"Health is a cultural construction, not a “fact” that can be defined in terms of science"

[Tricen]

There's no point in even trying. I have friends and family that I kept saying over and over that they should really consider a better diet. No one actually listens. People don't like being told they are doing something wrong or how to run their lives. It's absolutely infuriating when they bust out the "well somethings gotta kill me" line or "oh.. well I quit smoking, you always gain weight when you quit smoking." Yeah, or you can acknowledge the fact that you would gain weight if you quit smoking and keep the same diet you have. I've just given up on trying to nudge people in the right direction. I'm not a saint, I'm not a dietitian, but when you are 5'5" and weigh 190lbs and then turn around and complain about having to get bigger pants and shirts, you are pretty much the dumbest thing I've ever met. When you think getting diet soda with your order of fried chicken is going to help, you really should just off yourself. Rageragerage etc. I'm not mad, I promise. A friend of mine got a lap band, lost 70lbs over the course of 2 years and tries to force down bread and other things that they tell you not to eat, not because it's bad for you, but it could actually rupture your stomach and kill you. Doesn't stop him, he orders a burger or something with a tortilla, takes 2 bites, winces in pain and throws it away. Really? No shit. JFC. Brb getting intrusive surgery to lose weight just to force everything down anyways. Seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetttttttttthhhhhhhhhh hhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[TacoTaru]

Body shame is a hell of a deterrent. It definitely keeps me from even really considering a gym membership and I'm not really fat, just out of shape. I can only imagine how traumatizing it must be for the real fatties.

Speaking as a somewhat fatty with poor self esteem and body image who suffers from terrible depression and anxiety; yes, it's a nightmare. I put a lot of work into go to the gym with a friend of mine, but once he had to start going less I realized I couldn't keep going without support of someone. I would start getting really panicky, nervous and just couldn't convince myself to stay. Went 3~5 days a week for about five months before I just couldn't get myself to even pull into the parking lot. It's certainly not excuse to stay overweight an unhealthy, but for me going to a gym can be a crippling experience mentally.

[Kalmado]

My elliptical and I are bros now. That and trying albeit rarely trying to sprinkle in p90x are my workout buddies. Not sure if I'd go to a gym by myself either.

[Kerberoz]

Article in op sounds like it came from http://www.elsewhere.org/pomo/

[Aristio]

Why can't people just say, "I'm fat and I don't want to do anything about it."

I'm fat, but I'm -trying- to do something about it.

[kuronosan]

Why can't people just say, "I'm fat and I don't want to do anything about it."

I'm fat, but I'm -trying- to do something about it.

Uh, America?

[Kohan]

Why is HAES and Fat Acceptance so popular now? Why should people feel good about being grossly overweight?

While I don't believe that high levels of obesity should be encouraged, as they undeniably increase an individual's mortality risk, the core of the message that you quoted is not incorrect. What it's presenting is true: it has been proven, and more than once, that weight cannot be considered the only or even the primary factor used when judging one's health. Further, underweight individuals are at a greater risk of death than overweight ones.

Conveniently, I was discussing this with someone else recently, so I have reference material immediately available.

Relative to normal weight, both obesity (all grades) and grades 2 and 3 obesity were associated with significantly higher all-cause mortality. Grade 1 obesity overall was not associated with higher mortality, and overweight was associated with significantly lower all-cause mortality. The use of predefined standard BMI groupings can facilitate between-study comparisons.

Source: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article....icleid=1555137

The investigators found that severely obese people were 1.26 times more likely to die during follow-up than people in the normal weight group. However, if people with diabetes or hypertension were eliminated from the data, those who were overweight, obese or even severely obese had similar or even lower death rates than people of normal weight. Consistent with a number of prior studies, underweight people were nearly twice as likely to die than people with normal weight, regardless of whether diabetes or hypertension was present.

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0101182008.htm

As for the importance of human contact and encouragement, which should naturally be of a positive nature rather than a negative one:

The majority of individuals who successfully completed an initial behavioral weight loss program maintained a weight below their initial level. Monthly brief personal contact provided modest benefit in sustaining weight loss, whereas an interactive techonology–based intervention provided early but transient benefit.

Source: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article....ticleid=181605

In summary: it's better to be at a normal weight, overweight, or slightly obese than it is to be underweight, and the latter creates higher health risks than high levels of obesity do. Also, don't be a dick, and you'll be contributing to improvement.

[Tajin]

I've already said what I feel about this subject. Obesity is disgusting and is not healthy. People aren't born fat and even if they're born with a predisposition for gaining weight they can easily overcome it with discipline.

Wanting to be unhealthy because you're too lazy to take control is not the same thing as "beautiful".

Being a little overweight myself I can accept the premise that "fat" people are beautiful on the inside. I cannot, however, accept the premise that being "fat" means there's nothing wrong with you. It's simply justification for continuing to live an unhealthy lifestyle because you just lack the willpower to change it.

Next we'll be saying that smoking isn't unhealthy because once you ignore the bad breath, disgusting scent, lung cancer/COPD, chronic addiction, frivolous spending, and increased incidence of death cigarettes aren't so bad.

I agree with this, now afk McD

[Talint]

However, if people with diabetes or hypertension were eliminated from the data, those who were overweight, obese or even severely obese had similar or even lower death rates than people of normal weight.

Well gee, other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?

-edit-

Less glibly, yes, when you take away two major effects from being overweight and overall degenerative health, then the results will askew appropriately. I'm highly, highly doubtful you can just cut away those two things and dismiss it like it was nothing.

[Kohan]

Well gee, other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?

The greater detail within the study mentioned prior to the related article, and the subsequent sentence cut from your quote, both address why it is significant regardless. Further, while being overweight may increase one's chances of developing diabetes, it does not guarantee it. Additionally, diabetes can be treated medically. I could go on, but I don't believe there is a need.

[Ksandra]

Speaking as a somewhat fatty with poor self esteem and body image who suffers from terrible depression and anxiety; yes, it's a nightmare. I put a lot of work into go to the gym with a friend of mine, but once he had to start going less I realized I couldn't keep going without support of someone. I would start getting really panicky, nervous and just couldn't convince myself to stay. Went 3~5 days a week for about five months before I just couldn't get myself to even pull into the parking lot. It's certainly not excuse to stay overweight an unhealthy, but for me going to a gym can be a crippling experience mentally.

Gonna say that this is my experience. I mostly gave up on any hopes of losing weight years ago. For a short period I had a personal trainer, and it was the best thing I ever did. It was the only time I actually was consistent in going to the gym and eating right. And I think the only reason it was like that was because I was a fucking goodie two-shoes in school, and it felt like a class. Left to my own devices my willpower never lasts long enough.

I think my only beef with those that give "advice" is often they seem to think w/e worked for them will work for me, which I don't think is true. Heck, I remember a few years back posting in the fitness thread on bg about the personal trainer and people mocked me for thinking I needed one. I've long ago accepted my weight because it is what it is at this point. [edit] Body shaming just reaffirms to me that it's too little too late at this point.

With that said, I've been so ultimately paranoid about what I feed my daughter. I know what got me to where I am today: eating crap everyday growing up because I was skinny then. I don't want her to go through that either. But I also need to try and set an example. Really hard though as I hate most of the stuff I feed her lmao ;_;

[Grey Jorildyn]

The only answer is to eat your daughter. Her non-existence will dissolve any anxiety and concern you may feel about feeding her improperly. It will also save her from a potentially unhealthy future filled with cheeseburgers and french fries. Plus she's a free meal, maybe even a few if she's plumping up already. If you love her then you know what you must do.

No but seriously losing weight is pretty god damn hard. I dunno what the article is trying to sell me but it smells a little funky..

[Dimmauk]

Why do gays hate fatties so much? Is it because they didnt boycott Chikfila that one time?

[Ksandra]

Why do gays hate fatties so much? Is it because they didnt boycott Chikfila that one time?

Now that I think about it. I met up with a really close childhood friend of mine a few weeks back. Hadn't talked to him since high school and he came out our senior year. When we met up he was skinny as shit (wasn't really a fatty growing up but pudgy I guess). He said he was obsessed about his weight because gays are so superficial, that when he dates them if he gains like a pound they start ragging on him about it.

[Kohan]

Now that I think about it. I met up with a really close childhood friend of mine a few weeks back. Hadn't talked to him since high school and he came out our senior year. When we met up he was skinny as shit (wasn't really a fatty growing up but pudgy I guess). He said he was obsessed about his weight because gays are so superficial, that when he dates them if he gains like a pound they start ragging on him about it.

The most unfortunate part of this story is that their obsession is more harmful than some extra weight would be. Naturally, such consequences mean that what would otherwise be healthy people also suffer as a result of blanket stigmas laid against overweight individuals. The underweight people affected most severely by this—anorexics, for example—are at the greatest risk of death. That is a side that the campaigners for "acceptance at any size" don't focus on—they're almost exclusively focusing on overweight individuals—but unfortunately, neither do the people who believe their claims are entirely without merit.

[Ksandra]

The most unfortunate part of this story is that their obsession is more harmful than some extra weight would be.

Even more so than I mentioned. The convo came about because I found out he smokes now. He said every time he stops he gains weight and that he'd stop, "when I get a guy long enough that he doesn't care anymore if I gain weight."

It's easy to say then the guy isn't worth it, but apparently he hasn't had any luck finding any guys who are ok with him gaining any weight back.


Sad too because I thought he looked good back in the day. His weight was definitely not something that should be a deterrent.

[Kerberoz]

Don't want to be fat shamed? Move to a place where fat is the majority, such as the suburban Midwest anywhere in America that isn't a part of a coastal metropolis.

[Kais]

when will fat privilege and thin acceptance be a thing i wanna chill without someone reminding me that i should eat a burger

[Kohan]

Even more so than I mentioned. The convo came about because I found out he smokes now. He said every time he stops he gains weight and that he'd stop, "when I get a guy long enough that he doesn't care anymore if I gain weight."

Is he not into bears?

Serious question. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a bear out there for him. While the majority of bears may not like him thin, there may be one who specifically wanted that.

[Ksandra]

Is he not into bears?

Serious question. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a bear out there for him. While the majority of bears may not like him thin, there may be one who specifically wanted that.

I did not ask. I will pester him about it next time we meet up.