Who knew that when Arabella Weir was saying “Does My Bum Look Big in This?” every week as part of The Fast Show (not to mention giving her chick lit debut the same name) that she was actually reflecting her own life-long insecurity? From an early age, Weir’s parents made her feel paranoid about her weight (even when she wasn’t overweight), restricting her potato intake and humiliating her in front of others until she hated her body and ending up over-eating in response. She’s been stuck in a cycle of binging and low self-esteem (with occasional bouts of ego, she says) ever since.
The Real Me is Thin will sadly strike a chord with millions of women who have been taught or have picked up that their weight is the most important thing about them, and it’s a “what not to do” manual for raising children to feel good about themselves. Arabella comes off as well-adjusted, funny, and kind but her story of disordered eating doesn’t have a neatly resolved happy ending. At least, not yet.
