body
Feminism demands a future free of fat shaming, body obsession and the male gaze.
This Too Shall Pass
Every time I think I know the lay of the land, things change. Mountains rise in front of me where I’m not expecting them. I lean forward, pushing my heels into the earth and hike upwards. The things I thought would bother me don’t seem so bad. The anticipated ick of chemo – no taste buds, bit of nausea, exhaustion, loss of more cranial peach fuzz – it seems okay… even, manageable. Truthfully, the anticipation of losing my hair was far worse than the actual head shaving experience. I’m getting used to things – sort of.
By Cathy Schieffelin8 months ago in Viva
The PCOScience of Food. Content Warning.
When you have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (thereafter known as PCOS within this article), your biggest struggle after getting your diagnosis is managing your weight. Because no matter how frustrating it is, even after we are confirmed PCOS, weight loss and management is one of the biggest treatments for managing and regulating your hormone imbalance.
By Hope Martin8 months ago in Viva
Three Times Nine
THREE TIMES NINE Once upon a time there was a young woman and her life was perfect. She had an exciting job in the big city. She had a cute one bedroom she'd decorated with items she'd carefully curated from antique stores and outdoor markets that she'd discovered on walking tours of the city, hand-in-hand with her boyfriend, on Saturday mornings. Sunday mornings were for lounging in bed, catching up on the news and eating bagels, wiping the cream cheese from each other's lips, while gazing into each other's eyes. She had nothing to complain about. Except one small thing. So small she berated herself for letting it bother her at all. But bother her it did and increasingly so, as these things do.
By Selaine Henriksen8 months ago in Viva
How to Change Your Self-Image
Disclaimer: To all who want to comment, "your self worth should come within," please refrain. It's not an overnight process & internalized criticisms skew our thoughts. Seeing the reality that you are loved is a step towards increasing your self worth.
By Ashley Tripp8 months ago in Viva
The Process Getting a PCOS Diagnosis. Content Warning.
I am sure I speak for about 98% of women who have been confirmed diagnosed by doctors of PCOS that getting that damn diagnosis was a struggle that rivals stopping the apocalypse. And I am sure 100% of women who have a hormonal imbalance that causes weight gain have been basically told by the doctor to “just lose weight.”
By Hope Martin8 months ago in Viva
PCOS = Painful Cramps On Steroids. Content Warning.
S.A Crawford wrote a vulnerable and revealing piece on her recent diagnosis of PCOS (otherwise known as, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). And the outreach of women who were all echoing the same sentiment that I did had me sitting with my eyes wide, and heart hurting. But also really proud of all the brave women who are willing to share their stories and the pains they endured to comfort Crawford and let her know she wasn't alone.
By Hope Martin8 months ago in Viva
Introducing the New Article Series: "The Ugly Truth About Fat" (working title). Top Story - October 2023.
Lately, I've been in a particularly deep depression and shame spiral. There are many causes and many things that are worsening the situation, but somehow, in my mind, everything that goes badly in my life seems invariably tied into my weight.
By Lena Folkert9 months ago in Viva
PCOS and Me. Top Story - October 2023.
I never wanted children. That's the cosmic joke; as a teenager, and even a young adult, I was decided against the idea of having children. Not because I dislike them in any way, but because I was certain I was not mother material. Then, after years of work on my mental health, after getting out of a bad relationship, after calming my fears I had a thought -
By S. A. Crawford9 months ago in Viva