DIS Boards Show - The Weight Thread

[WaltD4Me]

Nevermind.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

I just wanted to say well said Nikki, well said... I'm proud to have you as a friend, and proud of what you have accomplished. WTG!

 

[lttlmc3]

Wow Nikki, what a great post. Thanks so much for sharing. I heart you.

But really, fess up, what is the Cool Whip incident?

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Ummm...I plead the fifth!

 

[wishspirit]

I tease, taunt and torture you.....but I know through all it, that you know you are my friend.

I love what you have written. Thank you for it.

When we were picking out what threads we were going to talk about....I knew I had to pick the one about being "Pooh sized".

I wrestled with talking about the chair breaking because I was humiliated and embarrassed by it happening, but I sorta knew driving to the podcast that I had to own it. I have to try to de-stigmatize stuff like this. I've been given the honor of having a small platform to talk about stuff that I think is important and I would feel as if I had wasted an opportunity if I didnt.

I too, have been overweight my entire life. I have lost and regained so many pounds that it's hard to keep track. I try to make the right choices every single day and it's a struggle I'll have my entire life.

Thanks again for what you have written Nikki. I agree with Lisa. This should be posted everywhere.

I have to say I got a bit teary at both the post and the podcast! We have all had things happen that we are so embarrassed about and would never air in public. There are moments in my life which make my knees knock telling anyone about!

Kevin, you are unbelievably brave! We all love your openess and honesty, and we are so pleased you can share your experiences with us. It must of been so hard to say, but something that so many people can connect with, even if just through the emotion.

Thank you

 

[JamieSimms91]

It's no surprise to those DISers who have been frequenting the Unplugged boards for awhile that I am a woman with weight issues. I just couldn't resist the urge to comment on a few things mentioned on the DIS Boards Discussion show. Please note that this is not necessarily directed at anyone here (unless you fall into this category); I just had to get it off my chest.

I have been overweight my entire life. I was a fat baby, a fat child, a fat teenager, and a fat adult. In 2001, after years of ridicule in school including the traditional name calling and group teasing plus a large dose of sexual harassment related to my weight, I made the decision to get skinny before I graduated college. I thought it was the only way I would be happy. While I am not going to go into the unhealthy details of how I lost 114 pounds in about 10 months, I will say I did not do it the right way.

I moved home from college and met the guy of my dreams. He spoiled me profusely with presents including those that were edible (Godiva was a fav ). I soon put on the weight again. Two and a half years ago, I decided I could not do this anymore and made the decision to give total control of my eating to Jenny Craig. I lost 119 pounds on their program and have kept it off since. They taught me how to eat, how to cook, how to eat out, and how to think about food. Giving up that total control allowed them to correct the behaviors that I formed as habits --- overeating, constant eating of high fat, high carb meals, etc. It was what saved my life from where it was headed, diabetes, high blood pressure, muscle pain, and potentially heart disease.

I remember a time when I went on Nitro at Six Flags before I lost the weight. The ride vehicle just barely held me in place. I would have been mortified if I was forced to exit the ride due to my size. Thankfully, I have never been in that position and feel horribly for those who have.

To those people out there who have stared, mocked, or verbally criticized those who are heavy, how dare you.

To those who question what a large person eats during their vacations, how dare you.

To those who snap pictures of overweight swimmers in their bathing suits, how dare you.

Unless you have lived my life and the life of so many obese individuals, you have no right to criticize. In fact, even if you have lost a tremendous amount of weight, you are not entitled to it either. I thank God for threads like the one discussed on the show because it helps heavy WDW lovers plan their trips better so they can avoid any embarrassment relating to their size. My heart broke when I heard of Kevin’s discussion of the chair breaking in California. I’ve been there.

I am committed to maintaining a lifestyle that will prevent me from returning to those dark days. My weight will always go up and down. I’m always going to make bad food choices at restaurants while on vacation (or even while at home). To this day, I will not wear shorts at home or in the parks because the memories of being made fun of in elementary school haunt me. But, I will never, ever criticize someone for how they choose to live their life and it sickens me that others do.

I have the battle scars on my body to remind me of what overweight people go through on a daily basis. It is their decision if they want to lose weight. No one’s rude posts on the Internet can change that. And no matter where my life takes me, I will always support my friends who choose to take the long journey towards a healthier lifestyle. For those that are not ready yet, I will support them, too. It is not my place or anyone else’s to judge another for what they look like on the outside. It’s the inside that counts.

Nikki, I've Just got to say this is an amazing comment, and you have really put your time into typing this, one word "amazing" good for you. Another comment I would like to say is, it is utter wrong and disrepectful to comment about peoples weight

 

[soupy11]

To people out there that feel the need to criticize someone's size...take the day off....we all know we carry a few too many pounds...we are the ones fighting the battle every day....keep your opinion to yourself. If your so perfect, why do you need to pile abuse on another human being? Says something dark and sinister about your character that I would rather not have infecting my day.

 

[elemusing]

Well said, Nikki. Thank you.

 

[stitchlover]

Haven't listened to the entire show...but as always well put Nikki.

 

[disneyholic family]

by the way, there are some people whose metabolism is so slow, that even the most intense dieting and exercise regimen will not make a dent in their weight...

so it's really obscene that people judge others without knowing or understanding....

 

[tlcoke]

Thank you Nikki for sharing your story. I have walked in your shoes through out my life and I know the struggle of losing weight the wrong ways and gaining it back again and then some over the years.

A year ago this week, I made the decision to do something about my weight thanks to encouragement from my DIS friends here on the boards, I can say I have lost 35 lbs in one year. I did not want to do it the wrong way again as I know FAD diets in the long run don't work - as once you go back to your old habits the weight comes back. I made the decision to not necessarily change what I was eating - just to exercise more, so I made the decision to start walking. I now walk 45 minutes at least 5 times a week - though I have had a set back this winter with some issues with my knee, which I am still working through - I have managed to maintain the weight loss and continue walking be it not as aggressively as I had been the first half of the year, due to the pain from my knee injury.

Those of you who are my friends on Facebook - know that as a matter of accountability, I post my daily walking progress in my status every day. I want to thank each of you for your encouraging words through out this past year, your words of praise and encouragement are the moving force that have kept me moving each day. I appreciate this about each and everyone of you. Thank You and here is a hug of thanks for your support.

 

[wendydarling826]

Thank you Nikki for speaking out so eloquently. I am appalled by the intolerance and uncivility of so many people today. Everyone has something to struggle with - for me and so many others it is weight, and so our struggle is out there for the world to see. But there are so many other things people struggle with that are not visible - addiction, abuse, depression, and a host of emotional disorders and problems too numerous to mention. It's all part of the human condition, and if there is anyone so perfect that they can criticize the struggle of another, then they should be so busy counting their blessings that they keep their mouth shut!

 

[nmoore14]

Thanks Nikki! I am so glad there are others who find that making derogatory comments about a person's weight DOES NOT help that person lose weight. It is a personal decision, which I feel that everyone needs to respect. Thanks again Nikki for speaking up for "Big Girls"

 

[slapwhitey]

Great post Nikki, very well said. Quite like my life experience as well. I have found that the boards and Disney in general have been a very accepting place. It is also something I'll struggle with my entire life, I just hope I can keep it under control. At least I know when I slip....and I always slip a little at some point.....I have friends here that will still accept me the way I am. For that I thank everyone.

Chris

 

[mainegal]

Thanks to Nikki and to Kevin for both being so open and sharing.

 

[PryncessChrysty]

Thank you, Nikki.

 

[BriarRosie]

I've never been overweight in my childhood, but I started gaining as a teen and young adult. I've been with Weight Watchers now for a year and a half, and I've struggled to keep losing the weight I need for goal. The good news is that I kept the majority I lost off for the duration, but I had gained some back, so it's a definite life-long struggle now.

But I've definitely been there when someone who felt the need to alienate a group of friends against me decided to do that by zooming in on an easy target -- my weight. Since they were Disney fans, they thought they could compare me to Hyacinth Hippo from "Fantasia". Nice, huh? While they weren't people on the DIS, one of the instigators has posted on the DIS. I've kept my distance for about 10 years now. It works for me.

I don't have serious body issues. I will wear a bathing suit I'm comfortable in. Shame on the losers who feel they might need to make me Hyacinth Hippo for doing so. I don't let it bother me for their sad insecurities.

Oh, and for the theme park ride seats, I did have a problem at Universal a few years ago. When I first went to Islands of Adventure, I could fit into all the coasters. I was a lot heavier a few years ago, and I didn't realize that my hips didn't quite fit into those tester seats. I'm glad I was able to test them before trying to ride.

Hopefully now I'm at the point I can fit again. If not, I'll keep trying until I do.

 

[safetymom]

Ok it is my turn. I have been overweight a good portion of my life. That combined with the fact that I am blind in one eye has always had me on the outside looking in.

I learned a long time ago that I was different and learned to ignore the stares that I sometimes got.

I did lose weight and kept it off for a number of years. My late husband had lots of medical issues and I didn't take care of myself while I was caring for him.

I am in the process of losing weight for myself now. I figure the people that point me out or make fun of me are the losers. Too bad they didn't take the time to get to know me.

I wish everyone well as they struggle with their weight.

 

[Wonder_117]

i didn't want to read and run- this thread has brought a tear to my eye and I just wanted to say how impressivly written your post was *NikkiBell*. Very eloquently put and an excellent point.

People who judge or ridicule others for any reason are just small small people- they need to find a way to make themselves feel better and they do it by bringing others down, it's just wrong. Thank you for taking the time to write what you did *NikkiBell*.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

All of these stories bring tears to my eyes, both happy and sad. I am so proud of you all! Thank you for sharing them.

Kathy, I never knew you were blind in one eye, and I have met you twice. Thank you for sharing that.