"I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best." - Marilyn Monroe
The other day I gave you some examples of girls talking about being "fat." Chances are, you know someone who talks negatively about her food or her body - maybe all of your friends talk that way. While it may not seem serious, that kind of talk can sometimes be sign of future problems. It isn't good for them, and it isn't good for you, either. All that negativity can really damage your self image. Here are some ways to change the language...
Ignore the Negativity - When a friend starts the "fat" talk, don't make it worse. While you might think it would make her feel better to disagree with her or to tell her about your "fatness," that just drags out the negativity. Try to breeze by, if you can.
Be Open - While you don't want to encourage her to talk that way, it's also important to be sensitive. She may be feeling sensitive about her body, or about another issue. If a friend starts to criticize herself, ask her if something else is bothering her.
Change the Talk - If you and your friends often go into a body-loathing session after ordering pizza or going out for ice cream, try to steer away from that. It may seem like you're bonding, but do you really want to bond over how fat you feel? Talk about how much you enjoy getting to be with each other, not how many calories you ate.
Share the Love - We spend so much time criticizing ourselves that we often get consumed by it. Remind your friends how awesome they are. Sometimes a genuine compliment can make all the difference for someone.
Lead by Example - It's alright if everyone around you seems to talk "fat" all the time. But you don't have to. Be an example of someone who loves their body. Sometimes actions speak a lot louder than words.
Hopefully that helps, FGs. You are too beautiful and fabulous to spend your time body-hating! But if you ever need a reminder, I can always be reached here, by e-mail at fabgalsite@gmail.com, or at The Fab Gal Myspace.
