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Fat Acceptance Movement
Replies
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sunnybeaches105 wrote: »sunnybeaches105 wrote: »
Sorry you feel that way and feel the need to exert your control to tell others they will never matter. But then again, I stopped caring that others think that I do or what I am won't matter a long time ago.
Then why worry about asking others for acceptance?
I don't matter.
This is the problem. I think people who accept themselves stop begging for it from others.7 -
@sunnybeaches105 thanks for the way you worded that. People who accept themselves get acceptance from the rest?0
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justrollme wrote: »This guy voices my opinion on this with a lot more eloquence than I would:
First of all, I am NOT in favor of "fat shaming." As pointed out in the video, this type of behavior is counterproductive.
In the video, the speaker says he's doing "every thing he can" to lose weight and stop his morbid obesity, but is he? I remember a man who had to lose a considerable amount of weight rapidly to donate a liver to his daughter, and another man who had to lose a lot of weight to donate a kidney to his wife. Both were able to accomplish their goals and donate the necessary organs. In other words, if it's necessary, it can be done. Some people on MFP have lost the equivalent of an entire person, so it can be done. It takes work and dedication. I do like the fact that the speaker takes responsibility for his choices.6 -
ArmyofAdrian wrote: »ArmyofAdrian wrote: »Being severely overweight or underweight for that matter is unhealthy. We are naturally repulsed by things that are unhealthy. I don't spend a lot of time worrying about it, but all other things being equal, I do have a lower opinion of people who are obviously unhealthy than of people who appeared to be good physical condition. It's a logical reaction.
I don't think we as a species are naturally repulsed by things that are unhealthy. You might be, but I'd think you'd be in a minority, there.
In scientific circles, there is widespread agreement that disgust evolved to motivate the avoidance of contact with disease-causing organisms. But hey, there are some weird fetishes out there, so whatever floats your boat.
If you would be so kind as to cite you references here I would be grateful.
An evolutionary advantage to avoiding people who are overweight actually does not make any sense.
But the good news is that if there is widespread agreement, you will favor me with a nice list of specific scientific references.
I don't think we are repulsed by obesity by evolution. The Greeks tended to like rather heavy (Junoesque) women. Also, in this South African tribe men compete to be the heaviest because "big is beautiful":
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2480870/Ethiopian-Bodi-tribe-big-beautiful-men-compete-fattest.html
In Mauritania young girls are force fed because fat women are especially prized:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/3429903.stm4 -
I always wonder why it is ok to shame and disrespect smokers, and not ok to shame parents who make their children fat.15
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Springfield1970 wrote: »I always wonder why it is ok to shame and disrespect smokers, and not ok to shame parents who make their children fat.
The kids are often set up for health failure for life. Teenage prediabetic's had training and help getting that way for sure.2 -
Springfield1970 wrote: »I always wonder why it is ok to shame and disrespect smokers, and not ok to shame parents who make their children fat.
I personally always wonder why it's "ok" to "shame and disrespect" people, period. It's rude behavior. As many others have said in this thread, a lot of folks could do with a healthy dose of learning to respect other people as human beings, with a good dose of "mind your own business" thrown in.
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stephanieluvspb wrote: »I enjoy running. I love putting music on and being out in the fresh air totally in my own world. I have never ran a race and have no desire to do so. Running gets my heart rate up and burns calories. I run in my neighborhood, same distance and same time. Why do I have to beat my time? if I'm a normal weight and I'm running for cardio and stress relief am I suddenly unhealthy or a failure because I'm not getting faster?
people that identify themselves as "runners" usually try to improve their performances. Nothing wrong with a more relaxed approach (who knows, maybe it is even better health wise).0 -
Springfield1970 wrote: »I always wonder why it is ok to shame and disrespect smokers, and not ok to shame parents who make their children fat.
I personally always wonder why it's "ok" to "shame and disrespect" people, period. It's rude behavior. As many others have said in this thread, a lot of folks could do with a healthy dose of learning to respect other people as human beings, with a good dose of "mind your own business" thrown in.
I think shaming and disrespecting are just variations of a natural human survival emotion. They are there, what is wrong is some of the lengths people will go to express them.
Imagine a world without it, maybe we would have died out thousands of years ago.1 -
sunnybeaches105 wrote: »sunnybeaches105 wrote: »sunnybeaches105 wrote: »
Sorry you feel that way and feel the need to exert your control to tell others they will never matter. But then again, I stopped caring that others think that I do or what I am won't matter a long time ago.
Then why worry about asking others for acceptance?
I don't matter.
This is the problem. I think people who accept themselves stop begging for it from others.
Trust me, I couldn't care less than you choose to have a conversation that boils down to telling another human being they don't matter. That says more about you than it does about me, so I am not begging for anything from you. That's hilarious. I've had better people than you try to lower me and tell me I don't matter.
And thinking a society where people don't shame and humiliate other people because they think somehow it is their right and even worse duty is not begging for anything. You called fat people running not fast enough repugnant, but I disagree that that is the the thing that is repugnant in this thread.
As with all self destructive behavior, admitting you have a problem is the first step, and yet this thread is all about denial. It's a giant step backwards. Best of luck to you.10 -
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Two points...
1) No one should make others feel shame over issues like this. That's needlessly hurtful in a world with too much hurt already.
2) We shouldn't lie or sugar coat the health consequences of being overweight just because we don't want people to feel bad. There's no need to be upfront and forceful with people we're not close to, but the 'healthy at any weight' statement is pure bunk.16 -
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coreyreichle wrote: »coreyreichle wrote: »
Different perspectives. The act of doing is what I focus on. Many might have quit, but she found something she enjoys doing and the fact that she comes in last doesn't stop her from going out the door and doing. I find inspiration in that.
I guess. I idolize people who work to improve themselves, and not just people who over years, just "aim to finish"... I'm glad she enjoys doing what she does, my point is she's not a particularly good example to use as someone to aim for. She's mediocre at best, and in reality, she's a sub-par performer for her age, consistently placing nearly dead last (Even by age group) in every event she's been in.
So all the people who "finish" the Boston Marathon but don't place officially are mediocre?
One of the victims from the 2013 marathon bombing lost a leg. She ran this year. I heard she didn't finish until around 7pm. May have been last or almost last. Is she mediocre?
I don't know who the fat girl runner is. I admire her that she has the courage to call herself that. I admire her that she runs.
I only walk. Don't want to know what you think of me.17 -
I've read the thread and the mental gymnastics is not being done by me. Over a whole page of this thread was spent exercising shaming someone who dares to run/exercise while being obese and then high fiving each other as a result. That's what is repugnant, but I'm out of this conversation since those who shame as a motivation tool aren't my jam.
Her lack of putting in the effort others are putting in while simultaneously blogging about it in a "look at me" way, is what I find repugnant. Many of us know where we are in terms of performance, are humble about it, and try hard to improve. Look at what I actually wrote above regarding struggling hard and still failing being inspiring because of the effort. What I don't enjoy is watching self destructive behavior romanticized.
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All things being equal, it's better not to be fat. All things are rarely equal, however, and sometimes being big can be the lesser of two or more evils. Things are never black and white; life isn't binary. We should stop getting hung up and intrusive about the way other people live, keep our own houses in order and be kind. How hard can it be?8
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The only ones I have a problem with are the ones who are outright denying that being overfat is a severe health risk and who find their doctors telling them to lose weight (their job!) to be shaming. And the ones who are in turn shaming fit people.23
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ArmyofAdrian wrote: »ArmyofAdrian wrote: »ArmyofAdrian wrote: »Being severely overweight or underweight for that matter is unhealthy. We are naturally repulsed by things that are unhealthy. I don't spend a lot of time worrying about it, but all other things being equal, I do have a lower opinion of people who are obviously unhealthy than of people who appeared to be good physical condition. It's a logical reaction.
I don't think we as a species are naturally repulsed by things that are unhealthy. You might be, but I'd think you'd be in a minority, there.
In scientific circles, there is widespread agreement that disgust evolved to motivate the avoidance of contact with disease-causing organisms. But hey, there are some weird fetishes out there, so whatever floats your boat.
If you would be so kind as to cite you references here I would be grateful.
An evolutionary advantage to avoiding people who are overweight actually does not make any sense.
But the good news is that if there is widespread agreement, you will favor me with a nice list of specific scientific references.
I'll save you the burden of a simple google search. http://pdescioli.com/papers/tybur.etal.disgust.PsychRev13.pdf
This article does not speak at all to people's attitude towards overweight people.
Someone else's obesity is not disease causing to me. It may not even be disease causing to them.
As to "my problem", rudeness and arrogance from someone making a very poor argument is the source.4 -
I see it both ways as well. There on one hand people are cruel. I was driving down the road one day and there were these group of women walking in the middle of the road. I was coming home from work. I had to slowly drive behind them for a little while. Finally I honked and they all moved but when they did they started calling me names and doing horrible impressions. I came home and sat on my bed and cried. Then if you are overweight and workout where people can see you in public then the laughing and jeering really start. People act like they are being discreet about what they are saying but are not really as quiet about it as they should be. I never hear anyone talking crap in any restaurant I ate in though. I assume that is because that was a fat woman doing as a fat woman is supposed to do.....eat. Cruel people make losing weight more difficult than any diet and exercise. They mentally beat all the confidence out of you. It is disgusting and hateful. I do believe though that anyone who is unhealthy because of their weight should not be shamed for doing something about it either. That is ultimate love right there. So much love that you want it to be health and active. So much love that you would push to make it happen. Love doesn't come from complacency it comes from work and sacrifice.11
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My attitude as a pretty fit, slender person, formally fat, (I worked my butt off) 57 year old wife, mother, grandmother. We are all just one injury, life change, health set back away from an unhealthy weight. Kindness matters.19
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stephanieluvspb wrote: »I enjoy running. I love putting music on and being out in the fresh air totally in my own world. I have never ran a race and have no desire to do so. Running gets my heart rate up and burns calories. I run in my neighborhood, same distance and same time. Why do I have to beat my time? if I'm a normal weight and I'm running for cardio and stress relief am I suddenly unhealthy or a failure because I'm not getting faster?
No, nothing wrong with it (I said so myself prior). However, you're hardly in a position to be lauded for it.5 -
I've read the thread and the mental gymnastics is not being done by me. Over a whole page of this thread was spent exercise shaming someone who dares to run/exercise while being obese and then high fiving each other as a result. That's what is repugnant, but I'm out of this conversation since those who shame as a motivation tool aren't my jam.
Nobody is shaming here. Merely pointing out she's not a great example to use. There's plenty of other great examples of people who were fat, took matters into their hands, took up running, and lost weight.8 -
coreyreichle wrote: »coreyreichle wrote: »
Different perspectives. The act of doing is what I focus on. Many might have quit, but she found something she enjoys doing and the fact that she comes in last doesn't stop her from going out the door and doing. I find inspiration in that.
I guess. I idolize people who work to improve themselves, and not just people who over years, just "aim to finish"... I'm glad she enjoys doing what she does, my point is she's not a particularly good example to use as someone to aim for. She's mediocre at best, and in reality, she's a sub-par performer for her age, consistently placing nearly dead last (Even by age group) in every event she's been in.
So all the people who "finish" the Boston Marathon but don't place officially are mediocre?
One of the victims from the 2013 marathon bombing lost a leg. She ran this year. I heard she didn't finish until around 7pm. May have been last or almost last. Is she mediocre?
I don't know who the fat girl runner is. I admire her that she has the courage to call herself that. I admire her that she runs.
I only walk. Don't want to know what you think of me.
Please re-read what I wrote, and then come back at me. You'll see nothing what you're asking applies to what I've said.
You only walk? Cool. We'll not use you as an example of a runner to idolize either. Cool with that?12 -
coreyreichle wrote: »stephanieluvspb wrote: »I enjoy running. I love putting music on and being out in the fresh air totally in my own world. I have never ran a race and have no desire to do so. Running gets my heart rate up and burns calories. I run in my neighborhood, same distance and same time. Why do I have to beat my time? if I'm a normal weight and I'm running for cardio and stress relief am I suddenly unhealthy or a failure because I'm not getting faster?
No, nothing wrong with it (I said so myself prior). However, you're hardly in a position to be lauded for it.
Who are you to say whether she should be lauded or not. Who made you the decider?11 -
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coreyreichle wrote: »
There has been quite a bit of that in this thread. What I'm seeing are people who need constant praise and approval and if they don't receive it accuse others of shaming them. It's a twisted reality. I remember the same thing with the accusations of "discrimination" against smokers in the 90s and early 00s. Same is true of the pro-ana movement, the reactions against heavy drinking, and the glorification of drug use in the music industry. I don't see this as any different, except the current demographics are allowing this one to grow. People who would greatly benefit from change won't.9 -
eileen0515 wrote: »coreyreichle wrote: »stephanieluvspb wrote: »I enjoy running. I love putting music on and being out in the fresh air totally in my own world. I have never ran a race and have no desire to do so. Running gets my heart rate up and burns calories. I run in my neighborhood, same distance and same time. Why do I have to beat my time? if I'm a normal weight and I'm running for cardio and stress relief am I suddenly unhealthy or a failure because I'm not getting faster?
No, nothing wrong with it (I said so myself prior). However, you're hardly in a position to be lauded for it.
Who are you to say whether she should be lauded or not. Who made you the decider?
Why should someone be praised for simply doing an activity they enjoy? I enjoy floating down a lazy river in an inner tube with a six pack. I don't expect a trophy for it.
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caffeinatedcami wrote: »I was thinking about body image issues (my own and society's in general) and I learned about something called the Fat Acceptance Movement. The Healthy at Any Size Movement is related to this as well. I am curious what people's thoughts on this are.
Personally I am of two minds about it. I have never been clinically overweight but I definitely flirted with the normal-overweight bmi boundary at one point. I have had body image issues since I was a teenager and three of my immediate family members have suffered from anorexia. So I know the toll that negative body image can have on a person. Everyone should love themselves regardless of their size. And fat-shaming should not be tolerated. However, I agree with a lot of the points made in this blog post "6 Things I Don't Understand About the Fat Acceptance Movement". At a certain point does it really demonstrate self-love to give up on weight loss? What are your thoughts?
http://thoughtcatalog.com/carolyn-hall/2014/04/6-things-i-dont-understand-about-the-fat-acceptance-movement/
I've only really had one experience, and that was on another forum. I got into a very heated debate with someone who was really into the movement and she was very overweight. She was coming at it from how society treats certain people, and how she's proud to be the weight she was at and she was perfectly fine/healthy. I was coming into the conversation as someone who used to be overweight and was now thin. Right off the bat, that didn't go over to well with her
As our back and forth proceeded I kept bringing up the health aspect of the whole thing, and she kept insisting that she was healthy and her weight was not a negative in any way. Finally, I suggested we both post our latest blood panel results (I was willing to post my before weight loss ones, as well as my current ones). She kept deflecting and then finally admitted she hadn't been to the doctor in years/hadn't had blood work done.
I then shared my own story, of being overweight and totally happy with my life/weight. I seriously didn't care that I was overweight. And I didn't have any out of the normal health issues/symptoms. If you had asked me the day before I had unplanned/emergency blood work done, I would have sworn up and down that I was overweight and perfectly healthy. What I didn't know is that I had a glucose number in the pre-diabetes range. The CDC estimates that 90% of people who have pre-diabetes don't know they have it. And one of the biggest risk factors is being overweight.
I thought I was healthy. I felt fine. I was actually sick and on my way to having a life altering disease that kills a lot of people. After I told her this the other person left the conversation. The whole encounter was really sad and its left a really bad impression on me about the fat acceptance movement.
13
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoTQ3aOEz54
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