As someone who has been overweight most of her life, I consider myself an expert in fat girl trauma. I’ve spent years trying to relearn and rethink how I see my body. I’ve even gone as far as cutting out 80% of my stomach so I could be a “normal size.” Guess what? I’ve lost 50lbs, and I’m still not a standard size. Being a big girl never stopped me from trying to participate in regular school activities. I play soccer from 5th grade to 11th grade. I was in marching band for two years. I even attempted REC basketball for one season, which I hated!
I was never the superstar on any team I played on. I was always at the back of the pack when running the mile in gym class. I was always the chubby friend with a pretty face in social settings. I slowly started understanding my role as the fat teammate, friend, and classmate. My body was not considered athletic or beautiful, so I was kept in my lane. You may participate, but you will never be the best. How could you be the best with a body like yours?
So I quickly took on the role of the funny fat friend, a typical role many of us “larger” than life personalities do. I succeeded at this role. I saw an instant change in how people treated me by just being entertaining. People loved being around me and invited me to many social gatherings. I finally felt I had my own lane—a lane where I could be accepted while being the size I was, I am.
Sometimes, I use self-deprecating language to get laughs. As an adult, when engaging in physical activity, I typically make fun of myself the whole time, hiding any athletic ability so I don’t look like a fool actually trying to play. When around other athletes, I say they’re in their lane, and I will stay in mine because my body was not built for that.
Now, watching my own teenage daughter navigate similar obstacles, I feel compelled to be a voice for big girls everywhere! If you catch yourself questioning a person's ability based on their size, don’t. If curves aren’t to your taste, keep that to yourself. If you have the privilege to coach a youth sports team and you base playing time on looks, stop. If you’re thinking about asking someone when their baby is due, don’t. This world should be a safe space for everyone to participate and engage in.
I’m glad I’ve found my people—the people who unconditionally love me regardless of my size. I’m not actively auditioning or trying out for anything where my body is being scrutinized, but my daughter is, and unfortunately, I see history repeating itself. Just as I am trying to relearn how to love myself, perhaps there are many of you out there who need to, too. Let’s all work harder to be better for this next generation. Let’s be more inclusive, more accepting, and more loving. I guarantee you the outcome would be phenomenal.
Love your funny fat friend.