The Culture Of It All
The Culture Of It All is a weekly podcast where we don’t just talk about ditching diet culture, we unlearn together, heal our body image, and fight for fat acceptance and true size inclusivity.
Your host, Melanie Knights [she/they] — is an unapologetically fat, fashion content creator, storyteller, introverted Aquarius with a fondness for all things fat and spooky.
This is a space where the fat community is seen, heard, and celebrated. It's where you can come to unlearn, heal, and find connection — and where everyone, in every body, is invited to listen, learn, and actively advocate for change.
Together, we'll challenge weight stigma, confront fat stereotypes, and dive deep into how diet culture impacts every part of our lives.
The Culture Of It All
Reframing Fitness: Navigating Movement in A Larger Body
This week our ‘F-word’ is fitness; specifically the negative associations many of us have with fitness and dieting. I’ll be sharing some of my experiences growing up, from learning to dislike sports in high school, and always focusing on ‘all or nothing’. You’ll also hear how, despite my lack of athleticism, I decided to pursue a career in fitness and the negative impact this left on my mental and physical health. By reframing our understanding and beliefs about movement, fitness and exercise, we are able to prioritise personal preferences, joy and self-worth rather than applying external expectations.
Questions to help you reframe movement:
- Would you still want to achieve those goals if weight loss was not on the table?
- Am I inspired to do this or am I trying to motivate myself?
- What has happened that's triggered this, this feeling?
- Why am I having this thought?
- Do I actually want to do this? Is this actually something that I'm choosing to prioritise in my life right now?
- What is the bare minimum?
Takeaways:
- Many people's struggles with fitness begin in childhood.
- The diet industry heavily influences perceptions of fitness.
- It's important to question the motivations behind fitness goals.
- The concept of 'bare minimum' can help simplify fitness expectations.
- Reframing fitness can reduce the pressure from diet culture.
- Everyone is worthy, regardless of their fitness journey.
Chapters:
00:00 Navigating the Complex Relationship with Fitness
03:30 Childhood Experiences and Early Influences on Fitness
10:45 The Negativity of the Diet Industry & Fitness
14:43 The Complicated Journey of Becoming A Trainer
19:44 The Shift Away from Traditional Fitness
21:17 Intuitive Eating and Reframing Movement
25:51 Reframing Fitness: Questions to Consider
31:41 The Complications of the Diet Industry and Fitness
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