68. What 'I Feel Fat' Really Means

68. What 'I Feel Fat' Really Means

From Sturdy Girl by Jess Heiss

October 24, 2025 · 16 min · Season 6 · Episode 7

About this episode

Jess Heiss explores the meaning behind the phrase 'I feel fat' and offers strategies for compassionate self-talk.

Ever catch yourself saying “I just feel fat”? You’re not alone — and you’re also not actually describing your body. In this episode, Jess breaks down what that phrase really means, why our brains default to body-bashing language, and how to decode the emotion underneath it. You’ll learn about the psychology of body-image disruptions, body talk, and emotional regulation, plus three sturdy, practical strategies to help you respond with compassion instead of criticism. Because “fat” isn’t a feel...

People in this episode

Host: Jess Heiss

Topics covered

  • body image
  • emotional regulation
  • body talk
  • psychology
  • self-compassion

Keywords

  • body image
  • emotional regulation
  • self-compassion
  • body talk
  • psychology

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