Get Ready: It’s Almost Fat Talk Free Week

on October 13, 2009
in Fat Talk Free

This You Tube video changed my life.  It also inspired Operation Beautiful!  I know I’ve posted it a million times before, but sometimes there are new readers – and EVERYONE should watch this! 🙂

 

Next week is the annual Delta Delta Delta Fat Talk Free Week.  A new Fat Talk video will be released – I can’t wait to see it!  As part of Fat Talk Free Week, women all over the country are pledging to stop fat talking for just one week.  Hopefully, this week will become a month, a year, a LIFETIME!  We don’t need Fat Talk in our world, at all.

 

Did you know…

 

  • 54% of women would rather be hit by a truck than be fat.
  • The average American woman is 5’4” tall, weights 140 lbs, and wears a size 12 or 14.  Fashion models are thinner than 98% of American women.
  • Barbie, the best selling fashion doll in the world, has unattainable and unhealthy body proportions. If she were alive, her waist would be smaller than patients with anorexia nervosa, and she would be unable to menstruate.
  • 1 in 4 women have avoided engaging in a physical activity or sport because they feel badly about the way they look.
  • 81% of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat. 51% of 9 and 10 year old girls feel better about themselves if they are on a diet.
  • Seventy percent of young women say they want to look like a TV character.

 

I don’t know about you, but I do NOT want my daughter to grow up in a world like this.  I don’t want her to strive for an unrealistic, Photoshopped concept of beauty.   And guess what – I don’t want to do it, either!

 

I’ll be posting tons of stuff about Fat Talk next week, but I wanted to get you all EXCITED about this special event!  :)  PLEASE take the pledge to stop Fat Talking next week. 

 

Three cheers for Fat Talk Free Week!  Oh, and because I’m sure people will ask, I was not in Tri Delta in college.  🙂

{ 48 comments }

 

  • Sara October 13, 2009, 3:47 pm

    This is awesome! I will take the pledge!

    You really are inspiration! Thanks so much for sharing all you do!

  • Laura W October 13, 2009, 3:51 pm

    I always get excited for fat talk free week…it makes me proud to be a Tri-Delt! (I know, I’m corny.) Thanks for spreading the word and helping so many people!

  • Kristen October 13, 2009, 3:54 pm

    Seriously? Hit by a truck?!?!
    No fat talk next week! (or hopefully ever again)

  • Anne Marie@ New Weigh of Life October 13, 2009, 4:11 pm

    I can’t believe it’s that time of year again! I’m so excited!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is October 13, 2009, 4:16 pm

    This is great! I will definitely be joining in.

  • Bronwyn October 13, 2009, 4:17 pm

    I hate those stats. So sad. 🙁

    What’s the one about kids? Isn’t like like most kindergatenders would rather be stupid than fat? They shouldn’t even care about fat at that age!

  • Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers October 13, 2009, 4:22 pm

    amen sista!!! love this post. very interesting and eye-opening. i’m 100 percent on board for no fat talk! 🙂

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite October 13, 2009, 4:23 pm

    Fat talk is terrible! I will loyally participate in fat talk free week! Everyone should try to take part in this!
    Thanks for posting Caitlin!

  • Laura@FindingAHealthyBalance October 13, 2009, 4:36 pm

    I am totally with you girl!!! I have been striving to keep my daughter (now 9 years old) away from the FAT TALK since she was born……as I did not want her to have the same “weight” struggles in life as me. I fed her a healthy balanced diet from the beginning, however I in the past I was not a good example for her seeing as I was so overweight myself (100+ pounds), so I worked hard and 4+ years later can finally say I am a good role model for her now as I too eat a healthy balanced diet and work out regularly.

    She has started to ask me to go out “running” with me now!!! =) I love it and can’t wait until she is old enough to hit the pavement with me.

    =) Laura @ Finding A Healthy Balance……after a 100+ POUND weight loss!!!

  • Jessica October 13, 2009, 4:37 pm

    I know I said this before but you are an inspiration to me. Next week will be one of the hardest weeks for me because I know that I will be bumbarded with FAT talk….but operationbeautiful is instilled in my head….and I am not going to let the negative thoughts and words I know I am going to hear next week get to me.
    I am beautiful.
    Thank you.

    • Caitlin October 13, 2009, 4:40 pm

      YOU CAN DO IT. You are amazing!!!

      • Jessica October 14, 2009, 2:22 pm

        THANK you….you are beyond a GOD SENT

  • Paige (Running Around Normal) October 13, 2009, 4:40 pm

    Great idea! You know, I don’t ever think of myself as fat, but every once in a while after I’ve pigged out for a weekend, or if I feel bloated I’ll think “omg I feel so fat..ew!” but then I’ll totally stop myself and say something good about my body now. I’m pretty sure it’s because of Operation Beautiful 🙂

  • Carrie H October 13, 2009, 4:44 pm

    I just posted my first operation beautiful note in quite awhile in my city’s the public library restroom a few minutes ago. For some reason, I just had’t been leaving them … But I’m back at it just in time for end fat talk week. 🙂 Thanks, Caitlin.

  • Lauren October 13, 2009, 4:49 pm

    I love that you posted this video. I find myself always coming back to your blog exactly because you don’t do “fat talk.” You talk about your goals, improvements, abilities, and accomplishments, not about how you look or what you weigh. It means you’re not superficial, like too many “healthy” folk are. Too often, what people claim is a concern for health is really a fear of fat. They cling to “healthy” habits for all the wrong reasons. I don’t get that feeling from your blog. Your writing is inviting to people at all levels of fitness–because those who engage in fat talk not only criticize themselves, but also criticize other women, by equating “fat” with unworthiness, unattractiveness, and other negative qualities. I know you’ve talked about how you’ve become a more positive person over time. Well, it really shows!

    • Caitlin October 13, 2009, 4:52 pm

      thank you so much. this comment really made my afternoon.

      i really, really, REALLY believe that everyone is beautiful. its not what’s on the outside that counts at all. it’s great to reach your “healthy ideal,” but even that is not the most important thing in this world.

      thank you!!!

  • Ashley October 13, 2009, 4:49 pm

    Fabulous Idea!

    I was wondering if I could get your input on how long it takes someone to train for a 5k. I’ve been running for a couple years and have only done longer races so i can’t really remember when i made the transition to running. I’m going to sign my boyfriend up for a 5k to jump start him back into fitness (and off drinking, navy guy….). Right now he can comfortably run 1.5 miles. How many weeks of training do you think it should take for him to be able to complete a 5k? I want it to be a good experience for him.

    Thanks!

    • Caitlin October 13, 2009, 4:53 pm

      if he can run 1.5 miles right now, he could run a 5k this weekend. it probably wouldnt be very fun though 🙂 hehe

      he could probably train for a 5K in two or three weeks and have it be a fun and challenging experience.

  • Ashley October 13, 2009, 4:58 pm

    Thanks for your advice, I think he’s in better shape than he thinks and could run a 5k this weekend too, just not sprinting. I was actually thinking of signing him up with me for a longer one, There’s a 10k coming up on November 7th, do you think that would be too soon to run a longer distance?

    • Caitlin October 13, 2009, 5:02 pm

      ehhhh i want to say no. i dont think it would be safe to go from 1.5 miles to 6.2 in 3.5 weeks. its too large of a jump and he could risk a stress fracture. i think he could probably run it if a gator was chasing him, but i doubt its a good idea for his muscles and skeleton.

  • Gwen October 13, 2009, 4:58 pm

    I take the pledge Caitlin! Thank you for sharing this!

  • Kristie Lynn October 13, 2009, 5:00 pm

    My hubby and I made a pledge when we got engaged to stop fat talk. We both used to do it a lot, and then the other person would deny it and say how beautiful they were, and so now our pact is that if one of us breaks out the fat talk, the other can use it too. It works for us because if the hubby says he’s fat, I’ll say something about how huge my stomach is and he’ll be like “No, I love your tummy! It’s beautiful! I think I’m skinny so you need to take it back”. Sounds kind of ridiculous now that I’m typing it out, but it always makes us think about how silly the fat talk is and has definitely reduced both of our fat talk!

    • Caitlin October 13, 2009, 5:02 pm

      that is really freaking cute!!!

  • Jenna October 13, 2009, 5:02 pm

    omg caitlin! i did not know any of those facts! they are very interesting though.
    jenna

  • Diana October 13, 2009, 5:06 pm

    That video is amazing. Fat talk free week… I love it. 🙂

  • Allie October 13, 2009, 5:09 pm

    Hey Caitlin and HTP Readers-
    Here’s an article I wrote in my college paper about trying Gwyneth Paltrow’s GOOP detox diet:

    http://media.www.thegeorgetownindependent.com/media/storage/paper136/news/2009/09/30/Commentary/The-Goopest.Story.Ever.Told-3788469.shtml

    I usually don’t shamelessly promote myself, but I thought you all would enjoy reading it given that everyone seems to be interested in fad diets/image/etc!

    • Caitlin October 13, 2009, 5:12 pm

      hahah i laughed quite a few times reading that.

  • Erin October 13, 2009, 5:18 pm

    Thanks for reposting this video — it’s one everyone should watch and pass on to their friends.

  • Tay October 13, 2009, 5:19 pm

    I’ve actually never seen this video posted and I LOVED it. I’m really excited for fat talk free week – actually my campus has a body image festival type of thing that my roommate is helping to run. And I’m really looking forward to attending. It’s next week – so falls perfectly!

  • Jenny Eastwood@ JennyLikesToRun, Healthy living blog :) October 13, 2009, 5:34 pm

    I love this!!! I’m so excited for the Fat Talk Free Week. I’m going to tell all my friends and try and get them involved 🙂 It’s a beautiful thing!
    Operation Beautiful changed MY life. I owe so much to you Caitlin, because seeing Operation Beautiful was really the first step towards feeling good about myself and loving myself the way I am. And I am so excited to pay it forward 🙂
    I love your attitude about this!
    It’s inspirational!
    Can’t wait for the Fat Talk Free Week! 🙂

  • Joelle (The Pancake Girl) October 13, 2009, 5:47 pm

    Dude, as someone who literally was run over by a car today (got my foot rolled over on the way to work, good times), it is definitely NOT better to be hit by a truck. That is just sad… and as everyone else said, thank you for your positivity! It is contagious!

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) October 13, 2009, 5:53 pm

    I actually saw this mentioned when I was exploring around your site the other day but haven’t watched it. Those stats are scary because I’ve lived them. I’m super excited about your posts this coming week.

  • Stephanie October 13, 2009, 6:42 pm

    All the statistics are alarming, but the one with the 9/10 year olds is just disturbing… it is so sad that young girls feel they have to live up to these ideals of perfection bc that’s what society appears to accept and deams “beautiful”. I know I struggled with eating disorder related issues in middle school/high school so it really hits close to home.

  • Lisa October 13, 2009, 7:14 pm

    I meant to write a comment yesterday after the race, but time got away from me!.. I ran in the Tufts Women’s 10K in Boston (over 7,000 women!) and I was behind a girl at one point that had a sign pinned to her back “You are beautiful (inside and outside) http://www.operationbeautiful.com” It was awesome to see and I thought about that during the whole race! Keep up the great work!

    • Caitlin October 13, 2009, 8:41 pm

      That was Ali from FoodFitnessFashion! I’m so happy you saw her note!!!

      • Ali@ Food, FItness, Fashion October 13, 2009, 9:36 pm

        HI LISA!!!!

        I am so glad you saw my note!!! YAY! and congrats on the running the race! Isn’t that race so empowering?!

  • Amanda (modernation) October 13, 2009, 7:42 pm

    Love this. My best friend in high school’s sister died of anorexia and bulimia when we were 14. It changed my life and I am so passionate about this cause. Thanks for all you do, Caitlin.

  • Nicole October 13, 2009, 7:53 pm

    This is so beautiful! God made us all different for a reason….when will we accept that?? Thank you, Caitlin, for helping me remember every day to find something I’m proud of and love about myself!

  • Ali@ Food, FItness, Fashion October 13, 2009, 9:13 pm

    Great post! You fat talk posts (and OB) have really helped me change the way I look at myself and think about myself. Thanks, Caitlin!!!!

  • lori October 13, 2009, 10:18 pm

    I guess I would be considered one of your newbies. I came upon you only a few days ago and instantly clicked with so many (of the things you eat) and I want to run and such…1st time I have seen that video, I am glad that set you on a path, it’s a very excellent message to send out.
    keep it going, you are fun!

  • maria October 13, 2009, 10:26 pm

    That video was so inspiring and motivated me to continue sticking to my goal of enjoying quality foods without worrying too much about calories. I feel so much better about my body!

  • Whole Body Love October 14, 2009, 2:20 am

    I strive to raise my daughter to be a self-confident, strong woman who is focused on what her body can do rather than how it looks. I know that the older she gets the more of a challenge this may be. But, I will continue to try to be a good example by loving my body.

  • Sarah @ See Sarah Eat October 14, 2009, 9:52 am

    This is so exciting! I definitely don’t want my kids brought up in a world like that. And I’m glad that I have found a healthy balance and banished that kind of thinking from myself before I’ve even had children. Thanks for posting it again!

  • Krista October 14, 2009, 10:30 am

    Thanks for posting such a powerful video, Caitlin. I have a 10yr old daughter at home who is no where near “fat”, but does not have the bone structure to ever be slight of frame. She’s just recently started trying to cover herself up when changing into her bathing suit at the pool and I constantly tell her that her body is strong, lean and beautiful and there’s no reason for her to be shy. I really hope with all mt being that as she mature’s, she can remain positive and secure with her looks.

  • S October 14, 2009, 9:30 pm

    Thanks for posting the video. I’m that first time visitor to your blog (found it through the FoodBuzz Blog Awards site—congrats on the nomination!) who got to see the video you posted! 🙂 I had no idea of some of those things the video mentioned. Very crazy and very sad.

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