Fat Bubble: Ample Movement
Hello friends, welcome to the Fat Bubble, where I use this space to offer fat leaders and resources that might enhance the fat bubble you are building for yourself - the mindspace that has deconstructured anti fat hate, and has instead built an intentional space where fatness is both respected and honoured.
If this had been any other time, I might have been scouring the photos from the Met Ball. I might have had a commentary on how nearly every single body on the red carpet was thin, every named designer that I knew was thin, every date was thin. I might have looked to Da'Vine Joy Randolph and celebrated her as one of the few representations of fat beauty and fashion that were shown on the red carpet, and how she absolutely killed it.
But this year is different. This year, as we were supposed to be distracted by the Met Ball and, in the UK, Bank Holiday weekend (and just as they did with the Oscars and Superbowl Sunday), Israel launched yet another 'worse than before' attack. This time on Rafah, the most populated place on Earth at the moment, and a place where families have been bottlenecked, only to be annihilated. This year, the juxtaposition simply feels too obscene; not least because not one single celebrity spoke in support of Palestine on the red carpet, or took one of the world's biggest stages to make a statement through art.
Instead, this morning, I went to the forest, which has become a frequently visited space this year. The sun was shining brightly, and it felt like the first summer dog walk of the year. As I walked around, I felt like I photosynthesised. It was the only antidote to suffering that felt tolerable; not a distraction, but a respite. I accidentally left my phone in my car, so I was able to walk without even the pull of taking a photo. After the rains of the weekend, the dog and I got muddy, and well worn out, but all in short sleeves with the sun on my skin. It was just what I needed.
Hiking isn't something that's always felt available to me. For years, as a fat person, movement was punishment. Then, for years, no movement was protective, healing, and necessary. I had to let my body know that, if it chose never to ask for body movement again, that I would trust and honour this request. And now, in this season, my body and I enjoy movement together. It was lockdowns and the sea that got me back to intentional movement again, and since then I've played around with other movements too (I could honestly write an ode to aqua aerobics - so camp! So fun and silly. Low pressure and high jinks! So in the moment and in my body!)
Hiking is one of the ways I love to move my body - no numbers or metrics or blah blah blah - just trails through the forest. Me and my little buddy, and either a friend to chat with or a book in my ears. It's become a special part of my week, and I love feeling the strength in my legs as I push up another hill, or the curiosity when I get distracted by new wildflowers, or how I strategise how to get through a particularly muddy section. It's a holistic experience, and I'm having a great time!
This week, when I was going through my files to see who I might profile in this week's newsletter, I found this saved post and knew it was ideal. Ample Movement is a much appreciated account - an opportunity to see fat representation in outside spaces, but also an account rooted in anti-oppressive practice and mutual liberation. These are the accounts that bring me some much needed grounding right now - the accounts were I don't feel like I'm the Hunger Games, scrolling between genocide and couture, but where life is lived alongside and around our calling as humans, to offer our contribution in the work to build safety for all of us. These are the accounts, the people, the connections, that help me feel I'm not losing my mind.
Andrea has a website as well as their Instagram, and has great resources - a list of extended size clothing and gear, as well as some brilliant events if you're in the area (Western New York) - fat camping, group hikes, and fat yoga. They also have a blog, which included this great piece on one of my fave fat niches - fat Olympians!
If you are looking for more fat rep in the outdoor accounts that you follow, particularly one that intersects neurodivergence inclusivity, Palestinian liberation, trans rights and indigenous rights, I knew this is an account you will value! Do go and check out their work!
FAT SNACKS
❤️ — Love this lightweight knit design that's coming from Jacqueline Cieslak - she describes herself as a 'fats first' designer, designing for her own 4x bod and then grading down - love that!
🎞️ — I really appreciated the comments section on this Fat In Film post on Baby Reindeer - fat community helping each other out, in discussion of possible triggers and how fatness is represented in this new series
🎵 — Just Martha Wash here and some much needed fat joy!
😍 — this wonderful fundraising update from Fatties For Palestine!
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Fat Bubble: Jenny Bruso
"Dreaded memories of geography field trips, trying to find utility trousers to fit my thick thighs and then, even worse, having to use them! As a 15 year old, hiking hills in the Peak District was worrying, because it was one of those experiences where I was so worried that I would be outed." You can read the piece in the archives here.
Until next time, friends, wishing you safety and joy.
Vicky
Disclaimer: The photos displayed in this newsletter are not owned by Concentric Counselling. All rights belong to their respective owners. These images are used for educational/presentation purposes only, and no copyright infringement is intended.