The 'Fat Acceptance' Movement

The right thing to do is to treat everyone with respect as human beings. Being respectful does not have to mean you encourage a unhealthy lifestyle.

There's a difference between loving yourself and blatantly lying to people about the health risks involved with being overweight

But is it really any of anyone else's business?

It is when the tax payers have to foot the bill for the increased incidence of disability and chronic conditions related to morbid obesity.

But then again, that's not much of an argument since the tax payer also has to foot the bill for death row inmates, and they've certainly made worse life choices than the morbidly obese.

And smokers, and premature babies, and a whole slew of other people who sometimes by choice and sometimes by chance are a "burden" on the system. If you read back through the thread there is a lot of commentary about this argument.

It still doesn't mean anyone has the right to make unsolicited commentary on someone's worthiness or their body.

I don't think anyone is arguing that overweight people should be shamed or put down. I think the whole argument here, at least that I've seen, is people saying that you can be healthy overweight which is a completely false statement. And I don't mean a few pounds overweight I mean legitimately overweight/obese.

Edit: and smokers get hate all the time, even more than overweight people.

I agree smokers get hate... but I don't agree that it is more than overweight people. Earlier in the thread, I mentioned that I was once touched with the lit end of someone's cigarette as I just WALKED BY on the street while they uttered "hey biggie" under their breath. I don't see too many smokers getting assaulted. I do agree they get the short end of the stick when it comes to limitations on where they can and can't smoke but because what they are doing has the potential to affect the health of someone else, those sorts of limitations are understandable.

I guess many parts of the movement are open to interpretation. I follow a couple of FA bloggers that encourage mindfulness about your health without beating yourself up. One is a yoga instructor, one is a dancer. I interpret their voices as encouragement to get out there and move and engage in healthy behaviours at every size. And the idea that if you work out and eat well (within the parameters of your comfort and desire) and you don't lose weight hand over fist, that is okay, your body is still a good body. I've had people tell me I'm lying about what I eat/do (I walk on average at least 5K per day at 3.5-4mph with a 40lb backpack at least half the time) because I am still fat. BUT if the FA movement encourages someone to value themselves enough to pay a little attention and treat their bodies kinder, I think there is certainly value in that.

There's a difference between loving yourself and blatantly lying to people about the health risks involved with being overweight

But is it really any of anyone else's business?

It is when the tax payers have to foot the bill for the increased incidence of disability and chronic conditions related to morbid obesity.

But then again, that's not much of an argument since the tax payer also has to foot the bill for death row inmates, and they've certainly made worse life choices than the morbidly obese.

And smokers, and premature babies, and a whole slew of other people who sometimes by choice and sometimes by chance are a "burden" on the system. If you read back through the thread there is a lot of commentary about this argument.

It still doesn't mean anyone has the right to make unsolicited commentary on someone's worthiness or their body.

I don't think anyone is arguing that overweight people should be shamed or put down. I think the whole argument here, at least that I've seen, is people saying that you can be healthy overweight which is a completely false statement. And I don't mean a few pounds overweight I mean legitimately overweight/obese.

Edit: and smokers get hate all the time, even more than overweight people.

I agree smokers get hate... but I don't agree that it is more than overweight people. Earlier in the thread, I mentioned that I was once touched with the lit end of someone's cigarette as I just WALKED BY on the street while they uttered "hey biggie" under their breath. I don't see too many smokers getting assaulted. I do agree they get the short end of the stick when it comes to limitations on where they can and can't smoke but because what they are doing has the potential to affect the health of someone else, those sorts of limitations are understandable.

I guess many parts of the movement are open to interpretation. I follow a couple of FA bloggers that encourage mindfulness about your health without beating yourself up. One is a yoga instructor, one is a dancer. I interpret their voices as encouragement to get out there and move and engage in healthy behaviours at every size. And the idea that if you work out and eat well (within the parameters of your comfort and desire) and you don't lose weight hand over fist, that is okay, your body is still a good body. I've had people tell me I'm lying about what I eat/do (I walk on average at least 5K per day at 3.5-4mph with a 40lb backpack at least half the time) because I am still fat. BUT if the FA movement encourages someone to value themselves enough to pay a little attention and treat their bodies kinder, I think there is certainly value in that.

And I would say those are the good people of fat acceptance with reasonable opinions, but there are tons of others that use studies about starvation to prove a point that a caloric deficit won't cause weight loss and that people should just accept that they are fat. I really hope that the dancer one you follow isn't Ragen Chastain because she is the one that wrote the article I was just talking about haha

There's a difference between loving yourself and blatantly lying to people about the health risks involved with being overweight

But is it really any of anyone else's business?

It is when the tax payers have to foot the bill for the increased incidence of disability and chronic conditions related to morbid obesity.

But then again, that's not much of an argument since the tax payer also has to foot the bill for death row inmates, and they've certainly made worse life choices than the morbidly obese.

And smokers, and premature babies, and a whole slew of other people who sometimes by choice and sometimes by chance are a "burden" on the system. If you read back through the thread there is a lot of commentary about this argument.

It still doesn't mean anyone has the right to make unsolicited commentary on someone's worthiness or their body.

I don't think anyone is arguing that overweight people should be shamed or put down. I think the whole argument here, at least that I've seen, is people saying that you can be healthy overweight which is a completely false statement. And I don't mean a few pounds overweight I mean legitimately overweight/obese.

Edit: and smokers get hate all the time, even more than overweight people.

I agree smokers get hate... but I don't agree that it is more than overweight people. Earlier in the thread, I mentioned that I was once touched with the lit end of someone's cigarette as I just WALKED BY on the street while they uttered "hey biggie" under their breath. I don't see too many smokers getting assaulted. I do agree they get the short end of the stick when it comes to limitations on where they can and can't smoke but because what they are doing has the potential to affect the health of someone else, those sorts of limitations are understandable.

I guess many parts of the movement are open to interpretation. I follow a couple of FA bloggers that encourage mindfulness about your health without beating yourself up. One is a yoga instructor, one is a dancer. I interpret their voices as encouragement to get out there and move and engage in healthy behaviours at every size. And the idea that if you work out and eat well (within the parameters of your comfort and desire) and you don't lose weight hand over fist, that is okay, your body is still a good body. I've had people tell me I'm lying about what I eat/do (I walk on average at least 5K per day at 3.5-4mph with a 40lb backpack at least half the time) because I am still fat. BUT if the FA movement encourages someone to value themselves enough to pay a little attention and treat their bodies kinder, I think there is certainly value in that.

And I would say those are the good people of fat acceptance with reasonable opinions, but there are tons of others that use studies about starvation to prove a point that a caloric deficit won't cause weight loss and that people should just accept that they are fat. I really hope that the dancer one you follow isn't Ragen Chastain because she is the one that wrote the article I was just talking about haha

I will admit, I don't read EVERYTHING Ragen posts, but yes I follow her. There is a lot of other GOOD in her blog that I think is important to note. I don't agree with everything she has to say but I don't have to agree with everything everybody has to say to still think that they have good points. I don't believe it is of any value to believe everything that someone says without some consideration. I am of the mindset of I take from the things that are offered for me those things that will work for myself and then I discard the rest. I think that's common sense. I know that common sense isn't always that common, but one can only hope, right?

There's some intelligent discussion here:
http://mattforney.com/2013/05/28/why-fat-girls-dont-deserve-to-be-loved/

To me, the bottom line is this -- people are going to do what they want to do as far as weight, calories, and exercise go, and it really doesn't matter what anyone else thinks of it. Just like an alcoholic, a compulsive gambler, or anyone else who has a lifestyle problem, the person will keep on living that way until THEY decide to change.

Not you, not me, not their family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, doctor, congressman, or anyone else.

Them.

I don't have an issue with "fat acceptance" stuff. Then again, I don't have an issue with proana stuff, either. I don't even have an issue with people vomiting on themselves and then passing out in their own bushes for the third time this month, because they were too hammered to make it in the door. My life is mine, their life is theirs, and so long as they're not breaking the law, it's really none of my business.

I agree with your general premise, except that these irresponsible behaviors end up costing society as a whole. Just imagine if every tax payer dollar used to treat conditions related to alcoholism, cigarette smoking and morbid obesity were devoted to R&D, education, charity or job creation instead? I guarantee you we would both live in a better world.

Morbid obesity is doing society a disservice. Whoever denies that is simply blind. It's not about hating fat people, it's about encouraging healthier lifestyles and taking responsibility not only for ourselves, but for our society as well.

Unfortunately though, this really doesn't work. You can't FORCE a drunkard to stop drinking, a problem gambler to stop betting, a smoker to stop smoking, or a fat person to watch what they eat. Even if you tried, the minute you weren't looking, they'd be right back to their old ways. THEY have to want to change. Just you wanting it for them isn't enough.

And no, I refuse to hold myself responsible for someone else's choices, nor do I expect others to take responsibility for my choices. Ultimately, "tough love" is all about maintaining personal boundaries -- I own my choices, and they own theirs.

There's some intelligent discussion here:
http://mattforney.com/2013/05/28/why-fat-girls-dont-deserve-to-be-loved/

This is kind of proof of the need for this movement. The fact that you would even post this.

Sigh. To the folks against the fat acceptance movement because they think that fatness is unacceptable:

STOP JUDGING PEOPLE for their appearance!!! It is not anyone's job to be acceptable.

Whether or not a person is fat, or skinny, or healthy, or unhealthy, has no effect on whether or not they are acceptable.

This is my humble opinion...

Power to them, if they're happy - great. Their happiness doesn't hurt me so why would I have a problem with it? As with any way of thinking, there are extremists who will say that virtually ANYTHING is offensive; we've all seen the cries of "you're fat-shaming" in comments when a fit woman posts a selfie. But these zealots are not the norm. Mostly they're people who are comfortable in their skin (and fat) and are standing up and saying "it's not ok, to treat me poorly because you don't approve of my lifestyle", and they're right. I'm fat, but I don't like it, so I'm trying to change it - that's my choice, not anyone else's.

I'm a big fan of Meagan Kerr who is a fashion blogger in New Zealand, she's a big woman and is the head of the sarcastically titled "Fat Girls Shouldn't Wear Stripes" movement. Here's a quote from her that I love:

"Sadly, I've also learned that there are a lot of uninformed, small-minded people who have only negative things to say about fat people in general. I like to remind them that you can not tell the state of a person's health by looking at them, and someone's health is no one's business but their own. And if you find yourself disgusted and offended by fat people at the beach (or anywhere), you're the one with the problem."

It's worth mentioning that whenever someone comments on her blog or facebook page about 'horrible bony women' or 'disgusting bodybuilders' she's quick to tell them just how hypocritical that viewpoint is and no one should be treated badly for their appearance.

Went to the food market the other day. Some people are so fat they take up the entire isle and spend 20 minutes leaning over trying to get their food. I don't care if someone is fat, but it has reached the point where people are so fat they are becoming a fire hazard. When you put 2 of them in the same isle it takes a high level of agility to wiggle and dart past them. I have no problem with people who are fat that honest to God want to lose the weight (even if they have tried and failed, at least they care), but people who just accept it are not high on my respect list.

Coincidentally you are not high on MY respect list.

I love when people clear up how awful they are up front without me having to engage in too much interaction and find it out the hard way.

I said I have no problem with people who made even a slight attempt at losing weight. How does that offend you? It's not like I've been a skinny person my whole life, I was a fat **** all through high school and into college. I am allowed to speak my mind on people who refuse to make even a slight attempt to improve their health.

I'm not gonna try to tell you what to do, but I just took a look at her site to see if maybe it was just the one I read, but every single thing i've seen on there seems like extremist propaganda from a person who wants people to be just as miserable as her.

some of her latest posts:




She has a problem with a game show that calls attention to obesity and praises people for losing weight and even paying them thousands of dollars for doing so, a problem with someone showing that they are worried about their family being overweight, and claiming that the U.S. doesn't have an obesity problem because the healthy weight was lowered (even though it was most likely lowered due to more recent research)

Edit: also her claim that obesity rates are dying off is completely false. Scroll about halfway down the page to see the incline of obesity in America over the years. Also Mexico has now surpassed the U.S. as the most obese country in the world.

http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html

I think if you looked around this forum you would find some other people who have a problem with the BL. Sure, they call attention to obesity and praise people for losing weight -- but if you read ANY of the "after the show" exposee type talks from the contestants, they talk about some WILDLY unhealthy practices encouraged by the show behind the scenes. It's not a realistic show and I feel that it presents unhealthy and unattainable goals/methods to the general public who just need to learn how to feed themselves better and move in a way that doesn't make them VOMIT. During my 72lb weight loss, I never worked out to the point of vomiting. EVER. People with common sense in their heads have a problem with BL.

Honestly I've never watched the show, but from reading a few paragraphs of her post it didn't say anything about how it was bad because of the unhealthy practices. She was claiming it was bad because the point of the show is to change someone's body.

Edit: a side note, when people are morbidly obese doctors will often times put them on an extremely low calorie liquid diet to lose that weight. I think that alone shows how unhealthy obesity is, that basically destroying someone's metabolism is the healthier choice.

Most of what I have to say is similar to the comments of others, but I thought I'd add my two cents.

I am ambivalent about the fat acceptance movement, but I think it's due the the name more than anything else. I think, that as a society, we place way too much emphasis on peoples' appearances, I find it disturbing that most of the women who are held up as the standard for physical beauty are actually underweight. Meanwhile, women in Hollywood who are actually within the healthy weight range are called fat by many. While men are certainly judged on their appearance as well, I'd argue that it is generally more severe for woman. It's a shame that so many girls are bombarded with the message that their value is so dependent on their physical attractiveness, while intelligence is valued far less.

I whole heartedly agree with the FA movement's premise that we should stop focusing on a narrow ideal of physical beauty, and try instead to emphasize less superficial qualities. I also agree that overweight people face discrimination, and that many are quick to make harsh judgement's about people simply because they are overweight, assuming they are lazy, uncleanly, stupid, etc.

As stated by others, I view being severely overweight as akin to other addictions like smoking, alcoholism and drug addiction. All involve a certain amount of choice, and all can kill you if left unchecked. While some will be quick to say "you can be overweight and healthy," I find this a specious argument similar to saying "my uncle smoked for 50 years and never got lung cancer." Of course there are exceptions, but in general, being overweight is detrimental to ones health.

Anyone who has watched someone struggle with addiction knows that changing is not a simple matter of willpower. Shaming someone who has an addiction, or assuming that because someone is overweight they must be lazy, is ignorant and counter productive. Yet I do not think a doctor recommending that his or her patient lose weight equates to shaming, any more that it would if that doctor were to recommending giving up smoking, drinking or drugs. I think the issue that many have with the FA idea is the word "acceptance." Most people wouldn't support a movement called "smoking acceptance" or "binge drinking acceptance," and in my mind fat acceptance sounds much the same.

Ultimately, the focus should be on health, not appearance. Every person deserves to be valued regardless of their appearance, though I am not hopeful that we, as a society, will move past the fixation on the current ideal of physical beauty. No one should be made to feel ashamed because they struggle with obesity or another addiction, and when they are ready to change they should have the support of their doctor and those close to them.

I'm not gonna try to tell you what to do, but I just took a look at her site to see if maybe it was just the one I read, but every single thing i've seen on there seems like extremist propaganda from a person who wants people to be just as miserable as her.

some of her latest posts:




She has a problem with a game show that calls attention to obesity and praises people for losing weight and even paying them thousands of dollars for doing so, a problem with someone showing that they are worried about their family being overweight, and claiming that the U.S. doesn't have an obesity problem because the healthy weight was lowered (even though it was most likely lowered due to more recent research)

Edit: also her claim that obesity rates are dying off is completely false. Scroll about halfway down the page to see the incline of obesity in America over the years. Also Mexico has now surpassed the U.S. as the most obese country in the world.

http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html

I think if you looked around this forum you would find some other people who have a problem with the BL. Sure, they call attention to obesity and praise people for losing weight -- but if you read ANY of the "after the show" exposee type talks from the contestants, they talk about some WILDLY unhealthy practices encouraged by the show behind the scenes. It's not a realistic show and I feel that it presents unhealthy and unattainable goals/methods to the general public who just need to learn how to feed themselves better and move in a way that doesn't make them VOMIT. During my 72lb weight loss, I never worked out to the point of vomiting. EVER. People with common sense in their heads have a problem with BL.

Honestly I've never watched the show, but from reading a few paragraphs of her post it didn't say anything about how it was bad because of the unhealthy practices. She was claiming it was bad because the point of the show is to change someone's body.

She has definitely talked about it in other posts. I have read countless "tell alls" from people that talk about dehydration, very minimal calorie consumption, working out on injuries, trainers disputing/overriding what the doctors tell the contestants.

Kind of the point of this thread though is that if it is unhealthy or not, it's really not anyone's business.

I didn't start to lose weight and maintain it until I admitted to myself emotionally...for real..that I was fat. The next step was to look at that fat and love it, every roll, every stretch mark and every bump of cellulite. I had to appreciate my lumpy thighs, sagging breasts and double chin and honestly look at myself and tell my reflection she was beautiful as she was and that I loved and supported her.

Likewise, I had experiences where I had to show other people that I loved myself and had high self esteem to continue feeling awesome about myself.

Just because I'm into fat acceptance doesn't mean I don't want better for myself. Of course I want to be healthier, look better, be more accepted by society . Everyone wants that. Every single human on this earth wants those things...the trick to happiness and lasting change is believing you're already awesome before the change even happens.


Kudos to those fat acceptors, be kind and root them on in their journey for happiness and overall health. Lol, obesity is as much an emotional issue as it is anything else. Stop pretending it isn't...and stop hating.

You don't make a rule out of the exception. There are always outliers. And those 10% of people are still at increased risk for all of those health conditions.

I'm not trying to force people to be healthy or put anyone down. But saying that you can be healthy at any weight just because 1/10th of people can be healthy at that weight is ridiculous. There's people all over the internet spewing this BS and it's actually hindering people's progress because they think it's completely healthy to be 400lbs or that there is nothing they can do to change themselves because they are predisposed to being fat (literally seen dozens of websites that say this that are Fat Acceptance sites).

Edit: to the person above me, the reason people that oppose people of other races and such are called bigots and racists is because they are blaming people for things they can't control and that have no effect on them. Overweight people can effect their weight and they do put a strain on the medical system.

I am not making a rule. I am not saying you can be healthy at any weight. I am simply stating what the research and science I have read says.

And 10% (some studies claim 10-20%) is far from an outlier.

Again I am not even supporting the "fat acceptance" movement. I have also already admitted that "healthy at any weight is a misnomer - although I haven't pinpointed at what weight metabolically healthiness is an impossibility.

I was simply sharing some research that potentially shows just because someone is obese, it doesn't mean they are unhealthy. Yes it is rare and those people would have to prove/know that they didn't suffer from any (not even one) health related risk factor to claim healthiness.

But it seems to be possible. Look into the science actually, it is pretty interesting.