unhealthy, abusing her body, etc. etc., but the truth is that she is nothing but pure power. She has taken something that can give someone a disadvantage to give herself an edge in her favourite sport. Her heart beats just as strong as any other weightlifter, and she does one-up a lot of her competitors.

Yes, there are people out there that, for the sake of their health, need to make changes to their lives. But then there are people like Cheryl Haworth, who are in the peak of health despite their size, and people like myself and hundreds of others who are already on the way to a better life through better health and happiness that won’t be instantly visible; in fact, might not be visible for months, or even years.

I’m 300lbs. I got here because of a lot of bad decisions, no control, and a dependency on food. However, looking at me can’t tell you whether or not I still have those problems. What would you do if you found out that woman eating a cheeseburger for the first time in two weeks has already dropped 90lbs and is still going strong?

What would you say if you found out that your cholesterol and blood sugar are higher than mine? I don’t do what I used to that allowed me to gain all of this weight, but it’s going to take a long time to undo what damage has been done. The next time you see someone big, wonder to yourself whether they might actually be a work-in-progress.

And remember that there are “fat” women like Cheryl Haworth out there who could benchpress you at the drop of a hat.

Shared Story: Have Faith!

Submitted by berrysweeet!

Hi everyone, my name is Aubrey. I just turned 20, I’m 5’5” and weigh about 240lbs. I’m very thankful I came across your blog by chance, I feel like it will help me get through my low days.

But I’m submitting for a different reason. I want to try to reach out to those beautiful big people who are looking for love. My advice? Don’t give up! Just because you are bigger doesn’t mean you have less of a chance for love. I have plenty of slim friends who have never been in a relationship, never been kissed! Me? I’ve had 4 boyfriends, the last of which I have happily been with for a year and a half. And despite my insecurities and problems with self-image, he loves everything about me.

I’m not trying to brag or rub it into your face that I found love, despite my circumstances; what I’m trying to say is that love is out there. And contrary to popular belief, love just won’t find you. It’s a two-way street, you’ll have to meet halfway. Put yourselves out there, but don’t be desperate! My boyfriend loved the confidence I had despite my apparent weight issue. Actually, now that I think about it, I was the one who approached him!

Please believe in yourselves. How can you possibly love someone if you can’t love yourself (even to an extent!)? I believe in each and every one of you. Don’t give up. Life has so much in store for you, don’t spend it sitting at your computer on Tumblr all day! (Oops)

Not posting anon so any of you can follow me/ask me stuff. I won’t bite, I promise! Just don’t expect me to answer “What’s the meaning of life…?”

Best, Aubrey

One last thing, I’ve actually GAINED weight since we started dating (all the dinner dates and whatnot, ugh!) but he still can’t get enough of me. You just need to work with what you have! If you got it, flaunt it.

Shared Story: [tw: body shaming]

Submitted by octosquid

Today I bought a shirt that says “I’M FAT LET’S PARTY”.

I asked my mom how she felt about it.

Her response was a Gentle Encouragement not to wear it, because it’s “self-deprecating humor in really not a charming way.”

I disagree. It is a shirt about BEING FAT and PARTYING.

When it comes in the mail I will take off my baggy sweatshirt that I wear every day, and I will put the shirt on, and I will show up to school for the first time in a long time with my arms uncovered and a shirt that fits. This shirt is not just a shirt that’s awesome in its own right. It is, I believe, a great personal step toward my goal of body acceptance.

And it promotes PARTYING.

With love,
RORY OCTOSQUID