Poll: Being overweight

[gerrymander61]

My tax dollars are going towards keeping you alive and eating. Yes, I have an issue with that. I also have the same issue with smokers but at least in their case they have laws telling them they can't smoke inside near me and they typically don't see themselves as hard done by, not like the fatties who tell you how they're "big-boned" or "genetically predisposed" and have no control over their weight.

News flash: there is no such thing as a genetic predisposition to gaining and retaining weight, at least, not to the level where you have absolutely no control over it. What does exist is a genetic predisposition towards eating sugary, fatty, and salty foods, but then again, at the same time, no one's forcing them to shovel it down their throats.

 

[JenXXXJen]

Yes, quite a bit. It's self-inflicted, bad for you (duh), makes you look horrible, and totally drains the NHS.

To compare it to smoking, since a few others have: Being obese is definetely worse for you than smoking, just being overweight is debatable, more than half the price of fags goes to the NHS (a good few million), smoking is very addictive, unhealthy food is not. Yet smokers are treated as total outcasts, and fatties get disability allowance. What?

Obviously if someone has an under-active thyroid or something to that effect, you're exempt, however, 9 times out of ten it's just GOBBLE GOBBLE GOBBLE.

Edit: It's mainly the really big one's that annoy me, being a bit overweight's pretty much alright. The life style most people have these days is just too busy for people to exorsise or count calories, unfortunately.

I know it's pretty difficult, I work really fucking hard (Gym twice a week, swimming twice a week, walk an hour everyday, Iceskating, dance class, and I've always eaten healthy food, luckily enough) and I'm only just in the healthy weight range. It sucks.

 

[VanityGirl]

*sigh*
I used to be fat, never got boyfriends, got picked on, got tired of it.
I lost weight and I feel great and look great.

 

[xplay3r]

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).

Mean or not....that was pretty damn funny....lol


But yeah the BMI scale is extremly flawed. It wasn't actually invented for use of "what weight you should be" it was actually a survey in switzerland in the 1800's. So it's a slightly dated ya know?

But I know what you mean I'm 6'4 myself, I weight a little over 250, so I don't look huge, but it's noticeable. I never expect specail treatment for being over weight or anything and I disagree with anyone who does. I'm overweight not becuase I eat alot (granted I'm 16 so I do eat a little more than ususaly but I don't stuff my face) my problem is i never get excersice. I have nothing to do in my neighborhood. Only 2 of my friends live in walking distance, and it's BARLEY walking distance, and there not friends I hang out wiht that much. There's not anyhting to do around here either. So I have no motovation to go outside, however I do lose weight quick when I do. My ex lives about half a mile away, I use to walk to her house and back about 4 or 5 times a week. When I did i lost about 10 lbs. in a week, but then we broke up, I stopped walking, and that was that.

I don't have a problem with being overweight, sure sometimes I get depressed and think it's the reason I'm single but then I think about how many girlfriends I've had, and how many girls I know like me, and I relize that's not it. I relize the reason I don't have a girlfriend is because the two or three girls I really like, already are taken. (wich sucks that I like them then, but I can't help who I'm attracted to ya know?) So I don't have a huge problem with being weight. I'd like to lose it but until I can really motivate myself, and get myself on track with all the things I want to do, I feel okay for now.

 

[Sparrow]

I liked my Psych teacher's views on this, as I always do:

"Fat people are depressed because they're fat. They'd be happier if they were thin. We can agree, for the most part, that this is true. However, the thing most people can't fathom is the bridge between. Fat people like food, which they use to get over the depression of being fat. However, if they didn't eat food, they'd be even more depressed. So you have to ask yourself: What makes you happier, food or a good figure?"

 

[annoyinglizardvoice]

I'm a former fat guy in somewhat better shape.
The extremes either way bother me, as do people pretending they have no problem at all when they clearly do, but a bit of fat is never a problem.

 

[WrongSprite]

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

That's crap reasoning. If a fat, happy person loses weight, they're not suddenly going to become unhappy, they'll just find life easier and have less health risks.

 

[xplay3r]

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

That's crap reasoning. If a fat, happy person loses weight, they're not suddenly going to become unhappy, they'll just find life easier and have less health risks.

True but what if you're a person who finds enjoy form eating food? That's his point.

 

[Supreme Unleaded]

I'm a little overweight myself, i think its about 10 pounds over the US BMI, but it really doesnt bother me. Why? because im about twice as strong as everyone I know, I'm smart, I'm pretty athletic, and I really just don't care.

So yeah im a little fat, I'll admit it I've got a little muffintop, but I really dont care. I know people who are skinny and can't do my 5.9 mile bike ride that I did two days ago [up hill both ways, no joke], I can run the mile that we're required to do in gym and I came in about 12th out of 30, I can swim a mile, I can pick up and carry a kayak 1 mile. I can do all that yet im still fat, I really don't understand it but at this point I've accepted it.

Now I know someone will call bullshit on the last paragraph but its all true, if possible i could call in witnesses.

I only have a thing against fat people if they're the kind who sit around and eat dohnuts all day. If your fat and not really doing anything about it then I don't know what to say, i can't really respect that. And if your making excuses then that just makes it worse, saying its too hard is just rediculus. So if you can't do a 5.9 mile bike ride then just do a 1 mile alot, then move up to 2, then 3 and so on. But i know people who wont do that so i can't respect them.

 

[Charley]

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

I think that's an indelicate way of saying that if you want to be happy the way you are, you'e just gotta take the hits that come with that.

Over(your height and musculoskeletally-derived, medically-determined "ideal" or healthy)weight isn't the ideal. That's a throwback from primitive definitions of a good mate (lean and muscly = good hunter/provider ergo good mate) and frankly, no amount of indignation or calling people who don't like overweight people jackasses etc. will change that.

I personally don't think a person's weight has any bearing on their personality. Look at James Corden, I'd put money on him being an awesome bloke to have a drink with. I'll admit however, that I'm not attracted to people who are overweight, I'm just not. It's not a prejudice, it's just that the 'spark' or whatever you want to call it, doesn't come on at all. Such is life.

I guess where I'm going with this is risky territory... I personally won't judge a person's personality on their weight. I will however, not be attracted to bigger people, and I will probably dislike overweight people who piss and moan that other people aren't attracted to them/are "fattist" and so on. Be fat and happy, fine - but actually be happy.

I know people who are skinny and can't do my 5.9 mile bike ride that I did two days ago

80 miles, 7 hours, one day and my BMI is on the nail.

No offense/challenge intended, I just never get to brag >.<

 

[WrongSprite]

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

That's crap reasoning. If a fat, happy person loses weight, they're not suddenly going to become unhappy, they'll just find life easier and have less health risks.

True but what if you're a person who finds enjoy form eating food? That's his point.

I'm the biggest food lover I know. However, I have the unhealthy things in moderation, and get regular exercise, so I'm in good shape. You can still enjoy food as long as you don't gorge yourself to a sickening level.

 

[Mcface]

But if your fat, and you complain about being fat, but do nothing to change it, I dont want to hear it. And I'm sick of hearing it.

I wouldn't expect much sympathy for your level of mental discomfort after you just characterized depression as "being lazy."

They are depressed because they are overweight, and they are overweight because they are lazy.

 

[Arkhangelsk]

Love yourself for who you are. On the inside. Cause that's the part that matters. If people judge you based on your looks, they don't deserve your attention. But sadly, most humans are a bit superficial. Actually a lot. Cause they lack perspective. I'll admit that I've let my prejudice get the best of me. Although I try not to let it show.

I've been very insecure over my looks over periods of time. I'm not fat, but I've been judged for looking like I'm 11 years old, and being generally ugly and different. You know what I did? I said fuck it, and went so alternative I could. I got a weird hairstyle, a pair 70's boots, and started walking around in band t-shirts (metal bands, that is).

And if the ladies don't like you, then I say, only people with beauty on the inside can see others with beauty on the inside. So obviously you haven't found the right one yet.

 

[AndyFromMonday]

Has a kid I inhereted something that I have to this day: Flat feet.

What is flat feet? Let me put it this way. Imagine you're running, then suddently you feel a pain in your feet like no other, like your foott is about to collapse and shatter into pieces. That's how it felt.

At first it was nothing, then the pain grew bigger. Has a 13 year old it was very difficult do sports, since my feet would hurt like utter shit. So I had to do exercises, but hell that was fun. Whilst others played soccer I had to exercise.

So I got a bit fat. Was 1,72 when I turned 14 and weighted 87 KG's. I tried loosing weight, diets etc but really it isn't has easy has many people say it is. Eventually I managed to lose about 10 KG's in 1 bleeding painful year. It still didn't help, because my feet would still hurt, and I really didn't feel any different. It felt like I did all that effort for nothing.

Yes, there are the assholes and the lazy idiots, but I've rarely met such persons.

"

But if your fat, and you complain about being fat, but do nothing to change it, I dont want to hear it. And I'm sick of hearing it.

I wouldn't expect much sympathy for your level of mental discomfort after you just characterized depression as "being lazy."

They are depressed because they are overweight, and they are overweight because they are lazy.

"

Most fat children really are that way because of a disorder or because they don't feel any satisfaction from being skinny. I personally didn't and still don't. If someone only looks at you because of the way you look, then why even bother being with that person when you know that at the slightest defect you show she'll dump you like there's no tomorrow.

 

[AndyFromMonday]

Oh, crap. Double Post. Sorry.

 

[Hooded-hyena]

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

That was seriously awsome.

I'm pretty fat, I'm almost 6 foot so you cant tell alot. You can still tell I have a major gut though, and you know why? I'm addicted to food. It's as simple as that. I think I'm starting to become clincally depressed from being around my parents who costantly harass me about being overweight even though they are too, I'm very close to getting my gallblader taken out from eating to much junk, I tried dieting and I was doing really well untill my parents bought nothing but pizza and other tons of shit like that. Now I'm just really lathargic and I dont eat alot actually. But what i do eat is shit I dont need to. {I also get emotinally abused from said parents and have come from years of school as the class punching bag of the entire school.}

I have no problems with fat people. I DO have problems with those that treat people with medical problems like crap though. I knew a girl who had lymph problems and it made her really fat, she was so sweet and kind though. Boys constantly made fun of her until I shut their traps after hearing enough shit fly from their mouths. I was her friend untill she moved but she still struggled with her weight.

 

[dantheman931]

I personally don't think a person's weight has any bearing on their personality. Look at James Corden, I'd put money on him being an awesome bloke to have a drink with. I'll admit however, that I'm not attracted to people who are overweight, I'm just not. It's not a prejudice, it's just that the 'spark' or whatever you want to call it, doesn't come on at all. Such is life.

Actually, that's sort of the very definition of a prejudice. Bear in mind that prejudice isn't necessarily a bad thing; it's really just synonymous with "preference," despite what we've all been taught. But you should call it what it is.

 

[Mcface]

Has a kid I inhereted something that I have to this day: Flat feet.

What is flat feet? Let me put it this way. Imagine you're running, then suddently you feel a pain in your feet like no other, like your foott is about to collapse and shatter into pieces. That's how it felt.

At first it was nothing, then the pain grew bigger. Has a 13 year old it was very difficult do sports, since my feet would hurt like utter shit. So I had to do exercises, but hell that was fun. Whilst others played soccer I had to exercise.

So I got a bit fat. Was 1,72 when I turned 14 and weighted 87 KG's. I tried loosing weight, diets etc but really it isn't has easy has many people say it is. Eventually I managed to lose about 10 KG's in 1 bleeding painful year. It still didn't help, because my feet would still hurt, and I really didn't feel any different. It felt like I did all that effort for nothing.

Yes, there are the assholes and the lazy idiots, but I've rarely met such persons.

"

But if your fat, and you complain about being fat, but do nothing to change it, I dont want to hear it. And I'm sick of hearing it.

I wouldn't expect much sympathy for your level of mental discomfort after you just characterized depression as "being lazy."

They are depressed because they are overweight, and they are overweight because they are lazy.

"

Most fat children really are that way because of a disorder or because they don't feel any satisfaction from being skinny. I personally didn't and still don't. If someone only looks at you because of the way you look, then why even bother being with that person when you know that at the slightest defect you show she'll dump you like there's no tomorrow.

No. Physical attractiveness is totally necessary to be in a relationship. You can be attracted to wits, humor and all that, sure. But thats what we call FRIENDS.

 

[Charley]

Actually, that's sort of the very definition of a prejudice. Bear in mind that prejudice isn't necessarily a bad thing; it's really just synonymous with "preference," despite what we've all been taught. But you should call it what it is.

In the spirit of calling it what it is, it's the absence of a biochemical reaction in my brain as a response to seeing someone.

Prejudices (from pre-judging) involve forming an opinion prior to receiving any evidence, or carrying an opinion round and applying it to things from the outset.

Preference and prejudice aren't even remotely similar. You can express a preference for something based on past evidence of having liked it - basically some kind of motivation results in you choosing A over B. Granted you can prefer something with no prior evidence but even then the decision tends to have a distantly-related basis in something else.

If you express an opinion or judgement based on past experiences, or on some kind of relevant reference, then that's an informed (to some degree) opinion. Albeit if the judgement is ultimately right or wrong, fair or unfair, it is in fact the opposite of a prejudice.

On the basis that I'm talking biochemistry and hard-wiring, rather than conscious opinions however, the definition of prejudice is moot. I, like a lot of people, don't actively set out to not be attracted to larger people, there's just an absence of attraction.

Ultimately, that whole above post is my resentment at being accused of being prejudiced. I'm not saying it's impossible for a bigger person to be attractive, I'm saying that historically they (as a body-type) haven't floated my boat.

 

[Biek]

I gotta admit I lost alot of respect for some people with overweight who claim "they cant lose weight" since I did that myself and found it easy. I started going to the gym four times a week and eating more sensible (as in, no more fast food and a bottle of coke next to your chair) and the pounds flew off. During the process I was also gradually getting more and more attention from women. Simply because getting in shape made me feel better about myself, and it showed on the outside.

Nothing feels as good as being in shape. Go out and move, in a year you'll realize why you started today.