On a recent roadtrip, I found myself at a restaurant trying to explain to my server that I was vegan, and wanted to tweak my order: leave off the cheese, add steamed veggies, etc. He seemed intrigued by veganism, albeit in a bit of a teasing, playful, that-sounds-really-hard kinda way. But he was a good server, and my order was perfect.
When check time came, I deliberately left an extra large tip, telling my friend, "I want him to remember me as 'that really generous vegan'". People are often looking for reasons to dislike vegans, and with the way we are portrayed in media and entertainment, as well as the few-but-memorable 'vegan nazis' out there, the average meat eater does not need to look far.

So I always tip extra.

This got me thinking about the ways in which I try to represent veganism well: at work, where I wear a vegan button, I actually try to be extra nice because I know people are reading my button, and I want to show them that vegans are compassionate. When at parties or get-togethers with meat eaters, I always bring rich, yummy, non-threatening vegan food to share, and I eat with gusto---I am showing that vegans are well-fed and live with abundance.

But now I am doubting one way in which I "demonstrate" veganism--what does it mean that I am a "fat vegan"?
On one hand, being an overweight vegan actually pleases me in some ways: first, I like bending people's brain and defying stereotypes...like when I was a purple haired goth who would always hold doors for little old ladies. Being a fat woman who poses naked for art classes, dances with flaming hula hoops, and exudes a confident vibe definitely defies people's perceptions...and being a fat vegan is part of that. Second, I definitely prove that vegans are NOT "starving"...I eat well, have curves for miles, and all my chubby parts are filled with plant nutrients, thank-u-very-much.

However, if I am looking to show that veganism is HEALTHY, being overweight does not really help that message. I mean, I AM healthy...but people who meet me at work or the grocery store can't see my awesome cholesterol, my boundless energy, or my super-efficient digestive system (well, maybe if they use the bathroom after me...but...ewwwww!) They see my excess weight, and perhaps even assume that vegans are UN-healthy: that we eat processed, fake meats (I do, I admit), and that veganism will put weight on them.

Believe me, I am not losing weight just to improve myself as a walking billboard for veganism. But it is another good reason to strive to be a better healthier me...one encounter at a time, the world is watching. And while I don't want to portray veganism as something "you should do to lose weight" (I am vegan for ethics), I DO want to show that you CAN lose weight while being a healthy vegan.