The Fat Debate

One correction--the show I talked about in my last post is actually called, "The Price of Beauty." And I lied. I want to be thin, now! Just like all you other little brats. I'm sick of suffocating in my own skin.

I had the chance to watch a Dr. Phil episode which featured two sides of what he called "The Fat Debate." One side featured three ladies all 300+ who were on the "Fat" side, and the lightweights, including Jillian Michaels, on the side of "Thin." So what is the debate--you are either fat or thin, right? Wrong! The big girls argued that there is too much prejudice against fat people, in fact, one lady is the chairwoman of an organization called "Promoting Fat Awareness," something like that. They said the thin folks (on the other side of the argument) had no right to assume fat people were lazy, unhealthy, or disgusting--fat has much more to do with genetics than people will admit. You can imagine what the skinny side had to say. The bald man, personal trainer like Jillian, sported a muscle Tee that said "No Chubbies." The Fatties went crazy over that one. He has a very unique training method--He takes his victims into the torture chamber--weight room--has them do all sorts of crazy contortions, and if they slack off he throws JUNK FOOD AT THEM. Sign me up!! "Hey fatty, you gettin' tired huh, huh!!? Fine! Then just eat more crap, here take this--Hi-YA, and THAT--HEEYAA," and I open my mouth to catch the flying Twinkies--perfect!! This guy argued that fat people make themselves that way and deserve no sympathy from him or the rest of society. If you have to buy two airplane tickets, fine-- your fault for being fat, he argued. He also said that the big girls didn't do themselves any good playing the victim card.

While I understand where the big girls are coming from, I don't think it is ever healthy to play the victim card. Disclaimer!!! I am not talking about people with severe mental, emotional, or medical disabilities. More people with the attitude, "I am this way because of a, b, or c, NOT because of anything I can control." One thing that really helped me lose was being honest with myself. Sort of being my own drill-sergeant. "Hey you! You ate and sat your way into this, so you must walk, run, or jog your way out." It was kind of liberating actually--to realize that I had control over my future. Part of me wanted to say "This is how I am, take me or leave me" and ignore my weight issues. But when I first started seeing results I realized that I have the power to become something better and stronger. In this way, I think that being "Fat" is more of a mental block people put on themselves than a real physical problem that keeps them from losing weight. I had to get over the mental hurdles of changing. I wasn't supposed to go to the gym--fat people don't go to the gym. I wasn't supposed to eat healthy, I am a pig. I can't wear anything but baggy clothes--I am ugly. Just a few of the jumps I had to overcome in the beginning.

This debate had too much talk about dieting and less about lifestyle. I have never in my life successfully completed a diet and maintained the weight loss. So I sat down with myself and said, "I am going to lose weight for real this time, so no dieting." Instead I made a few CONSISTANT changes in my life that I knew I could handle. I cannot quit eating sweats, so I still eat them. I would have a mental breakdown without bread, so it is still in my diet. But I exercise 6 days a week, no questions asked--something I have never been able to do until now. I felt like the big girls just accepted their "Fatness" after failing years of diets. I wish I could shake them and say, "You can lose weight without dieting!" Small changes, a little at a time, lead to better habits, better habits lead to better choices, better choices lead to weight loss--and it doesn't happen overnight.

Lastly, I don't think it is ever appropriate to treat someone with disrespect. Part of being a mature, well-adjusted human being is learning to live respectfully with people who are different--even, FAT! Don't judge a book by its cover. "That's just something fat people say." Hahaha, but really if an adult is making fun of another person because of their size, he or she needs a wake-up call, not the fatty. I know I make fun of myself all the time, but that works for me, it helps me laugh off the outside pressures and just continue on course. But I will never in my life, ever, make comments about another fat person again. It is a very lonely, difficult place to be, and meanness never helps anything. So what do you guys think? Do fat people deserve their plight? Is there too much prejudice against large people? Tell me everything, and again, thanks, without this blog I would be 20 pounds heavier loathing is self pity.