This plus size western goth outfit is styled around the Spellcaster Mini Dress / Tunic from Dark Cottage. This item was gifted, and I am being compensated for my work with Dark Cottage to help grow their brand. I genuinely love their products and ethos though and hope you’ll join me in helping them grow. Read the article about how their attitude towards plus size customers won me over and then give them a follow on Pinterest.

Dark Cottage Review

Now, before we get into too many pictures, I have to tell you about this Spellcaster Mini Dress / Tunic. It’s the first piece I’m featuring because it has already become one of my favorite things I own. It has the look of a corset with the comfort of literal pajamas. The stretchy material (mostly a very soft velvety material, but also some lace and a thinner silkier panel in the front) is so comfortable. The sleeves looked like they might get in the way a bit which is always my tradeoff with the beautiful billowy sleeves I love, but these are perfect. They are short enough you can move around without them getting in the way, and there is plenty of fabric for side coverage when you lift your arms. The fit was incredibly flattering, and the lace is genuinely adjustable so you can definitely tweak the fit to make it perfect though with the stretch it mostly just adapts naturally to your curves. This piece (and all the rest) feels so solidly constructed that I know it will hold up to the wear I intend to give it.

Plus Size Western Goth Outfit

Okay, now what did I wear with this comfy cottagecore tunic to style it into a plus size Western Goth outfit? My faux leather express leggings seemed like a no brainer for giving the outfit a harsher bite. I paired it all with my spiky chunk heeled boots and the black leather cowboy hat I got down in Gatlinburg when I first started singing professionally.

But this photoshoot wasn’t just about the clothes. I wanted to have the whole look. I braided my hair in double braids like Grandma used to wear, using the beautiful tie belt that came with the green Morrigan apron dress I’ll be featuring next. Then I did my makeup a little more intensely than usual to scare the children. Okay… not really, but I figured if I’m going for Western Goth, I’m gonna be the biggest baddest baddie around. “She’s bad, bad, Leila Brown” kinda vibes.

It seemed only right to add a few gold accents. I can never wear this metal feather necklace due to sensitive skin that only tolerates fine metals, but it seemed fitting to wear it as a sort of bolero to tie it all together. (A bolero to tie it all together… see what I did there?) I’ve never wished I had a metal belt more than I did when putting this outfit together.

I walked around the local golf course to find this awesome wagon wheel window.

Then I walked to my favorite tree for the bulk of the photoshoot. Actually, I should probably credit the mother tree as co-photographer on these as she did hold the camera for me. I found two different places where my phone would rest against her comfortably. The second one even had a branch running in front of the phone providing tension so I could play with the angles.

Here are some of my favorite photos featuring the Spellcaster Mini Dress / Tunic by Dark Cottage.

When my husband saw the pictures, he said I looked like a cowgirl but a little bit scary, so that means I got the Western Goth theme correct, right? lol

Stay tuned for more photoshoots in collaboration with Dark Cottage highlighting the things I love about their comfortable plus size dark cottagecore clothes.

The post Plus Size Western Goth Outfit + Dark Cottage Review appeared first on Fatfully.

And so, I curled this wad of exercise inferiority deep inside my being and managed to fall asleep.

The next day, I mentioned it to my husband.

“What if I tried to run a 5k?” I said nonchalantly. I waited with baited breath. Surely he would think I was crazy. I mean, HE could run a 5k… but me? Not a chance. He would see right through this.

He didn’t even look up from his book. “Cool. You wanna start today?”

I backpedaled in my mind as fast as I could. What would the neighbors think? I hate running. Clearly, I wouldn’t even be able to do it. Right? Well, then, why even try?

“It was just an idea,” I explained. “I don’t think I really want to do it.”

So I gave up on myself for fear of what other people would think.

I really didn’t want to write about this today, because I don’t want to admit that I still struggle with my body. I don’t want to admit that the idea of exercising where someone – anyone – can see me is absolutely impossible and unfathomable to me. But I feel like it’s important for me to fess up. Because maybe you deal with exercise inferiority too.

And that’s ridiculous.

We shouldn’t feel ashamed for wanting to be active or healthy just because we are fat. We shouldn’t have to deal with bullying comments while engaging in normal activities. And we shouldn’t have to worry about what people will think when we want to go for a run. But these are real issues for overweight women. It would be nice if we could pretend that nobody will stare, laugh, or even berate us if we go to the gym or go for a jog… but let’s be real. A world without bullying? That’s not the world we live in. Maybe someday. But not now. <— Click to Tweet

Still, there are plenty of women out there who are overcoming exercise inferiority. (Check out Too Fat To Run and This Girl Can.) These women are overcoming every fear they have about what anyone else may think and helping the women around them feel confident enough to work out. They are working together to overcome exercise inferiority in fat women. I wish I could find one of these women in my community. Better yet, I wish I could be this woman in my community.

So… who wants to go for a run? Seriously… because I won’t go alone.

The post Exercise Inferiority in Fat Women appeared first on Fatfully.

“You pay to use the gym in your tuition, so why don’t you use it?”

“Are you sure you want to eat Burger King when you can just get Jamba Juice?”

If you have heard any or all of these phrases before, then you understand how stressful it can be to be fat in college. Not only are you reminded of your weight by the subtle comments made by others, but you look around and see that fat is a rarity in college.

You see athletes who are incredibly fit. You see students who live in the gym. You see girls who can wear leggings and yoga pants and look good. You never see fat students.

Being fat in college is not entirely our fault.

It’s hard to lose weight when you drink as much as everyone else, eat at the on-campus eateries, and get cravings when you stress out about passing all of your classes. In short, it’s hard to lose weight and enjoy college like everyone else does.

Your weight shouldn’t stop you from experiencing college.

It shouldn’t be a barrier to fun. It’s a shame that we talk about weight in college as a negative, such as the freshman 15. College should be a time of experiences and fun that is not allocated to the physically fit only, but to everyone and should be a time to learn to love your body the way it is.

Plus, the most important part of college is getting an education, not losing weight. <— Click to Tweet

So yes, maybe I should use the gym since I pay for it. And yes, I am aware of the freshman 15. And yes, I could have Jamba Juice instead of Burger King. But, at the end of the day, if I am happy with my body, none of that matters.

Are you fat in college? Were you in the past? What is/was your experience? Share in the comments below.

The post Curvy in College | Being Fat on Campus appeared first on Fatfully.

My pediatrician (we’ll call him Dr. Smith) was obsessed with my size. My ear infections, heart murmur, and asthma were all just side notes to my weight. He was a portly man himself who smoked a pipe during my visits. Between puffs, he exclaimed how many pounds I had gained since my last visit, accusing my mom of making me fat. Charges of sugary snacks, soda, and potato chips spewed from his tobacco stained lips. No matter how many times Mom explained that I didn’t eat junk food (because we couldn’t afford it), he didn’t believe her.

By the time I was 10 years old, Mom had placed me on numerous diets. Each one resulted in a small weight loss followed by more weight gain. And eventually, Dr. Smith decided my mom’s efforts weren’t cutting it. And so I was hospitalized for 5 weeks on a 700 calorie diet. Food was served to me three times a day, and I usually didn’t eat the breakfast because I was a very picky eater.

After four days, I had not lost any weight, so a very large nutritionist came to talk to me and my parents. My mom gave her details about my daily food consumption, and soon the woman was smirking and accusing me of buying junk food and stealing candy. I remember thinking how unfair it all was.

On day 8 of my hospital stay, Dr. Smith came to see me. I overheard him telling the nurse that it was impossible for me not to have lost weight on the diet. He told her somebody must be sneaking in junk food. The nurse went to bat for me. She told him that nobody had brought me anything during my stay. She said that she had been in all of my drawers and closet and had never seen any food items.

As I sat in my room alone, I mulled over the lesson my fat-shaming pediatrician taught me.

As long as I was fat, I would never be trusted.

Later that day, my parents came to visit and found me sad and depressed. I told them what happened and that I wanted to go home. They checked me out and took me home the same day, and my mom never took me back to Dr. Smith again.

I wish I could say that this was my last experience with fat-shaming doctors, but if you have ever been to a doctor as an overweight person, you know I would be lying. There are major barriers and obstacles that fat people face in the medical community. I hope that by sharing this story, I can help you speak up for yourself. You are not a second class citizen, and you deserve a doctor who will listen to you with care and concern. <— Click to Tweet

Have you ever had a fat-shaming doctor experience? Comment below. Or better yet, share your story with our readers.

The post My Fat-Shaming Pediatrician appeared first on Fatfully.

If you are anything like me, then you will probably be pretty frustrated that the majority of these images are not truly plus size women. Many of these swimsuits are available in multiple sizes and are only pictured on traditional models. The ones that are pictured on plus size models did not provide the plus size images for affiliate download. I am grateful that these companies provide high-quality plus size clothing, but wish that their modeling choices were representative of their clientele. That’s one of the reasons that we started this blog – so that we can show you what these clothes look like on real bodies. 

Women’s Plus Size One-Piece Swimsuit Black/Blue-Ava & Viv (Target)

Was: $39.99        Now: $31.99

Sizes 14W-26W (not available in stores)

Women’s Plus Size Magisculpt Swimdress Black & White Polka Dot (Marisota)

Price: $64.95

Sizes 8-28

Women’s Plus Size Magisculpt Convertible Swimdress in Blue (Marisota)

Price: $79.95

Sizes 8-28

Lane Bryant Plus Size One piece swim suit with plunge bra by Sophie Theallet Aqua Paradise

Price: $129.95

Sizes: 24-28

Lane Bryant Plus Size Palm Print Bikini Top with Built-In Balconette Bra Floral Print

Price: $54.95 (bottoms sold separately)

Sizes: 36C-46DDD

Lane Bryant Plus Size 6th & Lane Balconette Tankini Top – black, fuchsia, or white

Price: $79.00 (bottoms sold separately)

Sizes: 38D-44DDD

Scoop Neck Sleeveless Solid Color Tassels Sexy One-Piece Swimsuit For Women (Sammydress)

Was: $31.86        Now: $15.83

Sizes: 3XL-5XL

Stylish Scoop Neck Lace Splicing Solid Color One-Piece Swimwear for Women (Sammydress)

Was: $41.76         Now: $20.88

Sizes: M-3XL

Stylish Floral Print Halterneck Two Piece Swimsuit for Women (Sammydress)

Was: $31.20         Now: $15.60

Sizes: M-4XL

Sweetheart Neck Sleeveless Polka Dot Stylish One-Piece Swimsuit for Women (Sammydress)

Was: $32.10         Now: $16.05

Sizes: M-3XL

Fashionable Scoop Neck Solid Color Backless One-Piece Swimwear For Women (Sammydress)

Was: $37.18         Now: $18.59

Sizes: M-3XL

GabiFresh D/DD Cup Iridescence Underwire High Waist Bikini (Swimsuits For All)

Was: $98.00         Now: $68.60

Sizes: 12-24 (Top) 14-24 (Bottom)

GabiFresh D/DD Cup Sea Reef Underwire Mid-Waist Bikini (Swimsuits for All)

Was: $98.00         Now: $68.60

Sizes: 14-24 (Top) 12-24 (Bottom)

GabiFresh D/DD Cup Neon Accent Chevron Underwire Mid-Waist Bikini (Swimsuits for All)

Was: $98.00         Now: $68.60

Sizes: 14-24

GabiFresh E/F Paradise Found Underwire Mid-Waist Bikini (Swimsuits for All)

Was: $98.00         Now: $68.60

Sizes: 18-24 (Top) 12-24 (Bottom)

Swim Sexy Islander Halter High Waist Bikini (Swimsuits for All)

Was: $58.00         Now: $40.60

Sizes: 10-24

Swim Sexy Red Darling Dot Halter High Waist Bikini (Swimsuits for All)

Was: $58.00         Now: $40.60

Sizes: 10-24

Swim Sexy Scuba Sweetheart Chevron Mesh Bikini (Swimsuits for All)

Was: $78.00         Now: $54.60

Sizes: 10-24

Swim Sexy Yacht Cruise Underwire Bikini (Swimsuits for All)

Was: $78.00         Now: $54.60

Sizes: 10-24

Tropiculture Black Crossover Swimsuit (Swimsuits for All)

Was: $78.00         Now: $54.60

Sizes: 10-24

Tropiculture Cocoa Kitty Sheath (Swimsuits for All)

Was: $68.00         Now: $47.60

Sizes: 10-24

Didn’t find the best plus size swimsuit for you?

Follow along with our Pinterest to see swimsuits (and other fatfully things) we love in the future. And don’t forget to check out the other plus size swimsuits available at our favorite plus size swim retailers.

Target

Modcloth

Forever21

Lane Bryant

Swimsuits for All

Sammydress

Which swimsuit is your favorite? OR Where did you purchase your favorite swimsuit? Answer below in the comments.

The post Best Plus Size Swimsuits | Fatkinis, Swimdresses, Tankinis, & One-Pieces appeared first on Fatfully.

He has appointed Professor Dame Carol Black to investigate this issue and offer suggestions on how to get people with these “treatable conditions” back to work. It will be her job to determine whether benefits will be cut or eliminated if claimants refuse the recommended treatment plan.

Implications of Government Mandated Weight Loss

Several concerning questions come to mind when thinking about what a “recommended treatment plan” would look like? Would it be diet, exercise, medication, and/or surgery? Would it be a universal or individualized plan? How would the effectiveness of the weight loss plan be judged?

As a fat woman over the age of 45 I have had my share of medical professionals suggest weight loss methods to me. In each case I considered their suggestion, reviewed the pros and cons, and decided whether the risks of the treatment (often quite substantial) were acceptable to me. In some cases the risks were not even known at the time a treatment option was suggested, as was the case with the diet drug Redux which later caused severe heart issues in many patients. I wonder how I would feel if the government mandated that I take a drug in order to receive sickness benefits…drugs that may have lasting long term consequences.

Metabolic Causes and Government Mandated Weight Loss

To make this unethical plan more palatable, they indicated that they would probably include a clause protecting obese claimants with metabolic or other medical causes for their obesity. However, I wonder how many of the obese individuals on benefits presently have an undetermined medical cause for their obesity. I know how frustrating it is to have doctors insist you must not be following a diet or exercise plan correctly because you are not losing weight.

For most of us this is just a frustration but if this plan goes into effect and the government doesn’t see the outcomes they expect, our obese friends in England could be accused of not following the treatment plan and lose the only income they have to live on.

Where Do We Draw the Line?

Obesity is a disease! Yes, lifestyle choices are factors in the disease but controllable factors play a part in many diseases. And for obese people with eating disorders (actual mental health issue, by the way), will they receive the treatment they really need? Or will their treatment be just another diet plan that refuses to accept the impact of mental health problems – which undoubtedly, they will fail.

And what about the right to choose? Will the government force a person with cancer to get treatment or an individual with a failing organ to get an unwanted transplant? Will they cut benefits off for a diabetic who eats a piece of cake at a birthday party? Will they require a woman to abort a fetus that will be born with developmental issues? Where do we draw the line?

Government Mandated Weight Loss – Where do we draw the line? <— Click to Tweet

Mr. Cameron was quoted as saying “People have problems with their weight that could be addressed but instead a life on benefits rather than work becomes the choice.” Well Mr. Cameron, I personally don’t think that anyone would make the choice to be fat nor do I think that most people would stay fat just so they don’t have to work.

Take a Stand Now

I implore all fat people and their supporters to join me and ask the Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, to stop these bullying tactics and discriminatory actions.

@David_Cameron, stop government mandated weight loss. <— Click to Tweet

10 Downing Street
London
SW1A 2AA

https://email.number10.gov.uk/

The post Government Mandated Weight Loss | Trimming the Fat in the UK appeared first on Fatfully.

Well, it’s time to shake the clothes and embrace your naked body. You are beautiful. You are sexy. And trust me, your significant other thinks so too. Follow these 3 tips for feeling sexy naked, and you’ll be prancing around in your birthday suit in no time.

1. Look at yourself naked.

Stop dressing with your back to the mirror. One of the main reasons we feel uncomfortable in our body is because we don’t even know what it looks like. We assume it must be ugly. We hide it from our own eyes, so why would we show anyone else? Take off all of your clothes and stand in front of a mirror. If you start saying anything negative in your mind, turn it around. This is a no negativity zone. Look at your body and find the things you like about it. Think of all the good things that your body makes possible. Now, move in front of the mirror. Watch how your body shifts (and yes, how it shakes). Think of how amazing it is that you are able to walk, to dance, to hold things, to have children, to make love. Your body is a beautiful temple that should be celebrated – not shrouded in shame.

2. Be naked by yourself.

It’s your house. Be naked. Wait for a time when nobody else is home and close all the blinds. Take off your clothes, and go about doing whatever you would typically do. Clean. Cook. Read. Watch TV. Workout. It doesn’t matter what you do so long as you allow yourself to be naked. It will feel weird at first. Nobody is around, but you will still feel exposed. That’s okay. Push through it. Let your skin breathe. And when you walk past a mirror, don’t just turn the other way. Watch your body in action. Your body is beautiful, and it can do so many wonderful things.

3. Sleep naked.

There is nothing more comfortable than sleeping naked. The feel of cool sheets on your skin is one of the best feelings ever. Plus, sleeping naked means there are no clothes getting twisted around you while you toss and turn. And, it’s dark so you won’t feel self-conscious. You don’t have to sleep naked all the time, but at least try it to see if you like it.

If you do all three of these things consistently, you will feel more comfortable in your own skin. Don’t forget, the sexiest part of any woman is her confidence. Don’t be ashamed of your body. It’s the only one you’ve got, and it’s beautiful.

What makes you feel sexy naked? Share in the comments below.

The post 3 Tips for Feeling Sexy Naked When You’re Fat appeared first on Fatfully.

My mother was a wonderful mom who only wanted the best for me. I do not blame her because I know she was just following the recommendation of my pediatrician who scolded her about my weight each time she took me for a visit. Each time, this led to a new diet plan which resulted in a small weight loss.

In frequent letters and phone calls with my grandmothers, Mom bragged about my older brothers’ achievements, which were many. Then she excitedly shared my latest weight loss results. Looking back now I realize just what message this sent to my young developing psyche…that it was all about my weight! My weight loss would always be my greatest achievement. <— Click to Tweet

Of course, within a couple months I always gained the weight back (and more thanks to the negative metabolic effect of dieting). I hated myself for being fat. I hated myself for gaining the weight back. And I hated myself for, in my mind, disappointing my parents.

As a child, I didn’t even realize what was happening – and neither did my mom. Instead, we spun through this cycle throughout my adolescence. And as my body grew, my confidence shrank. <— Click to Tweet

No parent is perfect, and as hard as I tried to make her feel beautiful, my own daughter still internalized many body-negative messages during her childhood. That’s why we are working together to change the conversation around fat, body image, and parenting. I hope that by sharing this story, other parents will think carefully about how they approach their child’s weight issue. We control the messages we send to our children, and we can work together to change the messages society sends. <— Click to Tweet

The post My Mother Taught Me Fat Shame appeared first on Fatfully.

But this post isn’t about cussing or language or bad words. It’s about a very specific word that for years has plagued me. It’s about a word that has been a bad word to me for a very long time. I am talking about the other F-word – FAT.

As a child, I was heavier than many of the other kids. The difference between my weight and the weight of my classmates fluctuated throughout my school years along with my activity level and eating habits. Strangely enough, it was usually depression that got me to move in either direction. My first breakup led to weight loss (though unhealthily and 100% based upon decreased self esteem) and my parents’ divorce led to weight gain (also unhealthily).

Even when I was skinny (those brief few years in the middle of adolescence), I thought I was fat. This led me to an absolute aversion towards any mention of weight, size, fitness, or nutrition. When we went over nutrition in health class, I felt ugly. When I went swimsuit shopping or pants shopping, I felt fat. When I was in P.E., I felt weak. Once I got to college, I couldn’t bear the thought of going to the gym because I felt like the fattest person there – so I just didn’t go.

Not only did I have very negative feelings about myself and my own ability to be healthy, but these also carried over into my relationships. I NEVER talked about my weight with a boyfriend or even my parents. I HATED when other people would invite me to do something active. And, I changed subjects or avoided conversations whenever they would turn to weight.

I had taught myself that I wasn’t good enough because of my size, and that education has been a hard one to unlearn. To be honest, I’m still unlearning it.

I’m not 100% confident when I go to the gym, and I’m not 100% happy with how I look every day, but I am not afraid of telling the entire world that I am FAT, beautiful, and working to be healthier. I don’t care if I stay this size forever! If I can still be healthy and move around as much as I want to, I don’t care what I look like. Whether that goal is 0, 10, or 100 pounds away is not important. What is important is that I am not going to let my weight hold me back anymore.

Weight ain’t nothin’ but a number, and if someone thinks less of me because of my size or my weight, then shame on them for being so shallow. I wouldn’t want to be their friend anyway.

My name is Bobbie Gross, and I am FAT.

I wear my FAT beautiFULLY. #fatfully <— Click to Tweet

Would you like to share your fat experience? Comment below or fill out the form to share your story with all of our readers.

The post Fat, the Other F-Word appeared first on Fatfully.