"To The Fatty Running On The Track This Afternoon"

JosieZeee

Some words of motivation:

A fitness enthusiast wrote this controversial message to an overweight runner at her local track. After posting it on Facebook, it has gone viral and deserves everyone's attention.

"To the fatty running on the Westview track this afternoon: You, whose feet barely lift off the ground as you trudge around the track. You, who keeps the outside lane, footslogging in the wrong direction. You, who stops for water breaks every lap, and who would probably stop twice a lap if there were bleachers on both sides. You whose gaze drops to your feet everytime we pass. You, whose sweat drenches your body after you leave, completing only a single, 20-minute mile...
...There's something you should know: YOU *kitten* ROCK."

Every shallow step you take, you carry the weight of more than two of me, clinging to your bones, begging to be shaken off. Each lap you run, you’re paying off the debt of another midnight snack, another dessert, another beer. It’s 20 degrees outside, but you haven’t let that stop your regimen. This isn’t your first day out here, and it certainly won’t be your last. You’ve started a journey that lasts a lifetime, and you’ve started it at least 12 days before your New Year’s resolution kicks in. You run without music, and I can only imagine the mantras running through your mind as you heave your ever-shrinking mass around the next lap. Let’s go, feet. Shut up, legs. F**k off, fat. If you’d only look up from your feet the next time we pass, you’d see my gaze has no condescension in it. I have nothing but respect for you. You’ve got this."

Article: http://distractify.com/maia-star-mccann/to-the-fatty-running-on-the-track-this-afternoon/

Alatariel75

The rebuttal. Pretty much sums up the post:

"To the man who judged me on the Westview track,

I see that you wrote a Facebook status about my journey and me. It described me on the track and from what I gather it was supposed to inspire after a little insult. It went viral.

So let me tell you what I think of your post…

First off I would suggest you not judge me at all. You have my journey all messed up. My journey did not start twelve days ago. It started over a year ago. You see me at 300 pounds but what you do not know is I was over 400 pounds. You did not know this because I was embarrassed to run in front of other people. So I would come to this track when no one else was around. Sometimes I would go for a couple of minutes. Sometimes I would go for four minutes. It all started when I went for 48 seconds my first time running. Yes, I timed it. Yes I was upset. And yes, I promised it would never happen again.

When I was over 400 pounds and decided to make the commitment to change my life I would wake up and look in the mirror. I would find at least 100 negative things about my body. All the descriptions you made about me…I was even harder on myself.

Then after losing a few pounds I looked in the mirror again. I did not look at my body. I looked in my eyes. I saw determination and character. I saw a man who did not want to be an inspiration for others but one for himself. I was that man.

Your whole post insults me like no end. I do not eat midnight snacks or drink beer. You probably think all “fat” people do this. Well, we do not. I ate better than most at 300 pounds. In fact, I have not had a drink in well over 20 years.

I look down because I see you stare at me all the time. I do not want to give you the satisfaction of looking into my eyes. There are people who were supporting me all along. Not people who made up fictional parts of my life.

I also do not listen to music because I hear everything. I hear the laughter and I hear the snickers. They are never about me except they always are. I have been overweight my whole life. I have not had my blinders on for some time.

There are no mantras going through my head. When I run it is clear. I have no anger or happiness. I am there to complete a task. I am good at that.

You fooled people on Facebook but you have not fooled me. You do not have respect for my journey because you do not know it. I have told my story to thousands of people. I have been told that I have inspired many as well. Not because of the way I run but because of the person I am. Not because of my 200 pound weight loss but because of the words that I have had inside for years.

Many of us have been that person being judged and then twirled into some weird inspirational story. I was judged at the gym at 400 pounds. I was laughed at in Panera at 350 pounds. I was embarrassed at 300 pounds and honestly I was the same person at 195 pounds as I was at 420 pounds.

I tell people now that weight loss should not make you love yourself more. That is the mistake I made.

So next time you look at me on that track do yourself a favor. Look away. I do not look like I once did. I do not want to be your inspiration or your motivation.

I am a runner. I was a runner at 420 pounds and I am a runner today.

And runners do one thing.

They run. Not write about other runners.

Regards,
"

Unknown

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baby05phat

I don't know how I feel about his reply...

Chieflrg

This is why I don't facebook.

halobender

Yeah they're both kind of presumptuous, but the response gets a little more of a pass—though not much—because of how he was dragged into it, I guess. Maybe I'm not reading enough into it and perhaps he's just being really ironic intentionally.

Bshmerlie

I think his reply sucks.

The person wasn't writing it to be an a-hole. They wrote it because they respected the journey he chose to embark on to better himself. He's just an angry fat person who's taking his anger out on someone who meant well. No one who's 420 pounds put that much weight on by "eating better than most people". Sure maybe he's not eating midnight snacks but he'd have to be snacking on a lot of something to get that big. I'm 100 pounds overweight and you know what...I own it. I obviously didn't make the correct decisions when it came to food intake. But bashing someone who made up a creative back story for why a guy was out there running is foolish. When that guy reads his reply what's gonna be his impression of him now. He's simply gonna think he's a jerk and not give him the time of day.

cyronius

I doubt the veracity of the original post and the reply, and to be honest, they both came off as dickish...

halobender

cyronius wrote: »

I doubt the veracity of the original post and the reply

Very much this. This being the internet it's quite plausible they're both made up, even if they're not by the same person.

Anyway, if it is real, I think his point about "eating better than most people" is meant more to imply the quality of the foods he ate, not necessarily the volume.

Also: How would either of these people know who was meant in either post. I really hope the first guy posts a response which also goes viral where it is revealed that he's just some other fitness enthusiast and the other guy is some other fat person who's annoyed with the presumptions of others about his lifestyle.

Sued0nim

They are both schmaltzy rubbish :huh:

The original piece written by a "woman"

The rebuttal addressed to a "man"

Lounmoun

The man who wrote the response explains why here-> huffingtonpost.com/tony-posnanski/fatty-westview-track_b_4940878.html

DaveAkeman

Wow . . . this really resonates with me. (Although I'm not sure which post is the most presumptive)

The post talks about a 300 pound runner; I started my C25K at 296 pounds, many, many months ago. I ran at night on secluded paths and wore dark clothes because I didn't want anybody to see me. (No, I don't suggest ANYBODY do that, for safety reasons, but I didn't CARE about safety . . . I just didn't want to be seen!) I listened to music because I couldn't stand the plop-plop cadence of my feet and other body parts. And I typically didn't look very far ahead . . . just at the ground in front of my feet. I never ran as slow as a 20 minute mile, but I was pretty darn slow. And that first 60 second run was HELL!!! I knew that I was in a race . . . I had to take off some weight before running with 300 pounds killed my knees and ankles.

I remember in the first few weeks I did some Google searches to see when I could call myself a 'runner'. I didn't think that I was a runner as I was doing 60 seconds at a time, at a 16 minute mile pace! Instead, I was amazed to find lots of support for people like me. I learned that if you get your rear off the couch and pound the pavement, you are a RUNNER. Doesn't matter how fast or how far. If you make the effort, you're doing more than most of America.

I remember in those early days joking with my wife telling her that I was a runner. We would both laugh . . . I sure didn't feel like it, but I was going out there and doing what I could.

70 pounds later, that's all changed. A few days ago I ran my first sub-10 minute mile since High School (DECADES ago). Today I ran a 5k at a 12 minute mile pace. I did it in daylight, and about a mile of it was on a sidewalk along a very, very busy highway during rush hour. I didn't wear headphones because I have come to actually ENJOY the rhythm of my footsteps. I now enjoy sightseeing while I'm running . . . looking at the sights and hearing the sounds along the way. Sometimes I'll see a friend or neighbor, and I wave, instead of trying to hide. Today I was amazed at how well I could smell the wildflowers along the route.

Nowadays I sometime see a runner who is slower or heavier than me. (Not often . . . but occasionally) My only thought is "Keep going! You're doing it!"

I've been tracking the miles on my running shoes . . . I'm looking forward to the day in the near future when I hit 300 miles and have to return to the Nike store because I WORE OUT MY RUNNING SHOES!!! (THAT would be a first!!!)

So . . . if there is anybody in that boat . . . just know that NOBODY is judging you. People are ADMIRING your will. You don't have to worry about running in the dark. You are just as much a runner as anybody else who laces up the shoes.

Unknown

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bunsen_honeydew

Ugh I hate this too.

*lots* of people judge you for running while fat. Yes, they are probably the same *kitten* holes who judge you for going to the gym While fat, eating while fat, being in public while fat and existing while fat. And sometimes, they are runners too (though they at least are mostly polite enough to not say it to your face)

The thing is to ignore the haters.

And another thing. Not every fat person is exercising to lose weight. We all sit around here saying how weight loss is 80% diet? Then take that reasoning and apply it please to the fats who run/exercise but don't diet.

Signed,
a fat runner who exercised for many many many years without trying to lose weight

mariannehgv

Bshmerlie wrote: »

...He's just an angry fat person who's taking his anger out on someone who meant well.

Or: he's someone who does not appreciate the fact that he is made to swallow some insults before he gets something meant to be a compliment that he didn't ask for in the first place.

Or: (and this is the actual truth) he is someone who read the original post and put himself in the shoes of the person who was being addressed.

Bshmerlie wrote: »

I'm 100 pounds overweight and you know what...I own it.

Good for you. That does not mean that everyone who is overweight should accept whatever people want to tell them, like encouragement dressed in insults. I do agree that there is a fair bit of denial going on in overweight-land, but that has nothing to do with the main point: insults and encouragements as a combination are not everyone's cup of tea.

EvgeniZyntx

UltimateRBF wrote: »

I loathe this meme. Loathe it

Signed,
A fat runner who now wonders if a meme is being made about her every time she runs in public.

I have no doubt you meant well though, OP. It's just that myself and many others find this meme extremely patronizing.

Yep, it missed its mark.
It, and various versions, "fat girl running," etc. come off as awfully patronizing and insulting to a lot of people.

Because, aside from the "fatty" insults, why is it being shared?
Oh, yeah, to motivate the "fatties".

When I first saw it - and I was just returning to running, I found the judgmental view was being held towards me, and I have a relatively solid self image (and am 'only' overweight). My daughter found it on FB and didn't want to be seen running. Eff off, FB.

We run. Like mountains, lightning and thunder.
We imagine we are the wind.
Oh, wait. No.
"Fatties."
We fart,
In your general direction.

GreenIceFloes

Chieflrg wrote: »

This is why I don't facebook.

teresa_garcia29

Exactly ...SAY NO TO FACEBOOOK...

kzzr

Both posts are fake, but the reply reminds me of myself a little, I've lost 45kg since I started at the gym and have probably 30kg more to go, and still I get looked at and judged (mostly when I'm in the women's part of the gym), but I don't give a *kitten* because ill hop on a machine or pick up weights at least 3 times heavier than they do and know I am a beast under the fat and I love the way that feels, I am healthier and stronger now than when I was 60kg.

samhennings

Whenever I see a heavy person in the gym, particularly running, I think they are awesome and feel shame that I couldnt keep up with them!

Is that patronising? I hope not, its not intended that way at all. I admire that they are taking a healthy journey, and that they are fitter than I am. That they are twice my size and fitter than I am is an inspiration to me, I have no excuses but to try and catch up!

yogacat13

This is the rest of the story: http://theantijared.com/2014/03/never-fatty-westview-track-just-inspiring-fat-girl-named-dan.html

JPW1990

Yeah, they're inspiring at the gym, and then 30 minutes later when they stop somewhere else to dare to eat in public, the same people applauding them in the gym are bitching about how dare they be fat and not take care of themselves. This entire meme exists so people can give themselves a free pass for judging at Subway by reminding themselves how charitable they were at the gym.

sati18

I totally side with the fat guy - I'd be pretty insulted if someone decided to stick their nose in, imagine they knew my life story and then patronizingly congratulate me on achievements they know nothing about. In fact i'd be telling them to chuff off in far less eloquent manner.

barbecuesauce

UltimateRBF wrote: »

I loathe this meme. Loathe it

Signed,
A fat runner who now wonders if a meme is being made about her every time she runs in public.

I have no doubt you meant well though, OP. It's just that myself and many others find this meme extremely patronizing.

Same. No longer really even fat, but stuff like this puts me right back in that headspace. I have read that the person who wrote it originally meant to inspire his male friend in an indirect way, but it's still patronizing. Everyone should stay in their own lane and stop assuming that people feel inadequate or need a pat on the back.

nosebag1212

cringeworthy as fuk

SezxyStef

If someone who is "exercising" has enough time to think this and then later write it they aren't spending enough time really exercising...when I work out I don't notice anyone around me...ever...I see the walls, the bars, the plates, the puddles to avoid and holes in the walking bridge...that's what I see.

get your mind on your workout not what is around you...you'd be better off.

Oh an btw the title sucks..."to the fatty..." WTF...

Wiseandcurious

I really hate the original. How nauseatingly patronizing. Guess what, I don't need to be "inspired", I inspire myself. And the fact that whoever composed this thought it was at all appropriate to bring up the other person's weight shows how skewed their thinking is.

The whole thing just reinforces the idea that fat people are only acceptable if they obviously are working their *** off to fight it and are miserable in the process.

Liftng4Lis

Chieflrg wrote: »

This is why I don't facebook.

YOU, I like!

galaxyeyed

SezxyStef wrote: »

If someone who is "exercising" has enough time to think this and then later write it they aren't spending enough time really exercising...when I work out I don't notice anyone around me...ever...I see the walls, the bars, the plates, the puddles to avoid and holes in the walking bridge...that's what I see.

get your mind on your workout not what is around you...you'd be better off.

Oh an btw the title sucks..."to the fatty..." WTF...

Oh come on, you've never in your life looked around while you're exercising? When you're resting in between sets, you just stare at the ground? You never look at people to see if they're done with their set yet so you can use their bench? And what is this, you don't think when you exercise? Your mind is completely blank as you stare at the ground to look for puddles when you're jogging??

We're humans. Of course we look around and see other people. Of course we think about them. And yeah, sometimes the thoughts are "judgy". Sometimes it's "Oh man that girl has such nice muscles" or "how is she jogging in denim shorts, my thighs would be so raw" or "that girl really needs to invest in a higher quality sports bra" or "oh god, that guy's workout shorts are too loose and I can totally see his butt crack, gross, ew, look away". This happens when I'm not at the gym, too.

And I am absolutely certain that people have thought things along the exact same lines when they've seen me at the gym or on the street jogging or, really, just out and about in daily life. Do I care? No, because I am not a Milford man and will always be seen and heard. I used to jog around in the tiny atrium in my house because I was too afraid the neighbors would see me in between the slats of our fence. I was also in middle school, and was really really afraid what others would think about me in pretty much every situation. Luckily...I grew up. I realize that people are going to judge me and draw conclusions about me until, and hopefully after, I die. This is life. This does not change anything about who I actually am.

With all of that said...just because I have these thoughts when I see other people, and think that it's totally normal to do so, doesn't mean I would EVER presume to post it on social media. Or tell anyone my thoughts about them. Because I know that these "judgements" and "assumptions" are just that - completely assumed; I know absolutely nothing about these people.

Very few good things come from social media. This is not one of them.

Unknown

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DeguelloTex

SezxyStef wrote: »

If someone who is "exercising" has enough time to think this and then later write it they aren't spending enough time really exercising...when I work out I don't notice anyone around me...ever...I see the walls, the bars, the plates, the puddles to avoid and holes in the walking bridge...that's what I see.

get your mind on your workout not what is around you...you'd be better off.

Oh an btw the title sucks..."to the fatty..." WTF...

Does exercising with no rest between sets work for you?

When I lift, I notice things around me. When I rest, I notice things around me. When I walk, I notice things around me. Nice to know I've been "exercising" incorrectly all this time.

Your post is about as cringe-inducing as the original one.