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Dry Land Fish

Perspectives from the misplaced.

Diet
It's Only Skin Deep

April M. Herndon Ph.D. on June 24, 2013

Frankly, I don’t think many doctors need an easier time bringing up overweight and obesity to patients. Even after losing 120 pounds and having a normal BMI, I recently had an experience that convinced me that some doctors feel pretty darned comfortable bringing up weight to patients.

Frankly, I don’t think many doctors need an easier time bringing up overweight and obesity to patients. Even after losing 120 pounds and having a normal BMI, I recently had an experience that convinced me that some doctors feel pretty darned comfortable bringing up weight to patients.

Embarrassment
My Breasts Are for Me, Not Just for Feeding Babies

April M. Herndon Ph.D. on April 23, 2013

What it ultimately comes down to is that I don’t want anyone else telling me what my breasts are for. I want to decide that for myself, if you don’t mind. And I’d like for all women to be able to make that decision without feeling guilt or shame or like they’re betraying their nature or their feminist ideals—or like there are only two choices for how to see one’s breasts.

What it ultimately comes down to is that I don’t want anyone else telling me what my breasts are for. I want to decide that for myself, if you don’t mind. And I’d like for all women to be able to make that decision without feeling guilt or shame or like they’re betraying their nature or their feminist ideals—or like there are only two choices for how to see one’s breasts.

Gratitude
I'm Nobody's Mommy, and That's Okay

April M. Herndon Ph.D. on April 15, 2013

Whenever anyone asked about whether or not I wanted babies, I replied with a firm “no.” Over the years, my commitment to being childless has been unwavering. In fact, I can’t remember a single time in my life when I actually considered having children. My choice not to have children may, in fact, be the only choice I’ve ever made that I’ve yet to reconsider.

Whenever anyone asked about whether or not I wanted babies, I replied with a firm “no.” Over the years, my commitment to being childless has been unwavering. In fact, I can’t remember a single time in my life when I actually considered having children. My choice not to have children may, in fact, be the only choice I’ve ever made that I’ve yet to reconsider.

Bias
There's No Such Thing as "Discrimination Lite"

April M. Herndon Ph.D. on January 24, 2013

If the investment is really in making everyone in our society more healthy, there’s just no way that stigmatizing fat people gets us there.

If the investment is really in making everyone in our society more healthy, there’s just no way that stigmatizing fat people gets us there.

Bias
Unfortunate, But Not Discrimination

April M. Herndon Ph.D. on December 10, 2012

Thin women, as a group, are not the victims of hate crimes because of their thinness. To name the experience of someone like Delizia as the result of “discrimination” dilutes that term to the point that nearly anything counts.

Thin women, as a group, are not the victims of hate crimes because of their thinness. To name the experience of someone like Delizia as the result of “discrimination” dilutes that term to the point that nearly anything counts.

Diet
A Jump the Shark Moment for Obesity Science

April M. Herndon Ph.D. on October 15, 2012

A phrase like “metabolically obese normal weight person” showcases how very far some people in the medical field will go to classify obesity as a problem in and of itself and avoid having to refer to anyone as “an unhealthy thin person.”

A phrase like “metabolically obese normal weight person” showcases how very far some people in the medical field will go to classify obesity as a problem in and of itself and avoid having to refer to anyone as “an unhealthy thin person.”

Play
You’re Too Fat to Play Tennis, but You Should Go Running

April M. Herndon Ph.D. on September 17, 2012

We need to teach children that working to the best of one’s ability and being good at something are admirable traits—but that body size isn’t the only litmus test for either.

We need to teach children that working to the best of one’s ability and being good at something are admirable traits—but that body size isn’t the only litmus test for either.

Politics
Black Hair

April M. Herndon Ph.D. on August 20, 2012

Hair is more than a matter of personal choice, and recent discussions highlight how much hair still matters.

Hair is more than a matter of personal choice, and recent discussions highlight how much hair still matters.

Pregnancy
Ladies First

April M. Herndon Ph.D. on July 30, 2012

When it comes to having a "perfect" pregnancy, women are bearing an unfair burden.

When it comes to having a "perfect" pregnancy, women are bearing an unfair burden.

Health
Glorifying Fatness, Really?

April M. Herndon Ph.D. on July 16, 2012

Apparently, glorifying fatness and promoting obesity means talking about fatness or fat people in any way that isn’t discriminatory, denigrating, or hurtful.

Apparently, glorifying fatness and promoting obesity means talking about fatness or fat people in any way that isn’t discriminatory, denigrating, or hurtful.

Sex
What If Some of Us Aren't Born that Way?

April M. Herndon Ph.D. on June 11, 2012

While the most mainstream personal stories about sexuality come from those who say they’ve known from an early age that they were homosexual, there are many people, especially women, who see their homosexuality as reflecting a conscious choice.

While the most mainstream personal stories about sexuality come from those who say they’ve known from an early age that they were homosexual, there are many people, especially women, who see their homosexuality as reflecting a conscious choice.

Sex
The Magic Pill Question

April M. Herndon Ph.D. on May 17, 2012

The problems I face come from people’s attitudes about my sexual desire.

The problems I face come from people’s attitudes about my sexual desire.

Bias
Thin Like Me

April M. Herndon Ph.D. on May 7, 2012

When I’ve told people that the weight loss has been a big adjustment and not always a comfortable one, they brush my concerns aside, as if I’m just being silly. I should just enjoy my lottery winnings and not whine.

When I’ve told people that the weight loss has been a big adjustment and not always a comfortable one, they brush my concerns aside, as if I’m just being silly. I should just enjoy my lottery winnings and not whine.

Diet
What We Can Learn from Carnie Wilson

April M. Herndon Ph.D. on May 1, 2012

Carnie Wilson, who had her first Roux en Y gastric bypass surgery broadcast live on the internet in 1999 and produced two books about her experiences, recently announced that she’s now had a lap-band procedure because she regained weight.

Carnie Wilson, who had her first Roux en Y gastric bypass surgery broadcast live on the internet in 1999 and produced two books about her experiences, recently announced that she’s now had a lap-band procedure because she regained weight.