"I may be fat, but I beat my eating disorder"

[Edwardo Piet]

EP,

First of all, I know you claim to appreciate honesty and straightforwardness.

Second of all, I think you're behaving like an idiot again.

Third of all, there is no third of all.

[pocaracas]

I sense a UK-US divergence, here...

Us'ians like to be left alone and prefer to take the PC road with everything.
Brits... still care, bless them... at least for their friends. "I'd say, ol'chap, you're getting a bit rounder in your belly. The wife treating better than fine, I see."

I think you may have a point here. But I also think people on both sides of this argument are way too extreme. Is it wrong to suggest a friend or family member try to lose weight? No. I prefer offering to help. I have an anti processed foods policy at my house (except special occasions) and any friends or family are welcome to eat here I will cook them healthy food if they're interested in getting healthy. I have helped people lose weight before. I think if you're not willing to put in the effort of actually helping someone, then there's no use in opening your mouth. Speak out about obesity in general get involved in groups that aim to educate people who are interested in getting some help. Going up to some dude like "hey I really care about you and I suggest you try to eat less for your own sake. I'm not judging your body just genuinely concerned" is completely worthless. At best you'll have told dude exactly what he already knew and made absolutely no impact on his health. At worst you'll have hurt his feelings or pissed him off and still made absolutely no impact on his health.

I think it depends a lot on the history you have with the person.
You don't walk up to some random stranger and advise a little cut on the calorie intake...

But if you're good friends and have seen that person in better health, then you maybe should let them know - some people do become oblivious, or simply stop caring - and, of course, if you can offer some actual help, it's the icing on the cake... but, to be honest, how many of us can be in a position to actually help with someone else's dietary and exercise needs? Not many, I guess.... so it becomes more of an advice... the other person takes it or leaves it... you don't stop being friends over that... that would be silly.

[Losty]

If anyone stopped being friends over that, I'd say they weren't really friends to begin with. Personally I don't have any really fat friends I don't think. I usually call my friends fat when they have something I want. "Omg you're so fat, you should share that with me!!" Haha but it's just because we are tight like that. My friend Robert calls me "heifer" as a term of endearment. Lol. Clearly, most situations can only be judged on individual bases. I don't think it's wrong at all to give your friend or family member well meaning advice about their weight.

[Jello]

If anyone stopped being friends over that, I'd say they weren't really friends to begin with. Personally I don't have any really fat friends I don't think. I usually call my friends fat when they have something I want. "Omg you're so fat, you should share that with me!!" Haha but it's just because we are tight like that. My friend Robert calls me "heifer" as a term of endearment. Lol. Clearly, most situations can only be judged on individual bases. I don't think it's wrong at all to give your friend or family member well meaning advice about their weight at all.

Damnit, stop being so agreeable!

But for serious, this is also very true. Anyone who takes a friend's genuine concern as an insult, really isn't a friend in the first place. 

Same here, actually. I can't actually think of a single friend of mine that is fat, in any use of the word (other than the aforementioned "When you want something" situation, used that a lot too!). But yeah. If i was genuinely concerned about someone's weight and it's effects on their health, i would mention it and try to help, if possible.

[Edwardo Piet]

* Edwardo Piet inserts an another equally agreeable post here, with a dash of turtley enthusiasm and a sprinkle of silliness.

[account_inactive]

Tumblr. Just as I thought.