What Fat Women Want

Wanting to be thin is only part of the story

Relationships
Giving Your Best Friend Away

Frances Kuffel on June 7, 2021

No one understood how much I needed her. She was my boon companion. Or I was hers. She loved me, but she didn’t respect me, except at mealtimes.

No one understood how much I needed her. She was my boon companion. Or I was hers. She loved me, but she didn’t respect me, except at mealtimes.

Memory
Letter to My Brother on Father's Day

Frances Kuffel on June 16, 2019

Those were the years of both general practice and studying anesthesia. Dad had evening hospital rounds followed evening house calls. We didn’t see him much.

Those were the years of both general practice and studying anesthesia. Dad had evening hospital rounds followed evening house calls. We didn’t see him much.

Embarrassment
Sin and Shame

Frances Kuffel on May 27, 2019

Regaining 180 pounds has taken the form of extreme shame rather than public self-flagellation. I live in silence, which has increased over the years until I rarely speak at all.

Regaining 180 pounds has taken the form of extreme shame rather than public self-flagellation. I live in silence, which has increased over the years until I rarely speak at all.

Anger
Color Wheel

Frances Kuffel on September 28, 2018

The kind of male anger Dr. Ford’s testimony has elicited is, in itself, telling.

The kind of male anger Dr. Ford’s testimony has elicited is, in itself, telling.

Friends
Leaving Without Goodbye

Frances Kuffel on May 22, 2018

He wants me in his other-life, the one without the pretty girl and the gang of friends. He has played into my weakness until he hit my strength: I will not be an other-life.

He wants me in his other-life, the one without the pretty girl and the gang of friends. He has played into my weakness until he hit my strength: I will not be an other-life.

Relationships
Lessons from Love and Loss

Frances Kuffel on February 18, 2018

As we crammed the protesting dervish into her crate for our flight back to New York, my brother said, “You know, you don’t have to keep her. Not every dog is right for everybody.”

As we crammed the protesting dervish into her crate for our flight back to New York, my brother said, “You know, you don’t have to keep her. Not every dog is right for everybody.”

Adoption
National Adoption Day

Frances Kuffel on November 18, 2017

I've been pondering adoption for a couple of years as jealousy of my brothers and their children for finding their biological families tortures me each summer weekend.

I've been pondering adoption for a couple of years as jealousy of my brothers and their children for finding their biological families tortures me each summer weekend.

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March 2026 magazine cover
March 2026
The Friend Effect

Having friends protects you in multiple ways, from slowing cellular aging to deterring bullies to bolstering your self-esteem.

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Tests
Self Tests
Self Tests

Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.

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