I'd planned on writing a different blog today but before beginning I checked my email. I received such an exciting update from Linda Bacon that I just had to share major portions of it with you today. If you have yet to read Linda's amazing book, Health at Every Size: The Surprising Truth About Your Weight, please find a way to do so...it will change your life! This is information ALL parents need. In Linda's email she shared:
Health at Every Size: The Surprising Truth About Your Weight, continues to get excellent reviews. (I’m actually surprised that so far it hasn’t generated any public negativity – I know that’s got to happen sometime!) I’m in New York right now and just had another interview with the New York Times (my third!) and with Reuters, and both went great. It’s quite an honor to watch blog commentary – I’m particularly touched to see that many readers find the book “life-changing.” To see an example and for a fun read, check out this posting at My Muslimah Life. The blogger rants about Oprah, The Biggest Loser, Al Roker, and then discovers HAES. The concluding line: “I feel free & like I am on a wonderful journey.”
I’ve recently added a lot to the Excerpts and Downloads page of the book’s website, to support people in distributing some of the important messages of the book. The HAES Manifesto has consistently been a popular download, but recently the section on bariatric surgery has been particularly popular. I hear that many people are sending it to friends considering surgery.
Here are some odds and ends tidbits from the Health at Every Size (HAES) movement:
· I was really pleased to hear that The Academy of Eating Disorders, which may be the largest and most well-respected coalition of eating disorders professionals, updated their Guidelines on children and weight, and now promote Health at Every Size.
· The American Psychological Association also just came out with a very pro-HAES article (http://www.apa.org/monitor/2009/04/weight.html) in their most recent journal.
· The Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH), which is the premiere organization of HAES professionals, will be meeting in Washington D.C. this summer, as will NAAFA. The conference is a great place for networking. Seminars on how to lobby will be followed up with opportunities to meet with legislators. They are also offering a $20 membership for new members for the next couple months, and I want to encourage anyone who is practicing HAES to consider joining.
· The National Association for the Advancement of Fat Acceptance (NAAFA) is actively involved in a HAES educational campaign. Check out their new size diversity toolkit, intended to educate about workplace discrimination. BenBella Books, publisher of my HAES book, proudly donated 500 copies of the book, which were included in the toolkits NAAFA sent to the Fortune 500 companies.
· The Body Positive just debuted an awesome documentary about Health at Every Size for women, called Sustaining Your Perfect Weight. This is a great educational tool, perfect for schools or groups. Really, really impressive! (Have I used enough superlatives? I am interviewed in the documentary, but no, I didn’t get paid for my involvement! This endorsement is really from the heart.)
· I’ve created two educational video webcasts about Health at Every Size (which also serve to promote my book). One is intended to educate health care professionals, and the other is designed for individuals interested in losing weight. Please check them out and circulate the link as appropriate. They’re on You-Tube and linked on the resources page of my website. (You can also read/distribute them in text form.)
HAES Community Resources (www.HAESCommunity.Org)
I’m pleased that the (free) HAES Community Resources continue to grow. If you haven’t found your way over there, please make it a priority. It provides opportunity to register your voice in the HAES movement, and serves a forum for you to let others know about your HAES activities and to learn what others are doing and find general HAES resources. Includes a searchable international database. Signing the HAES pledge is a very quick and simple way to show your support for the HAES movement. Please do it now!
And with that, I send you ...
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