For a limited time you can Pre-order my new book Fat: The Owners Manual – Navigating a Thin-Obsessed World with Your Health, Happiness and Sense of Humor Intact, and get an autographed copy and free shipping! To pre-order just click here!For more information about me and the blog, just keep reading:
Welcome to my little corner of the web! If you like it you can
Join the Dances with Fat Newsletter List
Subscribe to my blog (over there on the right hand side at the top of the column)
A few things that I stand for: I believe that everybody of every size should be treated with respect. I believe that it is impossible to tell somebody’s health based on their weight. I believe in giving people correct information and affordable options for eating and movement, and I believe in respecting whatever choices they make whether or not they are the choices I would make. Below you’ll find more info about me, or look to the right and click to check out my blog. Happy Surfing!
I’ve been lucky to have had a lot of opportunities and experiences in my life. I’ve been a cheerleading captain, a multi-sport varsity athlete, my class valedictorian, a National Merit Scholar, and played Carnegie Hall. I’ve been sold for air conditioners in West Africa, published two books, started two successful businesses and won three National Dance Championships. Currently I am a corporate CEO, and am seeking my first world professional dance title.
But all of that pales in comparison to my greatest accomplishment – learning to love myself and my body, and to be truly happy living completely outside the cultural beauty norm. As a plus-sized professional athlete, I am a strong advocate for Health at Every Size and Behavior-Centered Health. I unwaveringly believe (and am living proof!) that health is not about body size , and that we are all free to stop buying into the idea that our size determines our abilities or our opportunities for success.
I started blogging when I realized that there were people who believed that if they couldn’t get skinny they should hate themselves, and people who had never moved their bodies for any reason other than to try to change the size and shape of their bodies. I never want to tell anybody how to live, I respect other people’s choices about their bodies just like I want my choices to be respected. I blog to present options that work for me and my readers are free to take what they want and ignore what they don’t.
Want to watch some dancing? This is my former dance partner and I doing our competitive two-step routine to Jonathan Coulton’s version of Baby Got Back!
What is Behavior-Centered Health?
It is a health practice in which healthy choices and behaviors are the goal, not a particular size, weight, or shape.
What is Health at Every Size?
- Accepting and respecting the diversity of body shapes and sizes
- Recognizing that health and well-being are multi-dimensional and that they include physical, social, spiritual, occupational, emotional, and intellectual aspects
- Promoting all aspects of health and well-being for people of all sizes
- Promoting eating in a manner which balances individual nutritional needs, hunger, satiety, appetite, and pleasure
- Promoting individually appropriate, enjoyable, life-enhancing physical activity, rather than exercise that is focused on a goal of weight loss
I am so happy to discover this blog and what you’re doing. You go, girl! Just wanted to make sure you’re aware of some Health at Every Size resources that may support you. First, there’s the (free) HAES Community Resources, which provides a great opportunity for you to register your support of HAES and let others know about the great stuff you’re doing. Check it out at http://www.HAESCommunity.Org. Also, I’ve written a book called Health at Every Size: The Surprising Truth About Your Weight, which discusses the science behind why we weigh what we do and helps support people in adopting Health at Every Size (www.HAESbook.com). Anyway, rock on…
Hi Linda,
Of course I know who you are and I love your book – you are a huge inspiration to me! Thank you so much for all that you do. I signed the pledge at http://www.haescommunity.org. If there is ever anything that I can do to support you please just let me know. Rock on right back at you!
I am absolutely thrilled to find this blog! You are amazing and keep up the good work!
Thanks so much! I checked out your website and you are totally a rock star – let me know if there is anything that I can do to support your work.
Thanks Ragen!
I know you do competition dancing and I do burlesque dancing and there is a border and several states between us but maybe we could find some way to collaborate through our blogs.
I am really trying to come up with some more ways to get involved in the body positive movement.
I think that would be fantastic. One of the things that I need to get up on my blog is a links page – I’m working on it in my infinite free time
You will definitely be on that and if you ever want to guest blog just let me know. If you have other ideas definitely don’t hold back 
Ragen:
just wanted to say you are AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME. I love what you are saying and how you say it. You are gorgeous! Thank you for being a voice of sanity in a gigantic chorus of destructive messages. What is said about size and health and beauty never fails to perplex me, since I think we all know from our personal experience what beauty and health really are and they are not correlated with one damn size. Anyway THANK YOU !!
Wow, thank you so much! You are so right – size and health and beauty are such different things and I think that people like us recognizing that and refusing to be bullied are changing the world
Loved your article in Jezebel. I wanted to tell you about our project and invite you to come by. We would love to have a contribution sometime.
PeopleOfSize.com is an online community that provides information, support, and interaction for “people of size” of all ages. We are not a diet site, though health and fitness are part of what we address. We focus on all aspects of life, from medical to fashion, relationships to daily living, entertainment to emotional well being.
We are launching a new version of the website this month at http://www.peopleofsize.com.
In the meantime the action is on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/peopleofsize
Come check us out, please.
Rebecca Weinstein
Glad you liked the article. I checked out your website – fantastic interview (with bonus points because the concept of the show is fantastic, and it’s in Portland – a city I absolutely love). I would be very happy to do a submission anytime. If you like any of my blogs you are welcome to re-purpose them with a link back, if you want me to do something specific just let me know. Thanks for doing awesome advocacy work for people of size, you ROCK!
you rock Ragen! -hugs-
Thanks Paul, you rock more!!!!! -hugs back-
Hey Ragen! I just read your article about the Wii fit in the Vancouver Sun,and decided to check you out.You.are.awesome.It’s about time that people realise that healthy can be all shapes and sizes;in my yoga class for example,we have tons of people who are fierce and curvacious and can rock out some super advanced poses!People used to tease me about my weight too,and i’m one of the “skinny bitches” It used to bug me a lot,being accused of not eating, by complete strangers no less.I envied some of my friend’s womanly curves.One of them said to me “why do you care what they think anyway?You have never looked at my body as anything but beautiful,and I learned to accept myself from that.Please learn to do the same!I love you for who you are!”That officially turned my insecurities on it’s head.I started to concentrate on building strength and health instead of just looking at the appearance.I still get an awesome kick out of the astonished looks that I get when i lift something that is 90% of my own body weight!;)stay wonderful!!-jude
Thanks for stopping by! I’m so glad that you liked the article (and thanks for letting me know that it got picked up by the Vancouver Sun – I had no idea) I love your idea of building strength and health…90% of your body weight? Sounds like you are doing a kick butt job
Ragen, Just found your site and I just wanted to say I think what you’re doing is awesome! I’ve just started a journey to love myself and I’m so glad to know it’s possible! Thanks for the inspiration. Sam
Thank you so much! It’s a fantastic journey, have a wonderful time
Just found your website, would like to say it is very interesting and i will be dropping by more in the future.Cheers
It is people like you that make this world a better place. You are making a change in people’s lives. I am sure people around you must feel proud and joyful to know you are making a difference in their lifes. You are giving hope to those who feel depressed about their body size. Thank you for having this blog,it is very inspiring.
Wow, thank you so much. I really appreciate it and I’m so glad that you like the blog
Hi Ragen -
I really appreciated your post about not snarking slender women. As a feminist I want to support other women, not tear them down, and you said it well.
I also am very glad to see another fat woman who dances. I loved to dance when I was really, really little, but stopped by sometime in grade school, because fat girls don’t dance. I’m in my mid-forties, and only in the last 2-3 years have I realized I could take dance classes – mainly because of the influence of burlesque, which at its best has room for every kind of beauty (one of the most prominent performers is the incredible Dirty Martini, who is fat and gorgeous: http://www.ten-in-oneproductions.com/teaser.html).
Dancing has helped a lot in my efforts to find peace with my body, and I hope it helps other women.
Congratulations on accepting who you are and all your accomplishments. There are so many beautiful, large women, but society can’t see past their size, which is sad. The media needs to quit glamorizing stick-thin models. You have a great site here that will help a lot of women accept themselves for who they are.
Thank you so much for the kind words
I checked out your blog – wow, two teenagers! Good luck with back to school 
Hi Ragen,
I’m a professional circus performer, and I found your blog through Jezebel. I just wanted to say that you’re lovely and a great dancer. Thanks for today’s inspiration!
Hi Tanya,
Thank you so much. I checked out your website and you are fantastic, and after all the training it must feel great to say “I’m a professional circus performer”! I hope to catch a performance some time
Regan,
Your Jezebel article on JHud’s WW ad was spot-on. I know you got some pushback containing some misunderstanding (though you were perfectly clear) but I thought it was dynamite and so extremely prescient in pointing out that we are multi-dimensional human beings and sell ourselves short when we discount personal accomplishments at the expense of overarching ideas about what defines us- be it weight or any other feature.
There are some people like you out there who are genuinely multi-talented, and we are richer to know them. Thank you again!!
This weblog is being featured on Five Star Friday!
http://www.schmutzie.com/fivestarfriday/2010/10/8/five-star-fridays-122nd-edition-is-brought-to-you-by-sylvia.html
Hi, Ragen,
Got your web-blog from your Mom. Loved the dance! I loved its grace, the interaction between the partners, and above all the humor!
I’ll be back.
Hi Catherine, Welcome to the blog! Thank you so much for your kinds words about the dancing. See you around
~Ragen
I’m typing this with tears streaming down my face having watched you dance…I’m a ‘big girl’ and I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to watch someone dance like that..as if you were flying..
Wow June, thank you so much, your comment made my day!
Loved it! Got the link from Jezebel today on your challenge to David Duchovny to dance. Brilliant, my love, brilliant. I am so excited to add another fabulous blog to my daily reading! Bless you.
Hi Suzanne,
Welcome to the blog, I’m so glad that you liked it and thank you for your kind words! Thanks for reading and for commenting
~Ragen
Wow. Just. Wow. I love your courage, and your willingness to say what needs to be said.
-Catherine
http://www.3sharedpaths.com
Thanks so much! Welcome to the blog
~Ragen
I WANT TO LEARN TO DANCE
WHY AREN’T YOU IN TORONTO
Very pretty picture in the yellow shirt at thetop of this page but WOW! What a dancer! That little video was really something and your partner was real good too, . You’re quite a dancer, man that was neat.
I’m going to try to sent a link of this to my wife!
Hi Ragen, just wanted you to know I referenced your blog in a response to an article today and I hope it brings you more visits. I posted the article and my response on the ASDAH serv.
I hope to meet you some day…I wish you lived in N. Calif. we would love for you to guest speak at our book launch but don’t have funds to fly you in or pay you.(yet) Isn’t that the rub of the start up??
Anyway, you are truly amazing!!!!
Deah
OMG! What a beautiful beautiful expression of God you are. You are more than even you realize; in your way of being, you are expressing the joy of your creator in every way. What a gift to so many people and you have no idea what a mission you are really on. (I think this is one of my top sites to stumble onto this month.)
You will be receiving a very special gift soon and when it comes remember I let you know it was coming. Bye for now, but remember you are on a mission from God so don’t let anyone dissuade you at anytime from this work.
Thanks for the inspiration chicka. You keep dancing – I’ll keep singing and we’ll both keep writing. It’s a great expression!
Sounds like a brilliant plan!!!
~Ragen
Well, all I saw on the dancing I watched of you was an exquisite dancer who was graceful and had a lot of confidence. I wish I could have 1/10 of what you’ve got goin’ on!
An inspiring blog message we need to hear more of, and an excellent music choice.
Ragen,
I’ve been directed to your site by a couple of friends recently and I’m so glad I finally checked you out! You’re doing such wonderful work here! Your message about health having nothing to do with appearance is one I’m very strongly for. I’m a PhD student who studies media ideals and body image, and my particular area of focus is how health is represented to women. As you know, it’s entirely appearance-based and exclusively revolves around thinness and weight loss.
I spent a semester researching the BMI and other factors that contribute to the way we perceive healthy bodies, and I see you’re spreading a similar message: the BMI is BS! I wrote a post on my website about my research: http://www.beautyredefined.net/the-lies-we-buy-defining-health-at-womens-expense/. Understanding the sketchy evolution of this national standard for judging our bodies and recognizing the profit-driven ideals that so much of our “fitness” knowledge is based on is empowering! I’m sure you’re well aware of these facts, but I wanted to share. Thanks for your spectacular work that proves my points in a visible, irrefutable way!
Lindsay
BeautyRedefined.net
Hey there. A friend of mine linked to your piece on Spanx (which, yikes!) and I have to tell you, you’re an inspiration. I’ve struggled with my weight since I was in my teens because I have stocky forbears and a tendency to comfort-eat that I haven’t started to address productively until recently, and you’re an inspiration. There’s so much pressure to focus on numbers rather than on living a healthy lifestyle and eating food that is made of food rather than chemicals and such a destructive culture of shame around food and eating and weight, but you’re the first person I’ve found who’s willing to talk about that kind of thing. Your blog is helping me find the strength to focus on eating and exercising in ways that are healthy and that work for me, and to value that independent of what it says on my scale. Thanks so much for having this blog and for being brave enough to put yourself out there this way.
Hi Jennie,
Welcome to the blog, I’m so glad that you like it. And congratulations for finding your path to health
I’m just a drop in the pool of amazing bloggers who talk about this stuff. If you’re looking for more stuff to read, you might want to check out the “Blogs I Love” page to find some truly amazing bloggers!
~Ragen
Regan, I love your attitude and your blog. I have gained a lot of succour from what you write and the way you move. I have my own willpower to motivate me now and no longer weigh myself – my clothes tell me what I need to know (as does the good old BP monitor!)
However, I tried to get onto the Body Positive site by clicking the link and it went to secure server (mobile.me???) I wanted to let you know in case…
Keep up the great work! =)
Rosie (Cornwall, England)
Hello!
I just read your article in the [Name Redacted] magazine. I’ve been reading your blog for a while, and am very inspired by you.
Congrats on the article – It was so well written, and so hopeful to me.
Hi Von,
Thanks so much, I’m really glad that you like the blog and I’m honored that you you find it inspiring ! I’ve redacted the name of the magazine because I was told that it wasn’t coming out until June and I wasn’t allowed to say the name of the magazine on the blog until it was on the shelves. If you don’t mind me asking – where did you find it?
~Ragen
Oops! Sorry about that!
I work for another division of the same company that publishes that magazine, and I was given a copy.
Hey Ragen! I just read your article about the Wii fit in the Vancouver Sun,and decided to check you out.You.are.awesome.It’s about time that people realise that healthy can be all shapes and sizes;in my yoga class for example,we have tons of people who are fierce and curvacious and can rock out some super advanced poses!People used to tease me about my weight too,and i’m one of the “skinny bitches” It used to bug me a lot,being accused of not eating, by complete strangers no less.I envied some of my friend’s womanly curves.One of them said to me “why do you care what they think anyway?You have never looked at my body as anything but beautiful,and I learned to accept myself from that.Please learn to do the same!I love you for who you are!”That officially turned my insecurities on it’s head.I started to concentrate on building strength and health instead of just looking at the appearance.I still get an awesome kick out of the astonished looks that I get when i lift something that is 90% of my own body weight!;)stay wonderful!!-jude
+1
Hi Jude,
Welcome to the blog and thank you for your kind words. I’m so sorry that people got on you about your weight and I think it’s completely awesome that you overcame that – also 90% of your body weight is freaking amazing – congrats on kicking ass!
~Ragen
Hey Ragen! I love your blog and your attitude. I also love how helpful you can be with even one post- hell, I read one post and you ended my anorexic tendencies I picked up a few months ago after I saw how much weight I’d lost from my not eating with my jaw surgery. I started freaking out afterwords and for the last few months couldn’t look at myself without only seeing ugly and gross and losing all want to eat anything, and your blog put a stop to that. Thank you.
Wow, your comment made me tear up a bit. I’m so sorry that you’ve been struggling with this and I think that you are amazing to be able to rise above those issues, and I’m completely honored to have had any small part in your journey.
Thank you,
~Ragen
Hi Ragen!
It thrills me to no end to see someone who shares my love for dance and non-traditional dancer’s build. I have been dancing since I was three years old and love every minute of it. Tap dancing makes my soul smile! I have been on competitive dance teams, traveling dance troupes, taken and taught everything from ballet to acrobats and still to this day teach tap and jazz to a very wide age and skill range. However, I have always felt out of place and not quite accepted in the dance world. I will never look like the traditional ballerina and I’m Ok with that, just sometimes I get tired of seeing surprised faces when I dance or tell people about it, not to mention the difficulty in finding costumes (but that is a different topic all together
).
Thank you for sharing, leading, and innovating. I am SO happy to see you so happily (and beautifully) moving for the entire world to see!
Hi Brandi,
Always awesome to meet a fellow dancer! I understand what you mean about not being fully accepted in the dance world – it can certainly wear on you. For the record I’m a fan of a costume custom made by a good seamstress! I hope that you keep dancing and surprising people and being awesome. Thank you for your kind words, I’m so glad that you like the blog
~Ragen
Hi Regan,
I picked up the new All YOU magazine, and was moved to the core on your story…Being pleasingly plump for most of my life your story has gave me more hope than all the books, and articles I have read on weight…I feel so blessed to have read your story, and be able to really look inside myself for love instead of what others, as well as myself make me feel…I have had no self worth for so long, but I honestly feel like I can start on this journey with the support I need…Thank you for sharing your story with the world…You are an amazing woman…
Thank you again,
Jackie
Thank you so much Jackie, your comment completely made my day. I’m so glad that you are finding a path to self-worth and finding love for yourself. Very best of luck and if there is ever anything that I can do to help just let me know!
~Ragen
This is really fortuitous for me, finding your blog. Provident, even. I’ve been struggling lately with losing some extra weight and I’m so frustrated and angry. I’ve lost perspective on why it is I want to lose weight–to feel better. Not even to lose weight, just to feel better. It’s so hard to wrangle ones’ brain around this when all around us we’re being told we’re embarrassing, shameful, immoral, or “not in control” because we’re fat.
Your blog is just what I needed. What a breath of fresh air. Thank you.
Jules
Hi Jules,
Thank you so much for the comment! I’m so glad that you like the blog and I know how frustrating it can be to try to make good choices when people make so much money and get so much superiority from trying to make us feel bad about ourselves. Hang in there
~Ragen
Hi Ragen,
Congratulations on your awesome accomplishments! I’ve just become aware of this site and the entire HAES concept thanks to a link from Feministe. I’m adding you to my favorites tab so I can have a good look around
It’s really cool that you established this blog so long ago. Hopefully soon individual body and self-image health will get its throw down with the “lose weight fast!” messages so prevalent in mainstream media.
I grew up “overweight” or “obese” and most of my family is too. Over the last eight or nine years I’ve slowly lost weight due to a lot of lifestyle changes, to the point where now I’m struggling to find a good balance for me and not be underweight :\ I never thought I’d be on this end of the spectrum but it’s been very interesting seeing how people react to and treat you differently based on their perceptions of you. I’m still working myself out – what I define as healthy life choices, emotional issues, positive self concept – and I think your blog might give me a lot of insight.
So I wanted to say thank you in advance
I look forward to reading.
I posted an article about the metformin being given to babies on the body acceptance subreddit (on reddit.com) and got quite a defensive and negative response. Of course, it’s about body acceptance and not just fat acceptance so we have plenty of thin people (who deny thin privilege) who are all about accepting your body.. unless that body is fat because omg that’s so unhealthy.
While we (the mods) try to keep it under control this particular story just caused a huge blow up with all of the typical suspects claiming that we didn’t care about the mother’s health, that it had nothing to do with weight or obesity- it had to do with blood sugar and didn’t we know that fat mothers can’t give birth naturally because we’re oh so at risk and their babies are all fat too? (i’m a fat mother who gave birth to a 6lb 0oz little boy).
It became a battle of who was reading too much into what and semantics over what “diet” and “anti obesity drug” actually meant. You can’t call it a diet drug because it’s a diabetes medication- even if it’s being used as a diet drug apparently.
I don’t know what to do to prevent this kind of fall out but I did want to say that you’ve done a great job of breaking it down and explaining why it’s so vitally important that we really take a hard look at what’s going on. I post a lot of your articles because they’re so wonderful and they really do help a lot of people.
Ragen, I just found your blog and have not even gotten past the first page and love you already!!! I have recently given up dieting and have been looking for some stuff to reassure me that I am doing the right thing (I know I am). I LOVE to dance, not as professional as you mind and find moving my body makes me feel soooo good. I am going to make feeling healthy and energetic my goal and am also going to start living – it starts now.
Thanks soooo much for your blog.
You are awesome and if you haven’t heard of Nia, you really should check it out at http://www.nianow.com. Loved your video. Love your blog!
You are making the rounds on Facebook thanks to my wonderful niece sharing your blog with me. There are so many folks who are finding your warrior spirit and your love for life quite refreshing and real. Thank you for being bold and genuine. Thank you for dancing through life!!
Niachick,
Wow, thank you so much for your kind words, I’m really grateful to have the opportunity to interact with so many awesome people! And thanks for being awesome and teaching NIA, I’ve taken classes and really dug it!
~Ragen
Every time I read a post I want to say “right on!”… Thank you for this.
Thanks Nicole
~Ragen
new to your blog. found u on bloglove.
Wow. You are quite amazing. Found you through a link on Jezebel and can’t wait to read more. I turn 40 in a few weeks and am trying to accept my body while also trying to get healthy. I just started Zumba and am discovering you don’t have to be skinny to dance. I always wanted to dance but when I gained a lot of weight at ten years old I stopped. Now thirty years later I’m starting again and you will be my inspiration!
Hi Sally,
Thank you so much, I’m so glad that you are finding your own path to health and completely honored to be part of the inspiration for that. Have fun at Zumba and I hope to see you around here!
~Ragen
Great article. Thank you. And point well made – people are going to do what people are going to do, and some of those people will be unkind or dismissive based on weight. Just because they do doesn’t mean we should too – or that we should do it on their behalf in their absence.
I just found your blog from a tweet by Gala Darling, I love it! Seriously it brought tears to my eyes!
I read your post on Sociological Images. Thank you for sharing and I am so sorry that people responded to you the way that they did. They obviously have some deeper issues in their own lives that they need to speak to anyone the way they spoke to you. It seems they can’t bear to see someone happy who doesn’t fit their mold. Keep doing what you are doing, be happy and don’t let those insecure, full of hate jerks get you down!
I just found your guest post on Sociological Images. I love you so much!!!!! I’ve had a losing battle with weight loss over the years. For a long time I fought it, but in the last year or so, I realized I may never be thin again. I volunteer on a farm doing hard farm labor, I do Bikram yoga, I make healthy meals – and I feel fit and healthy. While people keep warning me (in cruel and horrid ways) about diabetes, blood pressure, etc. I’ve always, always tested normally on my tests. I’ve decided that my body just wants to be big and that I love my body anyway. I have been facing the judgment and meanness of others for believing I am healthy from my mother to my husband. It can be so difficult to keep up the fight and I’m feeling teary writing this comment – just glad to know that I am not the only big, active, healthy woman out there. Sometimes just knowing you are not alone is a big deal!!!!
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/should-parents-lose-custody-of-super-obese-kids-2510149/
thoughts?
Hi Barbara, it was the blog today! Thanks for the suggestion
http://danceswithfat.wordpress.com/2011/07/14/should-parents-of-obese-kids-lose-custody/
~Ragen
Wow, followed you here from Soci Images. Thank you so much! I never understood why, as a physically active person who eats lots of “good” food (and a bit of sweets, too) I was still “unhealthy” (read: overweight). Whenever I talk to any professionals about my health, it is just assumed that I don’t exercise (I was recently told to try and get 30 minutes of activity a day – that would be a serious *decrease* in my physical activity!). Now I get it, and I never realized it before… I *am* healthy, just not skinny! Thank you!
My friend posted a link to your blog, and I was truly inspired… Saw your video, AMAZING stuff! Well, I’m currently on a journey to discover my own gift, and my body image and self-perception greatly improved after I followed some exercises I saw on this documentary called Discover The Gift… It’s a really fantastic documentary that opened my eyes to the beauty all around me, helping me rediscover the pure truth of the word beauty and the many forms it takes. I’m a fat person too, but I know that there’s nothing wrong with that– I eat well
. I love the energy you give off with your confidence and graceful yet energetic dancing.. Thank you so much for sharing with me your courage and beautiful body, mind and soul. My name is Eddie, nice to meet you :]. Here’s a link to that exercise I was talking about. http://bit.ly/iCveHi
I just read you post on soci images. It was amazing! I totally agree with you.
Did you know you have great balance a a marvelous souplesse? Your dance skills are great!
Hi Kitty,
Thanks for your kind words. I haven’t heard souplesse in a while, it kind of made my day!
~Ragen
You Go Girl! Much love to you!
(also followed you here from Soci Images)
Thank you for your post and your blog. More people need to hear this.
I just read your guest post on The Society Pages, and I wanted to tell you that I think you are doing a great job with training your body for your goals, ie strength, flexibility and grace. It sucks that there are so many people who are determined to see you and your accomplishments in a negative light, so I just wanted to add my voice to the supportive side. Your pictures and videos are inspiring [and, I'll admit, I covet your workout setup]. Keep up the awesome work!
Is it ever ok?
In your opinion, is it ever ok to make assumptions about people’s health based on the their size?
I was at a college campus today dropping a few things off. I was headed out the door, when a woman walked past me and into the restroom. I admit it, I was dumb founded. I stared in shock. This was the most skeletal woman I had ever seen. To say that she weighed 70 pounds would be a stretch. Every bone in her chest stood out, her hip bones and shoulder blades could cut someone. She was wearing designer jeans, lots of makeup, and clearly had collagen injections, a breast job, and recently had come off of either one hell of a sunburn, or a chemical peel. I shook off my shock and headed toward her. The only thing I could think was “oh shit, this woman is in danger HELP HER!” I followed her into the restroom, and she passed me on her way out. I said nothing. I didnt think of what to say on the way.
After all, what could I say? ” excuse me, may I carry you down those stairs?” ” Would you like me to take you to a hospital?” “how can I help you?”
There were two other ladies in the restroom, and when I met their eyes, one of them said ” Oh my god, should we do something?” I looked at the other one “she’s a student here, Im sure one of her teachers will pull her aside and check on her”
That made me feel better. So I guess my question is, should people never make assumptions about other peope’s health? Should there be no such thing as an intervention? Should a teacher who has a 140 pound 5 year old in her class not inquire about the childs health? Is it possible that there are caring helpful strangers in our society that reach out, because they are compelled to do so, and make a positive change? Or should we all mind our own business?
This is a difficult situation but if I were in your shoes I would not say anything, simply because I don’t know anything about this woman or her circumstances. I would have no frame of reference to know what effect my comment might have on her. I’m sure people look at me and think the same thing and I don’t want to hear their thoughts on my health and so I don’t share my opinions on other people’s health. I work with people with eating disorders and generally they have trouble hearing the truth from the people they love and trust the most so I doubt that they could hear it from a perfect stranger.. The school situation is different and it’s something that I think the teacher should bring up gently with the parents, but not with the student. That’s just me though, other people might make different choices.
~Ragen
Just want you to know that your two-step brought me to tears. It was beautiful to see someone representing us traditionally-built women with such grace and self-love. Keep on keepin’ on.
Thank you so much Kristen!
~Ragen
You have a very encouraging blog, and it is so nice to see someone so positive in this day and age! Keep it up!
Awesome, just found your blog. Wow, what a dancer. I would soooo love to learn to dance. I am the former skinny cheerleader everyone will be laughing at at the 20 yr reunion..sigh. I miss being graceful. I honestly didn’t know I could be possible at my size but watching you…absolutely beautiful. Do you teach?
Hi Heather,
Thanks for your kind words. I was a cheerleader as well
I do teach – I live in Austin, TX but I also travel and do workshops. Don’t sweat your 20 year reunion, it’s not about who you were, it’s about who you are now. (Plus everyone will be so worried about getting laughed at that they’ll be too busy to worry about anyone else.)
~Ragen
Someone recommended your blog to me. It’s very cool! I learning Lindy and East Coast, and I’m generally the largest gal out there. I often encounter leads who don’t want to dance with me, but I keep doing it because I love it, and I’m getting good at it
Hi!
Welcome to the blog
Congratulations on learning to dance, rock on!!!!
~Ragen
I saw this article today: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/is-overweight-the-new-normal-weight-2545505
With this quote: “In our country where the majority of individuals need to lose weight, it’s become too easy to live large, making it harder to motivate people to take steps to shed pounds. Vanity-sized apparel; Lycra (read: stretchy) clothing; larger plates, bowls, glasses and utensils; wider seats in cars and movie theaters; and bigger portions are all examples of ways the environment has changed to make it more comfy being overweight.”
This was all news to me. I imagine it would be news to most fat folks who deal daily with the inability to find clothes that fit properly and don’t cost and arm and a leg, or who have to deal with long-distance travel and the inherent problems there.
IT’S SO EASY TO BE FAT, Y’ALL.
Thanks so much for pointing this out, I blogged about it today. Also – bigger utensils? What in fat hell is she talking about?
~Ragen
The beautiful Melissa McCarthy just won an Emmy for Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Mike & Molly!
Ragen,
Could you be more specific about your schedule? You say you’ll be in NYC on October 12. Do you know where and about what time you’re going to appear?
We’re getting all of the events going now. The movie (America the Beautiful 2 – The Thin Commandments, is premiering on the 12th at the Quad theater at 7:20pm and we’re looking at doing something other events as well.
~Ragen
Hi Ragen,
I’m part of a listserve and one of the posters gave us a link to your site so I thought I would check it out and I must say I love your site! Your blogs are fantastic and much needed in this world where weight and size discrimination are not only normal but openly promoted. I enjoyed your video – you and your dance partner are amazing dancers and watching you made me realize how much activity I have been avoiding due to being self-conscious. Thank you for providing such a great site and for reminding me how important it is that I not let other people’s weight issues become my problem.
Hi Ragen,
Fiona again. Just read the “haters” section – crazy!!! Can you imagine how most of these people would react to real issues in their lives?! Loved your responses – made me laugh – you have a great outlook and sense of humor.
Fiona.
This comment would be on the site because it brought up a concern that could be answered. Except the commenter said that he/she was hoping to make the “troll hall of fame”. I’m not that interested in giving this person face time on my blog. The comment wasn’t interesting enough to make my hate mail site (www.danceswithfat.com/hate) so now it’s just gone.
This comment would be on the site because it brought up a concern that could be answered. Except the commenter said that he/she was hoping to make the “troll hall of fame”. I’m not that interested in giving this person face time on my blog. The comment wasn’t interesting enough to make my hate mail site (www.danceswithfat.com/hate) so now it’s just gone.
A friend (who is completing a PhD focusing on body image and eating disorders in young women) pointed me to your site and your dance video. It’s a wonderful performance. I teach dance part-time, and I love to encourage people of all shapes, sizes, ages, genders, and social classes to learn to dance as a way of experiencing pure joy without the socially imposed stigmas of looking, acting, or being different from some arbitrarily decided norms. There is a beauty and grace that accompanies anyone who can move so elegantly to music as you do (and is as skilled a follow as you are). Thanks for sharing your talent and for encouraging those who have been convinced that they’re not “perfect” (after all, who is?) to enjoy a healthy life.
I want to see more videos of you dancing! The video on your home page is just gorgeous. You and your partner have that Astaire/Rogers thing of making it look easy.
I found this on facebook and thought some people might find it interesting and entertaining. Especially since haters call you a whale sometimes Ragen!
A while back, at the entrance of a gym, there was a picture of a very thin and beautiful woman. The caption was “This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?”
The story goes, a woman (of clothing size unknown) answered the following way:
“Dear people, whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, seals, curious humans), they are sexually active and raise their children with great tenderness.
They entertain like crazy with dolphins and eat lots of prawns. They swim all day and travel to fantastic places like Patagonia, the Barents Sea or the coral reefs of Polynesia.
They sing incredibly well and sometimes even are on cds. They are impressive and dearly loved animals, which everyone defend and admires.
Mermaids do not exist.
But if they existed, they would line up to see a psychologist because of a problem of split personality: woman or fish?
They would have no sex life and could not bear children.
Yes, they would be lovely, but lonely and sad.
And, who wants a girl that smells like fish by his side?
Without a doubt, I’d rather be a whale.
At a time when the media tells us that only thin is beautiful, I prefer to eat ice cream with my kids, to have dinner with my husband, to eat and drink and have fun with my friends.
We women, we gain weight because we accumulate so much wisdom and knowledge that there isn’t enough space in our heads, and it spreads all over our bodies.
We are not fat, we are greatly cultivated.
Every time I see my curves in the mirror, I tell myself: “How amazing am I ?! “
I’m thrilled to have discovered you — your message about loving your body and knowing how to be healthy are exactly what I try to convey when I teach, dance and live my life! Sometimes new students are surprised to meet me (I’m a 5’3″ 255lbs woman who teaches belly dance!) – the ones who stick around figure out that I’ve got a strong healthy body and a whole lot to teach them.
Keep Rock’n it!
Well, you have my attention… looking forward to reading your stuff! I love your outlook and philosophy.
Thanks and welcome to the blog!
~Ragen
I wanted to share my excitement with you. I’ve just started a size acceptance group on facebook for people who live in my area. I was surprised to find that there are no size acceptance groups/pages on facebook at all apart from a page that gives information about what the movement is.
So I have started this group and it is really exciting to see people following it! By starting one for people in my area I’m hoping that maybe we can meet sometimes and support each other.
I wanted to tell you because you and your blog inspired me and made me feel strongly enough to do this!
Thank you!
That’s awesome, congratulations! Let me know if there is anything that I can do to support you, we need every voice that we can get!
~Ragen
If you ever come to Australia you can come visit us!
There doesn’t seem to be much in the way of resources here in Australia, so any advice you can give me on things I can do if we meet would be greatly appreciated.
But really, just keep writing about stuff that inspires and makes people think.
Hi
Just discovered your blog from a friend’s post on FB. Nice work. You are right. There’s a horrible extreme in this society as to how women are “supposed” to look, and way too much focus on being a certain size. It irritates me when I hear or read the tag lines for weight loss commercials i.e. “I went from a size 14 to 6!” Who cares? Do these people want a medal? A whole food, active lifestyle for yourself will automatically lead to a healthier body and your body will find its own set weight point. Diets per se do not work and actually lead to unhealthy weight gain and screws up your metabolism for good. Hence lap band, lipo etc., it’s insane!
Hi Elly,
Welcome to the blog! “Do these people want a medal?” made me laugh out loud. Hope to “see” you around here!
~Ragen
Oops, this commenter is a jackass. To read this comment you’ll have to check out my hatemail page http://www.danceswithfat.com/hate There you can read my hatemail, my responses to it, and see how I use comments like this to fund my work around self-esteem, body image, and Health at Every Size.
~Ragen
Wow! I *adore* that picture! You look so graceful, like you are about to fly off the floor.
I had a thought recently for a (joke) advertising campaign to encourage the changing of perceptions of beauty. We could aim this campaign at men (and lesbians I guess), and ask them if they would like to increase the number of beautiful women in the world, and then tell them it’s simple – start seeing women of all shapes and sizes as beautiful and voila! The number of beautiful women they see every day will increase dramatically! I can’t think of the perfect wording. Any ideas?
For those out there who have had eating disorders, what do you do when you are having a shitty day and you hate everything about yourself? Usually I can feel like health is enough, but recently I’ve been struggling.
You are amazing !!!! I love that you are showing that just because you are not skinny doesn’t mean that you are not in shape. It takes some conditioning to do what you do and its not easy so kudos to you and keep up the great dancing !!!!! Rock those Curves
Thanks Alia!
~Ragen
Thank you offering reprieve from the diet loaded internet. Your message is so empowering. I especially love your recent letter to NEDA. Your investigation of STOP backers sheds light on their true goal, $.
I am recovering from anorexia and bulimia. The positive feedback I got from friends and strangers when I was at my lowest weight made me cry at times. How could they encourage something so dangerous and hurtful? I am doing well now, I no longer have a scale, and am more and more accepting of my own body and others as well. No one should decide what weight is right for another. You go girl!
I smiled all the way through your video. The happiest 2 minutes and 37 seconds of my day. Wow. Thank you so much for letting your light shine!
Thank you so much, I’m really glad that you like it
Hi Ragen,
I was reading your letter to NEDA about the partnership with STOP and I saw your name at the end and realized I met you last year at the IAEDP conference in Arizona. I’m so happy to have heard you share your voice then, and continue sharing your voice now. Keep your wonderful energy pouring out for all of us to hear please and thank you!
-Rebecca Tishman
Hi Rebecca,
Great to hear from you again. Thank you so much for the positive feedback – I hope to see you again soon!!!
~Ragen
Hi Ragen,
So happy to find this blog! I danced ballet, contemporary, jazz and tap up until I was 17 or so and I was a size 20/22 through most of my teens.
I’m hoping to go back to dancing in the next few years, but I’ve been travelling the world and working in developing countries such as Indonesia and Timor Leste (and climbing mountains/volcanoes, swimming, snorkelling, and more, all in my fat bod).
Just wanted to say that I loved watching your dance video… it reminded me how much fun it was to dance in competitions and perform! xx
Ash
Hi Ash,
I’m so glad that you like the blog. it sounds like you are having a fantastic adventure!!! I hope that you’ll stop in here and keep us posted about what you are doing
Ragen
Hi Ragen the Amazing! I just received an e-mail from Kashi promoting its partnership with HealthCorps. Any hope for its FitTown(tm) program to include HAES? Here is the site:
http://www.kashi.com/realproject/about_charities?utm_source=email&utm_medium=Game&utm_term=Real_Food_Deficit&utm_content=20111115VA&utm_campaign=Real_Project
Sorry the link was cut. It’s under the Events heading on the kashi.com site.
Ragen I wish I had your level of self-esteem. But I don’t. Despite my good traits, my intelligence and open-mindedness, that I got my MA (finally, after surmounting many obstacles) – it doesn’t matter. The sad truth is that I would have 100% self-esteem if I was “hot” EVEN if I was a stupid mean person. Why? The hell I’ve been put through in my life for being heavy, the cruelty I am subjected to by strangers, and the life I’ve lived in a house with completely uncooperative and unsupportive parents has turned my brain into one big hater-filled machine. I don’t need to have people I don’t even know gawk at me on the street; I am the biggest hater of them all because I hate myself. I don’t even like taking my clothes off when I’m alone. And I read so much of your blog and didn’t believe a word of it, yet when I read JUST ONE of the messages from your haters it felt so true. Because that’s how my brain has been programmed to think. It’s terrible. So my question to you is, how do I end that vicious cycle and becmoe more like you?
Hi Andrea,
First of all, congratulations on you Masters, that is a huge accomplishment!!!
As far as dealing with the programming, we are inundated with this message in our culture and it can be really hard to break free of it. Sometimes I feel like like I woke up after taking the red pill in The Matrix. I have some suggestions in this blog http://danceswithfat.wordpress.com/2011/11/11/a-real-fat-intervention/ Also remember that you are assuming that you would have 100% self-esteem if you were “hot”, but you don’t know if that’s actually true. Whole books have been written about people who became hot and didn’t get the results (self-esteem, problems solved etc.) that they expected.
Let me know what you think and if there is anything that I can do to support you
~Ragen
What a great blog. Im short and fat and off to my ballet lesson! I would love to find a group to dance with! Im in Northampton MA.
Tina
Ragen,
I checked out VoluptuArt in search of a Fat!So? Dayplanner calendar and decided to browse some of their other goodies. To my dismay, when I looked through the necklaces, I found that nearly all the ones with a listed chain length were only 18 inches long. To me, this is a slap in the face, like selling t-shirts that say Fat Power (or a similar sentiment), but only in sizes up to XL. I wrote a note but have not received an answer. Can you put in a word on behalf of your large-necked readers? Because of the size of your audience, you’d have much more clout, I’m sure.
Thank you.
Ragen,
You are truly beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing your story and for being proud of being who you are. It’s the best thing you can do! Hopefully someday I’ll be able to be as positive as you about who I am. You inspire me!
Thanks Paul, I’m really appreciate the kind words and I’m glad that you are finding support and inspiration through the blog. Yay!
~Ragen
You’re beautiful and so flexible! Woot! I like what you’re doing with this website. Keep it up — encouraging healthy thought patterns about beauty, weight, and health.
Thanks Samantha! I really appreciate your kind words
~Ragen
You are an inspiration to curvy women (and men). Your positive energy is very powerful. Thank you for sharing who you are.
Thank you so much Heather, I really appreciate it
~Ragen
I can’t remember just how I found this blog, but it was (obviously) while I was messing around on the internet. But upon reading it, I felt I just HAD to bookmark it – I couldn’t stop reading. It’s been helpful to me in realizing that there ARE fat people out there who are fit and healthy, and that how we as fat people are treated is SOCIETY’S issue, and not mine.
I’ve lived a great deal of my life hating my body because it doesn’t fit society’s standards of what it should look like. I’ve had way too many people (including doctors) dub me as unhealthy because I’m fat (despite the fact that it’s a very rare occasion that I get sick), and I’ve seen one too many anonymous posts on websites online that are downright hateful towards fat people.
I wouldn’t call myself an athlete, but I do try to be healthy, in general. I eat healthy, I get exercise. But to have been trying so desperately to lose weight because my doctor or whoever told me I should – to be told I need to exercise more when I was already busting my butt every day – to have doctors just ignore the fact that I just told them I got on my elliptical (yes, I have my own) three times a week for a half hour each time and tell me to live a less “sedentary” lifestyle – to have the fact that you’ve just lost 50 lb. just kind of shrugged off in a “That’s great! Now lose more!” sort of comment… yeah. After seeing this website, it’s opened my eyes. Why suffer trying to achieve an unrealistic goal? I SHOULD just strive to be healthy, and that’s that.
I’ve made a resolution this year to start loving myself for who I am, to stop hating my body and to just focus on being healthy. It’s just the beginning of a journey to me, but hopefully it will be a healing one.
Thanks ever so much for your blog.
(Sorry for such a long post – I tend to ramble.)
Hi Ragen,
I absolutely adore your blog and it’s made me feel so much better about my own body. I was anorexic for a couple of years, and in the recovery from that I (surprise surprise!) gained almost all the weight back. I am currently trying to lose a little bit again, because I don’t want to have to keep buying new clothes, but it’s not an absolute life or death imperative for me like it used to be and your blog really inspires me to continue the journey to loving and appreciating my body.
Anyway, I just wanted to ask — what’s your opinion on Jamie Oliver? I’ve been watching his show “Jamie’s American Food Revolution” from a while back (http://www.channel4.com/programmes/jamies-american-food-revolution/4od), and from what I can tell I think he’s all about healthy eating rather than weight loss. What do you think?
Love and solidarity,
M.
Hi Madea,
Thank you so much for your kinds words. And welcome to the blog, I’m glad that you are enjoying it and I hope you find a path that works for you! I will have to admit that I don’t know that much about Jamie Oliver so I haven’t yet formed an opinion, but I’ll check it out for sure.
~Ragen
Ragen,
You are wonderful and an inspiration and I count it a blessing to have found your blog. I wish I had this question when you were taking questions, but I’ll give it a shot here.
How did you get so brave? How did your skin get so tough? I stood up for fatties tonight and I got smacked back hard. I kept standing, I held it together, and I didn’t cater to the game and get into an insult match. I kept my dignity and hoped that I proved a point to the folks that were listening.
However it hurts. Quite a bit. Ugh. I want to do this more but I want it to hurt less. Practice I guess?
Thanks,
Taevia
Hi Jezikhana,
Sorry to take so long to get back to you,. One of the ways that I deal with it is to spend most of my time working with fat people rather than haters. It’s more important to me that fat people realize that we deserve respect than that haters feel like we deserve respect. When I do engage with haters I remember all of the other communities who have had to go through this. What you did is a really good idea – don’t get into an insult match, and don’t play the game. If there is anything that I can do to support you, please don’t hesitate to ask!
~Ragen
Ragen,
Thank you for existing and being you.
I love reading your honest words and your well thought out and researched arguments. Knowing that there is a person in the world that fights stupidity and stigma with such grace and intelligence is inspiring. Thank you.
Thank you so much Sarah!
~Ragen
Ragen,
You are so awesome, thank you for this blog. I’m a 6’5″, 550lb gay male. I’ve had to deal with SO many people putting me down because of my weight and because of my sexuality. It’s taken me years to be able to care about myself, and I still struggle with my self esteem. Seeing and reading blogs like this by people like you helps me feel a lot less alone and helps remind me to appreciate myself more.
Thank you for standing up for yourself and for the rest of us, too. It means so very, very much. <3
-Zid
Love your writing and your dancing!
Thank you!
~Ragen
Hi Ragen,
I’ve only been reading your blog for a couple of months, but it has already had a major impact on how I feel about my body, how I talk to my doctor about my health, how I do yoga. I was really challenged by your post on “same thing other way” – since reading that post I’ve noticed how often I’m not nice to people because of their smaller-than-me size. My nastiness stays in my head, but I’m not okay with that kind of junk, even there.
I’m so grateful to be on a path to loving myself and others more than I have, and I can’t wait to see where I am a year from now!
Here’s a link to a blog post that I thought you might appreciate:
http://www.rachelsimmons.com/2012/01/mom-im-fat-one-mothers-inspired-response-to-her-7-year-old/
Thank you for your joy and your stand for all people!
Cheers,
Michelle
I love your mantra that the goal is to be healthy and accept yourself, no matter the weight. And this applies to ALL women…I’ve met women who are a size 2 and feel fat b/c they’re not a size 0. YIKES! In this day and age where we are visually bombarded with super anorexic models we really need a healthier body image to look up to. So bravo to you!
I’m glad I found this blog. I love it!
All right I got it done! Good night all. God Bless.
Fabulous Ragen!
Not only does Baby Got Back, but Baby Got Grace, A Fun Spirit, and a Love for Life.
Thanks you for this wonderful message.
You are both such good dancers. I so enjoyed the video.
Thanks for inspiring others to love life as they live it!
Many blessings to you,
Margo DeGange
*Fabulous!
Hello, I thought this was interesting (for all sorts of reasons):
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8425299/healthy-active-boy-labelled-obese-by-nurse
Thought this was interesting….
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/experts-deep-complex-causes-obesity-may-beyond-reach-115804654.html
Absolutely adore the response ads to the Atlanta shame billboards. They are so much better! Thank you.
https://iamnotshe.wordpress.com/2012/03/01/ay-bee-cee-award-hooked-on-phonetics/ You’ve been nominated for the ABC Award! Go get it xooxox melis
I am so happy to come across your site. after years of yo-yo dieting and dealing with the stigma. I am 31 – I have perfect bloodpressure – low cholesterol and am considered ‘obese’. Now the thing is, the ONLY health problem I have is athsma, which I got from trauma at age 10 – when I wasn’t considered obese. I am active, I eat healthy and I have finally (through your site) learned that I am a hot momma – society be damned =)
Hello! I just read your hate mail from http://www.danceswithfat.com/hate/ and I just want to say that I am sorry. I am so, so, so sorry for the hate mail and horrible comments you receive. I’m not one of the people who said any of that crap, and clearly you are confident and positive enough that you don’t need me to help you with this, but it just hurt my heart to see that people seriously say such God-awful things to you simply because you are overweight and – Heaven-forbid – you like yourself!!! Oh the humanity! Those people suck!!!
Plus, I am sorry for the fact that I have harbored negative thoughts about people who are overweight. Fortunately, your blog and others like it have really helped me see what a judgmental bitch I’ve been! Furthermore, I may be pretty close to society’s ideal weight, but so far, I can only dream of being as confident and self-accepting as you are. Instead, I bash myself regularly for not being perfect and I constantly worry about what others are thinking. Maybe if I keep reading all of your positive and inspiring entries, it will help me be more at peace with myself.
Thank you for being one of the positive voices! With all the negativity, the world needs more people who can just live and let live.
Take care and God bless!
Kata
Hi Kata,
Thank you so much for your comment. I can’t thank you enough for reconsidering your view of people of size – it takes a really strong and self-aware person to face their prejudices and do something about it and it’s really commendable that you did. I hope that you are able to find some compassion and mercy for yourself as well when you’re not perfect. Thanks again for the comment.
Big Fat Hugs!
~Ragen
Very graceful! You’re an AWESOME dancer!!!
Hi Ragen,
I found your blog through a comment someone made on Jezebel.com. Your work struck me because I lost about 25 lbs 4 years ago and since have gained about half of that back. When I went to the doctor for my physical year before last, my weight had gone up 5 lbs but all my health indicator levels including BP, glucose, cholesterol, etc. were actually showing at healthier levels. My doc said, you are fine, don’t worry about the 5 lbs. (She’s good!)
At times I feel schizophrenic because some part of me feels like I should freak out and try to lose that weight again and be able to fit into the size 14 clothes. But I walk and ride my bike to work, and do yoga, and have a lot of fun in my body. I can go and another part of me says, pheh! I can’t be bothered to ride the “weight-loss” and “weight-gain” entertainment ride again. I’ve already done it a few times and it’s fun on the way down but sheesh there are more important things and more fun things I’d rather do with my time.
Reading your perspective, and especially relating that to actual research has really given me FOOD for thought.
I appreciate you! Keep at it. This world has a lot of problems and we need visionary thinkers who will cut through the accepted view and the corporate views and try to see a future for humanity that is uplifting.
Thanks!!!
–Laurel
Hi Laurel,
Thanks for the comment, I think a lot of people can relate to what you’re going through – I know that I certainly can. I’m glad that you are finding a path that works for you and I’m really honored that this blog has had a part in supporting you!
~Ragen
I’m really glad I found your blog. I recently became “overweight” by the BMI standard. (165-170 at 5’8”, day by day.) I’ve actually had doctors give me a hard time about this and suggest I start dieting because of some unattractive family history. However they’re talking to a person who runs three miles every other day, walks everywhere, and does ballet twice a week. I don’t sit around and do nothing all day and I eat very healthy.
I do feel shamed about it. It’s a strange thing that you can know that your shame is misplaced, and wrong, but do nothing about it. I really, really hope someday I can get to where you are, and feel good about my body.
But for now? My body’s curved like a Greek statue. No amount of dieting is going to get rid of my hips and breasts, regardless, and having a little layer of fat on my belly is a part of being a woman. And the fact I can’t feel okay about this is sick.
ragen, it’s anissa! from the fattie clothes swap! i’m your new fbff!
i was wondering if you teach dance classes for the fat? because my fatness would pay for that considering i really miss contemporary dance and no once can teach a fattie to dance better than a fattie!
Hi!!!! It’s so awesome to hear from you
I do in fact teach a once a month workshop in Austin, the next one is tomorrow (Saturday)! Details are at http://www.meetup.com/Austin-Body-Positive-and-Health-At-Every-Size-Meetup/events/55952992/
On Sunday I’m taping the routines that will become classes online, I’ll keep you posted about that as well.
I hope to see you soon new fbff!
~Ragen
>>there were people who believed that if they couldn’t get skinny they should hate themselves[,]
Yeah. Been there, still doing that, can’t find a t-shirt I like.
Ragen I just wanted to add my voice to the list of admiring souls!
I would LOVE to use some of the photos of you dancing as a starting point for illustrations. Would that be OK?
we can talk on twitter, FB or email if you prefer
Thanks so much Elizabeth. I’m absolutely a fan of your work and I would be honored for you to use these pictures as a starting point for illustrations, and it would be awesome if you could send me a digital copy if you do.
~Ragen
________________________________