And here’s the thing: I got really really really really really really sick. I wish I could convey to you how incapacitated I was. I was so sick that I could barely function. Just to get to work and home again was all I could do, for many weeks. Looking at a computer screen made me nauseous, so I didn’t reply to emails (my inbox is still stuffed) or moderate comments or post to the blog. Other things that made me throw up included eating, not eating, thinking about eating, moving around, looking at things, and talking (which made lecturing fun, let me tell you). At one point I was driving to campus and in the middle of the faculty parking lot I had to slam on the brakes, open the door, and puke on the concrete. Then I had to go brush my teeth and give a lecture. That was a fun day.

I got so sick, in fact, that I’m actually still a little sick. (It’s supposed to go away at 16 weeks. This in my case was a terrible lie.) It’s just that when I got to the point where I couldn’t leave my bed and was in fact doing nothing but curling up in the fetal position while occasionally projectile vomiting, I finally got some Zofran, an anti-emetic that I probably should have asked for weeks before I did. But in the meantime I was busy trying every remedy under the sun, from Vitamin B6 and Unisom to special Sri Lankan ginger cookies procured by a friend. And I was busy puking! Let’s not forget the puking.

In the meantime, and in addition, we bought a house! (I know. Lots of news from these here parts.) It’s a fixer-upper, and we’ve been working on fixing it up. That’s also been taking a lot of time. Add in teaching and traveling for the holidays, and there you have it. Where I’ve been.

The thing is, I have a lot of stuff I want to post about. We never talked about important things like Huge being cancelled (nooooooo!!!) (still sad) or the Harry Potter Theme Park adding fat-people seats to their ride just in time for me not to be able to ride roller coasters. Plus, now there’s all this fat and pregnant stuff to talk about, such as the fact that I still don’t really look pregnant and what that means (in fact, so far I’ve lost 15 pounds, even though none of my pants fit), or the fact that Wigburg is a girl, and that I need advice from all of you about how to help her grow up feminist and confident and awesome. And also, the fact that none of my bras fit, because apparently no matter how big your boobs are, they can still get bigger. Scientific fact.

I’m not going to commit to posting every day quite yet, but I will commit to at least one post per week, and see how that goes. I will also try not to turn into a mommyblog. But you know. There might be more mommyblog-esque content here and there. Once again: it’s Wigburg’s fault.

I’d be grossed out if I had to watch two characters with rolls and rolls of fat kissing each other … because I’d be grossed out if I had to watch them doing anything. To be brutally honest, even in real life, I find it aesthetically displeasing to watch a very, very fat person simply walk across a room — just like I’d find it distressing if I saw a very drunk person stumbling across a bar or a heroine addict slumping in a chair.

Oh, before you get upset about this, you should know that Kelly insists that she doesn’t hate fat people, and in fact, has some friends who are pudgy, so really, it’s because she cares so much about our health. Oh, ok then! She also offers the advice that if we exercised more and ate whole foods, we’d lose weight in a jiffy.  Fat people never do any of those things! Maura Kelly saves the day! As usual, my hardcore crush Lesley nails it:

…you’re not required to find all fat people attractive, certainly, but Kelly’s comments above are dehumanizing and offensive and really have no place associated with a widely-read publication such as Marie Claire. This is not simply because their candor subverts the standard feel-good ladymag message of “Love yourself! (But not too much!)” but because sentiments like those expressed in Kelly’s post are bad for everyone: they make fat people feel terrible about themselves, and they make thin people terrified of becoming one of those disgusting fatties they so revile.

After reading Ms. Kelly’s blurb on her alumni website, I was most struck by this paragraph:

She struggled with anorexia growing up and credits the psychologists who worked with her for helping her to overcome the disorder. She was so thankful to her psychologists that she decided to major in psychology at Dartmouth so she could one day help others in the same way. Upon graduation, Kelly reread Catcher in the Rye and decided that being a psychologist no longer appealed to her and what she really wanted to do was write a book that would “make people feel less alone in the world.”

After reading the comments on the Marie Claire blog (seriously, go read them and cheer), I feel bad for Kelly. Her sizist screed against fat has obviously more to do with her own eating disorder (which she wrote about and examined in depth in this NYTimes article) and body dysmorphia than any actual concern for the health and welfare of her common man.  Check out her anecdote where  man told her that she looked “athletic” and she mentally twisted it into being called fat. Also, I’m absolutely betting that the next time she bumps into Marie Claire’s pet plus-sized columnist Ashley Falcon in the elevator, it’s going to be awwwwkward!

Good luck with that making “people feel less alone in the world” thing, Maura! You certainly have bonded the fatosphere in outrage and disbelief.

2. Lesley at Fatshionista is doing Huge recaps, and tackles the latest episode here. Also, the cast signs a Body Peace Treaty, but… there are some problems, as The
Rotund explains:

“Oh, hi, y’all, love your bodies but isn’t this traditionally attractive boy just the hottest? You may be smart and funny and good looking but you won’t measure up to the mainstream heartthrobby good looks of the thin dude.”

Yeah, I’m paraphrasing. BUT COME ON.

3. The Glamazons are auditioning for new talent.

Those 4 plus size beauties are looking to cast another girl to add to the group! Are you a gorgeous, tall, plus size girl who can sing and dance? Please send pics and resumes to glamazongirls@gmail.com for audition appointment.

4. Let’s teach preschoolers to count calories! Family Feeding Dynamics spots a problematic sign at the local Farmer’s Market.

Circle the healthiest choice (fewest calories)!
Ring the cowbell!

1/2 cup diced fruit salad (60 calories)
1/2 cup diced fruit salad with 2 Tbspn orange juice (88 calories)
1/2 cup diced fruit salad with 2 Tbspns light yogurt (96 calories)

I wonder why adding yogurt is not “healthy” or the assertion that the definition of “healthy” is low calorie. Low-calorie and low-fat diets fail nutritionally for small children (and fail for adults too.) I won’t elaborate on why this is garbage “nutrition” info which is more harmful than helpful.

5. And finally, happy ten-year blogoversary to the granddaddy of all FA blogs, Big Fat Blog!

I know we haven’t solved all of the world’s fat problems (yet), but just think for a second where fat acceptance and body equality were ten years ago. Or maybe it would be easier to think of where *you* were on the body love continuum ten years ago.

Happy Thursday!

The new series is Thintervention—yes, that’s it’s real name, not Andy Cohen screwing with us—“will track the stories of people struggling with ongoing weight issues” as Jackie “works with them in their real lives surrounded by the every day distractions and stresses of family and work,” according to a Bravo press release. “Each episode of the one hour series will feature a grueling workout with Warner pushing her clients to their emotional and physical limits, a therapy session to get to the root of their weight issues, and a life lesson in nutrition such as grocery shopping or surprise raids of their home kitchens.”

As Gin said, “I cannot imagine this being anything but horrific. Pushing to physical & emotional limits? No. Just…no. ”

Today, @GinAndPopcorn also alerted me to this: a show from Jenny Craig spokesperson Sara Rue called–wait for it–Shedding for the Wedding. How timely, and also, vomit-inducing!

[T]he show puts 10 overweight couples in a the same house, where they’ll vie to lose the most weight over three months. Each week, the couple that loses the least amount of weight gets sent packing, and the last two standing get their wedding paid for — and possibly televised.

At least it’s not just targeting women?

And here’s another preview of Mike and Molly, which shows Molly exercising (hey, that’s something) but also has the obligatory fat jokes.

At least we have Huge. OR DO WE?

First off, from Becky on Twitter comes this story about Penelope Cruz, who says you don’t have to be thin to be pretty.

“I would close down all those teenage magazines that encourage young girls to diet. Who says that to be pretty you have to be thin? Some people look better thin and some don’t. There is almost a standard being created where only thin is acceptable. The influence of those magazines on girls as young as 13 is horrific.”

I could argue (at length) about the comment that “Some people look better thin and some don’t,” because I think that’s problematic. Also the word “almost” in that bolded sentence. But the fact that she’s pissed off about this and speaking out is pretty awesome.

Via CDAN comes this letter from Sophia Bush about those ridiculous “Eat Less” shirts from Urban Outfitters.

I am fortunate enough to star on a wonderful TV show called One Tree Hill. I play a fashion designer named Brooke Davis, who started a campaign on the show called “Zero Is Not A Size” and the outpouring of love and gratitude that came my way from girls and women ALL OVER THE WORLD who have body image issues brought me to tears.

To promote starvation? To promote anorexia, which leads to heart disease, bone density loss, and a slew of other health problems, not least of all psychological issues that NEVER go away? Shame on you. I will no longer be shopping at your stores. And I will encourage the tens of thousands of female supporters I have to do the same. I have fought to boycott BP. I never imagined I would also be boycotting affordable fashion.

You should issue a public apology, and make a hefty donation to a women’s organization that supports those stricken with eating disorders. I am sickened that anyone, on any board, in your gigantic company would have voted ‘yes’ on such a thing, let alone enough of you to manufacture an item with such a hurtful message.

I’m hoping (and assuming) “Zero Is Not A Size” is not against very slim women, but instead against the idea that the size for these women has that name. But I don’t watch One Tree Hill so one of you might have to fill me in. Anyway, it sounds like Sophia Bush is very engaged with the world, and trying to use her celebrity to effect some positive change. That’s awesome.

And finally, Hayley Hasselhoff talks about the awesomeness that is Huge, and how she embraces her curves.

I related to Amber [her character] a lot when I was younger growing up, but I think I’m finally at a point in life where I’m comfortable with who I am… I’m so glad there’s a show that teenagers can look up to young girls and realize it’s okay to be voluptuous.

Three celebrities speaking out and telling teens it’s okay to be who you are? Feels like a Feel Good Friday to me.

And now, on with the show! I’m very excited about the title, can I just say that? There will be singing! It’ll be just like Glee! Right?

The “previously ons” are extra exciting to me because I still haven’t seen the first two episodes so it’s ALL NEW INFORMATION. Will is wearing a cute owl shirt, and Will and Chris Sligh (whose name, I now know thanks to you guys, is Ian) have cute chemistry, and Gina Torres has food issues.

Who is Crying Shower Cap Girl? Did we see her last week?

“Can we skip the nightly ‘who’s fatter’ contest”? I continue to love Will.

Now there’s some backstory between Becca and Chloe (who I do not like). Oh, Amber was going to let Crying Shower Cap Girl into their talent show act, and Chloe rejected her. See, I was right about not liking her! She also said the more weight she lost last summer, the more people were jealous of her and disliked her. But we’ve seen her distancing herself from people (notably Crying Shower Cap Girl and her brother) not the other way around.

Gina Torres (Dr. somebody) seems so awkward standing up to talk in front of people. Why is she a camp director if she’s scared of all the kids? And Jillian Michaels continues to scare me. And Hot Buff Guy, whose name I have forgotten again, is charming. Was it George, or am I just thinking of George Clooney for some reason?

The kids are daydreaming about food whilst eating lowfat cheese popovers. Are they all going to be portrayed as junk food addicts? Hopefully not.

Jillian Michaels is named Shea. What are the odds I will actually remmeber this? And
she’s got it in for the dad/cook. I kinda don’t care about this plotline.

“Will’s the girl who likes basketball, right?”
“I have no idea what she likes, except being overweight. She loves that.”

Wow, way to care abut your campers, there, Gina Torres. “I have no idea what she likes”? And did you steal her journal, which is missing? DUH DUH DUUUUHHH.

A property line dispute. Whee. Scintillating. Bring on the talent show! TAL-ENT! TAL-ENT!

Oh my god, Chris Sligh is trying to write a song, and now he has found a journal! With lines of poetry in it that almost sound like… song lyrics!?

Yay, the owl shirt is back! I really want that owl shirt. Someone tell me where it comes from.

Chloe is mean to everyone who isn’t Trent. Boo. Hiss. (Not that she isn’t a prototypical Mean Girl, who probably only has the power to be a Mean Girl here at fat camp, but whatever.)

More about the property lizzzzzzzzzzz.

Will lost her journal and will die if anyone reads it. How about if someone takes it and turns it into song lyrics and performs them at the talent show? I mean, not that that’s gonna happen. But WHAT IF?

Property line dispute guy might have a thing for Gina Torreszzzzzzzzz.

Why is Amber so uncomfortable about that camera that they found in lost and found? And is the journal that Becca found really Will’s or is it someone else’s? So many questions!

Oh Becca, don’t read it. DON’T READ IT. It is a terrible idea.

She’s gonna read it.

She read it.

Will is now wearing a cute hat and playing ping pong with Ian. He should maybe tell her he ran across some potential lyrics in a journal, don’t you think? And also, Becca clearly did not enjoy whatever it was she read. I TOLD YOU SO, BECCA.

They’re watching fake More to Love and it’s called Love Handles! Okay, that’s hilarious.

Gina Torres is in some type of muffin-eating support group. I mean, that’s not a euphemism. Or… is it?

Is it OA? If so, why is everyone skinny? I mean, I didn’t freeze frame it or anything, but it looked like a bunch of skinny people.

That property line guy came over with some zzzzzzzzzzzzzz. THIS IS BORING, SHOW! How many times do I have to fake fall asleep before you psychically pick up on my boredom, go back in time, and make this more exciting? I liked it better when she had a Mysterious Romantic Past with the Rival Camp Director.

Amber is apparently played by Hayley Hasslehoff. Good for you, Hayley! I’m sorry your father is an alcoholic. That must be tough.

The camera plotline is now being resolved. It is Crying Shower Cap Girl’s camera. And she’s named Sierra? Maybe? And this is a whole lot of stupid drama about a camera when Amber could have just jumped in to say, “Oops, my bad, it’s not mine after all.” But instead, there is a whole dramatic scene with Chloe defending her.

Will and Ian are having a really nice moment. I’m sure nothing’s going to go wrong when he starts singing his song.

Gina Torres is giving an awkward speech about the origins of the word “talent” and property sign guy is listening. Why are you putting me to sleep at the talent show, plotline?

Poppy and Sierra. Poppy is the other adult, and has a ukelele. Sierra is playing the triangle.

Amber and Chloe are having a weird fight about the camera again. I’m interested in knowing what’s going on with Amber. And now they’re not on the stage, and Becca has to go up and dance. With that other guy, who is not Trent, singing. And that was very funny.

Now Trent is kissing Chloe on advice from George Clooney, even though he really likes Amber more. Well we all like Amber more! Then again, I don’t really care about Trent either. I’m all about Will and Ian.

Alastair seems to have some kind of thing for Trent. (Perhaps unconsciously so! Because we know sexuality is complex!) And now he’s turning the magic show into a comedy routine, and they’re laughing at him. And it’s cute.

Hahahaha Love Handles spoof! Hahahaha.

Ian sings the song! Finally. “This song is inspired by a poem I found. I don’t know who you are, but you’re out there somewhere, and you’re awesome.” Maybe Will won’t take it badly after all?

And, she ran out. Maybe she will. Maybe Will will. Her name is confusing me. It’s a good song, though.

Will Will come back? Will won’t!

Amber is poor and embarrassed by her poverty, and that was her motivation with the whole camera thing. But she seems genuinely happy for Chloe, that she got to make out with Trent. Because she’s sweet, that Amber.

Will and Ian are having it out about the journal. Noooooo. Don’t let this come between you, Will! NOooooooOOoooooOOOO! Okay, apparently I am more invested in this relationship than I thought.

And now it’s over! But next week, it looks there’s hope. And people are kissing, but I can’t tell who. Yay! See you guys here next week?

The previouslies tell me that Nikki Blonsky’s character is named Will, and there’s also a scene where Will proudly takes off her clothes and struts around in a bathing suit, refusing to be ashamed of her “before” body. She’s got legit fat-girl thighs, too. That’s awesome.

I love the Shiz T-shirt on that guy! I love me some musical theater geeks (since I am one). Oh! And it makes sense since Winnie Holzman is one of the creators of Huge and she wrote the book for the musical Wicked! And Shiz University is from Wicked! Okay. Moving on.

The opening credits are surprisingly deep, yearbook photos with labels like “the perfect body” and “invisible” and “fat is my armor.” Also “willpower,” but you can’t win ‘em all.

And speaking of geeks, there’s a LARPing plotline! That’s awesome. I love that the girl who vaguely resembles Mercedes from Glee is not the “sassy fat black girl” but is in fact a shy role-player. Mercedes II, I promise to learn your name at some point!

The Shiz T-shirt guy is named Alistair, and he’s gay. See me, learning things? Also they’re addressing the “smelly fat person” stereotype (and “fat geeks” stereotype too). Which, it occurs to me, is one of the potentially great things about this show–with such a large cast, and so much diversity, they can show all types of fat people–ones who overeat and ones who don’t, ones who are geeks and those who aren’t, athletes and non-athletes, introverts and extroverts… it’s not like in most shows, where if the one fat guy smells bad, it equates to “all fat people smell bad.”

Is this Chris Sligh-looking guy a love interest for Will? Is there a love triangle with the blonde girl? Is the blonde girl named Amber? So many questions.

“That’s my worst fear. That I smell bad and don’t know it.” Oh man. This plotline is breaking my heart.

Interesting scene, campers from another camp coming across Will with a bunch of fat kids. And some straight-up fat mockery. Aw, I already love the Camp Victory campers! I love Will and Chris Sligh and Mercedes II and Alastair! DON’T BE MEAN TO THEM.

Scary Jillian Michaels lady is kind of a B. Hot Buff Guy is Hot. Gina Torres was on Firefly and is awesome. So much for the adults!

Noooo Chris Sligh! Don’t pass Alastair’s showering problem off on Hot Buff Guy! Okay, he’s going to backtrack. Phew.

I love how Will is using her popularity and personality to sell the LARPing thing on behalf of Mercedes II. She’s a great character. Aw man, I only have good things to say about this show! I think I love this show, you guys!

The blonde girl has really pretty teeth. I mean she’s really pretty in general, but especially her teeth. Is that weird?

One of the guys is a football player. See, fat athletes! Plus, Alastair’s sister is doing situps so that’s kind of athletey too. I’m not really feeling Alastair’s sister so far. I like the idea that she’s distancing herself from her brother in a quest to be “in” with Amber, who is the popular girl, but… I’m not finding her sympathetic yet.

Oh, there’s a rivalry between Jillian Michaels and Gina Torres. I’m on Team Torres. Especially if she lets the campers eat s’mores.

Mercedes II is named Becca! Also she’s a fencer, apparently. That rocks. And now Will is teaching Becca how to punch dudes and… oh, poor Alastair looks so sad after getting hit with the water gun.

Hey it’s that guy! He’s was in Waiting for Guffman as the guy who was probed by aliens and finds he has no feelings in his buttocks.

Uh oh, Becca’s LARP universe is in trouble.

“I’m excited to lose weight! I think. I just can’t imagine… what it will be like. If it’ll… if it’ll actually change anything.”

Gina Torres has the hots for the rival camp director! And there’s… really no family resemblance between her and her dad. (Says Mo Pie, the adoptee.) Awkward phone conversation between Gina Torres and rival camp director. Is it too much to hope that rival camp director will be played by Alan Tudyk? Please?

Yes, love triangle between Chris Sligh and Will and Amber! Chris Sligh, Amber has pretty teeth and all, but Will is so clearly where it’s at.

So within the context of the LARP universe, Becca is able to stand up for herself to Will. Love that.

In addition to Amber’s teeth, I also love her feather T-shirt.

Oh, the cute asshole tennis guy thinks Amber is pretty! Oh, he also thinks she’s a tennis camper. I guess she’s fat but not *that* fat to be obviously a fat camper. Interesting. Also they like her top. Me too!

Becca is able to stand up for herself in character to the tennis people too! And the cute asshole tennis guy seems to have figured the whole Amber thing out but still, there’s a thing. Interesting.

The Hot Buff Guy told Alastair very nicely about the showering, and it turns out that he has issues taking a group shower. Well as he’s both a fat guy and a gay guy who seems like he has been teased a lot before, it makes perfect sense. Would he really be the only one, though? In a whole camp full of fat kids?

The rival camp director is not Alan Tudyk. Instead, he seems to be a little bit of a D.

Aw, Hot Buff Guy is going to protect Alastair and keep his secret! He’s nice! I hope Will has an affair with him! Maybe that is not the direction this is going? Also, his name is George.

“Who needs marshmallows when you’ve got…sticks.” Hee.

The takeaway is “stop attacking people and ourselves.” And Will refuses to surrender. Never give up, never surrender! And… that’s the end.

Well, I find this show and its cast and its writing to be pretty delightful. I’ll definitely be watching next week… I might even post about it, if there’s any interest. Did you see this episode? Do you know Chris Sligh’s actual name? Did I miss anything important in the first two episodes? Let me know your thoughts!

• Entertainment Weekly
• L.A. Times
• ABC News
• MTV
• STLToday
• New York Times
• The Frisky

2. An awesome 18-year-old spent a month following Seventeen magazine dictates and blogging about it, calling it the Seventeen Magazine Project. Her intent was to draw more attention to the media’s ridiculous perception of women and teens and what they want, and are supposed to want. And now she’s decided to get even louder, putting together a community project called “Hey mainstream media.”

To participate in this project, all that you have to do is take a picture of yourself holding a sign with words finishing the statement, “Hey mainstream media! I am….”

Anyone can participate in this project. That is, anyone that at some point has felt misrepresented by or excluded from mainstream media. This project is NOT just for teens. Are you a black woman? Maybe you’re more than just a sassy best friend character. A straight man? Maybe you’re interested in more than just pictures of naked women. Unlike media, this project does not exclude or alienate any demographic.

You can add photos directly to the Flickr pool to participate. http://www.flickr.com/groups/heymainstreammedia/

3. The headline in this NYT article says it all: Plus-Size Revelation: Bigger Women Have Cash Too.

Corseted into a size 18 white denim dress, wearing heels that made her about 6-foot-2, Gwen DeVoe, a former model and fashion-show producer, stepped onto a runway in Manhattan this week and made a pitch to retailers for the plus-size woman.

Those stores that don’t carry bigger sizes? “Shame on you, baby, shame on you,” Ms. DeVoe said. “Every curvy girl that has a dollar is willing to spend that dollar.”

So retailers are realizing.

Just now? Just now they’re realizing? It feels like they’ve been realizing and poised to take on the plus-size market for about as long as I have been alive. Hey, maybe one day it’ll be a nice, ordinary fact, and not “news.”

4. A little late, but I just ran into this: Full-Figured Fashion Week happened, and it sounds like it was awesome. Sponsorship was up (7 sponsors last year, 35 this year!). My favorite part: how New York Magazine wistfully notes that everyone had a very swell time.

It’s a shame Full Figured Fashion Week has to be so separate from New York’s main Fashion Week. It’s also too bad the main Fashion Week doesn’t have model competitions or fun award ceremonies and a vibe that’s not life-or-death.