Bathroom Tips for Fat Folx From Fat Folx
Fat AF! is a peer support space for fat folx only. We hold space for each other, offer support and feedback, and share resources. These tips came from Fat AF! participants—resources from real fat people, for fat people.
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Sooooooo... nobody seems to wanna talk about this, but it's something we all deal with every single fucking day—the bathroom!
I've been thinking about how to publicly broach this subject for a long time and I finally got to a point where I'm like, I don't care if it's awkward or uncomfortable or "impolite" (or the myriad of other things people might think or feel about this). When I realized that my internalized anti-fatness was even showing up in bathroom stuff, I was kinda blown away. I'm specifically thinking about the first tip here about wiping. I used to be soooo embarrassed about needing to use extra TP to wipe. Even if I wasn't in public fearing that the extra spin of the toilet roll would signal to others that I was pooping (lol), I'd still shame myself out of proper wiping and drying when I was alone at home! I've even been shamed by an old roommate about having to use extra TP. Sorry not sorry, ya'll, but either I use extra TP or I get a fucking rash. I'ma choose my health and comfort, thankyouverymuch.
ANYWAY. I don't know what else to say about this. Other than the folx in our Fat AF! peer support space are so fucking dope for how open and generous they are with their sharing. I couldn't have put this resource together without them. 🖤
EDIT: A friend who works in waste shared an important note about wipes: "No wipe should ever be flushed! Even if they say they are flushable, they aren't! They clog pipes and cause issues for water treatment centers! Once you're done with them, just throw them out!"
EDIT AGAIN: Another friend suggested this item in the Instagram comments: "Peribottles (also sometimes called portable bidets) are great for traveling."
Stay Dry
For some of us, peeing isn’t as simple as a single stream that makes it from our urethra to the toilet bowl without interference. Some of us have fat butts, fat thighs, and even fat vulvas. These are all reasons for the stream to sneak about, so we may require more wiping than others. This is nothing to be embarrassed of! It’s a basic human right to use the restroom. We’re allowed to take extra time and extra TP to stay clean, dry, and rash-free. Don’t let the presence of others in the bathroom line or the stall next to you prevent you from engaging in basic self-care.
Stay Clean
Okay, this one’s not just for fat folx, because as it turns out... everybody poops! But after having such a rousing conversation about bidets, it seems worth mentioning here. So, here it is:
Everybody’s raving about bidets! They’re an easy way to keep your butt hole clean. And they’re more accessible than ever now that affordable attachments for toilets are available.
Not sure about the bidet? Wipes are a great option, too. (Just don’t flush them down your toilet!)
Accessibility
Wiping sticks are a helpful tool when we’re having a hard time reaching down there or back there. One of our Fat AF! friends raves about these particular wiping sticks:
For home - Butt Scrubber Multi-Purpose Hygiene Aid
For travel - Travel EasyWipe Toileting Aid by Buckingham Healthcare
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