Meet Fat

I want to introduce everyone to my friend Fat. Yes, I meant to write friend. Fat is your friend too.

-Notice that Fat is not you.
-Which is to say, you are not Fat.
-You have fat.
-You need fat.
- You are not fat.

I borrowed much of what you’re about to read from a message to friend. A friend who just so happens to be an absolute stunner and a hell of an athlete. They are one of the last people that anyone would expect to have concerns related to physique - except everyone has concerns about their image. That’s human. There’s no magical weight, or size, or look that will allow someone to escape self-conscious thoughts. And it’s often the most beautiful people who have the most difficult time seeing it.

So that’s why you’re reading it now. This applies to everybody that has a body.

I wanted to mention a few things about arbitrary numbers and sizes - especially those of clothes. Before I tell you a few things about weight vs. fat gain, weight fluctuation, yada yada.

And I’m telling you this now, because I know what it’s like to be absolutely stuck on an arbitrary number/size/whathaveyou as they relate to my body.

And especially how I believe they relate to my body.

Though I have personally been at the extremes of things when it comes to distorted body image/disordered eating/obsessive exercise/etc. it really is all on a spectrum, and most people experience these types of thoughts in one way or another. I don’t think you can live in modern society, or ancient society, but especially the modern western world without a fair amount of body-consciousness. And it’s especially part of the territory when it comes to fitness/physique/athletic types.

2 quick reminders before we go into the physiology of things.

1. Beautiful people remain beautiful people. Thisaway or thataway, thicker, thinner, new hair. And I do mean this in the aesthetic sense. Some people are just gorgeous. If you’re reading this, good chances you’re one of them 😉 and even better - you probably have the character to match.

2. Being “fat” is more often a feeling than it is an objective statement of truth. We often confuse a negative emotional state with a physical state, and conflate visceral feelings such as being satiated, full, bloated or even having gas as an actual physical state of being. Challenge those thoughts. I like to remember the wise words of my father when it comes to all sorts of things, especially these ones:

Weights and sizes can be particularly troublesome. People get weird about some very arbitrary numbers. Especially as they relate to their bodies.

I know. Because I’ve been extremely weird about arbitrary weights and sizes and amounts, and all sorts of numbers that I even knew didn’t deserve the power I was giving them.

But feelings aren’t logical, and we can all fall into the trap of becoming attached to what we believe are safe/normal/good numbers to have.

Especially pants, man.

5 things to keep in mind.

1. Weight and even size gain does not mean fat gain. .
- Weight gain especially during beginner stages of lifting is normal “newb gains”
- You can gain weight and have your bodyfat decrease. Body fat is a percentage.
_{*This is especially true for women
As an aside, do you know how many fitness chicks are TRYING to get their glutes to grow right now? Think of it that way.}
 
2. Bloating is a significant factor to the way you feel and the way clothes fit.
- foods, hormones - always could be a factor. *_{Again, especially for women.}

3..Weight goes on and it comes off. It does not have to be a big deal.

4. Even if you DO want to lose FAT(not weight) CARDIO IS NOT your best option. Weight lifting is, and strength training has a whole host of benefits beyond enhancing your physique…but it will do that to.

5. Just about everyone at one point or another has accidentally shrunk their clothes 😆 

One last thing. You’re fucking gorgeous, act accordingly.

Thanks for reading.