Abstract

As a fat woman all my life, in this paper I want to share my experience of turning self-hatred into self-love and healing. Combining principles and practices of feminism, wellness and sport psychology I returned, after many years' absence, to my childhood love of sports. I began to live a more healthy life despite never attaining my "ideal" weight. Sport and movement are fundamental ways for all women to learn to trust and enjoy their bodies and improve their health. But because of sexism women have not only been objectified and taught to focus on their appearance, but have been denied full access to sport and exercise opportunities. Beyond this basic problem shared with all women, fat women are ridiculed and made the objects of scorn in the standard fitness environment, particularly if they do not lose weight for their efforts. Therefore, because fat women have unique exercise needs that have been ignored, I co-authored, and will summarize here, Great Shape: The First Exercise Guide for Large Women (Arbor House/William Morrow, 1988, co-author, Debby Burgard). Finally, I'll address the issue of isolation, which occurs because of the social prejudice against fat people and can create physical and mental health problems. It is my intention to help create a world where we all live with self-respect and in vibrant good health, whatever our size.