Big Black Women
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In all honesty, America is FAT, and it has been getting fatter since the '70s at a terrifying rate. EVEN ASIANS ARE FAT IN AMERICA!! This applies to ALL races in America; if you don't believe it, take a look at some photos of people in the early 70s or before -- yourself, your family, any random people at all--how do they look? a bit different than the general population today, eh?
We are fat because we eat junk. We make excuses that it's cheaper, easier, whatever, but it is what it is. My great grandmother had 14 children. FOURTEEN CHILDREN. She lived on a farm and they grew all their own food. She did not have a car, she did not have a dishwasher, she did not have INDOOR PLUMBING. She was poor. She was thin.
Poor people used to be thin. Now poor people are fat? No. Americans are fat because we have become lazy and forgotten what real food is and how to prepare it.
Tell you what, a few years ago I visited Armenia 3 times. I am 5'4 and weighed about 130 lbs (right what I weigh now) at the time. I was a fitness instructor then, as I am now. Guess what? I was F-A-T in Armenia. My luggage was lost and after 5 days I went to shop for a new skirt. I could not fit in size large there. That's right, Miss Size 4 (American fake-vanity size 4, of course) could not fit into an Armenian size large.
They do not have McDonald's, they do not use microwaves, they do not have partially hydrogenated oils or even prepared foods in their grocery stores! You want a jar of spaghetti sauce? forget it! Buy some tomatoes, onions and herbs and make it yourself. Interesting, in the capital city, Yerevan, there are very few middle class people--you see rich people in Hummers, and you see old ladies walking with donkeys, but NO ONE IS FAT.
There is no solution in "accepting" that you will always be fat, or that your certain race is meant to be fat, or skinny or whatever.
You control what you eat. You decide what to buy. A meal at McDonald's for my family of 6 is NOT cheap. It would cost over $45 and have essentially no nutritional value. However, tonight I will grill a 2-lb. organic marinated tri tip from Whole Foods for about $23, a 1/4 lb. of cabbage slaw from their salad bar ($1.75) and a bag of organic tortillas for about $4. I will make guacamole from 2 avocados ($1.50) a some chopped onion and tomato and a squeeze of lemon. Also I think I will grill some asparagus (2.99 for a pound), and serve some fresh strawberries and raspberries ($5 from farmers market).
So tonight for LESS THAN $40, my family of 6 will enjoy tri-tip soft tacos with homemade guacamole, asparagus, and fresh berries for dinner. And we will have leftovers for lunch tomorrow.
blessings.
Why is that when one poses a question about a certain race, someone comes in and says, "That doesn't only apply to that race! It's applies, to X, Y, and Z!" That's fine and dandy, but not the point. Understand that African-Americans have a unique relationship with food. Also, you could feed a family of 6 with much less than $5 if everyone got 4 or 5 items off the dollar menu. Yes, Whole Foods is an option, but not everyone has transportation.
And then you compare our country to a completely different country, one with different resources, work ethics, GDP per capita, etc.... not relevant.0 -
well, you can be angry and whine, or you can take action. your choice. also, if you are trying to make a socio-economic point, then comparing ourselves to a poorer country IS relevant. comparing ourselves to our own country 30 or more years ago is also relevant.
Also, everyone chooses how they spend their money, and I do choose to shop at Whole Foods for certain items, not because I am rich, (in fact both my husband and I have been out of work for about a year -- we budget VERY carefully) but because we choose to make healthy good food a priority for our family of 6. Also I walk there, so my transportation is free, so you may get down off your high horse, thankyouverymuch.
anyway, I did not ignore OP's point about her community. I am pointing out the obvious fact that America is fat and much of America denies that it is fat. You will not find fatter people anywhere in the world than in America and Australia -- white, black or otherwise.
So ya, btw if you noticed my edit, I ended up getting tilapia instead, and fed everyone for about $20 with leftovers for tomorrow. So that is under $2 per person and they each get 2 meals. 2 meals x 6 people off the dollar menu for less? I don't think so. Also, I'd have to drive to McDonald's = gas money.
blessings.0 -
Are you really trying to say that socioeconomic status has nothing to do with healthy food availability and then trying to say Whole Foods is affordable?
yes. I am. In fact, if you looked at socio-economic status in rural America where people do not have access to fast foods you might see something different. Access vs. educated food choices and cooking healthy food for yourself instead of buying junk. hmmmmmmm.
Budget carefully and choose what you will spend where. I certainly do not buy TP and dish soap there but guess what, their organic grass-fed marinated tri-tip is only $1 more per pound than Albertson's mystery meat. So, for $2 extra dollars split by 6 people, I'd say it's affordable. Plus I can walk there and I have to drive to the supermarket and spend money on gas. There you go.0 -
I love this post and the point you made... Be the change you want to see, right?
It's hard to change your ways when everyone in your life doesn't see why things need to change.
I fight that issue in my own home!
I'm proud of you.0 -
Are you really trying to say that socioeconomic status has nothing to do with healthy food availability and then trying to say Whole Foods is affordable?
yes. I am. In fact, if you looked at socio-economic status in rural America where people do not have access to fast foods you might see something different. Access vs. educated food choices and cooking healthy food for yourself instead of buying junk. hmmmmmmm.
Budget carefully and choose what you will spend where. I certainly do not buy TP and dish soap there but guess what, their organic grass-fed marinated tri-tip is only $1 more per pound than Albertson's mystery meat. So, for $2 extra dollars split by 6 people, I'd say it's affordable. Plus I can walk there and I have to drive to the supermarket and spend money on gas. There you go.
^ This is the next stage of socioeconomic/race conversations in America. First, we can wax nostalgic talking about impacts of slavery, superficial tenets of culture and using all kind of touchy rhetoric. When that wears out, we can start sharing the ways we own our choices and "walk our talk"...and see where that takes us.0 -
Hi!
I just started this site tonight. I have been heavy all my life. I am willing and wanting to lose this weight.0 -
I loved your post it was absolutely nicely put.0
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Are you really trying to say that socioeconomic status has nothing to do with healthy food availability and then trying to say Whole Foods is affordable?
yes. I am. In fact, if you looked at socio-economic status in rural America where people do not have access to fast foods you might see something different. Access vs. educated food choices and cooking healthy food for yourself instead of buying junk. hmmmmmmm.
Budget carefully and choose what you will spend where. I certainly do not buy TP and dish soap there but guess what, their organic grass-fed marinated tri-tip is only $1 more per pound than Albertson's mystery meat. So, for $2 extra dollars split by 6 people, I'd say it's affordable. Plus I can walk there and I have to drive to the supermarket and spend money on gas. There you go.
^ This is the next stage of socioeconomic/race conversations in America. First, we can wax nostalgic talking about impacts of slavery, superficial tenets of culture and using all kind of touchy rhetoric. When that wears out, we can start sharing the ways we own our choices and "walk our talk"...and see where that takes us.
ok well, be as you choose to be. Congrats to the OP for choosing to be healthy. blessings.0 -
This topic is what one of my girlfriends and I just talked about. Were were laughing and saying as a community we need to get real and start calling "thick" what it usually means- overweight. There is a difference between curvy and overweight and if we keep it real, we can recognize it. Beyonce and Serena Williams, give me those bodies anyday. I want people (specifically black people) to stop speaking negatively about Jennifer Hudson; she was overweight and she took action. She looks great. Monique has lost weight, but she could stand to keep it up and stay in the gym. Gabourey Sidibe is morbidly obese and needs to lose weight; she shouldn't ignore it. I think everyone should love themselves, BUT love yourself enough to be honest and know that you are putting yourself in danger. People keep telling me, "Don't lose that much weight you are gonna look sick," but the fact is I AM SICK NOW. If I can be lean and not take hypertension and cholesterol medications and be scared to death of developing diabetes, I say let me LOOK sick. I am a size 14 right now and absolutely miserable. I am the smallest person in my biological family and they really don't understand me at all. I love my husband for being a very healthy and very real man and encouraging me to be the same. I am a black woman and I LOVED being an 8. 14, yeah right! I like my curves, but not the rolls of fat that I have gotten with them. In a perfect world, I'd love to keep my boobs and butt, but if I can get rid of the back fat, jiggle belly, and untoned thighs, it will be well worth the sacrifice.0
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Welcome!
We're all here to provide assistance and support. Just let me know how I can be of personal assistance.
Hank0 -
How is Beyonce overweight? She is like 130 lbs.0
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Great post.
IMO, people should focus on looking like what makes them feel happy not what others say you should look like.0 -
I really had no clue that it is a cultural thing. No wonder my hubby thinks I am too boney! Thanks for the enlightenment.:flowerforyou:0
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i live in a predominantly black neighborhood. in our schools, the gym program has been eliminated completely because of lack of funding. the leaders and community activists do not focus any energy on promoting the need to get these kids (or adults) moving more or promoting healthy eating habits. unfortunately we have to spend lots of time worrying about other issues like guns, violence, drugs and gangs. michelle obama has been a great role model for everyone (of all races) to get moving and eat healthy.
btw: the original post did not mention McD's at all. i believe the post mentioned convenience stores which sell candy, chips, muffins, little debbie snacks and whatever else will stick to our butts.0 -
Welcome!
We're all here to provide assistance and support. Just let me know how I can be of personal assistance.
Hank0 -
Well, after reading all the different views from a large variety of backgrounds I just have this to say: People it is what it is! You are what you eat, but you can also be what want to be. To quote another MFP member whose name currently slips my mind, "Discipline is the diffrence between what you want now and what you want in the long run."
I was raised in a sourthen home environment where there was biscuits and gravey, lots of foods fried in lard. And sweet tea made with lots of sugar! I decided I was tired of being overweight and feeling like crap! I grew up in the inner city of Toledo, Ohio I went to school with Blacks, Hispanics and whites. It is the individual that choose what they are going to eat. No one forces us to eat unhealthy foods. If we have children it is the PARENT's responsiblity to see that they eat healthy not the schools or society to govern. America is over weight and it is not a Black, Hispanic or any other ethnic back ground issue. It's an American issue! Start manning up and being repsonsible for your own decisions and that of your children. Besides I though this was a site to encourage strength for all people to diet and get the support they need. I see over weigth White people just as much as I see over weight Black and Hispanic people (and if that's not the point, don't bring race into it!).
As for the stores the grocery owner is going to put on the shelves what his customers want to buy! I have asked my store to carry items when I want them and can't find them. Good luck to all who are taking their issue of weight into their own hands and accept it is their responsibility not that of the world to solve. Don't set yourself up for failure by making excuses that put the blame on others.
Down 85 lbs.0 -
I have a question... Which is harder; finding healthy food choices or finding clothes that fit and look nice on you?0
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well, you can be angry and whine, or you can take action. your choice. also, if you are trying to make a socio-economic point, then comparing ourselves to a poorer country IS relevant. comparing ourselves to our own country 30 or more years ago is also relevant.
Also, everyone chooses how they spend their money, and I do choose to shop at Whole Foods for certain items, not because I am rich, (in fact both my husband and I have been out of work for about a year -- we budget VERY carefully) but because we choose to make healthy good food a priority for our family of 6. Also I walk there, so my transportation is free, so you may get down off your high horse, thankyouverymuch.
anyway, I did not ignore OP's point about her community. I am pointing out the obvious fact that America is fat and much of America denies that it is fat. You will not find fatter people anywhere in the world than in America and Australia -- white, black or otherwise.
So ya, btw if you noticed my edit, I ended up getting tilapia instead, and fed everyone for about $20 with leftovers for tomorrow. So that is under $2 per person and they each get 2 meals. 2 meals x 6 people off the dollar menu for less? I don't think so. Also, I'd have to drive to McDonald's = gas money.
blessings.
There's no anger or whining here, but you definitely can't tell me when anger is necessary for me.
You WALK to Whole Foods. I love how you keep making this about you! I also love that you proved my point! Please tell me that you're walking more than 16 miles to Whole Foods and you can bring your Tilapia for 8 people and fresh produce back home in time so that it doesn't spoil, because this is how far my grandmother lives from a Whole Foods and that is how many people live with her. Look, I know that a non-black person is not incapable of understanding (as proven by some of the posts), but I don't expect non-blacks to understand. But don't try to tell me that my life is a lie. NO, you didn't explicitly say that, but when you have to take care of a house full of people with little money and no transportation, trust me: Whole Foods is not an option. Now, I'm sure we can create a thread about being fat in America... this isn't the thread. If it's OK with you, I'd like to stick to the topic.
Let me add that Tilapia ain't that cheap here in the cheapest of stores; I live in Miami.0 -
The latter, for me.I have a question... Which is harder; finding healthy food choices or finding clothes that fit and look nice on you?0 -
Are you really trying to say that socioeconomic status has nothing to do with healthy food availability and then trying to say Whole Foods is affordable?
yes. I am. In fact, if you looked at socio-economic status in rural America where people do not have access to fast foods you might see something different. Access vs. educated food choices and cooking healthy food for yourself instead of buying junk. hmmmmmmm.
Budget carefully and choose what you will spend where. I certainly do not buy TP and dish soap there but guess what, their organic grass-fed marinated tri-tip is only $1 more per pound than Albertson's mystery meat. So, for $2 extra dollars split by 6 people, I'd say it's affordable. Plus I can walk there and I have to drive to the supermarket and spend money on gas. There you go.
^ This is the next stage of socioeconomic/race conversations in America. First, we can wax nostalgic talking about impacts of slavery, superficial tenets of culture and using all kind of touchy rhetoric. When that wears out, we can start sharing the ways we own our choices and "walk our talk"...and see where that takes us.
While this discussion is erring on the side of politics and I don't want to get into that, let me just say that systematic racism is real. I hear a lot of invalid complaints, i.e. drug dealer complaining about "the man" trying to bring him down; those people are to be ignored. But, there are valid reasons to reflect on the past and how it currently affects us.0 -
Well, after reading all the different views from a large variety of backgrounds I just have this to say: People it is what it is! You are what you eat, but you can also be what want to be. To quote another MFP member whose name currently slips my mind, "Discipline is the diffrence between what you want now and what you want in the long run."
I was raised in a sourthen home environment where there was biscuits and gravey, lots of foods fried in lard. And sweet tea made with lots of sugar! I decided I was tired of being overweight and feeling like crap! I grew up in the inner city of Toledo, Ohio I went to school with Blacks, Hispanics and whites. It is the individual that choose what they are going to eat. No one forces us to eat unhealthy foods. If we have children it is the PARENT's responsiblity to see that they eat healthy not the schools or society to govern. America is over weight and it is not a Black, Hispanic or any other ethnic back ground issue. It's an American issue! Start manning up and being repsonsible for your own decisions and that of your children. Besides I though this was a site to encourage strength for all people to diet and get the support they need. I see over weigth White people just as much as I see over weight Black and Hispanic people (and if that's not the point, don't bring race into it!).
As for the stores the grocery owner is going to put on the shelves what his customers want to buy! I have asked my store to carry items when I want them and can't find them. Good luck to all who are taking their issue of weight into their own hands and accept it is their responsibility not that of the world to solve. Don't set yourself up for failure by making excuses that put the blame on others.
Down 85 lbs.
she wasn't putting the blame on anyone. she was addressing cultural differences in the standards of beauty and expectations of women. and there ARE different expectations from culture to culture. i honestly think you missed the entire point of this thread with all due respect.0 -
What a shame the OP's concerns about her OWN experiences have been overlooked in favor of promoting some of our own agenda and social issues.
People, at the end of the day, we are all faced with the consequences of our choices. It sucks to not be able to blame someone else because that forces us to look at ourselves as the main culprit....For whatever!
I totally understand the OP's frustration. We all are met with difficult circumstances everyday. Bless her for having the fortitude to tell her story and push on for herself. It's so easy to have a 'pity party' instead and just go with the flow. (ie; my girlfriend was in town last week and had not seen me since I lost weight and she has since gained. Her solution instead of listening to my advice and what had worked for me, was to try to get me to eat, and eat and not exercise!)
Persevere, push foward and I sincerely hope that your mfp cohorts can be helpful with lots of support and motivation.
Look foward to hearing your progess!0 -
Being an african american woman myself... I have thought about these issues. I live in a predominantly white suburb in Minneapolis and have noticed the stores around me do offer healthier options opposed to the corner stores one might come by if they were to go into an area that is predominantly black Americans... I don't know why it is this way... or if even society pushes us to be okay with being bigger.. but I myself don't feel comfortable being called thick. Though I love my curves.... being healthy overall is my main objective no matter what image society betrays a black woman as. We have a high risk for so many diseases associated with being overweight, and that should be our strive and determination for getting healthy, so we live long.0
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Well, it goes both ways... I wouldn't put a Whole Foods in a neighborhood where the demand for organic, fresh food isn't that high. Then again, you have to wonder: IF we had nothing but stores like that around us, would we eat that way and make it work on our budget?0
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Wow! Thank you for posting. This is so enlightening. I am one of the many people who had never given thought to this issue. I also do not think Beyonce is fat but totally get the comparison---- I also do not think Jessica Simpson was ever fat but BOY did the media have fun humiliating her over a few pounds.0
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Well, it goes both ways... I wouldn't put a Whole Foods in a neighborhood where the demand for organic, fresh food isn't that high. Then again, you have to wonder: IF we had nothing but stores like that around us, would we eat that way and make it work on our budget?
I didn't read all of the back posts to get to this, but you have raised a very interesting question. I plan to attend law school and am considering getting into the law side of the food industry for this reason.
My thoughts: The "eating healthy is too expensive" excuse is NOT enough to convince me that it is necessary for people to buy total junk. Healthy food is not expensive at all when you consider what we spend every year on obesity related illnesses. It isn't even close to being comparable. Then there is the fact that 1/3 of our children now have type 2 diabetes. Apart from the actual medical costs associated with that, you cannot put a dollar sign on the health of a child. The whole thing makes me so angry.
That said, what makes me much angrier is the role our government plays in this.... all of the subsidies that make producing junk food so cheap. I will not say that healthy food is not affordable but I can agree that a family of lower socioeconomic status will have to make more sacrifices to fill their house with fresh fruits and veggies than an upper middle class family. I think it is so very wrong.0 -
Being an african american woman myself... I have thought about these issues. I live in a predominantly white suburb in Minneapolis and have noticed the stores around me do offer healthier options opposed to the corner stores one might come by if they were to go into an area that is predominantly black Americans... I don't know why it is this way... or if even society pushes us to be okay with being bigger.. but I myself don't feel comfortable being called thick. Though I love my curves.... being healthy overall is my main objective no matter what image society betrays a black woman as. We have a high risk for so many diseases associated with being overweight, and that should be our strive and determination for getting healthy, so we live long.
Well said... I'm all about being healthy so I can enjoy a long, happy life with my husband and family (while I'lll STILL in my right frame of mind) .0 -
Very well said!0
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i must be the exception to the rule ... my father and one of my brothers in particular started obsessing about my weight when i was 14 years old and to the day he died, my father was still obsessing over it... my brother said "no woman should weigh over 130 lbs" and i took that to mean i was fat when i weighed 143... i look back at those pictures now and realize i wasn't fat, i was a FOX! i agree you become what you think you are, and all these years later I'm still getting rid of those voices and erroneous messages...
I'm doing this now because my health is at risk if I don't; it has nothing to do with my father or brother's obsessions -- i just want to be healthy and enjoy life a little more than i have been in recent years!0 -
I do agree that there is a double standard when it comes to what is considered acceptable in terms of size for black women vs. white women, but I am part of a community of black women who do want to be healthy, who are not in favor of being overweight, and who embrace a more healthy lifestyle. I was 260 lbs and lost down to 180, but I was never criticized for wanting to lose weight, I had nothing but cheers of support from family and friends. I think when women want to lose weight to embrace a superficial image of beauty, thats when its criticized. I realize and accept I will never be a petite size 2 or 4, and this just fine w/ me. I'm happy at my present weight which is 185 and a size 10/12. That may be considered overweight by society's standards, but I am actually more healthy and fit than many people smaller than I am.
I personally have never seen a case where a heavy black woman is preferred over a heavy white woman. From what I have experienced, heavy black women catch alot more flack about weight than heavy white women. I think the reason black women handle being overweight alot easier, is because we come from a background where we have heavy family members and heavy friends, so we don't stand out, where alot of times white women tend to be thinner in general, so when a white woman is heavier it's more obvious. Also, white people have always been celebrated as being diet and exercise conscious and the black race, not so much. Now that is rapidly changing as w/ the black race having statisically higher incidences of diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, we are embracing more healthy living.
Weight, diet, fitness, should never be a race issue, but due to how alot of us have been raised, taught, and exposed to, there are some color lines. All of us should embrace healthy living, not fit in to ideal weight standards, or anyone's standards, but because it benefits our health and quality of life.
Go'head now!!!0
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