The 'Fat Acceptance' Movement

[jay1983]

There's already a ... ton ... of BBW porn.

 

forgive me for this terrible pun.

 

Have you actually seen it? The girls are just a few pounds overweight.

[whirl3daway]

Have you actually seen it? The girls are just a few pounds overweight.

 

I was just tryin' to... lighten the mood!

 

but yes - I have seen plenty of BBW porn with actual BBWs.

[jay1983]

I was just tryin' to... lighten the mood!

 

but yes - I have seen plenty of BBW porn with actual BBWs.

 

Perv

 

......

[TaraMaiden2]

My point of view the over weight subject was formed by a couple things. I come from a family where all are over-weight to obese with no medical issue attributing to it. Just old fashion bad diet and over eating. After seeing the physical and medical effects that it caused I refuse to be fat. They have always wondered how I stay "skinny". Skinny? No pretty normal Height/Weight proportionate 5'9" 170 lbs. I simply don't eat bad,push away from the table and be active.

 

Secondly what tends to skew my opinion about the self inflicted Fat America I am forced to help pay for it. I see it 1st hand, people now qualifying for Disability being to large to work or medical issues caused by being over weight. It really hits home being a business owner being milked past the hilt by the IRS.

 

People now get to sit at home and receive checks. I get to go to work, earn the money, sign and mail off checks.

 

Seems reasonable!

 

Good post.

I'm not saying this is the case every time, but for many being fat is a choice.

 

I was once told (in jest) that the reason people get fat, is because the hole at *this end* (points to mouth) is bigger than the hole at *this end* (points to rear).

 

This is something I posted on another forum, because someone was asking about the benefits, wisdom or whatever, of fasting.

 

The question asked, was:

 

Do you guys fast? How often? ..... What are the health implications?

 

My response:

 

It very much depends what a person classifies as a fast....

 

Some people consider a small morning meal, followed by an evening light snack, (Such as a clear vegetable broth) to be 'fasting'. Others consider merely drinking water or herbal teas, and nothing else, for 24 hours, to be a fast.

Personally, it's an excellent thing to do.

I actually limit my intake to a pre-determined number of calories (500) two days a week. And they're 'healthy' calories; vegetables and/or proteins...

 

I am a dedicated fan of what has been termed 'The Fast Diet' - but not 'fast' as in speed, but fast as in restricted intake. (I think it's classified as a commercial link, so 'google' the fast diet, with no spaces, followed by dot co dot uk)

 

And furthermore, I honestly resist calling it a 'diet'. (Even though the two main proponent authors call it that. More for the sake of expediency than accuracy....)

 

It's actually a different way of approaching your food intake.

 

They say it takes 21 days to form a habit, but this isn't actually true: It depends on different factors and different people, but generally, it can take around 2 months. 66 days has been scientifically assessed as a standard period of time for someone to practice a particular behaviour every day, consecutively, until they would miss it if they stopped.

 

So I am 2 weeks into re-educating my body to accept less food; I'm 2 weeks into understanding that feeling 'a little bit hungry' isn't a bad thing. (If I get a hunger pang, I don't respond to it, even by reaching for a 'healthy snack'. I ignore it. To my surprise, it goes away after about 15 minutes. )

 

It's well worth investigating, because it supports a healthy reprogramming of the way we approach food.

Currently, most of us could say that our relationship with food is that we are never hungry.

 

We condition children to eat, whenever they are bored, or need distraction. I would suggest you watch how many children are being fed something - even if it's in a bottle - while they are sitting in their strollers, by parents who would prefer to keep the child in a good mood.

So from a very early age, we are taught that just sitting, doing very little, should be accompanied by our chewing on something. Even watching TV, many adverts push food on us.

 

So fasting seems to be a big thing; a huge step in self-deprivation, a move towards the ultimate sacrifice. Denying ourselves nourishment is seen as some kind of achievement. In fact, there is no recognised religion that DOESN'T at some point, advocate self-denial. Ramadan for Muslims, Yom Kippur for Jewish people, Lent for Christians, and Hindus have Puja days once a week when fasting is recommended....

 

But fasting is something I personally believe we should all incorporate into our habitual lives, as a matter of course. We really should (and again, this honestly is my opinion) develop a new attitude to food, regular intake, and the regime that somehow compels us to always have something at hand, to put into our mouths.

 

That's one habit most definitely worth breaking.....

[Robert Z]

Secondly what tends to skew my opinion about the self inflicted Fat America I am forced to help pay for it. I see it 1st hand, people now qualifying for Disability being to large to work or medical issues caused by being over weight. It really hits home being a business owner being milked past the hilt by the IRS.

 

Yes, the arguments that allow for cigarette taxes can be equally applied to obesity. I support putting a stiff tax on all junk food, soda, fast food, sugar, salt, processed foods... Make being fat due to lifestyle choices expensive. Use that tax to pay for health care.

 

Btw, I once did the math and the results were interesting: According to official sources and using their numbers, I show that you could pay for all smoking-related illnesses with about a $1.25 tax per pack of cigarettes. But the tax is more like $5. So I say continue that theme with crap food. $15 Big Macs should do the trick. It would be a reasonable response to the excessive financial burden that bad eating habits put on the rest of us.

Edited July 10, 2015 by Robert Z

[mightycpa]

Yes, the arguments that allow for cigarette taxes can be equally applied to obesity. I support putting a stiff tax on all junk food, soda, fast food, sugar, salt, processed foods... Make being fat due to lifestyle choices expensive. Use that tax to pay for health care.

 

Btw, I once did the math and the results were interesting: According to official sources and using their numbers, I show that you could pay for all smoking-related illnesses with about a $1.25 tax per pack of cigarettes. But the tax is more like $5. So I say continue that theme with crap food. $15 Big Macs should do the trick. It would be a reasonable response to the excessive financial burden that bad eating habits put on the rest of us.

Wouldn't simply withdrawing free health care accomplish the same thing without making some nicotine-addicted, overweight bureaucrat who's trying to quit smoking and overeating the overlord of how much it costs us to put whatever we want in our bodies?

 

Whatever happened to "it's my body"?

 

Furthermore, even if you don't want to do that, isn't Obamacare and the SCOTUS mandated subsidies now supposed to take care of those costs? Why the double-dipping? I don't trust the government, especially when they can't manage to put together an honest financial statement in over 200 years.

[Keenly]

I think it's a terrible idea to punish the innocent because you don't like the guilty.

 

 

I'm not obese, but I love Dr. Pepper. Why should I be taxed for drinks?

[whirl3daway]

 

I'm not obese, but I love Dr. Pepper. Why should I be taxed for drinks?

 

because dr pepper is gross and you should clearly be drinking mt dew!

[introverted1]

The problem as I see it as that the acceptance movement has two components - appearance and health -- but we're only talking about one for the most part (appearance).

 

In an effort not to "fat shame" anyone, nor insist on a one-size-fits-all beauty standard, it seems we cannot say anything negative about the effects of being overweight, including and especially health issues. Instead, we focus the conversation on unrealistic media images, the need for self- and other-acceptance and even, occasionally the red herring that anorexia is just as damaging as being overweight (which overlooks the fact that only 1% - 4% of women are estimated to be anorexic while a whopping 68/8% of adults are overweight).

 

The reality is that being overweight is unhealthy. The all-cause mortality of overweight people is higher than for non-overweight people. So while we can point out individual cases -- my 200 pound aunt can run 5 miles a day, or whatever -- this does not reverse the statistical reality. It's a bit like pointing out smokers who don't get lung cancer or COPD. Yes, they exist, but the reality is that smoking is a huge risk factor for many diseases. And so is overweight.

[guest569]

I personally know a few Chinese mothers that have told their daughters, "Hey fatty lose some weight." How are you going to get a man being fat ?

 

I am not sure that is the best way to go about it but it beats dancing around the issue .

 

Well, my dad said to me as a skinny 8 yr old with a belly "you're a bit fat", it's not helpful and the negative health impacts can last a lifetime.

[Tayla]

which why when i go into outer space my weight will change:) its all relative to time and space.

 

can anyone confirm how much of their taxes are increased on this matter? what percentage? Mine goes up to help research bombs and pay our rivals or help keep criminals furthering their endeavors... didnt see one on how my taxes or even medical went up on this weight concern.

[Krieger]

I think it's a terrible idea to punish the innocent because you don't like the guilty.

 

 

I'm not obese, but I love Dr. Pepper. Why should I be taxed for drinks?

 

What my state is doing is fair IMO it will no longer allow people on welfare and food stamps buy junk food or fast food.

[PogoStick]

Take any other medical problem. We agree to not stigmatize people with HIV, but do we say it's good to get HIV? Do we give tips on avoiding the disease, and managing it after one has it? Does that mean we are HIV shaming?

 

Medically we already know when obesity is harmful. Hate on BMI all you want but it's scientifically validated to predict negative health outcomes. Scientists didn't pick the "obese" designation at 30 BMI to shame people. If you understood the science you'd know at 30 is when we see significant health consequences. No, it's not a perfect screening tool, but neither is HIV testing. Do we tell people to not use HIV testing because it gives false positives in some people?

 

We have other tools as well. No Dr would rely on a single HIV test. They look at symptoms, fatigue, infections, and other blood tests like white cell counts. With obesity, BMI is a screening tool. Then we can add in other measures like body fat %, hip to waist ratio, fasting glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol, joint pain, and ability to perform daily activities.

[TaraMaiden2]

(I've gone down a dress size in two weeks....)

[autumnnight]

(I've gone down a dress size in two weeks....)

 

Really? How did ya do it? I'm always looking for tips....as long as they do not include never eating a carrot again

[empresario]

My whole thing with the fat movement is I think children and young adults should be given better education on what bad weight is and how hard it is to revert back.

 

 

For example, I was an online gamer (ranked nationally) and programmer for nearly all of my youth (until 23). I didn't do anything for my health. I drank mountain dew and ate fast food 2 times a day.

 

 

I was also 155lbs at 6'2''. I was skinny/fat. At 23 I started becoming really healthy and am now extremely healthy-looking for my age. But one thing really makes me angry.

 

 

When I was skinny-fat I put on BAD weight on my stomach and love handles. What they don't tell you about BAD weight (such as stomach fat) is it's notoriously hard to take off once you put it on. Five years later I've gone up and down between 165 and 185lbs probably 10 times as I gain muscle then trim. And even given all my mountains of progress I am still years away from losing the remnants of my bad weight because of how slowly it comes off.

 

 

If I could be a proponent for healthy living, I would start with this simple piece of advice: It is better to maintain a good body than fix a broken one. If I knew that when I Was 16 maybe I would have spent less time perfecting my FPS "head shots" and more time at the gym.

[Maleficent]

In my neck of the woods, it was always called 'body acceptance' not 'fat acceptance' and even less 'the fat movement'

...

[autumnnight]

In my neck of the woods, it was always called 'body acceptance' not 'fat acceptance' and even less 'the fat movement'

...

 

I have heard "fat acceptance" some and have read it some on a particular blogging site. I think it is sort of a reclaiming of the word in a sense...kind of like some gay people took the word "queer" back as a form of empowerment.

 

I think acceptance of self is important. I think denial of health issues is...unhealthy.

[Maleficent]

 

I think acceptance of self is important. I think denial of health issues is...unhealthy.

 

Exactly. That's how it all started - acceptance of the self. But then some people started worrying we'd force them into being attracted to body types they aren't attracted to and started calling it 'the fat movement'.

 

But let's face it, 'health concerns' towards a stranger is nothing but hidden fat shaming.

[TaraMaiden2]

Really? How did ya do it? I'm always looking for tips....as long as they do not include never eating a carrot again

 

I have cut my calorie intake to 1,200 calories/day, and I 'fast' 2 days a week by intaking no more than 500-odd calories on those two days.

 

"Those to days" can run consecutively, if you want, or not. They don't have to be the same two days every week. They can also run from 2pm one day, to 2pm the next....(For example)...

 

I also cycle the 4 miles or so, to work and back, but not in the "lycra shorts, speed-biking, crouch down to the handlebars" way. I'm in my late 50's. F**k that....

 

I allow myself one 'binge' day when I can go to a higher calorie count, but curiously, I no longer want to do that to any excess, because it's contra-progress....

 

omitting spaces, Google the fast diet dot co dot uk.

 

I also use my fitness pal to help me govern what I eat.

I find it useful, but you need ('you' generic, not 'you' personally) to make sure you don't obsess about every little thing. The odd few stray calories here and there, aren't going to kill you...

 

And water, and plenty of it.

I lace 750ml of fresh spring water with 3 teaspoonsful of Apple Cider Vinegar and drink 2 of those a day.

 

(3 separate links, there....)

[Real36]

When will people stop trying to tell other people how to feel about their bodies? It doesn't matter if you support the "fat acceptance movement" or not. It only matters how the individual feels. If it isn't you, then it doesn't effect you and you don't get to have an opinion. insurance companies already offer incentives And lower premiums for people who meet diagnostic criteria meaning that people who are considered unhealthy (for any stated reason, not just weight) pay more for their insurance. The Affordable Healthcare Act and Obamacare are designed to help poor people more easily afford health insurance, not to make the tax payer foot the bill for overweight people.

[Maleficent]

So I went to the water park today. Saw plenty of overweight people walking around in bathing suits.

Thankfully, I have returned unharmed and am now safe and sound at home.

Pheww!

 

(Yes that was sarcasm)

[almond]

Work or don't work for the body you're happy/not happy with. Worry about yourself, and not others. If you don't have anything nice to say, say nothing.

 

It's all very simple. People will eat and exercise, or not, as they please. People will think what they want about fat and skinny people, and these opinions and lifestyles will always vary widely. There will always be someone trying to cut someone else with words. We overcomplicate everything with these "acceptance movements." I think we'd get a lot further if we promoted resilience and healthy self esteem.

 

If someone is rude to you, tell them to stfu and carry on. Being nasty is a much worse habit than being too big or small. If what people say is very hurtful to you, change what bothers you about yourself or work on your self esteem and remain as you are.

 

Be what you want. Think what you want. Speak only out of kindness, or keep your trap shut.

 

Easy done.

[xxoo]

. Being nasty is a much worse habit than being too big or small. .

 

TRUTH! [round of applause]

[darkbloom]

I work in the fitness world and particularly around women's activewear.

 

I get a TON of requests for larger size clothing in activewear. While we don't discriminate against body shape, we generally only offer options within a certain size and a certain shape. The reason we don't offer larger size activewear and one that's not opening discussed is because my company does not want larger size women associated with their clothing. They don't think it sends the right message. We market ourselves as a health company and past a certain size, the lines become blurred between curvy and overweight.

 

As harsh as that is, my company is in business to make money. I don't think its okay to fat shame or humiliate anyone. But I do think in terms of business, my company has the right idea in terms of profitability.