The Fat Acceptance Movement… Thoughts??

EvanKeel

Dude, she said she wanted to continue the discussion since the previous one petered out due to being just a sidenote to the other discussion. That's totally legit.

If you say so. I don't really see how you're going to get more information than has previously shared on this.

As far as not wanting to search for the previous thread goes, I don't happen to think it's hard to keep track of those things, but I understand that it doesn't really matter what I think about that either.

Really my only possible objection to having this discussion is that it ends up being a lot of wheel spinning at the cost of getting people riled up. People have already been riled up. I've seen the previous threads.

I guess I just dispute the idea that anything new or interesting is going to happen by bringing it up again. That's all. It's like junk email. Yes, yes I know TigerDirect, you have a sale on laptops, surprising no one. That kind of thing.

danahake

I think its a love yourself and others for who they are. They do still encourage exercise and healthy living. Thats my opinion. They are trying to cut back on young girls becoming anorexic and teenagers torturing each other with teasing over nonsense. I do better in life if I love myself as I am that doesnt mean I dont want to improve, because obviously I do.

secretlobster

I don't treat people differently based on their health. I'm all for fat acceptance on the basis of being kind to people regardless of what they look like.

What I'm not okay with is fat ENCOURAGEMENT.

kathdela

Ahem.

http://kateharding.net/faq/but-dont-you-realize-fat-is-unhealthy/

"8. Even fat people who are unhealthy still deserve dignity and respect. Still human beings. See how that works?

9. In any case, shaming teh fatties for being “unhealthy” doesn’t ****ing help. If shame made people thin, there wouldn’t be a fat person in this country, trust me. I wish I could remember who said this, ’cause it’s one of my favorite quotes of all time: “You cannot hate people for their own good.”"


Please go back and read my original post.

I NEVER suggested that people should be shamed at all, in fact said the exact opposite. Stop putting words in my mouth.

I posted that before the page showed you even said anything. I didn't quote you. It was an unfortunate accident that it was right below your post. I didn't even respond to it, so calm down.

_VoV

The odds of losing weight, and keeping it off for 5+ years, aren't good. Those riding the crest of the weight loss wave, or newly maintaining a loss, may feel 'I did it. You can too.' That may be a premature statement, however.

I very much praise acceptance of all, even marginalized people. People need to accept that some people will always be fat, no matter how hard they try not to be. And the reasons for that are only partially known.

Symonep

Ok here is my take on the whole fat acceptance issue - I think people should accept the fact that they may be fat and not use it as an excuse. I think we are all guilty of the "oh I'll do (whatever) when I lose some weight". For example, I might be desperately wanting to learn how to salsa dance but I may only be willing to try it when I reach a certain weight, because fat people don't do that Another example, only wearing daggy old clothes because I'll get nice ones when I lose all this weight, what the hell we all deserve nice clothes no matter what weight we are.

I think there are many different facets to the whole fat acceptance thing. There are many people put there too scared to put in the effort to get healthy, there are a lot of people out there who think they aren't worthy of that effort. I do think having the mantra 'oh, that's just the way I am' is a cop out though. We all (mostly) make a conscious decision to be the weight we are, even is that decision comes in the form of 'I can't be bothered!!'. Losing weight and being healthy takes a lot of hard work and a lot of people can't really be bothered doing that so it is easier to just 'accept' their fat.

kathdela

That's a fair argument. I can respect that.

MaraDiaz

I will never accept my fat. It moves too much when I try to run. That said, if anyone ever yells "Hey fatty!" At me out their car window, they risk getting a brick thrown through it.

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katejkelley

I think we need to accept people for who they are. Size doesn't equal smart or talented. It's up to the individual to decide whether they want to be healthier or not. Obesity puts us at higher risk for disease. But, again, it's really what's on the inside that counts in a person.

bulbadoof

I think that all people should be treated with basic courtesy and respect regardless of how they choose to live their life - straight, gay, trans, fit, obese, religious, non-religious. I know race, age, and disability aren't choices but they don't have any effect on the amount of respect a person deserves either. We're all people, we all have feelings, and we all need to be considerate of each other for the human race to thrive.

That said, I don't think people deserve special treatment for what they are, either (barring people who physically or mentally cannot do certain things for themselves). If you're going to tell me that society needs to change to accommodate to people who have chosen to live unhealthy lifestyles, I'm going to disagree. I think it's a little self-centered to expect the world to change for you, honestly.

I guess I kinda agree with the basic issue of respect to the emotions of the obese, but I can't justify pushing the world to make the changes a lot of the people who settle into the fat acceptance mentality won't push themselves to make.

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kathdela

I agree that people's size isn't who they are as a person. That is exactly why you can accept somebody as a person without accepting their obesity. You can be someone's friend and still encourage a healthier lifestyle. If I truly care about someone, I would want them to be disease free and live a long and healthy life.

That is completely respectable as long as you mean it about everything. Do you also get on your friends who smoke or drink or go out without sunscreen?

toysbigkid

bump, reading later

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kathdela

I agree that people's size isn't who they are as a person. That is exactly why you can accept somebody as a person without accepting their obesity. You can be someone's friend and still encourage a healthier lifestyle. If I truly care about someone, I would want them to be disease free and live a long and healthy life.

That is completely respectable as long as you mean it about everything. Do you also get on your friends who smoke or drink or go out without sunscreen?

ABSOLUTELY!

Then, by all means, that is commendable!

The problem is when people do it ONLY for weight and when they do it to/about people they don't even know.

SCVSarah

Maybe not acceptance but at least decency and compassion. I am tired of being treated differently than the skinny person i happen to be hanging out with. Most of the time it's as if they just plain don't see you but sometimes they are just rude.

^this.

I can imagine that quality of life is not great in general for obese people (body aches, diabetes, depression or other related problems, hard to find clothing, seat belts not fitting, and the list goes on and on).

Then you add on top of that people staring and saying rude things. It horrible that people have to be so negative about "fat" people. The negativity may add to the emotional eating and why someone is obese. Weight loss is HARD, food can be a serious addiction. We all know how hard it is so why can't people be compassionate towards "fat" people rather than so critical?

That being said, I do think that parents should teach their children healthy lifestyles because it's not fair for a child to develop bad eating habits when they don't know any better. I do agree with swang45's comment about the heathcare system as well. However that shouldn't allow for people to be abusive towards "fat" people.

gorewhore13

So how would you judge someone like me? I'm overweight and working my *kitten* off to lose weight and change my lifestyle. I'm not accepting my own fat but you wouldn't know that if you saw me out somewhere unless I was running or working out.

Crochetluvr

I dont like the stereotypical assumption that all overweight people got that way eating donuts, fast food and soda. I can count on one hand how many donuts I have had in the last year. I never had more than a couple sodas a week. And once a month I treated myself to a chicken sandwich at Chick-Fil-A. What got me fat was the starches. I loaded up on pasta and potatoes. Even when I was done eating and putting the leftovers away, I would still have a little more in the kitchen! And I would make my own pies...and sweet breads.

Bad decisions. But I am doing something about it now. I sympathize with anyone who is overweight and wishes they could do something about it. But wanting to stay heavy only drives up the cost of healthcare. We all pay whether we lose the weight or not.

tsh0ck

Ok here is my take on the whole fat acceptance issue - I think people should accept the fact that they may be fat and not use it as an excuse. I think we are all guilty of the "oh I'll do (whatever) when I lose some weight". For example, I might be desperately wanting to learn how to salsa dance but I may only be willing to try it when I reach a certain weight, because fat people don't do that Another example, only wearing daggy old clothes because I'll get nice ones when I lose all this weight, what the hell we all deserve nice clothes no matter what weight we are.

I think there are many different facets to the whole fat acceptance thing. There are many people put there too scared to put in the effort to get healthy, there are a lot of people out there who think they aren't worthy of that effort. I do think having the mantra 'oh, that's just the way I am' is a cop out though. We all (mostly) make a conscious decision to be the weight we are, even is that decision comes in the form of 'I can't be bothered!!'. Losing weight and being healthy takes a lot of hard work and a lot of people can't really be bothered doing that so it is easier to just 'accept' their fat.

this is very well said.

far as the fat acceptance movement? I'm fat. (not as fat as I was just a few months ago, however.) I accept that. so, now? I've greatly increased movement.

tbutcher8

Acceptance of where we are is always a good thing. There are many different shapes, sizes and types of people, just as there are many different shapes, sizes and types of animals. Let's not put the elephants in Africa on a diet! LOL!! Just kidding! It's a bit different as we are all human beings. However, loving ourselves and accepting ourselves and one another is key to success. It is proven that positive reinforcement is better than negative. Haranguing overweight people and judging them does not good at all, in fact it probably fuels more emotions that are not helpful to being healthy. Peace happens a bit at a time, acceptance always seems to be the first step after awareness.

penrbrown

I think... we should NOT treat people like s**t because they're overweight.

I don't think we should think of fat as normal and healthy.

Valera0466

I haven't seen other posts on here with this topic so forgive me if I am being redundant. And no, I wouldn't say that I am trying to stir the pot but more so just facilitate a discussion.

Like I said, this topic was brought up on another thread I was on but due to the number of other comments and conversations that were going on at the same time, it was hard to keep it going.

I'm confused. If the thread still exists, you should still have access to it via a search if nothing else?

You are more than welcome to choose not to read the thread since you find it redundant. I find it interesting.

winonajosephine

I don't care at ALL about adults who are obese BUT when people raise children who are obese before or in elementry school or even before they hit that crazy emotional time of puberty makes me sick.

Kids should NOT be fed fast food every day! I also think cildren should be strongly encouraged or sometimes forced to eat their fruits and vegtables even when they don't want to. I also think that they should be active and not allowed to sit inside playing video games all day. :huh:

I make my kids eat their fruits and veggies and I make them go outside and play. I park far away at the stores and we all walk, they walk to school and I encourage them to be healthy as I think every parent should.

I really haven't heard of this "Fat Acceptance Movement" except for this post.

After reading posts about bigger airline chairs = more $ per tkt and accomidations that are going to cost us tax dollars is REDICULOUS if thats the case I do not agree at all! However, if its all about letting people be and not "discriminating" - I really don't care about overweight adults, I am trying desperately to get to a healthy body fat % and to set a better example for my kids. But, if other people are happy they way they are then - let em be!

CrueChix

It's just an excuse. Period. I don't care what anyone says, you cannot be healthy and fat at the same time.

kayemme

Most people here seem to be saying that no one should be judged on appearances, everyone loved for who they are, etc. Which is true, but that is not what the fat acceptance movement is about. It's about being FORCED to make accomodations for large peopl. Example: Airlines being required to have larger seats. It's kinda like ADA but for large people who are not "disabled".

So the question here should be: How do you feel about that?

I think the clientele would make the decision, in the end. And at the point where a person needs an extra seat, I'd probably say that in most cases, that person is somewhat disabled, specifically that a person who can't fit in a mass-transport seat probably cannot also fit through the aisles easily, either.

I am not saying this o be mean or hurtful, and I hope nobody would take it that way. I have a very good friend who is disabled by her weight. She can't walk without crutches, she uses a scooter (which is very heavy. I know because I often have to prepare it for her from her car and I cannot lift it alone).

She is disabled; there is no doubt about it. I still accept her for who she is. She is funny and generous and mostly kind (she can get snappy sometimes), but I don't look down on her for who she is. In fact, in many ways, I empathize. I don't know what has been the cause of her weight: it could be anything from poor diet to a medical issue. And I am not here to judge her. There needs to be some kind of accessibility for people like her; it's simply not fair because it's not always about "choice". Some people don't have that choice, even if you think they do.

I'm not saying SHE doesn't have that choice. Like I said, I don't know what the reasons behind her disability are, but I will honestly tell you, she is disabled. And it's hard on her, too. It's hard to include her in certain activities; it's hard to talk with her about these things; it's hard for everyone, but it's our job to be compassionate and empathetic to things we can't always understand.

_VoV

I don't care at ALL about adults who are obese BUT when people raise children who are obese before or in elementry school or even before they hit that crazy emotional time of puberty makes me sick.

Kids should NOT be fed fast food every day! I also think cildren should be strongly encouraged or sometimes forced to eat their fruits and vegtables even when they don't want to. I also think that they should be active and not allowed to sit inside playing video games all day. :huh:

I make my kids eat their fruits and veggies and I make them go outside and play. I park far away at the stores and we all walk, they walk to school and I encourage them to be healthy as I think every parent should.

I really haven't heard of this "Fat Acceptance Movement" except for this post.

After reading posts about bigger airline chairs = more $ per tkt and accomidations that are going to cost us tax dollars is REDICULOUS if thats the case I do not agree at all! However, if its all about letting people be and not "discriminating" - I really don't care about overweight adults, I am trying desperately to get to a healthy body fat % and to set a better example for my kids. But, if other people are happy they way they are then - let em be!

My oldest child ate an organic, whole-food vegan diet until he was 2.5 years old. Then we started bringing him to a home daycare. All the kiddie parties did us in: cake, chips, French fries, candy, ice cream, pizza, etc. He was hooked, but fortunately never developed a weight problem. My youngest wasn't so lucky. She struggles with her weight, even though she shares the same parents, and food environment as my son. I would say junk-food vegetarian wasn't where I was setting my sights, but it is where we landed.

Parents have a lot to do with their kids' food and activity choices, but unless you live in a hut in the desert, they will be eventually exposed to our very pervasive food culture and 'kid' foods--generally low nutrition, high calorie junk. Other families can sabotage your efforts, or make you feel like a silly, or worse ogreish, parent--think control freak, here.

When my son went on his first sleepover at age five, I told the mother that my son was a vegetarian. She offered him a hotdog as their 'little secret', but he wisely refused it. I just learned this over a decade later when he let it slip. That's an example of how blatantly family values and habits can be undermined.

Until the food culture changes in this society, families who aim to do better by their kids will tend to meet resistance, and possibly sabotage. I wish that weren't true.

sleepytexan

Excuse.

Please, visit Europe and see why they are all disgusted with Americans and our "fat acceptance".

It is truly shocking how huge we are compared with much of the world. No one should accept that.

kayemme

Excuse.

Please, visit Europe and see why they are all disgusted with Americans and our "fat acceptance".

It is truly shocking how huge we are compared with much of the world. No one should accept that.

actually, everyone should accept that. half the problem is that we don't accept it and, therefore, continue consuming mindlessly.

EEpling89

Sorry if someone else has already said this but I'm too lazy to read through the entire thread lol.

I think the acceptance we should be embracing is that people have different body types. We (women AND men) should not be taught from a young age that we need to look like the photoshopped images in magazines. However, this does not mean that it should be okay for anyone to weigh 500 pounds. But instead of focusing our energy on belittling these people, we should look at how our society has pushed obesity on us. No one chooses to be fat. Some people are just more susceptible to falling into the traps that are set for all of us. That is NOT okay.

If you haven't watched it, take a look at the Weight of the Nation mini-series (again, sorry if that's been covered). It gives a lot of insight.