Big Fat Assumptions
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Introduction
If it's one thing that people often make assumptions about, it's why other people are overweight. Everyone seems to have the answer. I went through years of people telling me, "Just do ____ and you'll lose weight," as though I hadn't thought of _____. When people who are overweight tell you that it's not that simple, it's really not. Weight loss can be a struggle for many people. In my case, the reason that I wasn't losing weight was because I had a thyroid disorder. I'm on medication for it, now, and have lost 34 pounds -- something that no amount of diet or exercise was going to do for me.
It's easy to make assumptions when you've not been in someone else's shoes. Here are a list of just a few of the assumptions that I've heard or dealt with over the last few years.
Fat people are lazy and they don't work out.
Just because you're overweight doesn't mean you're lazy. There are a lot of overweight people, in fact, who spend quite a bit of time at the gym. Probably more than some of their skinnier counterparts. While it's true that some people that are overweight may have a less active lifestyle than they ought to, it's not true of ALL overweight persons. I'm tired of seeing overweight people portrayed as being couch potatoes who sit around and watch TV and eat all day! Are there not thin people who do that very thing? Just as there are thin, lazy people, there are also fat, active people.
Fat people are fat because of how and what they eat.
SOME fat people are fat because of how and what they eat. Not all. There are a variety of reasons why people are overweight and, believe it or not, not all of them have to do with food. Thyroid disorders, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency, Cushing's Syndrome, drug side effects such as those from birth control pills or antidepressants, Kidney Disease, Liver Disease -- ALL OF THESE CONDITIONS and more can cause obesity. Forget what you learned in P.E. -- it's NOT just about the food, people.
Fat people like being fat because they obviously don't do anything to change it.
Aside from the two points above, I would also like to point out that NO ONE wakes up one morning and says, "You know what I'd like to do? I'd like to just say 'to hell with it' and get really fat. That'd be fun." And, unless you follow that person around 24-7, you don't know if they're trying to do anything to better their situation and EVEN IF THEY'RE NOT, I don't suppose it's occurred to you that they may have given up because of the times that they failed in the past. Or, that they may not deem themselves worthy of success. Or, that they may be afraid to try. There are a myriad of reasons other than "liking" the situation that they're in as to why some overweight people might not take action to lose weight.
Shhh. Fat people don't know they're fat.
I can't tell you how many times I got tired of hearing people do one of two things: Either they would point out to me that I was fat or they would pretend that I wasn't and that it was a big secret that they were keeping from me (e.g. "What do you mean it won't fit? Sure it will. You can't be much bigger than a size 6.").
Newsflash: Fat people know that they're fat. M'kay? Being overweight does not mean that they are also blind and/or ignorant. THEY KNOW. So, stop telling them. If you're the patronizing type, stop that, too. That's almost worse than making fun of them.
Newsflash: Fat people know that they're fat. M'kay? Being overweight does not mean that they are also blind and/or ignorant. THEY KNOW. So, stop telling them. If you're the patronizing type, stop that, too. That's almost worse than making fun of them.
Fat people have low self-esteem.
Some do, some don't. Just like thin people. Imagine that.
Fat people love to wear cartoons and flowers.
This is an assumption widely held by retailers across the country, as is evident by the type of clothing that the majority sell on their racks that is catered toward plus-sized customers. A lament echoed by overweight people across the globe: We want to wear all of the same clothes that everyone else is wearing, just in bigger sizes!! What's so hard to understand about that?
Just because I may have a few extra lbs does not mean that I want to wear a Minnie Mouse t-shirt with some dipshit saying on it or a shapeless dress splattered with giant yellow mums. Last I checked, I was neither a 4-year-old nor a tacky, chain-smoking house frau with curlers in my hair, dreaming of the day that I and my lovely trailer would be featured on COPS.
Just because I may have a few extra lbs does not mean that I want to wear a Minnie Mouse t-shirt with some dipshit saying on it or a shapeless dress splattered with giant yellow mums. Last I checked, I was neither a 4-year-old nor a tacky, chain-smoking house frau with curlers in my hair, dreaming of the day that I and my lovely trailer would be featured on COPS.
Fat people aren't sexy.
Says who? If you think something, that doesn't make it true for everyone else. There are plenty of sexy, overweight people in this world and there are not a shortage of people who appreciate their sexiness. Thin does not automatically make a person sexy just as fat does not automatically make a person unattractive.
As a "puffy" person, one of the assumptions I find annoying is that it isn't hurtful when your thinner friends complain about how fat they are. If you are a fairly normal size, don't whine to me about having to lose weight. Go whine to your skinnier pals. Good List!
A. Thanks for not including pictures.
B. I think everyone understands that some people have medical conditions that they cannot control, but they are the exception.
C. However, in my experience, the majority of these assumptions are true. And it isn't a self esteem issue, it's a self control issue.
Over the past thirty years, or so, I can't count the number of obese people who I have seen at the gym every single day, starting on January 2; they avoid cardio, and lift a little. By February 1, most of them are gone for good. I can count on one hand the number who are still coming and have lost 50 or 100 pounds. Just like giving up anything else, or starting anything new, it takes self control. If you do not have a diagnosable medical condition, and you do 1 hour per day on a treadmill at a brisk pace, and limit you caloric intake to 1,500 - 2,000 calories per day, you will loose weight.
B. I think everyone understands that some people have medical conditions that they cannot control, but they are the exception.
C. However, in my experience, the majority of these assumptions are true. And it isn't a self esteem issue, it's a self control issue.
Over the past thirty years, or so, I can't count the number of obese people who I have seen at the gym every single day, starting on January 2; they avoid cardio, and lift a little. By February 1, most of them are gone for good. I can count on one hand the number who are still coming and have lost 50 or 100 pounds. Just like giving up anything else, or starting anything new, it takes self control. If you do not have a diagnosable medical condition, and you do 1 hour per day on a treadmill at a brisk pace, and limit you caloric intake to 1,500 - 2,000 calories per day, you will loose weight.
Pam -- Thank you! :) And you're right! I knew I was forgetting something. I absolutely HATED that!
Ol Hippie -- Thanks for proving my point. ;) It's people like you that make this list possible.
Ol Hippie -- Thanks for proving my point. ;) It's people like you that make this list possible.
Well, I was sort of tongue in cheek, but since you mention it, why do you blame me. Poor babies. Obesity is currently costing employers in this country as much money as smoking. I smoked for 40 years, and during that time, my "puffy" friends, including every member of my family regularly gave me hell for smoking. They could go on for hours, and I was supposed to say, "I know," and feel bad. When I finally started saying, "I'll give up one cigarette per day for every pound you loose," they gave me all the "slow metabolism," "big boned," "it's hereditary," bullshit excuses. I quit smoking a few years ago, but my dad was fat and had diabetes when he died, my mom was fat and had high blood pressure when she died, my brother weighs over 400 pounds and has all sorts of health problems, my sister weighs over 250 pounds and also has health problems. But I'm not allowed to say, "Hey, I love you, you're too freakin' fat, get off you ass and loose weight?"
Truth is if you eat 3700 more calories than you burn, you gain a pound; if you eat 3700 less calories than you burn, you loose a pound.
Truth is if you eat 3700 more calories than you burn, you gain a pound; if you eat 3700 less calories than you burn, you loose a pound.
I was a registered clinical dietitian for 20 years.
I have struggled with "binge" eating since the age of 12.
Less than 5% of first time "diet" instruction is successful. If control was an over the counter product we wouldn't have support groups for every flaw in our nature that causes us to self destruct or hurt those around us. (see Addictions List) http://www.onmylist.com/category/health/Choosing_Your_Poison_Addiction
s_1
It is difficult (makes us vulnerable) to admit the presence of a monkey on our back. It is easier to see and safer to take aim at those on the backs of others.
There are plenty to take aim at, we all have one...or two...
(Please note avatar) :)
I have struggled with "binge" eating since the age of 12.
Less than 5% of first time "diet" instruction is successful. If control was an over the counter product we wouldn't have support groups for every flaw in our nature that causes us to self destruct or hurt those around us. (see Addictions List) http://www.onmylist.com/category/health/Choosing_Your_Poison_Addiction
s_1
It is difficult (makes us vulnerable) to admit the presence of a monkey on our back. It is easier to see and safer to take aim at those on the backs of others.
There are plenty to take aim at, we all have one...or two...
(Please note avatar) :)
My name is Pam.
I am overweight.
My father was overweight - over 300 lbs most of my life.
I am not fat because my father and his family was fat; I am fat (but not over 300 lbs.) because I consume more calories that I use. And, yes, I do have health issues. That being said, I am unsure why I have a difficult time taking what I know to be right and turning into continuous, cognitive action. I am back at the gym - again. I am not particularly lazy, I am an industrious and capable worker, I try to dress appropriately and I try not to offend others with my admitted lack of self control. So what is my problem? I wish I knew.
I am overweight.
My father was overweight - over 300 lbs most of my life.
I am not fat because my father and his family was fat; I am fat (but not over 300 lbs.) because I consume more calories that I use. And, yes, I do have health issues. That being said, I am unsure why I have a difficult time taking what I know to be right and turning into continuous, cognitive action. I am back at the gym - again. I am not particularly lazy, I am an industrious and capable worker, I try to dress appropriately and I try not to offend others with my admitted lack of self control. So what is my problem? I wish I knew.
Putting aside the working out angle, which is important, many people do so little in their day to day life that even if they go to the gym its hard to burn enough calories. Cars, elevators, escalators and people movers. I am positive that the more sprawl a city has the more obesity it has. Activity needs to be embedded into every day life. It drives me insane to see people looking for a closer parking spot when there are tons of empty ones just a few rows back. Its like 20 extra steps people!
And our food choices are atrocious. On average we drink like 4 times more soda than we did 30 years ago.
And our food choices are atrocious. On average we drink like 4 times more soda than we did 30 years ago.
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