Poll: Being overweight

[dantheman931]

So I ran across this [http://www.cracked.com/blog/how-to-win-a-bar-fight/] and I felt the need to open another can of worms. I know I'm gonna get a lot of shit about this, but I don't think Seanbaby is particularly funny, and his constant fat jokes are a lot of the reason why; he didn't even make it out of the first fucking paragraph on this one. And since the article is about fighting styles, it doesn't even make sense. (Note: Author admits that he quit reading after the first few lines.)

Yeah, I'm overweight, and I know it's my fault. But here's my thing: Try walking a mile in my shoes before you start judging me. I've been fighting depression since I was a kid, and it was only a couple of years ago that I found out I had a legitimate medical reason for being depressed. Some people beat up nuns in the street to try to fight off their demons, others eat. Plus, food addiction is hard as fuck to get over, because it's not like you can just stop eating or you'll keel over dead. Don't get me wrong, I know there are plenty of fat people who are just fat because they have no sense of self-accountability (and before someone brings it up: Don't kid yourself, rest of the world, there are fat people everywhere, not just in the US). But nothing gives anyone the right to make a snap judgement like that, and it pisses me off when people try to act like they can know everything they need to know about me based on a millisecond glance. Women have it doubly hard, because they're held to such an impossible standard that even tiny flaws stand out like a fucking kazoo band at a funeral.

So: Opinions. Am I overreacting? Or am I right in suspecting that people like this jerkass are as common as I suspect they are? I'd especially like to hear from people who are overweight themselves and don't mind letting the rest of the world know.

Incidentally, I am not interested in opinions about why Seanbaby is the best thing to happen to the Intarwebz since webcams and alcohol got together and had a porn-baby. I mentioned his article simply to springboard the discussion.

EDIT: I'm interested in hearing how obesity is handled in other countries from a legal standpoint. Here in the US, obesity is a legal disability, meaning that one can collect government money for being over a certain weight--300 pounds, I think, or whatever that is in kilos, but don't quote me. Is it the same in other places?

EDIT part deux: I'm currently dieting (although I'll probably shoot that all to hell when I go to the fair tomorrow!), and trying to get in some exercise when I can, so I think I got it covered. But thanks to everyone who's posted offers of assistance; it's much appreciated.

 

[azurawolf]

Don't listen to anyone.
Just be happy with who you are.

I am a little overweight myself and a couple years ago (and this year) I had a couple problems with myself. I kept trying to make myself loose the weight I wanted. I eventually just became very happy with myself.

Who cares what other people think? All that matters is what you think.

 

[lizards]

if you are happy with being fat great for you but dont get upset when women dont like you as much as skinny guys

thats my stance but if you are genetically predispositioned to be fat then its not nessecarily your fault

 

[Necrofudge]

Really they don't differ from any other person. Only on occasion when they begin to point out their own flaws in the form of comedy or trying to get some pity. Doesn't usually happen. But when it does it pisses me off.

 

[dantheman931]

if you are happy with being fat great for you but dont get upset when women dont like you as much as skinny guys

thats my stance but if you are genetically predispositioned to be fat then its not nessecarily your fault

Weirdly enough, I'm not even worried about women; I figure if we're into each other, we'll be willing to look past some surface flaws. It's everyone else that pisses me off! lmao

 

[johnzaku]

Why have a six pack, when you could have a keg?

 

[deadlyric]

Physical attractiveness is a must in any successful relationship; however you may find fat people sexy; because it what matters inside; your own brain and what it wants to homp.

 

[Icehearted]

Many people I know that struggle with weight either do so because hey live an unhealthy lifestyle by choice/habit, or because they are on a medication that made them gain weight really quickly. Either way, as I see it, my opinion does nothing to change them one way or the other. I guess as long as you're happy, what does it matter.

I'll add though, that the consequences for reckless eating and excessive weight are pretty severe (read:fatal).

 

[Jindrak]

But here's my thing: Try walking a mile in my shoes before you start judging me.

Maybe you should try walking a mile in your shoes.
I'm sorry, that was just...you threw the fastball right down the middle! Is it so horrible I took a swing?
Yeah, I guess it is, but we can all laugh right?

I'm a little fat, overweight by the BMI scale (but it's completely useless, Brock Lesnar is said to be extremely overweight), but I'm also 6'4" so it doesn't show much. I have no problems with fat people, I feel they should try to get in shape if possible but I do realize some people have real emotional problems with it and some (SOME) people have actual severe genetic impairment. I had a buddy in high school who's diet consisted of a small bowl of cereal for breakfast, salad for lunch and fish/chicken (grilled) for dinner, all in small portions and that was all he ate. For over a year, and he gained weight (300+).

So it really comes down to a case by case basis with fat people and their reasons for being so. I believe you should strive to be in shape, I love working out, but it doesn't really bug me if other people are fat, just don't expect special treatment (extra airline seats because you can't fit into one, for instance).

 

[dantheman931]

I'll add though, that the consequences for reckless eating and excessive weight are pretty severe (read:fatal).

Couldn't agree with you more, which is where personal accountability comes into it. But you could say the same thing about smoking, and in fact smoking is arguably worse because there's no such thing as second-hand cholesterol.

But here's my thing: Try walking a mile in my shoes before you start judging me.

Maybe you should try walking a mile in your shoes.
I'm sorry, that was just...you threw the fastball right down the middle! Is it so horrible I took a swing?
Yeah, I guess it is, but we can all laugh right?

*snips*

So it really comes down to a case by case basis with fat people and their reasons for being so. I believe you should strive to be in shape, I love working out, but it doesn't really bug me if other people are fat, just don't expect special treatment (extra airline seats because you can't fit into one, for instance).

Funny you should mention airline seats, because I've always heard that overweight people don't like having to pay for the extra seat. But I tend to agree that it's hard to justify obesity as a legally-protected disability; I think you should have to document a legitimate medical or psychological reason before you can claim disability on that basis.

 

[Roxas1359]

I like to think of it this way "I rather be fat and happy, than skinny and sad."

 

[Last of the Chinchillas]

First, let me say that the kazoo band metaphor is fucking hysterical. I realize that you're trying to illustrate how ridiculous it is that such small flaws can stand out so blatantly, but damn if that imagery isn't funny.

I'm not so sure that this really happens all that much outside of places like high school and the internet. Speaking from personal experience, jackassery like this really only tends to occur when people are desperately vying for attention and some kind of popularity; which is easy to get in those two places by insulting people.

Unfortunately, people will always jump to conclusions based on looks alone. It's a natural human reaction, and one that many people sadly suffer for. But in the real world, what matters more is your actions, your intelligence, and your personality.

 

[azurawolf]

I like to think of it this way "I rather be fat and happy, than skinny and sad."

^ I completely agree with that.
I have told a lot of my friends this.

 

[Wildrow12]

Weight consciousness and concepts of beauty vary culture by culture. But I think it really depends on how you carry yourself.

Speaking as a Cuban, I observe that in my culture a big fellow who looks down on himself and is inept is looked upon as a joke. By the same token, if an overweight man carries himself with dignity and pride he is seen as a powerful person who has succeeded in life and his extra curves are a testament to his wealth and success.

 

[Dys]

I do tend to get bothered by fat people, especially those who try and make excuses for it. Do you think you're the only person to have ever been depressed? I was in an incredibly bad way for probably half my life, for over 3 years I was forced to take anti-depressants that increased my appetite and made me gain weight, yet I am not obese (somewhat overweight perhaps, but people don't labell me 'fat' or even beleive me when I tell them what I weigh). In fairness I am over that phase of my life, and don't suffer from any particular psychological disorders (that I'm aware of), but I wasn't really 'fat' at any point in my life (or at least not to the point where it bothers me).

I honestly think it's disguisting to see people who weigh in excess of 300kg (working at the royal melbourne show this past week has had me see more of these people and I would have beleived existed). That goes beyond any disorder, it is flat out disguisting. You can't get over eating disorders without any effort, it isn't easy but that doesn't mean that people should just give up. Again to clarifiy, I don't have any problem with normal looking people packing a few extra kilograms. The deal basicialy is, if you're so fat you stand out in a crowd, you need to get off your ass and do something about it, regardless of how hard it is.

 

[Airbear101]

its the inside

 

[BonsaiK]

The guy who wrote the article is a dickhead, seriously. I didn't find his article even remotely interesting and I've trained in martial arts so I am probably someone who should find it funny.

Women aren't that superficial, they like all sorts of guys. Some will like you and some won't regardless of your looks.

Guys are superficial, but they still like all sorts of women. Personally I'd rather have a few extra curves than not enough. Most of my girlfriends have been larger than average and that's the way I prefer it.

Never mind what society says about the ideal body types etc - not important, and fewer people care than yout think. However it's good to control your eating habits just for health reasons. There's a difference between "larger" and "obese" and if you get obese now you'll pay the piper later in life with health problems of many types. There are ways to lose weight, if you're interested I'll PM you or whatever but starving yourself is not the answer because you don't have a "food addiction" and therefore it can't be treated in the same way other addictions can.

Fat people don't bother me if they're self-confident and at peace with their appearance. Fat people who whine about how the look but won't make any effort to change can be annoying.

 

[Summerstorm]

I have nothing against fat people, but of course sometimes you HAVE to judge them on their physical fitness and attractiveness (that one is of course in the eye of the observer). I myself always carried around a bit more weight than neccessary. (I am 182 cm tall, but weighted never less then 85 kilos... and when i had my "sit in the chair and stare at the monitor 12 hours a day"-phase i reached 120!!! kilos. But after i got poor and worked hard i lost that mostly)

But i am objective about people, always. They can be nice people; they can be assholes... short: they are people like all else. And as such subject to jokes and psychological terror. Like all people they need a tough hide to live in this world. I have nothing against moderately joking about something/somebody... but psychological terror is never acceptable.

Also... well, yeah i know eating is fun (i know i just LOVE it), moderation, healthy attitute and good genetics are of course good signs for a "good mate, good friend and overall useful human being". So people prefer the 80 kilo man to the 160 kilo man... or 160 kilo woman (shudder). Nothing strange or cruel about that. Its preferance, and no fault of "biased" people. It is their choice who they like, employ or anything. If they see excessive weight as a reason to avoid people (and it is justified often), it is their right.

 

[ZeroMachine]

I have no sympathy for people that eat themselves to fatness.

If it's genetic, though, I obviously would have sympathy, and if it's a psychological thing, I would do my best to help them.

 

[dantheman931]

I do tend to get bothered by fat people, especially those who try and make excuses for it. Do you think you're the only person to have ever been depressed? I was in an incredibly bad way for probably half my life, for over 3 years I was forced to take anti-depressants that increased my appetite and made me gain weight, yet I am not obese (somewhat overweight perhaps, but people don't labell me 'fat' or even beleive me when I tell them what I weigh). In fairness I am over that phase of my life, and don't suffer from any particular psychological disorders (that I'm aware of), but I wasn't really 'fat' at any point in my life (or at least not to the point where it bothers me).

I honestly think it's disguisting to see people who weigh in excess of 300kg (working at the royal melbourne show this past week has had me see more of these people and I would have beleived existed). That goes beyond any disorder, it is flat out disguisting. You can't get over eating disorders without any effort, it isn't easy but that doesn't mean that people should just give up. Again to clarifiy, I don't have any problem with normal looking people packing a few extra kilograms. The deal basicialy is, if you're so fat you stand out in a crowd, you need to get off your ass and do something about it, regardless of how hard it is.

I never claimed to be the expert on depression. People handle it in different ways, such as the aforementioned nun-beating (an exaggeration, but you get my point). And yeah, it can be done. But it's not as easy as people like to think it is. Hats off for avoiding the weight gain that got me when I was on... an unspecified antidepressant (I don't want to mention any names for fear of freaking out any current users, since it doesn't affect everyone the same way).