#143: "What If I'm Just Uncomfortable Being Fat?" with Therapist Edie Stark and Fat Activist Sharon Maxwell (Part Two)

The Full Plate Podcast with Abbie Attwood, MS

“I believe in body liberation and anti-diet culture. But what if I’m just uncomfortable being fat?”

This is a free preview of this week’s bonus episode, and truly, it’s not to be missed. It just might be my favorite conversation we’ve had yet on this podcast. This is the second part of a conversation with Therapist Edie Stark and Fat Activist Sharon Maxwell, and we’re answering a very important – very hard – listener question.

To listen to the full conversation, you can upgrade to paid on Patreon: www.patreon.com/fullplate

The full question comes from Amanda, who asks:

“I'm really struggling to accept my own body as I do this work to unlearn weight bias in our culture. It's frustrating, because I do believe all bodies are worthy. What if I'm just uncomfortable being in a larger body? What if I just don't want to be fat? Is it possible to desire weight loss for myself while believing in weight inclusivity?”

Tune in on Patreon for the full conversation to hear about...

• How Sharon relates to this listener, and moments where she's worked through similar thoughts
• Whether changing your body can change discomfort
• Internalized fat-phobia, and if pursuing weight loss is anti-fat
• Neutral health goals versus weight-loss goals
• How the Ozempic conversation impacts the desire for weight loss
• How mental discomfort effects our physical symptoms
• Body autonomy and personal choices with weight
• Self-care ideas for fat bodies
• How to practice self-compassion while living within systemic anti-fatness
• Times when eating disorder thoughts creep in the most
• Discomfort as a signal of something deeper
• Finding providers who can hold space for you, and your body grief, from a weight-inclusive and liberation lens
• Navigating the medical system when it blames body size for everything
• SO much more!

About Edie:

Edie Stark, MSc, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker and the owner of Stark Therapy Group, a psychotherapy group practice specializing in eating disorders, trauma, and anxiety from a humanistic, fat-positive, and inclusive lens. She believes in the value of lived experience being met with clinical knowledge to create a collaborative therapeutic experience for all of the clients. Edie is passionate about Trader Joe's snacks– we talk a little bit about that–dismantling the US healthcare system, and the complete and total takedown of diet culture in no particular order.

Learn more at https://starktherapygroup.com/

About Sharon:

Sharon Maxwell (She/Her) is a mental health advocate and fat activist. She works as a weight inclusive consultant, providing education to treatment centers and healthcare providers on the immense harms of weight stigma. Due to her lived experience facing weight stigma, Sharon provides unique insight and offers practical tools to make treatment centers and healthcare settings safe and accessible for fat folks. Sharon is passionate about breaking down the stigma around eating disorders and working to eradicate societal anti-fat bias. When she’s not studying or engaged in her activism work, Sharon can be found exploring San Diego with her dog and her best friend.

Read "You Don't Look Anorexic" in New York Times Magazine

Connect with Sharon on IG: @heysharonmaxwell

Learn more about Sharon: https://www.heysharonmaxwell.com/

Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at Patreon.com/fullplate

Group program:

Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply for Abbie's next 10-week group program: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coaching

Group membership:

Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group

Social media:

Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast

Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness

Transcripts: If you’re looking for transcripts, you can find those on Abbie's website, www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/podcast

Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy

Podcast Editing by Brian Walters

This podcast is ad-free and support comes from our Patrons on Patreon: Patreon.com/fullplate