But, if you just get up and leave, they will likely say that you are doing so because you "can't handle the truth", are "lying to yourself", etc. If they don't say it, they may at least THINK it. How would you and/or your readers deal with a possibility such as this?
They may well think or say those things. If there's anything that I've learned from my trolls, it's that people will go to any length to justify their prejudice to themselves and anyone who will listen. I cannot control what people think of me, nor can I control their behavior. I don't care what people think, I'm confident in my choices, so I only care how they treat me in my presence.
So when I say "It is not ok to talk about my weight or eating. If anyone says one more thing about my weight or eating I'm going to leave." I'm not trying to control what people think - they can think whatever the hell they want, I am stating clearly what behavior I will and will not tolerate, and what I will do if they continue the behavior that I find offensive.
If they continue discussing my weight or eating and I leave, it's not to control what they think - it's to remove myself from a situation that I find intolerable.
If people want to spend time with me they have to treat me with respect, which includes not body shaming or food policing me. So while they are allowed to think whatever they want about me, my body, and my food choices, they are 100% responsible for keeping those thoughts to themselves if they want to spend time with me (and they are under no obligation to want to spend time with me, of course.)
Most of the people in my life with whom I've had to set this boundary have been able to pull it together and behave appropriately. There are a few who haven't, and they don't get to spend time with me anymore. I don't know or care what they think about me, as long as I don't have to put up with it. Of course your mileage may vary, but I've found that - when it comes to family and friends food police - if I stop focusing on what people think and start focusing on what I want, things start improving right away.
Was this post helpful? If you appreciate the work that I do, you can support my ability to do more of it with a one-time tip or by becoming a member. (Members get special deals on fat-positive stuff, a monthly e-mail keeping them up to date on the work their membership supports, and the ability to ask me questions that I answer in a members-only monthly Q&A Video!)
Need some fat-positive end-of-year cheer? Here's a playlist of re-vamped holiday songs that highlight things like the importance of fat-friendly seating, singing the praises of our amazing bodies, and just saying no to giving unsolicited weight-loss gifts. Enjoy!
Like this blog? Here's more cool stuff: Body Love Obstacle CourseThis e-course that includes coaching videos, a study guide, and an ebook with the tools you need to create a rock-solid relationship with your body. Our relationships with our bodies don't happen in a vacuum, so just learning to see our beauty isn't going to cut it. The world throws obstacles in our way - obstacles that aren't our fault, but become our problem. Over the course of this program, Ragen Chastain, Jeanette DePatie, and six incredible guest coaches will teach you practical, realistic, proven strategies to go above, around, and through the obstacles that the world puts in front of you when it comes to living an amazing life in the body you have now.
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Price: $25.00 ($10 for DancesWithFat members - register on the member page)
Love It! 234 Inspirations And Activities to Help You Love Your Body
This is filled with thoughtful advice from the authors Jeanette DePatie, Ragen Chastain, and Pia Sciavo-Campo as well as dozens of other notable names from the body love movement, the book is lovingly illustrated with diverse drawings from size-positive artist Toni Tails.
Price: $9.99 softcover, $7.99 Kindle, ($6.95 + free shipping for DancesWithFat Members)
Book and Dance Class Sale! I'm on a journey to complete an IRON-distance triathlon, and I'm having a sale on all my books, DVDs, and digital downloads to help pay for it. You get books and dance classes, I get spandex clothes and bike parts. Everybody wins! If you want, you can check it out here! ( DancesWithFat Members get an even better deal, make sure to make your purchases from the Members Page!)
Book Me! I'd love to speak to your organization. You can get more information here or just e-mail me at ragen at danceswithfat dot org!
I'm (still!) training for an Iron-distance triathlon! You can follow my journey at www.IronFat.com .
If you are uncomfortable with my offering things for sale on this site, you are invited to check out this post.
Hi, I'm Ragen Chastain. Speaker, Writer, Dancer, Choreographer, Marathoner, Soon to be Iron-distance triathlete, Activist, Fat Person. View all posts by Ragen Chastain