Body shaming, and "My Big Fat Fabulous Life"

[CapnAwesome]

All of that happens anyway. I don't know a fat person who isn't loved or respected or been kind too. People saying that isn't happening are passing the blame for why they feel like shit. Fat people feel like shit, not because they aren't loved or empathized with. They feel like shit because they are fat and it impairs their ability to live a good life.

Edit: Also if you haven't heard 'healthy at any size' as part of the body acceptance movement, you haven't paid that close of attention. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_at_Every_Size

The problem is that it's a circle, and fat-shaming feeds it, and for really no good reason.  Telling someone "Get a grip on yourself.  I mean, fuck, you have a choice," etc. is going to make someone feel powerless and unpleasant, and this will lead to escape in the form of food enjoyment.

Telling someone they have a choice is going to make them feel powerless? I think only context someone would believe that statement is in the fat shaming movement. Telling someone the lie that 'there is nothing you can do, it's your metabolism' is going to keep people fat and miserable.

[GrandizerII]

The problem is that it's a circle, and fat-shaming feeds it, and for really no good reason.  Telling someone "Get a grip on yourself.  I mean, fuck, you have a choice," etc. is going to make someone feel powerless and unpleasant, and this will lead to escape in the form of food enjoyment.

Telling someone they have a choice is going to make them feel powerless? I think only context someone would believe that statement is in the fat shaming movement. Telling someone the lie that 'there is nothing you can do, it's your metabolism' is going to keep people fat and miserable.

Have you ever had to help someone who was obese, and was depressed about it, with losing weight? It's not that easy to keep them continually motivated to exercise more than they usually do, and eat much less than they usually do, unless they're fortunate enough to be internally motivated to lose weight rather than because of external pressure (which I imagine would be rather rare).

Weight problems are often more psychological than they are physical. Sure, theoretically, calorie intake restriction and exercise should do the trick for most people struggling with overweight issues, but if they're not continually motivated (internally) to keep under the calorie limit per day, then no amount of pushing and telling them they have a choice is going to help. If anything, it would just depress them further. So why make it even worse for them by enabling the fat shaming attitude within society? Why not just accept them for who they are, and stop focusing on their weight?

[bennyboy]

Telling someone they have a choice is going to make them feel powerless?

Sure, if it's said in tones as accusatory as yours. It's like telling someone their cancer won't go away because they aren't praying hard enough.

I've got to say, you seem to have a lot of opinions about fat people. But why does it matter to you to hold those opinions, and to express them in the way that you do?

[mlmooney89]

I reckon I am backwards because half of this doesn't make sense to me. The whole skinny shaming wasn't a real thing for me personally because I enjoyed it. I have always been thin but in my senior year of high school I stopped drinking Mountain Dew (I was addicted to it so it was a big deal) due to my meds making it taste flat. I lost 10 lbs just because of the lack of soda, my already thin body became close to anorexic and my parents threatened to get me help if I didn't gain some weight back. I knew I didn't have a disorder because my eating habits hadn't changed and I wasn't throwing up. I did though LOVE when people commented how skinny I was. I have always been told I was thin and how people admired that but suddenly it was even more. After high school I gained the weight back plus more. Like 50 lbs heavier. I wouldn't say I am chubby but compared to how skinny I had been I -felt- chubby. I really do think weight is as much in the head as it is physically an issue.

People weren't calling me skinny anymore. They weren't calling me fat or big either but the problem was that they didn't randomly tell me how skinny I was and that hurt more than it should have. I -decided- I would fix how I felt and have really put in effort and it's amazing... I feel better about myself. I have only lost 10lbs again but I have gained a LOT of muscle so even though the sensitive girl side of me sometimes gets upset it has only been 10lbs in 9 months but I can see that my shape is different and I use that instead of weight. I think girls focus too much on the actual number. They also forget that height plays into it. So many times tall girls get upset over being heavier than their shorter friends.

I digress from the original topic though. This show. I've seen parts of it and I will admit I physically couldn't stomach watching her. There is a difference between 'fat' and obese. I think we need to stop with the fat shaming as in purposely hurting those that we think are too fat but I do NOT think we should condone the whole fat is beautiful and beauty comes in all sizes because obesity in the 400lbs + is no longer just natural. They worked for that kind of weight and they will live a short, constricted life. Why praise that? Don't praise the thin girls and make them feel special. Don't accept severe obesity and make them think it is okay. Why can't we start going after the people that are just active and moving? They don't have to be in great shape or skinny but just healthy. Like a few of y'all have already said too many people blame health issues on their size and while some may be actually sick we allow too many to use that as a legit excuse. Granted it isn't my life they are hindering and I don't hafta watch a 600lb woman struggle to just stand up so if they want to slowly kill themselves so be it. My problem with weight is the same as my problem with religion. Yes you have every right to be, act, believe how you want but when it starts to become part of the culture and influencing future generations it becomes a problem for everyone. I got this from google as a summary;

"My Big Fat Fabulous Life" follows Whitney Thore's emotional journey after being diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome. The disease caused Whitney, a slender dancer at the time, to gain more than 200 pounds in one year at college. Feeling trapped in a big body, she struggled with self-doubt and negative stereotypes. Now 380 pounds and eager to continue sharing her passion for dance, Whitney has learned to embrace her body and love herself again. She teaches dance classes for plus-size girls, explores the dating scene, confronts bullies, and wears a bikini on the beach for the first time in 10 years. She also spearheads a campaign that fights body-shaming and promotes self-love and acceptance. To that end, Whitney Thore is no longer letting her fear of people's judgment dictate the way she lives her life.

This doesn't seem like they are trying to lose the weight it seems like they are trying to show that you can have a good life at that size. That we as the public should not only accept but embrace her and others at this large of a weight. I honestly think that they found someone with some medical disease so that they could use that as the one reason all of it is okay. If they had just used a person that had gotten fat everyone would say oh well it's her own fault. Since she has a medical reason the public is okay and the viewers feel like well maybe my weight isn't my fault either. I'm slightly sorry that I don't feel sorry for saying that the show is not something that is appropriate for children.

[BrokenQuill92]

I reckon I am backwards because half of this doesn't make sense to me. The whole skinny shaming wasn't a real thing for me personally because I enjoyed it. I have always been thin but in my senior year of high school I stopped drinking Mountain Dew (I was addicted to it so it was a big deal) due to my meds making it taste flat. I lost 10 lbs just because of the lack of soda, my already thin body became close to anorexic and my parents threatened to get me help if I didn't gain some weight back. I knew I didn't have a disorder because my eating habits hadn't changed and I wasn't throwing up. I did though LOVE when people commented how skinny I was. I have always been told I was thin and how people admired that but suddenly it was even more. After high school I gained the weight back plus more. Like 50 lbs heavier. I wouldn't say I am chubby but compared to how skinny I had been I -felt- chubby. I really do think weight is as much in the head as it is physically an issue.

People weren't calling me skinny anymore. They weren't calling me fat or big either but the problem was that they didn't randomly tell me how skinny I was and that hurt more than it should have. I -decided- I would fix how I felt and have really put in effort and it's amazing... I feel better about myself. I have only lost 10lbs again but I have gained a LOT of muscle so even though the sensitive girl side of me sometimes gets upset it has only been 10lbs in 9 months but I can see that my shape is different and I use that instead of weight. I think girls focus too much on the actual number. They also forget that height plays into it. So many times tall girls get upset over being heavier than their shorter friends.

I digress from the original topic though. This show. I've seen parts of it and I will admit I physically couldn't stomach watching her. There is a difference between 'fat' and obese. I think we need to stop with the fat shaming as in purposely hurting those that we think are too fat but I do NOT think we should condone the whole fat is beautiful and beauty comes in all sizes because obesity in the 400lbs + is no longer just natural. They worked for that kind of weight and they will live a short, constricted life. Why praise that? Don't praise the thin girls and make them feel special. Don't accept severe obesity and make them think it is okay. Why can't we start going after the people that are just active and moving? They don't have to be in great shape or skinny but just healthy. Like a few of y'all have already said too many people blame health issues on their size and while some may be actually sick we allow too many to use that as a legit excuse. Granted it isn't my life they are hindering and I don't hafta watch a 600lb woman struggle to just stand up so if they want to slowly kill themselves so be it. My problem with weight is the same as my problem with religion. Yes you have every right to be, act, believe how you want but when it starts to become part of the culture and influencing future generations it becomes a problem for everyone. I got this from google as a summary;

"My Big Fat Fabulous Life" follows Whitney Thore's emotional journey after being diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome. The disease caused Whitney, a slender dancer at the time, to gain more than 200 pounds in one year at college. Feeling trapped in a big body, she struggled with self-doubt and negative stereotypes. Now 380 pounds and eager to continue sharing her passion for dance, Whitney has learned to embrace her body and love herself again. She teaches dance classes for plus-size girls, explores the dating scene, confronts bullies, and wears a bikini on the beach for the first time in 10 years. She also spearheads a campaign that fights body-shaming and promotes self-love and acceptance. To that end, Whitney Thore is no longer letting her fear of people's judgment dictate the way she lives her life.

This doesn't seem like they are trying to lose the weight it seems like they are trying to show that you can have a good life at that size. That we as the public should not only accept but embrace her and others at this large of a weight. I honestly think that they found someone with some medical disease so that they could use that as the one reason all of it is okay. If they had just used a person that had gotten fat everyone would say oh well it's her own fault. Since she has a medical reason the public is okay and the viewers feel like well maybe my weight isn't my fault either. I'm slightly sorry that I don't feel sorry for saying that the show is not something that is appropriate for children.

Look as someone with Pcos and hydrocephalus two disorder that lead to weight gain I do think they're exaggerating how much a disorder can put your weight out of whack. I'm not quite 80 lbs overweight. I keep wavering between 170-190. 50 lbs of the chub is probably due to the Pcos and hydrocephalus combined, but the other 20-30 lbs is me needing to lay off that extra cookie or get away from the pasta. And I don't believe for one minute this woman gained 200lbs from Pcos. Which btw is not a rare disorder.

[Jackalope]

Anyone who says that weight loss is simply a matter of eating fewer calories than one burns I suspect has never struggled with a real weight problem. Either that or they've got an iron will.

If you honestly thing it's really that simple, you don't know shit.

[Silver]

Am I wrong?

Obesity is a real problem, it is quite the unhealthy problem. No one should be proud of or celebrate being obese.

Considering it is a reality show perpetuates two problems; reality tv and obesity.

[CapnAwesome]

Telling someone they have a choice is going to make them feel powerless? I think only context someone would believe that statement is in the fat shaming movement. Telling someone the lie that 'there is nothing you can do, it's your metabolism' is going to keep people fat and miserable.

Have you ever had to help someone who was obese, and was depressed about it, with losing weight? It's not that easy to keep them continually motivated to exercise more than they usually do, and eat much less than they usually do, unless they're fortunate enough to be internally motivated to lose weight rather than because of external pressure (which I imagine would be rather rare).

Weight problems are often more psychological than they are physical. Sure, theoretically, calorie intake restriction and exercise should do the trick for most people struggling with overweight issues, but if they're not continually motivated (internally) to keep under the calorie limit per day, then no amount of pushing and telling them they have a choice is going to help. If anything, it would just depress them further. So why make it even worse for them by enabling the fat shaming attitude within society? Why not just accept them for who they are, and stop focusing on their weight?

Because telling them it's okay to be fat isn't going to make them happy. Being fat is what makes them miserable in and of itself, because everything is more difficult when you are fat. Everything is. That's not because of society, it's because of mobility. Put on a 100 lb weight vest and try to live your regular life. You will be miserable without anyone shaming you. So to think that saying you have a choice is going to make someone miserable more then being fat is completely insane.

[CapnAwesome]

Anyone who says that weight loss is simply a matter of eating fewer calories than one burns I suspect has never struggled with a real weight problem.   Either that or they've got an iron will.

If you honestly thing it's really that simple, you don't know shit.

Scientifically, that is exactly what weight loss is about.

[Silver]

In the end, it is all about excuses.

True fact: a balance of diet and exercise ensures weight loss.

Another true fact: those obese people who make excuses are not keeping up a regular schedule of exercise and diet change.

No, they just want to make excuses.

One of the major problems with weight loss in relation to obese individuals is lack of willpower.

The fact is that they can lose weight. They try, and then they decide to stop, because the food tastes too good and the exercise is too hard.

You're welcome for me bringing you this reality check.