Why is it so hard to say 'I'm fat'?

karenjoy
karenjoy Posts: 1,840 Member
edited September 24 in Chit-Chat
I have noticed that on this site, and other weightloss things, that people really do struggle to use the word FAT.

We say heavy, big, large, big boned, curvy, large frame etc But lots of us find it REALLY hard to say 'I am fat'.

I wonder why this is? Why do people find that word in particular so hard? What do you call yourself? What do you call yourself to other people? Do you use the word fat or are you one of the 'heavy' 'large' 'big framed' 'curvy' people?
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Replies

  • QueenofCups
    QueenofCups Posts: 365 Member
    I have always and still call myself fat.
  • kayemme
    kayemme Posts: 1,782 Member
    i call myself snazzy.
  • angiesteele
    angiesteele Posts: 366 Member
    I have no problem calling myself fat. But I know many people that have a hard time with the word.
  • SheliaN1960
    SheliaN1960 Posts: 454 Member
    I have always used it but I can understand why some would rather not!!! It is a harsh word....coming from anyone!!!
  • carrieloveshk
    carrieloveshk Posts: 128 Member
    I always say "I'm fat"... because I am. "Overweight" seems more polite though. lol
  • elyse0210
    elyse0210 Posts: 142 Member
    Maybe because when people call you fat or call themselves fat it seems like they have the plague or something. It's not the best of words. I'd rather be called fat them obese!
  • skinnyme125
    skinnyme125 Posts: 396 Member
    I really am not fat but i do have body parts that I consider fat. Others think i just look healthy. I say my stomach is fat and I have fat arms. But all around i am pudgy. I am 5'5" and weight 148 so I am not fat. But if I am not careful I could definatly get fat.
  • Pril2000
    Pril2000 Posts: 254 Member
    I didn't call myself fat when I was at my heaviest because I was in denial about my weight until I went to a family Thanksgiving and got on a scale for the first time in years. I never thought, "Wow, I'm so fat". I thought, "Wow. I weigh a lot more than I thought I did. I need to do something about it."

    Looking back, that was almost 3 years ago. I have lost the weight and I can say comfortably that "yes, I was fat" because I was. I was obese according to my BMI. It is the truth and it doesn't hurt my feelings.
  • Pril2000
    Pril2000 Posts: 254 Member
    i call myself snazzy.

    Lol. Love it.
  • laurenk182004
    laurenk182004 Posts: 1,882 Member
    Me and the husband have no trouble with the word fat...we know we're fat..lol We sometimes use fat inspired petnames such as Fatty, Chunky Monkey, and my personal favorite, FATLANDMAGOO!!!! :bigsmile:
  • bonnykate
    bonnykate Posts: 123
    I used to call myself "fat."

    Then I realized that, at least in my case, saying "I'm fat" was actually me putting myself down, bringing all the negative cultural stigmas that accompany "FAT" onto my body and my person. All through my teen years, I thought that if I was skinny, all my problems would be solved - everyone would like me, boys would like me, and I would be happy. NOT TRUE (duh!). Saying "I'm fat" for me is to reduce myself back to this one dimensional stereotype, that my body size determines everything else about me. It doesn't -- I am a passionate, intelligent, beautiful human being with a lot to add to the world, and people who are worth my time will like me for those reasons, not because I weigh a certain amount or look a certain way.

    Personally, I think the labels are meaningless -- exercising and eating right are means to an end of maintaining my body, not a end in themselves, and therefore I focus on embracing the body I have which allows me to experience this awesome world --- not restricting my body through labels.

    That said, when I'm feeling less yogic, I definitely have been known to call myself "all chubby and *kitten*," but I really try to keep the negative ish to a minimum --- it's not helpful.
  • toddgaines
    toddgaines Posts: 130
    I think the word just has so many hurtful connotations attached to it. People use it when they are seeking to hurt someone that is overweight. I had and have no problem attaching the term to myself, for me it's a motivator, but I know I really don't get offended easily. I would never use it in reference to anyone else because I know it can be extremely hurtful.
  • FearAnLoathing
    FearAnLoathing Posts: 4,852 Member
    im fat big deal lol its not putting myself down to say im fat,its just the way it is.Im working hard to change it but that is the reality of it
  • binary_jester
    binary_jester Posts: 3,311 Member
    Because fat and overweight is a difference of 10 pounds.
  • qtwells82
    qtwells82 Posts: 352
    I actually AM big boned....under all this fat :smile:
  • TheNewJessieMae
    TheNewJessieMae Posts: 767
    I say fat.
    actually I think I say, I have fat............. Sounds better.
  • sparklesammy
    sparklesammy Posts: 465 Member
    I'm phat : D (I used to be fat though...and would use that word....I considered it kinder than saying "I am very obese" )
  • roylawrence87
    roylawrence87 Posts: 970 Member
    I'm fat!!!!
  • Fesse
    Fesse Posts: 611
    I like to refer to myself as "fluffy" which comes right before "DAMN" !!!! LOL (that's from a comedian)
  • RoadDog
    RoadDog Posts: 2,946 Member
    I'm "gravitationally challenged".
  • binary_jester
    binary_jester Posts: 3,311 Member
    To me obese sounds worse than fat.
  • Still_Sossy
    Still_Sossy Posts: 868 Member
    When I actually say I am fat, people go off saying I should not say that! Confused. :grumble:
  • SeattleLady
    SeattleLady Posts: 70
    I used to call myself "fat."

    Then I realized that, at least in my case, saying "I'm fat" was actually me putting myself down, bringing all the negative cultural stigmas that accompany "FAT" onto my body and my person. All through my teen years, I thought that if I was skinny, all my problems would be solved - everyone would like me, boys would like me, and I would be happy. NOT TRUE (duh!). Saying "I'm fat" for me is to reduce myself back to this one dimensional stereotype, that my body size determines everything else about me. It doesn't -- I am a passionate, intelligent, beautiful human being with a lot to add to the world, and people who are worth my time will like me for those reasons, not because I weigh a certain amount or look a certain way.

    Personally, I think the labels are meaningless -- exercising and eating right are means to an end of maintaining my body, not a end in themselves, and therefore I focus on embracing the body I have which allows me to experience this awesome world --- not restricting my body through labels.

    That said, when I'm feeling less yogic, I definitely have been known to call myself "all chubby and *kitten*," but I really try to keep the negative ish to a minimum --- it's not helpful.

    kuddos to you. I agree.
  • nerdyandilikeit
    nerdyandilikeit Posts: 2,185 Member
    well right now i am technically obese, but it depends who im talking to or what situation im in. when my 7 year old cousin asks me if 'theres a baby in there' like his cousin on his mom's side, i say 'nope, just fat!' with a smile on my face cuz he's not trying to hurt my feelings or insult me. ill say overweight if its someone i dont really know and its mentioned. people who dont know you tend to think you feel sorry for yourself (which is not really my case) when you call yourself fat.
  • mrscjwilson
    mrscjwilson Posts: 252
    I try not to say fat because FAT is not Who I am Its not What I am...Fat is what I have allowed to accumilate on my body/cell and causes me damage, but It can be removed....and once removed I AM.
  • CalorieNinja
    CalorieNinja Posts: 645 Member
    I laugh at myself and call myself fat. On the boards I try to refrain from that word BECAUSE I don't want to offend anyone that may be bigger than me. I know how it is to have someone smaller than me say they are fat and quite frankly it pisses me off lol. So, I choose not to for personal reasons.
  • barefootbeautiful
    barefootbeautiful Posts: 144
    My body is fat. I am happy. There's a difference between letting a word describe us, and letting a word define us (I just did my blog on this!). Fat seems to be a word that does a little more defining, because it seems to imply a certain lifestyle that people on this site in particular may not agree with. So yeah, I have fat on my body - more than I should. But that fat doesn't define who I am.
  • OLP76
    OLP76 Posts: 768 Member
    I was fat at 162 lbs. When I came onto this site on Dec 6 2010.

    141 lbs today - & I can still see areas on my midssection that is fat...But, I know in due time, it will come off... :happy:
  • misschaplin
    misschaplin Posts: 68
    when thinner I used to say "Im fat" since actually being a bit fat I now say "Im very curvy" hadnt really thought of it before, wonder why this is........honestly....Yes I am fat! :/
  • imagineaballoon
    imagineaballoon Posts: 44
    I used to call myself "fat."

    Then I realized that, at least in my case, saying "I'm fat" was actually me putting myself down, bringing all the negative cultural stigmas that accompany "FAT" onto my body and my person. All through my teen years, I thought that if I was skinny, all my problems would be solved - everyone would like me, boys would like me, and I would be happy. NOT TRUE (duh!). Saying "I'm fat" for me is to reduce myself back to this one dimensional stereotype, that my body size determines everything else about me. It doesn't -- I am a passionate, intelligent, beautiful human being with a lot to add to the world, and people who are worth my time will like me for those reasons, not because I weigh a certain amount or look a certain way.

    Personally, I think the labels are meaningless -- exercising and eating right are means to an end of maintaining my body, not a end in themselves, and therefore I focus on embracing the body I have which allows me to experience this awesome world --- not restricting my body through labels.

    That said, when I'm feeling less yogic, I definitely have been known to call myself "all chubby and *kitten*," but I really try to keep the negative ish to a minimum --- it's not helpful.

    Annnnnnnnnnd now I think I might love you.
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