In a recent move, Facebook decided to ban the “feeling fat” status update, a change inspired by an online campaign. This has left many of us—especially those who bond over our perceived problem areas—without a familiar outlet for our frustrations. Psychologist Tara Simmons, who supported the ban, argues that such expressions don’t actually improve our mood. In fact, she suggests they might do the opposite: “Research on what’s termed ‘fat talk’ indicates it often leads to feeling worse, and can even have a negative impact on those around you.”
Interestingly, it isn’t just teens or young adults who indulge in these self-deprecating conversations. Women from their late teens to their seventies are often caught in this cycle, according to a study published in the Journal of Women’s Health. I can certainly relate to my circle of moms with toddlers, who often lament about our post-baby bodies—complaining about our bellies (a little rounder than before), our jeans (a bit snugger), and our rear ends (which have lost some of that youthful perk). Oh, and don’t even get me started on the state of our breasts.
Before this discussion, I hadn’t really noticed that these exchanges rarely lift my spirits. More often than not, I walk away feeling a little down. This usually leads to a vow to start a diet, which I promptly abandon when I’m still feeling low.
A recent article in The Atlantic pointed out that diets focused on appearance are often the least effective. When we concentrate on how we look, we tend to ignore our body’s natural hunger and fullness signals, leading to binge eating. So, in my somewhat jumbled thinking, it seems that if I want to lose weight to feel better about myself, I might need to trick myself into not fixating on my appearance. But according to Facebook, at the very least, I should cut out the chatter.
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In summary, shifting away from “fat talk” might not only improve our self-image but also create a more positive environment for those around us. So, let’s give it a try—after all, who needs extra negativity in their lives?