How do you honestly feel about over weight people

[Blue Phoenix]

Again luckey you dident anser me would you like your dignity removed in such a way?? If you were in a overweight persons shoes?? I mean people whould see you as unhealthey how would you feel if some one you dident even know came up to in publick and called you a whale or any other sterrio typical insult??

[Kamille]

I would hate to interupt your strolling reverie, Kamille, but you might want to give it a thought at some point. The current obesity epidemic will have the same huge financial and social cost that we have seen from drugs, smoking and alcohol. If it didn't matter - "humans are humans" - then why the current effort to change kid's habits by offering healthier choices in schools, etc. It has less to with personal dignity and more to do with personal responsibility...

 

Mr. Lucky

 

Reverie? First of all if we are talking about an epidemic then we need to stop blaming individuals and assess what the root causes in North America are. My theory is that it's a mix result of industrialisation, agro-business (of which fast food chains) and the emergence of a market of empty calories.

 

Obesity has been on the rise since the 60s in North America, just as the wage divide has started rising and the working class is investing more hours into less pay in the face of rising inflation. There is less time to take time and cook a good meal. But fortunately, we have frozen products and fast foods.

 

Simultaneously, in the 1920s american agro business introduced a lot of new 'progressive' food technologies (the availability of white slice bread is an example) which stripped foods of their nutritional value while making them readily and cheaply available.

 

Trans-fat is, according to a lot of studies, the leading cause of heart diseases. Not so much obesity per se, but the kinds of food that contribute to obesity. Up until three years ago, it was present in almost all packaged foods.

 

The 90s reaction to the emergence of the obesisy pendemic? More 'empty' but low-fat diet foods.

 

Only now are we seeing 'whole weat' frozen pizzas and healthy choice menus emerge on the fast-food markets.

 

The job now is educating people on how to make healthy choices, not blaming them for living in a society of empty calories. And certainly not making generalising statements about all bigger people as if their bigger weight are all the results of the same processes. Like I have said, I do know people who are bigger who also eat very well and whos medical test show them to be healthy. I also know people for whom this is not the case.

 

I hate to think that we are blaming individuals for what is clearly a systemic problem.

[RecordProducer]

Really also if you think about it the smoking comparason is a good one I mean they must cost the health system near what obese people do yet when was the last time you saw or herd some one call a smoker a whale or any comment along those lines?? No you dont you hear people trying to talk to them civily conserning it why becasue they dont look diffrent then any one else..

I am glad you mentioned smoking. The majority of non-smokers openly admit that they would NEVER date a smoker. While the element of polluting the environment is present in smoking and not in obesity, I can only imagine what would happen if somebody stated in front of you that they wouldn't date an obese person. You would call him narrow-minded. I might be disgusted by kissing an obese man, just like I might be disgusted by someone who has some ugly illness (e.g. severe mental disorder) or simply unattractive. However, the two latter men are not at fault for being "disgusting" to me. You asked for a personal opinion - I will repeat again that EVERYONE deserves respect by default, but intimately I find obesity disgusting - and it's usually the "victim's" fault.

 

My father says "What one tells - a hundred people THINK." One out of hundred people will tell you in the face how disgusted they are by your weight, but the other 99 will only THINK and not say it. Instead of trying to change everyone's "narrow" mind, perhaps you should change yours and lose weight.

 

Actually many people look cute even though they are big (e.g. Aretha Franklin or Oprah), but many people do look as if they're retarded (e.g. Rosie O'Donnell). Most of the time we just can't put the image of a huge fat ball and sharp mind in the same frame. It's like seeing a woman with bleached hair, huge boobs, and lots of make-up on her face, dressed like a slut introducing herself as the dean of a medical school - those two just don't go together, even though Christina Aguillera or Madonna might look both pretty and smart while dressed like that.

 

While there are those obese people who do over eat on reg base lease do not automatickly asume I am one of them. You are not at my dinner table every night so I feel you realy have no solid base to make such statments and honeslty I feel insulted at the continued suggestion of it..

Your excessive weight didn't pile up from eating lettuce. You can't persuade me that you count your calories, know the amount of calories in every item you eat, and don't' exceed the limit. Be honest to yourself: find healthy daily menu suggestions online and compare them to what you eat every day. Let me guess: you won't even bother, cuzs you eat good food, right? Overweight people are in strong denial of how much fattening food they consume.

 

its not always as easy as it seams and I'm sure you would love being called a whale even if you were trying to lose it.

So it has to be EASY?! See, that very attitude prevents you from gaining respect from others - people don't have much understanding for those who want it easy in their lives. It's not that difficult to cut down the fries and the cookies and eat healthier food in small meals. Going to school and studying is also not easy so don't expect from people to consider you educated if you're a high-school drop-out. In this world we have more respect for those who managed to overcome the difficulty and resolve the problem or achieve their goals; we don't have respect for those who take the road of least resistance. You gave up your dignity when you decided that food is more important than looking good, feeling good, being healthy, and being active. It's just food, for God's sake!

 

I've seen programs were people who would normaly slam obese people were made to wear a fat suit and go out in publick and belive me they came back with a much diffrent outlook on there treatment of us and usualy in tears from the way they were treats as second class humans if that..

Well if it hurts so much to be looked down at then why don't you come on the other side of the fence? Apparently it doesn't hurt as much as depriving yourself from the desert!

[Kamille]

RP, please stop using the word retarded. It's offensive. I think it so 99 other people must think so too.

[RecordProducer]

RP, please stop using the word retarded. It's offensive. I think it so 99 other people must think so too.

I like how you used that quotation in your context. It was really bright and I guess you're right.

 

OK, I'll stop saying it... but not thinking it.

[erika2610]

The fat ball comment was pretty offensive too, RP. I think with you, it'd more about looks than health, IMO.

[RecordProducer]

The fat ball comment was pretty offensive too, RP. I think with you, it'd more about looks than health, IMO.

I am glad you keep reading my posts meticulously, Erika. A fat ball is a ball made of fat, which implies that the obese person has massive layers of fat tissue of spheric shape that surround their bones. Was that closer to the truth?

 

I can't believe I have to explain and some people can't understand why I am turned off by obesity. Without the offensive comments toward others, I'd put it this way: It would be a real nightmare for me if I woke up obese one day. Losing weight would be an emergency. When you say "looks" it implies that I have something against unattractive people. But thta's not the case. Obesity is grotesque and horrific. Sorry, but in Europe you wouldn't have to explain these matters. It's the fact that obese people are so prevalent here why calling fat people "fat" became a tabboo.

[alphamale]

Sorry, but in Europe you wouldn't have to explain these matters. It's the fact that obese people are so prevalent here why calling fat people "fat" became a tabboo.

I would agree there are much fewer obese people in Europe, Asia and Africa.

[Kamille]

I like how you used that quotation in your context. It was really bright and I guess you're right.

 

OK, I'll stop saying it... but not thinking it.

 

Thanks for taking this on RP! I seriously think your points might come across better if you manage to avoid all deregatory language (such as fat ball and such).

[erika2610]

I am glad you keep reading my posts meticulously, Erika. A fat ball is a ball made of fat, which implies that the obese person has massive layers of fat tissue of spheric shape that surround their bones. Was that closer to the truth?

 

I can't believe I have to explain and some people can't understand why I am turned off by obesity. Without the offensive comments toward others, I'd put it this way: It would be a real nightmare for me if I woke up obese one day. Losing weight would be an emergency. When you say "looks" it implies that I have something against unattractive people. But thta's not the case. Obesity is grotesque and horrific. Sorry, but in Europe you wouldn't have to explain these matters. It's the fact that obese people are so prevalent here why calling fat people "fat" became a tabboo.

 

RP, I can understand why you're turned off by obesity. Alot of people are. The problem here is your deragotory comments do nothing to help anybody. All they do is offend some people.

[lindya]

Hers a little hint RP your not in europe any more or what ever backwards hicks vile ingorant laden hole you came from.

 

Lovely. Insulting anyone who doesn't happen to come from the US is a really sophisticated way of making your point.

 

What's the point of this thread anyway? You're morbidly obese, and you don't think there's anything wrong with that. That's up to you...but what do you want from posters on this board? A medal? Roses? A polite round of applause?

 

Or maybe just a great big juicy burger with everything on it and an extra large helping of fries would be appreciation enough?

[alphamale]

Or maybe just a great big juicy burger with everything on it and an extra large helping of fries would be appreciation enough?

don't forget the triple cheese and extra mayo

[alphamale]

well BP it has been made quite apparent to me that since you cannot get any attention in real life you are attempting to get it here. and you're doing a good job.

 

also you are doing nothing to reduce the stereotype that obese people are angry at the world

[lindya]

so dont sit there on your high horse and hurl insults at me thanks verry much. What ever all you have done is prove your ingorant as well..

 

I must admit I do like to sharpen my spear and ingore annoying people - and you're certainly an extremely annoying individual.

 

Why don't you do something a little more productive with all that rage you're feeling at the world. A nice, healthy 5 mile walk will do you the world of good. You mentioned horses - well yes. I do like to sit on my high horse. You should try it - horse-riding is great for the stomach muscles, and it's hard to ride and eat at the same time.

 

Or if all that sounds a little bit too difficult, just take that enormous chip off your shoulder (throw it away, eat it...whatever's easiest for you) and people will probably stop being mean.

[Crazy4K]

Hey, we provide warmth in the winter and shade in the summer!

 

I am overweight, and I honestly think that we need to serious about our problem before it's too late. Trust me, if you don't take some weight off you'll end up with health problems when you get older--been there, done that, got the XXXL T-shirt.

 

I have lost a significant amount of weight in the last year. I have hit a plateau the last few months, but I will get the rest of this unhealthy fat off my body! I'm tired of feeling 20 years older than I am. I'm tired of having to take high blood pressure medication. I'm tired of having to take antidepressants because of the depression the extra weight caused. I'm tired of the painful arthritis it has caused. I'm tired of not being able to do things that I enjoy. I'm tired of wearing ugly underwear. Get the picture?

 

Twenty years ago, I didn't think the extra weight I carried would cause me to have health problems. Boy do I feel stupid now . . . and tired. Did I mention that I am tired?

[lindya]

I have lost a significant amount of weight in the last year. I have hit a plateau the last few months, but I will get the rest of this unhealthy fat off my body!

 

Congratulations on working so hard to tackle this. It's really heartening to read a post from someone who is actually saying "I have this problem, and I'm dealing with it. I've made a lot of headway in addressing it - but I'm not done yet."

[Tony]

This thread asked for honest answers. That did not mean getting personal, writing personal comments about others, writing personal attacks, getting personal messages going back and forth.

 

This is a good topic but, unfortunately, one that always draws out the passion in people. "Fat" is a stimulating topic that brings out the sensitivities in many people - thin or curvy.

 

Please keep this thread on topic, comment without getting personal or addressing specific posters and simply give your own "honest opinion" about obesity and overweight people which was called for in the first post. If you can't do that, please don't post on this thread.

 

If more mean spirited, personal attacks follow, this thread will be deleted for editing and will be unavailable to members for a while.

[pricillia]

I believe that Overweight people are still deserving of love and compassion just like anyone else.

 

 

It is scary when it gets past a certian point though

[lindya]

This threat asked for honest answers. That did not mean getting personal, writing personal comments about others, writing personal attacks, getting personal messages going back and forth.

 

This is a good topic but, unfortunately, one that always draws out the passion in people. "Fat" is a stimulating topic that brings out the sensitivities in many people - thin or curvy.

 

Okay - that's fair. I think like a lot of sensitive issues, people get heated because they sense social/political/group pressure to adopt a certain stance which they instinctively protest against.

 

As briefly and non-contentiously as I can, my honest view would be this: Some people carry a bit of extra weight quite well, and it suits them. There's a kind of "I like to drink wine with dinner a few evenings a week, and I don't believe in skipping dessert" level of being overweight that suggests good-living and a laid back approach to life. Curviness in a woman, the well-fed look in a man. That can look quite appealing

 

In this thread we seem to be talking about obesity where people are double

the normal weight for their height. I'm not sure what's being asked of us. If it's simply a case of not rushing up to obese people in the street, prodding them in the stomachs and yelling "What ho, fatty! No more sticky toffee pudding for you for a while!" then I'm happy to oblige.

 

If it's a case of pretending (for the sake of seeming like a nice person) that I never make any kind of judgement about a person on the basis of their obesity, I won't oblige. I wouldn't take on a secretary who was 100 pounds overweight. I'd be worried about her taking time off sick, and I'd also wonder if whatever issues had led to her becoming that size would also start interfering with her work or creating tensions within the staff team.

 

If someone had been very overweight at some stage, and had tackled it - that would be a very different matter. I respect people who recognise their problems then do something about them. I just can't feel supportive towards anyone who makes destructive, unhealthy choices and insists that others should stick to reassuring and validating them for making those choices.

[enoughisenough]

I recently visited L.A. again, as well as S.D., and verified a marked difference between NorCal and SoCal figures. So I can’t imagine what I’d see in the MidWest!!

 

 

Try a little bit further north- say OREGON and for the midwest try INDIANA... those two states I've seen the biggest people in.

[enoughisenough]

I don't have any problem with fat people,but as of late they have been trying to get privileges for being able to stuff their face all day long. Not to mention all the interviews and shows they get paid for on how they need help!

Being on disability because you live a sedentary lifestyle and can't control your eating habits? That crosses the line! What happens when you continue to REWARD people for their POOR habits/choices? It will just increase and get out of control. If there were these types of REWARDS for being thin, more people would think think twice before stuffing their face.

[alphamale]

it makes me angry that certain grossly obese people are applying for, and getting, permits to park in handicapper parking spots. These people need more exercise and now they legally get to park in the best spots right next to the place of business. I rarely see people in wheelchairs using these spots....its usually obese people who get winded walking 5 feet.

[Mr. Lucky]

Reverie? First of all if we are talking about an epidemic then we need to stop blaming individuals and assess what the root causes in North America are. My theory is that it's a mix result of industrialisation, agro-business (of which fast food chains) and the emergence of a market of empty calories.

You make some good points Kamille, but only identify one side of the story. Better food distribution means that one can get fresh fruit and vegetables year-round, regardless of what is grown locally. Healthy options at fast food chains mean that one can grab a snack on the run without resorting to "empty calories". The wide availability of organically sourced foods means one can choose products without pesticides or hormones. To blame "agro-business" for an individual's inability to make good choices just reinforces the victim mentality rampant today. Can't resist porn? Not your fault, you're a sex addict. Can't resist food? You must be a victim of the "industrialzed agro-business market of empty calories".

 

Mr. Lucky

[RecordProducer]

I am overweight, and I honestly think that we need to serious about our problem before it's too late. Trust me, if you don't take some weight off you'll end up with health problems when you get older--been there, done that, got the XXXL T-shirt.

 

I have lost a significant amount of weight in the last year. I have hit a plateau the last few months, but I will get the rest of this unhealthy fat off my body! I'm tired of feeling 20 years older than I am.

Hip hip hurray for Crazy4K! :bunny: Congratulations! Just never forget that it's easier to put the weight back on that lose it again. Good luck!

 

I believe that Overweight people are still deserving of love and compassion just like anyone else

They are loved by their mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, other relatives, friends... and sometimes by their spouses or boyfriends... this is not about love, this is about praise! They want praise for their lyfestyle and if you call it the right name - it's offensive!

 

it makes me angry that certain grossly obese people are applying for, and getting, permits to park in handicapper parking spots. These people need more exercise and now they legally get to park in the best spots right next to the place of business. I rarely see people in wheelchairs using these spots....its usually obese people who get winded walking 5 feet.

Why do YOU need to park close? You're laughing at them for not wanting to walk more than 5 feet so that YOU could have the spot? Sorry, but you're not making sense. I always park further from the entrance, cuz it's good to walk and less chances for some idiot driver to scratch your car - cuz it's emptier.

 

Frankly, I think obese people ARE handicapped... not only in their ability to walk.

[hotgurl]

Okay - that's fair. I think like a lot of sensitive issues, people get heated because they sense social/political/group pressure to adopt a certain stance which they instinctively protest against.

 

As briefly and non-contentiously as I can, my honest view would be this: Some people carry a bit of extra weight quite well, and it suits them. There's a kind of "I like to drink wine with dinner a few evenings a week, and I don't believe in skipping dessert" level of being overweight that suggests good-living and a laid back approach to life. Curviness in a woman, the well-fed look in a man. That can look quite appealing

 

In this thread we seem to be talking about obesity where people are double

the normal weight for their height. I'm not sure what's being asked of us. If it's simply a case of not rushing up to obese people in the street, prodding them in the stomachs and yelling "What ho, fatty! No more sticky toffee pudding for you for a while!" then I'm happy to oblige.

 

If it's a case of pretending (for the sake of seeming like a nice person) that I never make any kind of judgement about a person on the basis of their obesity, I won't oblige. I wouldn't take on a secretary who was 100 pounds overweight. I'd be worried about her taking time off sick, and I'd also wonder if whatever issues had led to her becoming that size would also start interfering with her work or creating tensions within the staff team.

 

If someone had been very overweight at some stage, and had tackled it - that would be a very different matter. I respect people who recognise their problems then do something about them. I just can't feel supportive towards anyone who makes destructive, unhealthy choices and insists that others should stick to reassuring and validating them for making those choices.

 

as always lindya eloquantly said. I 100% agree with you.