Hello lovely!

How my body looks doesn’t actually affect anyone but me. 

If they don’t like my body, they can choose to look away. 

I refuse to be so focused on the pounds on the scale that I lose sight of the revolution!

There are people to help, sunsets to see, dogs to pet, art to create, music to dance to, orgasms to enjoy, friends to laugh with, flowers to smell, books to read, and games of solitaire to win on my phone! 

I am not a conspiracy theorist but I do wonder what powerful people benefit if we’re all so fixated on the way our tummies do or do not bulge over the edge of our pants that we are missing other important things happening around us? 

Have you heard the expression “navel gazing”? 

It originally was an ancient technique to help with meditation where you literally sat down and looked at your own belly button while taking deep breaths. It centered you in your body. 

But over time, the meaning changed to “complacent self-absorption” like you’re so obsessed with looking at your own stomach that you’re not paying attention to anything else!

This is why I have strict boundaries around people commenting on my food intake, my body size, or my appearance in general. 

I REFUSE TO NAVEL GAZE. I have a full, beautiful life to live!!

So if someone says to you:

You can reply:

That’s what it’s there for!

It’s because I’m bisexual. I like both.

Why do you care what I’m eating? 

Did you not get both? Why not? They’re delicious!

I will do you the courtesy of keeping my eyes on my own plate if you will do the same.

If they say:

(Submitted by Geneva. Thank you Geneva.)

You can reply:

Thank you. I’m pretty good at slicing pie if I say so myself.

Oh, did you want to cut it? 

I think it’s an abstract art, not a precise science.

Do you remember when we were kids and one person cut so the other person could choose? To keep it fair? How about you choose first?

Since you care more than I do about what size the slices are, how about you cut it?

If they say:

(Submitted by Aimee. Thank you Aimee.)

You can reply:

What a weird thing to say out loud.

No, thank you. My body is not your business.

Are you volunteering to fund all my groceries, gym membership, medical appointments, and prescription medications for the next year? Because unless you’re paying for everything, I will keep doing what I’m doing. 

I am not interested in your thoughts about my body size.

Why would my weight be related to the holiday at all? Am I going to be on the menu? Did you turn into that Hansel and Gretel witch who eats people and didn’t tell me? Are we a cannibal family now? Should I be scared!??

Responding with humor to their ridiculous comments can be incredibly effective at ending the interaction.

Your body is your own business. Nobody else’s. 

If you want help preparing for body comments this season, please reply to this email with the comments you’re most concerned about getting?

I’ll share on Mondays this month how you can respond to them. 

I’m here for you!

Warmly,