Hey there!

Name/Tumblr url: Andria- Fat Chick Wearing Clothes. It’s supposed to be a “fashion on the cheap” sort of place- but politics (body and otherwise) always seem to dominate my life, so I’ve stopped fighting it.

Height/Size: 5’ 3” / 268lbs

TFF: How did you discover HAES?

A: Tumblr!

TFF: What does living a healthy life entail for you?

A: Laughing, moving, seeing my doctor, and keeping up with my meds. I have lupus (and several other auto-immune/inflammatory illnesses) so the “health” cards are stacked against me in the first place, but I do everything in my power to be as healthy as possible every day.  

TFF: What are some of your favorite foods?

A: Black eyed peas and gluten free cornbread, sweet tea, rice, Daiya (vegan cheese substitute), oatmeal cookies, tacos, avocado and more avocado!

TFF: What are your favorite ways to be active?

A: Playing with my son, swimming, laughing 

TFF: What makes you feel strong?

A: Facing my illness and my son’s autism every day and managing to smile at the end of it all. That feels pretty damn good!

TFF: Emotional health matters too! What do you do to center/care for yourself emotionally?

A: I talk- whether in person or on the internet, I cuddle my son and my partner a LOT,  pet my cat, I cook and I eat good food, I look to others more now than I used to- I’m no longer attempting to be an island and that helps so much! 

TFF: Describe a moment when you felt less than great about your body:

A: Dressing rooms usually do it for me.

TFF: What about a moment when you felt particularly empowered/body positive? 

A: When I was helping friends move and the other women there could not move/lift half of what I could at a time. 

TFF: Any advice?

A: Smile. Even when you don’t want to, and especially at yourself in the mirror. It really does work to help happiness become more instinctive. When I try on a pair of pants and they don’t quite fit- I smile at myself in the dressing room mirror, chuckle, and try something else! Reach out to the Fat Activism community. Tumblr has honestly done more for my inner strength and self esteem than YEARS of therapy have ever accomplished!

TFF: Thank you, Andria! You are a fierce, healthy babe, I love it! And I’m with you on the avocado :)

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