Hunger

Though Gay understands the importance of fat acceptance, she also argues that we must acknowledge that some do struggle with it (and that there is nothing less valid about or wrong with this sentiment). While Gay herself yearns to make peace with her body, she also wants to lose weight because her current situation makes her unhappy. Above all, she yearns for freedom.

Gay has experimented with dieting over the years and argues that weight loss is about deprivation. While losing weight, Gay feels better in her body. Weight loss offers more choices when shopping for clothing and opportunities to go to places not made for fat bodies. Yet, Gay often engages in self-sabotage, which leads to her hungering (in every sense of the word) once again. Exercise has also been a struggle because it is not something she enjoys, and gyms are public spaces where participants judge others of size. Some people offer patronizing comments that are “rarely about genuine encouragement or kindness. They are an expression of fear of unruly bodies—a misguided attempt to reward the behavior of a ‘good fat person’” (165). Moreover, because Gay’s body does not indulge the