Putting this issue together was a very moving and empowering experience. I've been involved with the Fat Acceptance Movement since the mid-eighties when I first met Ruah Bull. Newly arrived in Santa Cruz from the east coast, she began teaching classes on body image. I was fortunate enough to work with her on my body image issues privately, and to work with her at the Cabrillo Women's Center. Although she has moved north many women in Santa Cruz remember her from her classes and her column "In My Mind" published in local feminist presses. She also co-edited the award winning issue of Matrix: Embracing Our Beauty, Claiming Our Space: Voices of Fat Liberation. This caused quite a stir in NAAFA (National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance) when it was nominated for an award. The issue had many nude images and photos of fat women and a lot of lesbian content. In the end, feminist members lobbied for the issue, and it won. Letters came in to Matrix (our local feminist magazine at the time) from all over the country about this groundbreaking issue. It was immensely empowering.

It is this issue of Matrix that inspired me to want to do a Fat Pride issue myself. I am planning to do a small print run in the future, when I have time to translate it into that format and money to print it.

Ruah has provided us with a fascinating article on protecting ourselves psychically from the onslaught of fat hatred that still exists in our society. She may do follow-up articles if readers want to know more. She has spent a great deal of time learning about spiritual healing, aromatherapy, and hypnotherapy.

We have so much material for this issue that I am having to hold three book reviews until the next issue. All are books related to fat acceptance, so you'll want to watch for them. Mary Atkins, of the Body Image Task Force, supplied them in addition to an excellent article that is in this issue. She is of course the mother of Body Image Educator Dawn Atkins, but has had a long career of feminist activism in her own right. She was the Oklahoma state chair of NOW years ago, and has remained involved with that organization. I was fortunate to work with her on the Body Image Task Force in the early nineties.

We have 4 brand new contributors to Uppity Women for this issue, all with powerful, uppity pieces of work: Laura Litman, Kristi Sprinkle, Cynthia Thuma and JoAnn Lutmer. I hope we'll be seeing more of their work in the future.

My personal fat acceptance journey continues. In the past few years I have finally learned to feel sexy. My husband has been instrumental in this change, as he enthusiastically lets me know that he loves and enjoys the look and feel of my body. For many years I had believed it a miracle when someone appeared to be attracted to me. Now I can see that while our society indoctrinates everyone with fat hatred, some are able to think for themselves and reject this rigid standard. I didn't need EVERY man to find me attractive. All I really needed is for one man (or woman, since I'm bi) to do so.

I often say that for fat women, being objectified as sex objects is a step up. We are already objectified-objects of hate and ridicule. It's such an improvement to be POSITIVELY objectified. I've heard that in San Francisco there is (or was as of '97) a club where fat women were go go dancers. Not strippers, just dancers on stage. I heard the club was always packed! So quite a few people have discovered the beauty of large women.

But too many of us still hate ourselves. I just read recently in our local paper about a woman just 30 pounds heavier than myself (and I'm 300 pounds) who had her stomach by-passed surgically. This is a serious and dangerous operation with lifelong consequences. Her rationale for doing this was her health. She had high cholesterol and diabetes. Then she described her lifestyle. She rarely left her home. She parked close to the store so she wouldn't need to walk very far. She hated going into stores for fear of people's reactions to her, and described many instances of the kind of rudeness we are all too familiar with. Her diet was fast food and junk, basically. It was a very sad and constricted life. She saw this surgery as the only way out of it. Literally, the only way out of the house!

Of course, you could probably take the same genetic profile, same weight person and if they approach their life from a position of loving and caring for their body, walked proudly out of the house with their head held high (which discourages people who would insult them), went for a walk every day, ate good foods out of this love for their body (with moderate desserts and snacks), I am sure that the health problems would have been greatly lessened without the side effects and dangers of surgery.

I have been at different levels of health at the same exact size depending on my activity level and the content of my diet. It is not an inherent part of being 300 pounds that one must gasp for breath with just a few steps! It's the lack of activity that causes that condition, and gradual increase of activity that cures it!

I'd like to personally recomend the aerobic pool at Spa Fitness on 41st Avenue in Capitola as a place where I see people of all sizes and disabilities exercise.

Some weight loss may even occur with regular movement and some focus on improved nutrition. But let it happen naturally. If you are a recovering dieter, don't focus on the scales. Focus instead on your increased energy and feeling of fitness-the ability to move, strength, and flexibility. You will also feel the firmness of muscle, and your clothes may fit differently as muscle replaces fat. Your resting metabolism will be greater than before. Try it--before you ever consider surgery!

I'd also like to recomend the book, Great Shape: The First Fitness Guide For Large Women by Pat Lyons and Debby Burgard. I've also seen a mention of a new book recently, Real Fitness for Real Women by Rochelle Rice.

You are all strong women--you've had to be, to survive the onslaught of society's hatred of fat people. Honor your strength and allow yourself to take pride in your survival.

To our thin sisters: you are also bombarded by nearly impossible body image standards and can benefit from the fat acceptance movement. When you stand up for one of us, you stand up for your own unique body. Join us in the quest for self acceptance and pride!

Tapati Sarasvati

*******

I was asked to share the following with my readers:

A Paid Publishing Opportunity for True Stories of Great Friendships!

Adams Media Corporation seeks true stories of remarkable friends and extraordinary friendships for publication in A Cup of Comfort for Friends -- the second book in an exciting new anthology series.

We're looking for stories that evoke emotion, insight, inspiration, compassion, memories, laughter, and tears. Compelling stories that touch your heart and soothe your soul. Thought-provoking stories that reveal lessons of humanity within vividly told tales.

Aspiring, new, and experienced writers welcome. No entry or reading fees.

Story Length: 1,000 to 2,000 words
Submission Deadline: July 20, 2001
Electronic or hard-copy submissions okay.

To Request Submission Guidelines: wordsinger@aol.com -- or snail-mail an SASE to GUIDELINES-CUP OF COMFORT, P.O. Box 863, Eugene, OR 97440.

Coming soon: www.cupofcomfort.com

For more information on Adams Media Corporation: www.adamsmedia.com

SINCE June 3, 2001 YOU ARE UPPITY VISITOR NUMBER 9900