Body Image, America, and Obesity

With well over 50% of Americans being in the overweight to obese category, the rise of obesity in children, and my own personal fat - well, even though we are the majority, we are still vilified.  I know, here she goes...  Don't worry, it's painless.  We are perceived as lazy, unhealthy, and gluttonous.  Like we don't know we eat.  Most heavy people I know are extremely productive, so I don't know where that laziness comes from.  Unhealthy, well, not everyone is, but most all are or are headed that way.

How does this fit into body image?

People's perceptions, sneers, and stares are hard to overcome.  You may say, well - lose weight!  Well, I am!  But, most people don't know that I'm doing it.  People judge strangers.  As soon as they "size" you up, they've made up their minds towards the negative about you before even saying the first word.  Not all people are like this, but I''ve found that many to most are extremely judgemental, and even heavy people are as well!  How hypocritical.

When you know people are perceiving you as negative before even talking to them, it makes me feel terrible about myself.  Thus, in the past, I would eat if a child pointed at me or someone said something to me as they passed, like, "Fat Bitch."  I don't anymore.  I'm trying to not allow others ignorance over weight matters to have an effect on me.  I'm not going to lose this overnight, and it would be nice to be able to pick out clothes, or for goodness sakes - pick out groceries, without people staring.  Jeez.  I do need food and clothes.

I'm not usually "preachy," but don't judge someone who is obese before you get to know them.  They may just be the most beautiful person you ever met.

Body Image and Weight

A friend of mine has been telling me for years to "dress the package," no matter what my weight was at the time, or that I didn't believe I could.  She tried to take me shopping so many times, but to no avail, I usually ended up with my usual stretch pants and a big top.  I got to where I detested shopping.  Soon, I couldn't shop at those stores anymore; I even got too big for Lane Bryant and had to order my ill-fitting clothes online, receiving them in the mail.

I hated my body, and I'm still not happy with my belly or flappy arms, but I've learned to dress the package.  I never thought anything would look good on me, and I grew up with all thin women - oblivious to my problem of finding clothes.  I remember one outfit my grandmother bought me, and I looked like a grape in it- an all purple jumpsuit!

It was my hubby that reminded me of beauty at any weight, and I shouldn't punish myself with no decent clothes just because I'm big.  It was strange the first time he took me shopping.  In fact, he told me to go to the dressing room, as I was freaking out - knowing that nothing would fit, but he came back with a ton of clothes.  Only a few fit at the time, but it was a start - in a real store!  Fitting in a bathing suit came next, then more stores were added, and I've found I love Wal-Mart's women's section.  I can buy cheaper clothes while I'm losing weight and then branch out some more.

It's been a very long journey, and to most people (those that judge), I look big no matter what I put on, but I like what I wear now, and I wouldn't change a thing.  I dressed the package, and now I like it!