Living

All of my life I wanted nothing more than to lose weight. Even in elementary school I was the fat kid but nothing we did could keep the weight off...

I want to explore the joy of embracing our bodies, regardless of their size. In that vein, I have to share a bit of my perspective. I do not spend...

Obesity resides in the gene pool of my family, but while most of my family gained their weight later in life I was always overweight, even as a child. In...

I walk into a coffee shop, and the aroma of freshly brewed java hits me. My eyes look around the room, seeking refuge in a comfortable chair. Wooden, metal, cushioned...

The proven treatment to improve health for obesity is weight loss. Losing weight reduces mortality, or early death. For people with obesity, weight loss can help reduce the risk of...

Before I start recounting my own experiences, I want to make sure you know that I feel there is nothing wrong with being a parent and being obese. If it...

Mental health is just as important as physical health, but unfortunately it's something we often overlook. We know that living with obesity or any chronic illness can really take a...

What is a "FUPA?" A FUPA is colloquially known as a "fatty upper pubic area." In other words, a FUPA is a jelly roll. A muffin top. And whatever other...

Navigating life with obesity can be overwhelming, especially if you do not know others with the condition. It is hard to know where to turn when there is so much...

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. No, not the actual elephant, although I would love to chat about how I came to love those majestic creatures, but the...

Many people attempt to lose weight, but only some people succeed. So when a friend or family member loses a visible amount of weight, it is understandable that you would...

If someone had asked me 10 years ago to picture a "healthy" person, I might have envisioned something like this... A tanned, toned, maybe even muscular person with minimal body...

For most people, summer is the most looked-forward-to season of the year, but for many others, it's a season that makes them the most self-conscious. In the last several years...

Let’s talk about air travel. You know, that magical experience where you’re crammed into a metal tube hurtling through the sky, surrounded by strangers, and praying that the person next...

The hardest part of the journey isn't going through it; it's deeming yourself worthy enough to start. How many times have you been paralyzed by the fear of beginning? Countless...

I’ve felt shame around my obesity for most of my life. Since I was a child, I’ve felt the shame of not being able to do all the things other...

If you have obesity, it was probably diagnosed by measuring your body mass index (BMI). Having a high amount of body fat, which is measured by BMI, is the main...

Experts estimate that more than 1 in 4 people in the workplace are living with obesity. People with obesity often face weight discrimination on the job. And according to research...

Conversations with a healthcare provider about weight are not always productive. Unfortunately, most healthcare providers do not get any training about obesity. They may not know a lot about treating it...

Remember that phrase we used to taunt our friends: "Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words can never hurt me"? I really wish that had been true for...