Overweight people.....

[DizBelle]

If you are beautiful no matter what you look like and you should learn to love and accept your size whatever it is, why do we contratulate and praise people who have acheived weight loss?

If you think it is so wonderful that they lost weight, aren't you saying that they were somehow "inferior" or "not as good" when they were heavier?

 

[3boymthr]

I am just in the process of beginning to lose weight. Yes, I can look good at no matter what weight I am at, but I want to lose weight for me, because I want to be healthier. You are congratulating them because of following thru on the choice they made.

 

[OceanAnnie]

If you are beautiful no matter what you look like and you should learn to love and accept your size whatever it is, why do we contratulate and praise people who have acheived weight loss?

If you think it is so wonderful that they lost weight, aren't you saying that they were somehow "inferior" or "not as good" when they were heavier?

I don't think so. It's wonderful for someone to achieve their personal goals. Congratulating/encouraging a person for achieving his or her goals is a good thing.

 

[ZellyB]

Yikes. That's a loaded question.

I would congratulate someone on weight loss assuming it was a goal they had and one that required them to work hard on it. Thus deserving of praise and congratulations.

 

[IdesOmarch]

No, but big weight problems are also a health issue. Its not just that people generally look better thin than fat. It also depends, a few pounds over weight is generally no big deal, morbidly obese at 100 LBs plus over weight, is a big deal. Its not only a big potential problem health wise, but its natural to think this does not look good on anyone. Not that people should be shuned or made fun of, but they should do everything in their power to lose weight if it has become that much of a problem IMO.

 

[5lilfish]

If you are beautiful no matter what you look like and you should learn to love and accept your size whatever it is, why do we contratulate and praise people who have acheived weight loss?

If you think it is so wonderful that they lost weight, aren't you saying that they were somehow "inferior" or "not as good" when they were heavier?

If they are trying to lose weight (for whatever reason...more energy, healthy problems, personal feelings about their appearance), you are congratulating them on their accomplishment. It has nothing to do with how 'good' they were before or how 'good' they are now. You set out to lose weight and you accomplished your goal...congratulations!

Jess

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Although one should always feel comfortable being themselves, being overweight is not something one should necessarily be proud of. With being overweight comes health problems and in general a much shorter life span.

I think its a great thing to celebrate someone losing weight, not so much for the physical attribute of looking thinner, but for the health benefits!

 

[wvjules]

So you shouldn't congratulate someone for their weight loss?

The world is becoming too freakin complicated!

 

[disneychic2]

I agree that it's what is inside that counts. The congrats are as other posters have said, to encourage someone who has set a goal for themselves. It's very difficult to lose weight and if someone has worked hard and is on their way, it is good to support them in any way we can all along the way. We all do better with a little affirmation in our lives!

 

[Art 1]

If you are beautiful no matter what you look like and you should learn to love and accept your size whatever it is, why do we contratulate and praise people who have acheived weight loss?

If you think it is so wonderful that they lost weight, aren't you saying that they were somehow "inferior" or "not as good" when they were heavier?

Maybe, but they are much less healthier and probably not as happy so in a way they would be better with the weight off. Also loosing weight is very difficult and takes a strong willed person. So why not congratulate someone when they have lost weight?

 

[Hoodie]

I don't think so. It's wonderful for someone to achieve their personal goals. Congratulating/encouraging a person for achieving his or her goals is a good thing.

Yup!

Whether the goal is weight loss, or a degree, a new job, or even saving for a new car, it doesn't mean the person was not as good before they obtained their goal.

 

[disney_mommy]

That is an interesting question, but I think OceanAnnie nailed it when she said that you're congratulating them for setting a goal and achieving it. It's not necessarily saying "you're better now that you've lost weight," you're saying "good job on reaching your goal."

 

[Hendo22]

I let myself get out of control and was up to 420 pounds. My doctoer made a difficult decision for me. She made me call a a weight-loss surgeon and set up an appointment. It has changed my life and I have in the last year lost a total of 160 pounds (still losing). I thought that would end the constant ridicule I received because of my body size. But now I get people telling me I took the easy way out with my surgery. That really bothers me when I hear it because it has been a rough struggle for me both physically and mentally to change habits and exercise. I have just concluded that people will always comment on me and I just let it slide because I know I am in a better place

 

[Agri]

If you are beautiful no matter what you look like and you should learn to love and accept your size whatever it is, why do we contratulate and praise people who have acheived weight loss?

If you think it is so wonderful that they lost weight, aren't you saying that they were somehow "inferior" or "not as good" when they were heavier?

Same reason we congratulate people on getting a raise at work, for getting engaged, etc. Its not saying: You were inferior until you got a raise, found a SO, etc. It IS saying "congratulations on this positive change in your life."

If complimenting someone on losing weight is saying that they were inferior before the weight loss, we wouldn't be able to compliment anyone on anything because even saying "I like your shoes" would imply that the person's feet are ugly bare and that the shoes they were wearing yesterday that you didn't compliment were awful, too.

 

[tlbwriter]

I think it's nice to congratulate anyone who achieves a goal. It's not up to me to decide whether that particular goal was valid or not. (Well, within reason... I'm not going to congratulate anyone on a successful crime. )

 

[DizBelle]

Same reason we congratulate people on getting a raise at work, for getting engaged, etc. Its not saying: You were inferior until you got a raise, found a SO, etc. It IS saying "congratulations on this positive change in your life."

If complimenting someone on losing weight is saying that they were inferior before the weight loss, we wouldn't be able to compliment anyone on anything because even saying "I like your shoes" would imply that the person's feet are ugly bare and that the shoes they were wearing yesterday that you didn't compliment were awful, too.

I know. Sometimes I think that I think too much.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

I agree that it's what is inside that counts. The congrats are as other posters have said, to encourage someone who has set a goal for themselves. It's very difficult to lose weight and if someone has worked hard and is on their way, it is good to support them in any way we can all along the way. We all do better with a little affirmation in our lives!

 

[luvsJack]

I let myself get out of control and was up to 420 pounds. My doctoer made a difficult decision for me. She made me call a a weight-loss surgeon and set up an appointment. It has changed my life and I have in the last year lost a total of 160 pounds (still losing). I thought that would end the constant ridicule I received because of my body size. But now I get people telling me I took the easy way out with my surgery. That really bothers me when I hear it because it has been a rough struggle for me both physically and mentally to change habits and exercise. I have just concluded that people will always comment on me and I just let it slide because I know I am in a better place

Congratulations on that weight loss! I know how hard it is to accomplish that goal. And like this thread is saying you are a great person at 420 lbs, at 260 lbs and you will be when you reach your goal. Just know that you are worth every bit of the effort you are putting in!

I am sorry about the people that are saying anything about you or that you "took the easy way" (which just goes to show they have no clue what they are talking about). I don't know what makes people think they have to say things like that.--they must be very small minded indeed.

 

[ols386]

I think we congratulate those who lose weight for at least a couple of reasons:

More than likely if you are not overweight, your chances of being healthy are increased.

Losing weight is such a difficult thing to do and requires a lot of work and determination. So when someone does lose weight and/or reaches their goal, why not recognize them for this great accomplishment.

 

[BeefJerky]

I think its more about someone reaching the goal then anything.

I actually had a friend who was beautiful no matter what, overweight or thin it didn't matter. Well, she put a plan to lose weight and was doing ok and then she tearfully calls me up to tell me that when she talked to her grandmother about her goals her grandmother said "Oh! You are losing weight! Good! You used to be beautiful when you were thin."