Fat Acceptance...

[Lovin' Lorne]

I've never even heard this term before. You hear obesity, obesity, BMI, BMI, but this seems to indicate that it isn't just BMI or obesity that matters, but rather percentage of body fat. If we shouldn't accept fat people because it's unhealthy to be fat, then (assuming this research holds up) we shouldn't accept normal sized people who have too high a percentage of body fat either.

I know you say you've never heard of that term before, but I have.

From what I've read, people are starting to believe that biggest issue is not so much with the amount a person weighs as with the amount of fat that is encasing and constricting the internal organs. People can be skinny-ish and still have an unhealthy amount of fat surrounding their organs. That's why you're starting to hear so much about the dreaded "Belly Fat". The BMI index, from what I understand, was never supposed to be used as the end all, be all in determining a healthy weight. GENERALLY a person with a higher BMI has more unhealthy fat surrounding their organs. Again I stress GENERALLY; it's not written in stone. It is also possible for a person with a lower BMI to have a disproportionate amount of fat around their organs as well.

Therefore the best plan of attack, for ANYONE BIG OR SMALL, is to have regular check ups and blood work done, as well as getting a moderate amount of exercise every day, and limiting the amount of crap that you eat.

Easy peasey lemon squeezy.

And now that I've posted, this thread will go "poof"!

 

[Stitchfans]

So, you're not fat I take it? And something that simple affects your stress to the point that it's not good for your health?



See folks, it's not just the fat people who're affecting the health costs in this country. Thanks so much for making the point for us.

And FTR, I'm annoyed by a lot of things other people do when they're sitting by me -- kid kicking the seat, bad body odor, strong perfume, too loud, too nosy, invading my personal space. But I get over it because it's just part of living in society.

Some of you really need the number of a good therapist. Aren't you afraid you'll blow a gasket being stressed around so many fatties in this world?

But they are not affecting your health.

I love you and your reply




It is annoying and stressful when a big person takes up more than their share of a seat. You can't move to another seat on a packed airplane. I had to sit next to one on a flight and I'm sure that my stress levels were not good for my health. I think that anyone that size should buy 2 seats. I'd rather take another flight than feel squeezed.

Shame on you, Dawn and Todd&Copper for trying to humiliate overweight people on planes, buses, whatever. On my recent trip to Oklahoma to see my oldest DD yes, I did have to get the extension seat belt to fit over my stomach, and yes I did raise the arm rest. No I don't overflow into any one else's seat but I can rest assure you Dawn, I WOULD get that arm rest up, like it or not.

You want to know something I don't feel stressed or annoyed at all, even when I have to sit next to people like all of you in spite of your attitudes towards me, and people like me. As said by another poster, I'd be more than happy to sit next to someone as kind, considerate, and thoughtful like Tina.

Love your reply was Mushy Mushy. just learning how to double quote

 

[Ember]

But they are not affecting your health.

Shame on you, Dawn and Todd&Copper for trying to humiliate overweight people on planes, buses, whatever. On my recent trip to Oklahoma to see my oldest DD yes, I did have to get the extension seat belt to fit over my stomach, and yes I did raise the arm rest. No I don't overflow into any one else's seat but I can rest assure you Dawn, I WOULD get that arm rest up, like it or not.

You want to know something I don't feel stressed or annoyed at all, even when I have to sit next to people like all of you in spite of your attitudes towards me, and people like me. As said by another poster, I'd be more than happy to sit next to someone as kind, considerate, and thoughtful like Tina.

You can sit next to me, I'll even squish over for you if I have a little room to do so. It would never occur to me to even think twice about it, either. Of course, if we hit violent turbulence you have to hold my hand. Don't laugh, I've asked strangers before!

 

[DawnCt1]

But they are not affecting your health.

Shame on you, Dawn and Todd&Copper for trying to humiliate overweight people on planes, buses, whatever. On my recent trip to Oklahoma to see my oldest DD yes, I did have to get the extension seat belt to fit over my stomach, and yes I did raise the arm rest. No I don't overflow into any one else's seat but I can rest assure you Dawn, I WOULD get that arm rest up, like it or not.

You want to know something I don't feel stressed or annoyed at all, even when I have to sit next to people like all of you in spite of your attitudes towards me, and people like me. As said by another poster, I'd be more than happy to sit next to someone as kind, considerate, and thoughtful like Tina.

I have never tried to humiliate anyone, but anyone I have sat next too, that has attempted to raise the arm rest, would clearly have overflowed into my seat. I see it happen to other passengers quite frequently. I wouldn't presume to raise the arm rest on your space either, so why would you be so insistent that the arm rest be raised? That doesn't sound kind, considerate nor thoughtful.

 

[Stitchfans]

You can sit next to me, I'll even squish over for you if I have a little room to do so. It would never occur to me to even think twice about it, either. Of course, if we hit violent turbulence you have to hold my hand. Don't laugh, I've asked strangers before!

What a sweetie, thanks. Sure, I'd hold your hand if you were frightened.

 

[Stitchfans]

I have never tried to humiliate anyone, but anyone I have sat next too, that has attempted to raise the arm rest, would clearly have overflowed into my seat. I see it happen to other passengers quite frequently. I wouldn't presume to raise the arm rest on your space either, so why would you be so insistent that the arm rest be raised? That doesn't sound kind, considerate nor thoughtful.

Look at the pot calling the kettle. I've read many of your posts.

 

[Instinct27]

Actually, I'm pretty sure some of the recent studies have found that the ideal BMI in terms of longevity is in the current "overweight. So yes, there is some evidence that being "underweight" and "normal" is actually less healthy than being a little bit overweight.

This is probably true after one has contracted a heart condition.

The prevalence of getting heart problems do NOT follow this trend.

 

[MickeySP]

I will take intelligent sensitive and kind fat people over self righteous myopic thin people any day.

I admit I have not read every reply so forgive me(if you have that capacity) if I repeat a point.

While not every one who is overweight is "healthy" some are. The same applies to thinner people. It is lifestyle and genetics that also come into play.

4 years ago my BP was 95/58, my cholesterol was 163 and I could walk a mile in 12 minutes - btw I weighed 347 lbs. Most thin people could not say that. Yes I did have weight related problems and there cause was more psychological than anything.

I now weigh 153 lbs and while I am healthier, I have a whole new set of problems.

I do not judge and find it extremely offensive that some here spew such vitriol toward a problem you have no idea of.

Walk a mile in my shoes before you think it is as simple as eat less, move more.

 

[Alaska Catdog]

I don't know if anyone posted this yet but I happened to see this earlier today and it seems topical.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26143255/

I have a "funny" story about being a fat airline passenger.

I was traveling on a long flight with my husband we are both large. When our seat mate arrived (a very thin woman) she took one look at us and with horror in her eyes turned to the stewardess and asked to be re-seated. She was accommodated, seated next to a normal sized man. About an hour into the flight the man she was seated next too suffered either a seizure or a heart attack. When we landed she was not allowed off the flight immediately as the paramedics wanted to talk to her about what happened. I always wondered if it was worth it to her.

Happily we now fly first class and sit next to each other. My only impact on the skinny folk who are back in coach is that they didn't get the upgrade before we did and that's just fine with me.

I can swim laps for an hour without stopping and I do so regularly. I get a chuckle whenever I get a nasty look from someone at the pool because I know (on average) that I will be swimming at least twice as long as they do.

I've been fat for 40 years, I've accepted it for 10. It seems reasonable that I could expect to be treated with dignity and not humiliated when I do normal everyday things (like swimming or eating an ice cream sundae while on vacation). Sadly there are ignorant people out there who think differently. Happily I've learned to not even notice them!

 

[mpls_mm]

Unless you are 4 feet tall, 140 lbs is *not* "pretty heavy".

I don't think you can say what is pretty heavy to one person for the same reason I don't call someone else out for what is comfortable for them. 140 is heavy on me and does not look good, it looks the way 180 looks on others. It has to do with bone structure and really how you carry it. I totally understand the person that posted that. I am 5'7,I think those charts are crap. I have friends who outweigh me by 50 pounds and look better than I do when I just have an extra 5 pounds. I get to decide what I should weigh, not someone else and not a chart.

 

[LisaZee]

I want to get back to the topic of "fat acceptance".

I always joke that I have the opposite of anorexia. Anorexic women are thin women that look in the mirror and see fat women. I am a pudgy/fat/size 18 woman that looks in the mirror and sees a tiny size 8 hot tamale.

This scares the crap out of me.

Now, I have great self-esteem, always have. I think my stuff doesn't stink - I look GOOD. I buy clothes that I feel fabulous in, parade around in them, flaunt all my assets (tastefully, of course, no "muffin tops" for me! LOL). My husband tells me how beautiful I am, how proud he is to have me as his arm candy. I tell myself how hot I am (not convince myself, I truly believe it.) Yes, I lose weight for special occasions - my wedding, my brother's wedding where I was a bridesmaid, my Disney trip (occasions where there are pictures to be hung on the wall) - but I always gain it back (and then some) because I honestly am not unhappy being pudgy.

And I continue to eat fried chicken.

I hate to say it, but I almost WISH the spouse would say, "You know, I'd like you to lose some weight. I'd be more attracted to you if you did." Now, before you tell me I am setting some kind of acceptance movement back 20 years, let me tell you that of course I don't want my husband to love me conditionally. But sometimes I wish he'd jolt me into seeing what I'm sure everyone else around me sees - an overweight, size 18/20 Lane Bryant shopper with a dun-lap belly. Sometimes I get a glimpse of it - can you say "swimsuit shopping" - but it passes and the self-esteem kicks back in. I am back to size 8 tamale-ness PD and Q.

You know, I can't win. If I got flack for being pudgy (and I honestly never have, I've never felt judged - unless you count my mom and I'm sure any of you ladies can relate to being judged by your mom, no matter what size! ) then I'd be miserable and cry that it's not fair to judge someone based on their size. But I get no flack and therefore no outside stimulus to change my ways. Don't leave it up to me, I'm a size 8 and fabulous, remember?

You know, I added up all the weight I have gained and lost, just since I met the spouse. My motto has always been "go big or go home" so when I lose weight, I lose BIG, but then I gain big. I figure I have gained and lost about 250 of the same pounds. I'm no doctor, nor do I play one on TV, but that CAN'T be good. (And as a side note, I truly think it has caused my dun-lap belly.)

So what's the answer? Stop trying to lose weight cuz I always gain more back than before I lost? Love myself even if it means I may continue to gain weight? Have my husband be repulsed by my touch to propel me to lose the weight permanently? Spend more time with my mother telling me "do you really NEED that piece of fried chicken?" I don't know... But I do know that no one can tell me the answer...

 

[Boston Tea Party]

I would like to think that I am successful in living my life allowing people of all shapes, sizes, and colors to retain their dignity as I believe is everyone's basic human right.

I'll be off now to find the line that is forming to sit by Tina.

 

[Planogirl]

I like to think that everyone is simply doing the best they can. I can't fairly look at people and decide that they're doing something wrong when I don't even know what they have to deal with. People are just people complete with warts and wrinkles and pudgy bodies. It's all good.

Now if they're unhappy with themselves and would like to change, it would be nice if there was more actual help available. I don't see how criticism and looking down on people helps them one bit.

 

[smidgy]

I have also sat in airline seats in which the person next to me has needed a seat belt extender and has attempted to lift the armrest on the seats. I say attempted, because I do not allow the armrest to be raised for obvious reasons. I have paid for my entire seat, and I don't want to share it.

boy, this is a tough subject for me. i have struggled with weight my whole adult life. when I met hubby , I was about 10 pounds over weight. now I am about 30 (40?)pounds over. depends if you ask him or me! I am 5'8" and weigh about 190. when we divorced, I got down to about 145. I only ate one meal in the middle of the day. and lots of veggies, etc.. now that we are Remarried , he is a meat and potato man. we eat our meal in front of the TV (watch a movie, etc) later at night, then go to bed. BAD> BAD. and he HATES veggies, so I make meatlaof and mashed potatos, etc. NO incentive to make ""healthful" meals.
and. believe me, he hates that I was chunky(ok, FAT, 200) when we split up, lost tons of weight when we were apart, then gained weight after we remarried. (like it was a conspiracy! ) we got back together after a trip to disney, and I looked REALLY GOOD in that bathing suit! and, I did gain a lot of weight back after we remarried. (that was NOT the reason for our breakup AT ALL!) true, I HATE exercising!!!! I admit it! I DID suggest we buy bicylces (since we live about 4 blocks away from a beautiful bike path along a river), but they're pricey, and there's no where to keep them in a town house. (as you can tell, I TOTALLY understand "weight" issues)
wow! am I getting off track here! I guess my point here is I KNOW how hard it can be to lose weight. I should make corn dogs and french fries for him, and chicken breast with asparagus for me?

I TOTALY commiserate(?) with overweight people... really.

but, I also have a stupid claustrophobia thing on airplanes. I have obese friends (like 300 pounds or more). just like there is a weight limit on the SEGWAY tours at disney, and at Cedar Point in Ohio, "tryout seats" for the roller coasters, there ARE certain limitations. NOT discriminatory, just based on physical limitations.
sorry to offend anyone, but I REALLY, REALLY want my WHOLE seat on an airplane. I paid for it. and I want an arm rest. the last time we flew, I had HALF a seat.
I paid for a WHOLE seat. and flying makes me TOTALLY claustrophobic.
we went to a concert, and I paid just as much as the 300+ pound man next to me, but I did NOT enjoy the $60 concert ticket I paid for cause I really didn't have a SEAT! by the end of the concert, I was SO cramped, I was literally in pain. there was NO room for my legs, I was practically sitting on hubby's lap! I kept PRAYING for intermission! my $60 seat was wasted.
now, is it discriminatory (or politically incorrect?) for me to expect to enjoy the concert? (that I PAID for?) or the same on the airplane. should I have said, "ok, you have 'special needs' because you are overweight (and I understand your plight) so I'll just make due with HALF a seat, when I am claustrophobic already?
I really don't care WHY you weigh that much. I'm SURE you are a very nice person and have struggled with weight issues all your life. maybe it is a medical issue. I have NO predjudice against you. BUT, I STILL want the WHOLE seat I PAID for.

 

[sjaakie]

It would've been nice if people treated ME as nice as they treated my pretty little sister. They didn't. Was it acceptable to mistreat me when I did NOT self inflict my malady on myself? Maybe to some it was just fine.

 

[Par8hed]

But they are not affecting your health.

Shame on you, Dawn and Todd&Copper for trying to humiliate overweight people on planes, buses, whatever. On my recent trip to Oklahoma to see my oldest DD yes, I did have to get the extension seat belt to fit over my stomach, and yes I did raise the arm rest. No I don't overflow into any one else's seat but I can rest assure you Dawn, I WOULD get that arm rest up, like it or not.

OK I'm not taking sides here one way or another; but how is it possible that you need to raise the arm rest yet don't overflow into the adjacent seat?

I'd think you either fit in your allotted space or you don't.

 

[Par8hed]

(QUOTE)I TOTALY commiserate(?) with overweight people... really.

but, I also have a stupid claustrophobia thing on airplanes. I have obese friends (like 300 pounds or more). just like there is a weight limit on the SEGWAY tours at disney, and at Cedar Point in Ohio, "tryout seats" for the roller coasters, there ARE certain limitations. NOT discriminatory, just based on physical limitations.
sorry to offend anyone, but I REALLY, REALLY want my WHOLE seat on an airplane. I paid for it. and I want an arm rest. the last time we flew, I had HALF a seat.
I paid for a WHOLE seat. and flying makes me TOTALLY claustrophobic.
we went to a concert, and I paid just as much as the 300 pound man next to me, but I did NOT enjoy the $60 concert ticket I paid for cause I really didn't have a SEAT! by the end of the concert, I was SO cramped, I was literally in pain. there was NO room for my legs, I was practically sitting on hubby's lap! I kept PRAYING for intermission! my $60 seat was wasted.
now, is it discriminatory (or politically incorrect?) for me to expect to enjoy the concert? (that I PAID for?) or the same on the airplane. should I have said, "ok, you have 'special needs' because you are overweight (and I understand your plight) so I'll just make due with HALF a seat, when I am claustrophobic already?
I really don't care WHY you weigh that much. I'm SURE you are a very nice person and have struggled with weight issues all your life. maybe it is a medical issue. I have NO predjudice against you. BUT, I STILL want the WHOLE seat I PAID for.[/QUOTE]

I find it pretty hard to argue against any of these sentiments.

 

[Carly_Roach]

Bottom line: what part of me am I taking with me when I leave this worldly experience? What part of me do I have with me no matter WHAT my exterior body looks like? What part of me am I going to have forever?

That's the part I'm going to put the most work into because that's the part I have to live with for eternity.

Hint: it ain't this fleshy human vehicle that I use to get around town with.

 

[MushyMushy]

I really don't care WHY you weigh that much. I'm SURE you are a very nice person and have struggled with weight issues all your life. maybe it is a medical issue. I have NO predjudice against you. BUT, I STILL want the WHOLE seat I PAID for.

I didn't want to quote your whole post, but I get what you're saying -- I totally do. Since you brought it up much more nicely than some others did, I wanted to respond. I feel the same way in fact about the whole seat issue, even though I'm obese myself (size 22 to give you an idea). There is nothing worse than being cramped up in tight quarters and having someone impinge on your space. The last time I flew on a plane with Southwest, I bought two seats despite the fact that I don't need a seatbelt extender and fit nicely between the armrests. I just didn't want to take any chances. I'm big, my husband's big, and can you imagine if they would have put a big person in the seats with us?

I had an issue on the flight home where someone got nasty with me because he wanted that empty seat.

Can you imagine in sold out concerts or sporting events what would happen if there were empty seats? The obese person just wouldn't be able to win -- there'd be no sitting there in peace, he'd be fighting people off left and right.

What's the right answer to this? I don't know. As I said, there's just no winning for the obese -- at all. If venues or transportation companies started making larger seats, there'd be an outcry about that. If obese people bought two seats, there'd be comments about that. Don't kid yourself that it wouldn't happen. The only thing that would make a lot of people happy would be for the obese person to just disappear.

How do you think it makes them/us feel? It doesn't exactly inspire one to do their best to get fit and look good, does it? It's hard enough losing weight and getting in shape when you feel good about yourself, but downright impossible when filled with self-doubt and loathing.

 

[MushyMushy]

Why are so many of the quotes messed up in this thread? It's hard to see who said what.