Virgie Tovar’s ‘You Have The Right to Remain Fat’ Review
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This review is a collaboration between Sophie Griffiths and Debz Aitken
We definitely don’t read as much as we “should” – not books, anyway. Life is always busy – which isn’t bad, but sitting down with a book often just doesn’t happen. We tend to get most of our body positivity influences in short bursts from places like Instagram and She Might Be. (Speaking of which, have you checked out the new She Might Be Facebook group? We love how much wonderful and positive talk is going on already!) So when we heard that it was going to be released, You Have The Right To Remain Fat was one book we definitely both knew we wanted to have a flick through.
When they sent us a couple of copies, we were over the moon and couldn’t wait to each get stuck in and compare notes. Having positive influences to turn to is vital, and knowing that something like this would be available in the mainstream, on bookshelves across the world, was pretty exciting to say the least. We have both followed Virgie on social media for ages and love her #LoseHateNotWeight hashtag. It has been used to influence many people. Her over-riding message in You Have the Right to Remain Fat is similar to that which we hold here at She Might Be: FAT IS NOT BAD. It is as simple as that.
What We Liked
Although unsure that ‘liked’ should be the word, Debz liked the examples Virgie gave of when she had been discriminated against for being fat. It can feel extremely isolating to experience fatphobia, so it’s nice to have a reassurance that you’re not alone.
Sophie just loved the absolute balls of it all. There was power emanating from the pages. You Have the Right to Remain Fat was immediately one of those books that compels you to buy 20 copies and send them to everybody you know. It makes you forget there is a world full of horrible things like weight loss and insecurity. It bolsters you into the position of absolute self-love queen.
The online movement for fat and body positivity is making movements, but it is far from perfect. When something happens in ‘real life’ and you can’t mute people, it can be hard to be positive. The book reminded me that there are lots of people out there living in fat bodies and experiencing the same things I am.
You Have the Right to Remain Fat is important
We are lucky because, for the most part, we are able to avoid diet culture. We don’t want to mention that too much here, but we loved the bold and brilliant way that this book called it out. It is second nature to so many people to deny, restrict and punish. This book gets right up in your face and asks you – why? Who told you to do that? Why are you blindly doing that? Any book that has you question yourself and your own motives more – particularly when it can only lead to self love and positivity – is a-okay with us.
Do we recommend it?
Obviously, yes. There is a dearth of body positive literature out there as it is so we are probably going to recommend everything that preaches self love and acceptance with no conditions. But beyond that, Virgie manages to identify with the reader and find her place somewhere inside of you throughout the course of You Have the Right to Remain Fat. She is strength and self assurance that you’ve been dying to get out – and this book teaches you how to do it.
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