I'm conflicted about "Fat Acceptance" morally.. I find

Ramberta

"Fat acceptance" is all about not judging bodies that do not belong to you.

There is nothing morally conflicting about that. If you don't like how somebody else looks, don't look. Weight does not equal health. You are not responsible for anyone but yourself. Encouraging people to feel good about themselves no matter what their weight is, is tremendously positive. It's not about preaching "you don't need to lose weight!" It about preaching "You are worthy just as you are".

Then why is there not "Tobacco Acceptance" or "Alcohol Acceptance" as well? Why are all life choices not praised for us being who we want to be? Clearly, there must be other factors into why it is not socially 'acceptable' to be fat. And telling someone they are physically unhealthy does NOT mean they are unworthy as an individual. I think a lot of pro-Acceptance people here are missing that point.

My boyfriend suffers from major depression. Do I tell him he's worthless? Of course not-- if I thought that, I wouldn't even be with him. But am I going to tell him he's perfectly fine the way he is, and accept him staying in bed all day? Again, of course not. If something is affecting the physical or mental health of someone I love I will speak up about it, BECAUSE I love them. Helping someone face their bad decisions and overcome them is, if anything, the most crucial part of accepting them... because you're willing to support them right now, AND to help motivate them to improve. My boyfriend does the same with me, with my journey to lose weight and overcome anger issues. We accept each other for who we are, but that doesn't mean we have to accept the fact that we can never be better than we are right now!

First all off, not all people who are "fat" are addicted to food. People addicted to alcohol and drugs actually ARE addicts. So please stop using that analogy, it's not as clever as you think.

I'm not 'being clever'. We are not discussing people who are 20 pounds overweight, or even 40. This woman is most likely between 4 and 500 pounds. She did not get to this weight by not being addicted to food in some way, although it's amusing that you seem to find that possible. She didn't wake up one day and go "Oh crap, I put on 300 pounds overnight!" Even if she has some major health issues that left her bedridden in a hospital for months (which doesn't seem likely given that she is apparently healthy enough to pose for softcore porn), that doesn't just excuse a lifetime of poor eating.

Second, weight does not equal health. There are very recent studies (published in the JAMA -- which is about as credible as you can get) the seem to show being "fat" as defined as moderately overweight live longer than their thin counterparts. Here, read: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1555137

There is nothing that prevents a moderately overweight person from living a totally productive life -- aside from how others treat them. Period. That is what fat acceptance is about. You are, presumably, not a medical doctor. Other people's health is not your concern. You are making lifestyle and health assumptions based on appearance alone. Not cool. Also assuming that thin is "better" also isn't cool.

When did I ever say that being 'thin' was better? Oh, that's right... nowhere. I have been talking about health, and health alone. The definition of a healthy weight varies from person to person, and no one has to stay at a specific number on the scale their entire life to be healthy. Again, we are not talking about "moderately overweight", we are talking about people who are 2-300 pounds overweight. That is not 'moderate' by any stretch of the imagination.

Um, fat acceptance is an entire movement that encompasses many body types not just the one pictured. Also, do you know the woman pictured personally? You have NO idea how or what she eats. You are making a LOT of assumptions. LOTS. You don't know her medical history. You don't know if she eats to maintain this size to have work, therefore money to feed her family. She might just like the taste of food.

And you clearly do seem to think thinness is better because you seem to think thinness = health. It does not. Also, the health of other people is NOT your concern. Your concern is unnecessary and misguided. What is it to YOU what I weigh? Is your life positively affected because you are talking to me and I am a "health" weight. No. Don't think so.

Honey, you are just full of the hangry today. How many times do I have to say that I am not advocating being 'thin'? So what if you have a little tummy pooch. So what if you have a double chin. So what if you have cankles, chubby underarms, a big butt, or "thunder thighs". I may have all these things even at my goal weight! I specifically said that healthy weights vary from person to person. It would behoove you to actually read my posts instead of jumping to create ludicrous scenarios for a stranger (feeding her family? really? how is that not an assumption of your own?) instead of admitting that you are taking this too far.

P.S. "Liking the taste of food", in excess, is an eating disorder. I am making an assumption here but I highly, highly doubt that if this woman was eating less than 3,000 calories a day, that she would be at the weight she is in this picture. It is possible to like the taste of food too much, and that is where the addiction comes in.

aleesh_

"Fat Acceptance" is a counter culture, it was only created because it was needed at the time. Give it a few more years and the circle will jerk itself around again the opposite way. There isn't an "alcoholic acceptance" or "drug user acceptance" because it's usually harder to spot those people in a crowd unless they are visibly drunk or high, or completely washed up. Plus society has the most annoying and uncanny ability to stick their heads in the sand and pretend that things that make them uncomfortable don't exist.

brenn24179

It is no fun being fat, not fitting in your clothes, embarassment, not having a boyfriend or finding a job. Not that it is right, but it is the way it is. I am so glad there are sites like this to help people and not criticize people.

I had skinny parents who put me down but never helped me. Helping people, walking, bicycling with them and especially someone who has been fat showing what they did to lose the weight. Teaching someone how to deal with life and not overeat. By not being mean to fat people, but helping them. I really dont care if my friends are fat myself but I know how mean people can be to them and I dont want them to die so fat acceptance is not ok but helping them to a healthy life is where it is at. That is how I would want to be treated and somone at my gym told me about this site when I was discouraged and I hope I can help others to accept they can be healthy.

seanezekiel

Its a complicated matter. The difference between unhealthy and a risk to yourself and a burden on others to just having some chub is such a big line.

funkyspunky872

What I am getting from almost every single one of these posts so far:

"If you're fat, you don't deserve to be happy or loved or confident. You will never be happy until you lose weight. In fact, if you're fat, you don't even deserve to be treated like a human being -- you're just a sack of gooey, yellow sludge who takes up too much room on the sidewalk and is a burden to rest of us taxpayers. I know you're lying about being really happy, because all that fat inhibits your emotions. Are you sure you're not confusing happiness with laziness? Or maybe that swell of pride in your chest is really just an oncoming heart attack. And no offense, but I think you're disgusting, and I can get away with saying this because I was once a fat piece of **** too! Now, I've lost a few pounds, and everything is rainbows and unicorns!! PS: I'm just saying this because I care though. I couldn't care less about your feelings or rights as a human being, but damn I sure do care about your health."

erinpd

What I am getting from almost every single one of these posts so far:

"If you're fat, you don't deserve to be happy or loved or confident. You will never be happy until you lose weight. In fact, if you're fat, you don't even deserve to be treated like a human being -- you're just a sack of gooey, yellow sludge who takes up too much room on the sidewalk and is a burden to rest of us taxpayers. I know you're lying about being really happy, because all that fat inhibits your emotions. Are you sure you're not confusing happiness with laziness? Or maybe that swell of pride in your chest is really just an oncoming heart attack. And no offense, but I think you're disgusting, and I can get away with saying this because I was once a fat piece of **** too! Now, I've lost a few pounds, and everything is rainbows and unicorns!! PS: I'm just saying this because I care though. I couldn't care less about your feelings or rights as a human being, but damn I sure do care about your health."

That's the message I'm getting as well. Very sad.

devil_in_a_blue_dress

"Fat acceptance" is all about not judging bodies that do not belong to you.

There is nothing morally conflicting about that. If you don't like how somebody else looks, don't look. Weight does not equal health. You are not responsible for anyone but yourself. Encouraging people to feel good about themselves no matter what their weight is, is tremendously positive. It's not about preaching "you don't need to lose weight!" It about preaching "You are worthy just as you are".

Then why is there not "Tobacco Acceptance" or "Alcohol Acceptance" as well? Why are all life choices not praised for us being who we want to be? Clearly, there must be other factors into why it is not socially 'acceptable' to be fat. And telling someone they are physically unhealthy does NOT mean they are unworthy as an individual. I think a lot of pro-Acceptance people here are missing that point.

My boyfriend suffers from major depression. Do I tell him he's worthless? Of course not-- if I thought that, I wouldn't even be with him. But am I going to tell him he's perfectly fine the way he is, and accept him staying in bed all day? Again, of course not. If something is affecting the physical or mental health of someone I love I will speak up about it, BECAUSE I love them. Helping someone face their bad decisions and overcome them is, if anything, the most crucial part of accepting them... because you're willing to support them right now, AND to help motivate them to improve. My boyfriend does the same with me, with my journey to lose weight and overcome anger issues. We accept each other for who we are, but that doesn't mean we have to accept the fact that we can never be better than we are right now!

First all off, not all people who are "fat" are addicted to food. People addicted to alcohol and drugs actually ARE addicts. So please stop using that analogy, it's not as clever as you think.

I'm not 'being clever'. We are not discussing people who are 20 pounds overweight, or even 40. This woman is most likely between 4 and 500 pounds. She did not get to this weight by not being addicted to food in some way, although it's amusing that you seem to find that possible. She didn't wake up one day and go "Oh crap, I put on 300 pounds overnight!" Even if she has some major health issues that left her bedridden in a hospital for months (which doesn't seem likely given that she is apparently healthy enough to pose for softcore porn), that doesn't just excuse a lifetime of poor eating.

Second, weight does not equal health. There are very recent studies (published in the JAMA -- which is about as credible as you can get) the seem to show being "fat" as defined as moderately overweight live longer than their thin counterparts. Here, read: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1555137

There is nothing that prevents a moderately overweight person from living a totally productive life -- aside from how others treat them. Period. That is what fat acceptance is about. You are, presumably, not a medical doctor. Other people's health is not your concern. You are making lifestyle and health assumptions based on appearance alone. Not cool. Also assuming that thin is "better" also isn't cool.

When did I ever say that being 'thin' was better? Oh, that's right... nowhere. I have been talking about health, and health alone. The definition of a healthy weight varies from person to person, and no one has to stay at a specific number on the scale their entire life to be healthy. Again, we are not talking about "moderately overweight", we are talking about people who are 2-300 pounds overweight. That is not 'moderate' by any stretch of the imagination.

Um, fat acceptance is an entire movement that encompasses many body types not just the one pictured. Also, do you know the woman pictured personally? You have NO idea how or what she eats. You are making a LOT of assumptions. LOTS. You don't know her medical history. You don't know if she eats to maintain this size to have work, therefore money to feed her family. She might just like the taste of food.

And you clearly do seem to think thinness is better because you seem to think thinness = health. It does not. Also, the health of other people is NOT your concern. Your concern is unnecessary and misguided. What is it to YOU what I weigh? Is your life positively affected because you are talking to me and I am a "health" weight. No. Don't think so.

Honey, you are just full of the hangry today. How many times do I have to say that I am not advocating being 'thin'? So what if you have a little tummy pooch. So what if you have a double chin. So what if you have cankles, chubby underarms, a big butt, or "thunder thighs". I may have all these things even at my goal weight! I specifically said that healthy weights vary from person to person. It would behoove you to actually read my posts instead of jumping to create ludicrous scenarios for a stranger (feeding her family? really? how is that not an assumption of your own?) instead of admitting that you are taking this too far.

P.S. "Liking the taste of food", in excess, is an eating disorder. I am making an assumption here but I highly, highly doubt that if this woman was eating less than 3,000 calories a day, that she would be at the weight she is in this picture. It is possible to like the taste of food too much, and that is where the addiction comes in.

You know, this conversation is pointless. Thanks for your time.

darleyschroeder

Yeah I really don't feel that anyone of any size should be belittled or discriminated against or humiliated - but they try to make people feel better about themselves by insisting that they are genetically doomed to be obese and that losing weight is physically impossible. As a former morbidly obese person I found it greatly disheartening and a bit ridiculous.

They try to empower people by convincing them that they are powerless, and that ain't cool.

I agree. I used to be obese as well and am now a healthy weight, even while being pregnant at the same time. People would always say "Oh you're not that big" or "Girl, you look great" but thing is, I wasn't healthy and I wasn't happy. I have known a lot of large women who call themselves curvy, but curvy does not mean obese.

Ramberta

What I am getting from almost every single one of these posts so far:

"If you're fat, you don't deserve to be happy or loved or confident. You will never be happy until you lose weight. In fact, if you're fat, you don't even deserve to be treated like a human being -- you're just a sack of gooey, yellow sludge who takes up too much room on the sidewalk and is a burden to rest of us taxpayers. I know you're lying about being really happy, because all that fat inhibits your emotions. Are you sure you're not confusing happiness with laziness? Or maybe that swell of pride in your chest is really just an oncoming heart attack. And no offense, but I think you're disgusting, and I can get away with saying this because I was once a fat piece of **** too! Now, I've lost a few pounds, and everything is rainbows and unicorns!! PS: I'm just saying this because I care though. I couldn't care less about your feelings or rights as a human being, but damn I sure do care about your health."

Mm. Thanks for summing up everyone's posts into a well-thought-out, rational, non-attacking response. You clearly have an understanding of all of us as individuals.

Ramberta

"Fat acceptance" is all about not judging bodies that do not belong to you.

There is nothing morally conflicting about that. If you don't like how somebody else looks, don't look. Weight does not equal health. You are not responsible for anyone but yourself. Encouraging people to feel good about themselves no matter what their weight is, is tremendously positive. It's not about preaching "you don't need to lose weight!" It about preaching "You are worthy just as you are".

Then why is there not "Tobacco Acceptance" or "Alcohol Acceptance" as well? Why are all life choices not praised for us being who we want to be? Clearly, there must be other factors into why it is not socially 'acceptable' to be fat. And telling someone they are physically unhealthy does NOT mean they are unworthy as an individual. I think a lot of pro-Acceptance people here are missing that point.

My boyfriend suffers from major depression. Do I tell him he's worthless? Of course not-- if I thought that, I wouldn't even be with him. But am I going to tell him he's perfectly fine the way he is, and accept him staying in bed all day? Again, of course not. If something is affecting the physical or mental health of someone I love I will speak up about it, BECAUSE I love them. Helping someone face their bad decisions and overcome them is, if anything, the most crucial part of accepting them... because you're willing to support them right now, AND to help motivate them to improve. My boyfriend does the same with me, with my journey to lose weight and overcome anger issues. We accept each other for who we are, but that doesn't mean we have to accept the fact that we can never be better than we are right now!

First all off, not all people who are "fat" are addicted to food. People addicted to alcohol and drugs actually ARE addicts. So please stop using that analogy, it's not as clever as you think.

I'm not 'being clever'. We are not discussing people who are 20 pounds overweight, or even 40. This woman is most likely between 4 and 500 pounds. She did not get to this weight by not being addicted to food in some way, although it's amusing that you seem to find that possible. She didn't wake up one day and go "Oh crap, I put on 300 pounds overnight!" Even if she has some major health issues that left her bedridden in a hospital for months (which doesn't seem likely given that she is apparently healthy enough to pose for softcore porn), that doesn't just excuse a lifetime of poor eating.

Second, weight does not equal health. There are very recent studies (published in the JAMA -- which is about as credible as you can get) the seem to show being "fat" as defined as moderately overweight live longer than their thin counterparts. Here, read: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1555137

There is nothing that prevents a moderately overweight person from living a totally productive life -- aside from how others treat them. Period. That is what fat acceptance is about. You are, presumably, not a medical doctor. Other people's health is not your concern. You are making lifestyle and health assumptions based on appearance alone. Not cool. Also assuming that thin is "better" also isn't cool.

When did I ever say that being 'thin' was better? Oh, that's right... nowhere. I have been talking about health, and health alone. The definition of a healthy weight varies from person to person, and no one has to stay at a specific number on the scale their entire life to be healthy. Again, we are not talking about "moderately overweight", we are talking about people who are 2-300 pounds overweight. That is not 'moderate' by any stretch of the imagination.

Um, fat acceptance is an entire movement that encompasses many body types not just the one pictured. Also, do you know the woman pictured personally? You have NO idea how or what she eats. You are making a LOT of assumptions. LOTS. You don't know her medical history. You don't know if she eats to maintain this size to have work, therefore money to feed her family. She might just like the taste of food.

And you clearly do seem to think thinness is better because you seem to think thinness = health. It does not. Also, the health of other people is NOT your concern. Your concern is unnecessary and misguided. What is it to YOU what I weigh? Is your life positively affected because you are talking to me and I am a "health" weight. No. Don't think so.

Honey, you are just full of the hangry today. How many times do I have to say that I am not advocating being 'thin'? So what if you have a little tummy pooch. So what if you have a double chin. So what if you have cankles, chubby underarms, a big butt, or "thunder thighs". I may have all these things even at my goal weight! I specifically said that healthy weights vary from person to person. It would behoove you to actually read my posts instead of jumping to create ludicrous scenarios for a stranger (feeding her family? really? how is that not an assumption of your own?) instead of admitting that you are taking this too far.

P.S. "Liking the taste of food", in excess, is an eating disorder. I am making an assumption here but I highly, highly doubt that if this woman was eating less than 3,000 calories a day, that she would be at the weight she is in this picture. It is possible to like the taste of food too much, and that is where the addiction comes in.

You know, this conversation is pointless. Thanks for your time.

Ahahahahahaha. Hahahahaha. Oh excuse me. I'm just going to go laugh my head off at how a debate where I was exposing your points as nonsensical turns into a "pointless" conversation. Thanks for your time bb! Go eat something, I think you're hungry.

funkyspunky872

What I am getting from almost every single one of these posts so far:

"If you're fat, you don't deserve to be happy or loved or confident. You will never be happy until you lose weight. In fact, if you're fat, you don't even deserve to be treated like a human being -- you're just a sack of gooey, yellow sludge who takes up too much room on the sidewalk and is a burden to rest of us taxpayers. I know you're lying about being really happy, because all that fat inhibits your emotions. Are you sure you're not confusing happiness with laziness? Or maybe that swell of pride in your chest is really just an oncoming heart attack. And no offense, but I think you're disgusting, and I can get away with saying this because I was once a fat piece of **** too! Now, I've lost a few pounds, and everything is rainbows and unicorns!! PS: I'm just saying this because I care though. I couldn't care less about your feelings or rights as a human being, but damn I sure do care about your health."

Mm. Thanks for summing up everyone's posts into a well-thought-out, rational, non-attacking response. You clearly have an understanding of all of us as individuals.

"I don't even know you, but you're fatness is ruining my life. Every time I look at you, I throw up a little in my mouth. It's damaging my teeth, and it's all your fault. Why don't you just stop eating cake and go hop on a treadmill? It's not that hard. If you need some more motivation, man do I have some great insults up my sleeve. Let's start with a simple one: ewwww!!"

devil_in_a_blue_dress

What I am getting from almost every single one of these posts so far:

"If you're fat, you don't deserve to be happy or loved or confident. You will never be happy until you lose weight. In fact, if you're fat, you don't even deserve to be treated like a human being -- you're just a sack of gooey, yellow sludge who takes up too much room on the sidewalk and is a burden to rest of us taxpayers. I know you're lying about being really happy, because all that fat inhibits your emotions. Are you sure you're not confusing happiness with laziness? Or maybe that swell of pride in your chest is really just an oncoming heart attack. And no offense, but I think you're disgusting, and I can get away with saying this because I was once a fat piece of **** too! Now, I've lost a few pounds, and everything is rainbows and unicorns!! PS: I'm just saying this because I care though. I couldn't care less about your feelings or rights as a human being, but damn I sure do care about your health."

Mm. Thanks for summing up everyone's posts into a well-thought-out, rational, non-attacking response. You clearly have an understanding of all of us as individuals.

Actually they kind of do...

You obviously have some things that motivate you to be here arguing with everyone who has a differing opinion than you - it shouldn't surprise you that other people, coming from different experiences are doing the same.

funkyspunky872

"Beccy lost 100 pounds, and now she's /healthy/ and /happy/, and she looks great. Welcome to the club! You're one of us!"

devil_in_a_blue_dress

"Fat acceptance" is all about not judging bodies that do not belong to you.

There is nothing morally conflicting about that. If you don't like how somebody else looks, don't look. Weight does not equal health. You are not responsible for anyone but yourself. Encouraging people to feel good about themselves no matter what their weight is, is tremendously positive. It's not about preaching "you don't need to lose weight!" It about preaching "You are worthy just as you are".

Then why is there not "Tobacco Acceptance" or "Alcohol Acceptance" as well? Why are all life choices not praised for us being who we want to be? Clearly, there must be other factors into why it is not socially 'acceptable' to be fat. And telling someone they are physically unhealthy does NOT mean they are unworthy as an individual. I think a lot of pro-Acceptance people here are missing that point.

My boyfriend suffers from major depression. Do I tell him he's worthless? Of course not-- if I thought that, I wouldn't even be with him. But am I going to tell him he's perfectly fine the way he is, and accept him staying in bed all day? Again, of course not. If something is affecting the physical or mental health of someone I love I will speak up about it, BECAUSE I love them. Helping someone face their bad decisions and overcome them is, if anything, the most crucial part of accepting them... because you're willing to support them right now, AND to help motivate them to improve. My boyfriend does the same with me, with my journey to lose weight and overcome anger issues. We accept each other for who we are, but that doesn't mean we have to accept the fact that we can never be better than we are right now!

First all off, not all people who are "fat" are addicted to food. People addicted to alcohol and drugs actually ARE addicts. So please stop using that analogy, it's not as clever as you think.

I'm not 'being clever'. We are not discussing people who are 20 pounds overweight, or even 40. This woman is most likely between 4 and 500 pounds. She did not get to this weight by not being addicted to food in some way, although it's amusing that you seem to find that possible. She didn't wake up one day and go "Oh crap, I put on 300 pounds overnight!" Even if she has some major health issues that left her bedridden in a hospital for months (which doesn't seem likely given that she is apparently healthy enough to pose for softcore porn), that doesn't just excuse a lifetime of poor eating.

Second, weight does not equal health. There are very recent studies (published in the JAMA -- which is about as credible as you can get) the seem to show being "fat" as defined as moderately overweight live longer than their thin counterparts. Here, read: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1555137

There is nothing that prevents a moderately overweight person from living a totally productive life -- aside from how others treat them. Period. That is what fat acceptance is about. You are, presumably, not a medical doctor. Other people's health is not your concern. You are making lifestyle and health assumptions based on appearance alone. Not cool. Also assuming that thin is "better" also isn't cool.

When did I ever say that being 'thin' was better? Oh, that's right... nowhere. I have been talking about health, and health alone. The definition of a healthy weight varies from person to person, and no one has to stay at a specific number on the scale their entire life to be healthy. Again, we are not talking about "moderately overweight", we are talking about people who are 2-300 pounds overweight. That is not 'moderate' by any stretch of the imagination.

Um, fat acceptance is an entire movement that encompasses many body types not just the one pictured. Also, do you know the woman pictured personally? You have NO idea how or what she eats. You are making a LOT of assumptions. LOTS. You don't know her medical history. You don't know if she eats to maintain this size to have work, therefore money to feed her family. She might just like the taste of food.

And you clearly do seem to think thinness is better because you seem to think thinness = health. It does not. Also, the health of other people is NOT your concern. Your concern is unnecessary and misguided. What is it to YOU what I weigh? Is your life positively affected because you are talking to me and I am a "health" weight. No. Don't think so.

Honey, you are just full of the hangry today. How many times do I have to say that I am not advocating being 'thin'? So what if you have a little tummy pooch. So what if you have a double chin. So what if you have cankles, chubby underarms, a big butt, or "thunder thighs". I may have all these things even at my goal weight! I specifically said that healthy weights vary from person to person. It would behoove you to actually read my posts instead of jumping to create ludicrous scenarios for a stranger (feeding her family? really? how is that not an assumption of your own?) instead of admitting that you are taking this too far.

P.S. "Liking the taste of food", in excess, is an eating disorder. I am making an assumption here but I highly, highly doubt that if this woman was eating less than 3,000 calories a day, that she would be at the weight she is in this picture. It is possible to like the taste of food too much, and that is where the addiction comes in.

You know, this conversation is pointless. Thanks for your time.

Ahahahahahaha. Hahahahaha. Oh excuse me. I'm just going to go laugh my head off at how a debate where I was exposing your points as nonsensical turns into a "pointless" conversation. Thanks for your time bb! Go eat something, I think you're hungry.

Look, you apparently don't know forum rules. I stopped because I am not going to get into personal attacks.

Ramberta

What I am getting from almost every single one of these posts so far:

"If you're fat, you don't deserve to be happy or loved or confident. You will never be happy until you lose weight. In fact, if you're fat, you don't even deserve to be treated like a human being -- you're just a sack of gooey, yellow sludge who takes up too much room on the sidewalk and is a burden to rest of us taxpayers. I know you're lying about being really happy, because all that fat inhibits your emotions. Are you sure you're not confusing happiness with laziness? Or maybe that swell of pride in your chest is really just an oncoming heart attack. And no offense, but I think you're disgusting, and I can get away with saying this because I was once a fat piece of **** too! Now, I've lost a few pounds, and everything is rainbows and unicorns!! PS: I'm just saying this because I care though. I couldn't care less about your feelings or rights as a human being, but damn I sure do care about your health."

Mm. Thanks for summing up everyone's posts into a well-thought-out, rational, non-attacking response. You clearly have an understanding of all of us as individuals.

"I don't even know you, but you're fatness is ruining my life. Every time I look at you, I throw up a little in my mouth. It's damaging my teeth, and it's all your fault. Why don't you just stop eating cake and go hop on a treadmill? It's not that hard. If you need some more motivation, man do I have some great insults up my sleeve. Let's start with a simple one: ewwww!!"

Hmm... you must be confusing my posts with someone else's. I have called the large woman in the pink lingerie beautiful multiple times, and I mean it sincerely. Anyway, it's moot because I'm reporting both your posts for mockery. Please understand the differences between a thread created for debate purposes and a thread created for attack purposes.

Ramberta

What I am getting from almost every single one of these posts so far:

"If you're fat, you don't deserve to be happy or loved or confident. You will never be happy until you lose weight. In fact, if you're fat, you don't even deserve to be treated like a human being -- you're just a sack of gooey, yellow sludge who takes up too much room on the sidewalk and is a burden to rest of us taxpayers. I know you're lying about being really happy, because all that fat inhibits your emotions. Are you sure you're not confusing happiness with laziness? Or maybe that swell of pride in your chest is really just an oncoming heart attack. And no offense, but I think you're disgusting, and I can get away with saying this because I was once a fat piece of **** too! Now, I've lost a few pounds, and everything is rainbows and unicorns!! PS: I'm just saying this because I care though. I couldn't care less about your feelings or rights as a human being, but damn I sure do care about your health."

Mm. Thanks for summing up everyone's posts into a well-thought-out, rational, non-attacking response. You clearly have an understanding of all of us as individuals.

Actually they kind of do...

You obviously have some things that motivate you to be here arguing with everyone who has a differing opinion than you - it shouldn't surprise you that other people, coming from different experiences are doing the same.

Lol... the OP created this thread for a debate. I am debating. I have been talking reasonably with other people, and gasp shock, those opinions have not been 100% in alignment with my own! You're the only one who seems to be getting upset at me stating my differing opinion as if it shouldn't be allowed.

Ramberta

"Fat acceptance" is all about not judging bodies that do not belong to you.

There is nothing morally conflicting about that. If you don't like how somebody else looks, don't look. Weight does not equal health. You are not responsible for anyone but yourself. Encouraging people to feel good about themselves no matter what their weight is, is tremendously positive. It's not about preaching "you don't need to lose weight!" It about preaching "You are worthy just as you are".

Then why is there not "Tobacco Acceptance" or "Alcohol Acceptance" as well? Why are all life choices not praised for us being who we want to be? Clearly, there must be other factors into why it is not socially 'acceptable' to be fat. And telling someone they are physically unhealthy does NOT mean they are unworthy as an individual. I think a lot of pro-Acceptance people here are missing that point.

My boyfriend suffers from major depression. Do I tell him he's worthless? Of course not-- if I thought that, I wouldn't even be with him. But am I going to tell him he's perfectly fine the way he is, and accept him staying in bed all day? Again, of course not. If something is affecting the physical or mental health of someone I love I will speak up about it, BECAUSE I love them. Helping someone face their bad decisions and overcome them is, if anything, the most crucial part of accepting them... because you're willing to support them right now, AND to help motivate them to improve. My boyfriend does the same with me, with my journey to lose weight and overcome anger issues. We accept each other for who we are, but that doesn't mean we have to accept the fact that we can never be better than we are right now!

First all off, not all people who are "fat" are addicted to food. People addicted to alcohol and drugs actually ARE addicts. So please stop using that analogy, it's not as clever as you think.

I'm not 'being clever'. We are not discussing people who are 20 pounds overweight, or even 40. This woman is most likely between 4 and 500 pounds. She did not get to this weight by not being addicted to food in some way, although it's amusing that you seem to find that possible. She didn't wake up one day and go "Oh crap, I put on 300 pounds overnight!" Even if she has some major health issues that left her bedridden in a hospital for months (which doesn't seem likely given that she is apparently healthy enough to pose for softcore porn), that doesn't just excuse a lifetime of poor eating.

Second, weight does not equal health. There are very recent studies (published in the JAMA -- which is about as credible as you can get) the seem to show being "fat" as defined as moderately overweight live longer than their thin counterparts. Here, read: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1555137

There is nothing that prevents a moderately overweight person from living a totally productive life -- aside from how others treat them. Period. That is what fat acceptance is about. You are, presumably, not a medical doctor. Other people's health is not your concern. You are making lifestyle and health assumptions based on appearance alone. Not cool. Also assuming that thin is "better" also isn't cool.

When did I ever say that being 'thin' was better? Oh, that's right... nowhere. I have been talking about health, and health alone. The definition of a healthy weight varies from person to person, and no one has to stay at a specific number on the scale their entire life to be healthy. Again, we are not talking about "moderately overweight", we are talking about people who are 2-300 pounds overweight. That is not 'moderate' by any stretch of the imagination.

Um, fat acceptance is an entire movement that encompasses many body types not just the one pictured. Also, do you know the woman pictured personally? You have NO idea how or what she eats. You are making a LOT of assumptions. LOTS. You don't know her medical history. You don't know if she eats to maintain this size to have work, therefore money to feed her family. She might just like the taste of food.

And you clearly do seem to think thinness is better because you seem to think thinness = health. It does not. Also, the health of other people is NOT your concern. Your concern is unnecessary and misguided. What is it to YOU what I weigh? Is your life positively affected because you are talking to me and I am a "health" weight. No. Don't think so.

Honey, you are just full of the hangry today. How many times do I have to say that I am not advocating being 'thin'? So what if you have a little tummy pooch. So what if you have a double chin. So what if you have cankles, chubby underarms, a big butt, or "thunder thighs". I may have all these things even at my goal weight! I specifically said that healthy weights vary from person to person. It would behoove you to actually read my posts instead of jumping to create ludicrous scenarios for a stranger (feeding her family? really? how is that not an assumption of your own?) instead of admitting that you are taking this too far.

P.S. "Liking the taste of food", in excess, is an eating disorder. I am making an assumption here but I highly, highly doubt that if this woman was eating less than 3,000 calories a day, that she would be at the weight she is in this picture. It is possible to like the taste of food too much, and that is where the addiction comes in.

You know, this conversation is pointless. Thanks for your time.

Ahahahahahaha. Hahahahaha. Oh excuse me. I'm just going to go laugh my head off at how a debate where I was exposing your points as nonsensical turns into a "pointless" conversation. Thanks for your time bb! Go eat something, I think you're hungry.

Look, you apparently don't know forum rules. I stopped because I am not going to get into personal attacks.

I don't know forum rules? Which ones, exactly, am I violating? Go ahead and report me if I am. That doesn't change the fact that you butted out of a conversation because you apparently had nothing to say that wasn't a personal attack towards me. Kind of sad.

Showmm

From my experience, it is always clear to me (or I'm always readily assuming) that people are thinking things about my weight, that people say I'm cool and pretty, but that it's a "lie." The people who don't say anything may be thinking some of the meanest things! And that, to me, is just as harmful as outright bullying a person. If you're secretly thinking things about a fat person (like a coworker), you're not being accepting, you know?

You said it, you are readily assuming! Wow, someone doesn't say anything about your looks and size is as bad as someone outright bullying you?

Stop worrying about what people may or may not be thinking about you in their own heads.

theCarlton

Your acceptance isn't required. It's not your body.