“Fat Is Not a Feeling — Rethinking Body Image and Eating Disorder Recovery in Boca Raton” -Nicole Paolucci LMHC

At The Collaborative Palm Beach, we have spent years supporting individuals in Boca Raton, Florida who are healing from anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and body image struggles. One phrase I often hear is, “I feel fat.” My response is always the same: fat is not a feeling.

The Stigma Around the Word “Fat”

Over the years, the word fat has taken on a deeply negative connotation. Society has taught us that “fat” equals “bad,” and countless times I’ve heard women try to comfort each other by saying, “You’re not fat.” The intention is to help someone feel better, but the hidden message is harmful: “As long as you’re not fat, you are beautiful.”

This reinforces the stigma that being fat makes someone less worthy, less beautiful, or less valuable. In reality, every body has fat and that fat is not only normal but necessary for survival. Fat protects our organs, regulates hormones, cushions our joints, and supports brain and nervous system health.

Moving Beyond Body Descriptors

For many people struggling with eating disorders, self-worth is tied to body shape, size, or weight. At The Collaborative Palm Beach, we guide our clients to move away from body-based descriptors and instead explore the true emotions underneath. Feeling anxious, lonely, stressed, or insecure often gets mislabeled as “feeling fat.”

By reframing the language we use, we begin to heal our relationship with our bodies. Instead of measuring beauty by size, we can appreciate the complexity of our bones, muscles, fat, and all the systems that make our bodies resilient and unique.

Finding Eating Disorder Help in Boca Raton

If you or someone you love is struggling with anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder in Boca Raton, know that healing is possible. At The Collaborative Palm Beach, we provide compassionate, evidence-based support to help you rebuild trust with your body, nurture self-acceptance, and move toward recovery.

Your body is not a problem to be fixed, it’s a living, breathing miracle that deserves care, respect, and love. ❤️