Are You A Fattist?

Well, I'm definitely getting fat--so I guess that makes me a fattest, or at least a fatty.

 

I've become a person sincerely concerned with the health effects on people who are overweight. I am not afraid to reach out and discuss these issues because of my love for them; regardless of any attemps at undue hostility which is commonly used as a defense mechanism to avoid the issue.

I sometimes resort to a bit of "tough love". I don't try to make fat people feel bad, I believe most down deep in their heart already do, there is no reason to be cruel in adressing these issues. I try to show non-judgmental understanding and give hope. I certainly would not be intimidated by any charges of discrimination or attempts at branding the efforts while being open and frank about the tragic, hard to control condition.

The claims of being open about obesity issues as "counterproductive" are only true if it is done to be mean, or in a mean fashion. To call one a discrimatory "fattist" who is sincerely concerned and has good intensions toward them is a childish defense mechanism; and just as childish as anyone who sits and calls "them" names.

 

I wonder if i am the fattest fattist?

 

I have been the victim of weight discrimination on more than one occasion. And yet the law does nothing to stop it.

 

Can't be a fattist, since I'm a fatty!:laugh:

But I am biased towards fat people who got skinny and then want to tell other fat people how to get skinny. Drives me crazy! And just to retaliate I sit in front of the TV and eat Blue Bell Ice Cream while watching the Biggest Loser!

 

I guess I'm worried for fat people more than I'm biased against them.

Nobody wants to be fat. We know it's unhealthy and unattractive and yet, our society has conditioned us to sit around and eat huge portions of unhealthy food.

There are some people who are fat because they have medical issues and some people who are fat because they have character issues, but most people simply lead a sedentary lifestyle and have been trained to eat outrageous portions without even any thought to what they're eating.

 

I guess the extremes (extremists?) bother me...

...those who become "food nazis"--they are so militant in their stance on food/exercise/weight that they are judgmental, condemning, etc. They seem to enjoy making overweight folks feel guilty. Some are even willing to address folks they don't know well, or at all, about the issue. Those folks bother me. Why be hurtful to people? Some folks treat being overweight as the unpardonable sin. Not a healthy approach, IMO.

...the other extreme are the folks who celebrate being overweight. (I know there's a fine line between having a sense of humor and crossing the line.) One of my friends growing up had a preacher who was quite fat. He constantly made jokes from the pulpt about his weight--and almost revelled in his appetite, size, etc. (yes, the psycology isn't lost on me here) That's also not a healthy state of mind.

 

Sorry, Cutter. Can't relate to slim abuse.

 

Well said. I do have to say as a larger than average individual that from my experience, those who truly have medical reasons are few and far between. Most of us just eat too much of the wrong stuff. Skinny guys who can eat whatever, whenever drive me nuts, but a different metabolism is not a legitimate excuse. Just means we have to be more careful in certain areas.

 

Short answer: Yes, I've dealt with it before...as has my wife. And yes: extremes here as well bother me. Though the approaches are usually different (I remember a snide "eating disorder" comment from years back).

I guess in today's world, because there are more and more who struggle with the "over" rather than the "under," we tend to focus more on the former.

 

Well why not....there is the potential for bigotry on any old thing...does anyone remember "The Goodies" a Brit comedy where it was during apartheid in the RSA and the skit was on short folk copping the flak...it was very funny in a satirical way....it showed how stupid people can be.:wavey: