I have been a fan of Kate Harding's blog, Shapely Prose for a few years. It has changed a lot in that time but still the main message, it's ok to be bloody fat already, has stayed the same.
Kate Harding has been incredibly vocal in what is being called the fat movement both in her blog and by appearing nationally on news outlets when the need arises. She has a huge following of supporters as well as a following of haters. Haters may seem like a strong word but if you see the kind of comments she receives on her blog (and elsewhere), haters is a pretty light term. Now Kate Harding has ventured into the world of publishing with a new book called Lessons from the Fat-o-sphere: Quit Dieting and Declare a Truce with Your Body. But she didn't do it alone. She joined forces with fellow fat politics blogger, Marianne Kirby author of another great blog, The Rotund.
Here is a shorted quote from product description of the 272 page book Lessons from the Fat-o-sphere: "When it comes to body image, women can be their own worst enemies, aided and abetted by society and the media... written a book to help readers achieve admiration for--or at least a truce with--their bodies. The authors believe in 'health at every size'--the idea that weight does not necessarily determine well-being and that exercise and eating healthfully are beneficial, regardless of whether they cause weight loss. They point to errors in the media, misunderstood and ignored research, as well as stories from real women around the world to underscore their message."
It sounds like heavy stuff but I have it on good authority that even though the women deal with serious (and a few not so serious issues) they have kept it entertaining.
Lessons from the Fat-o-sphere is on my to get list of books to get this May and I hope you'll add it to yours.
Lessons from the Fat-o-sphere is available from Amazon.com.
Lessons from the Fat-o-sphere is available from Amazon.ca.
