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.

Family, Friends, and Fat

Even if some in your family or friends circle could stand to lose a few, some will still judge, worry, or talk to you about you being fat.  I can take most criticism now, because I know that people are looking out for me, but it's the mean-spirited way in which some people "tell" me how big I am.  I KNOW.  I look in the mirror every day.  I have arms that jiggle and a big booty.  I may not be happy with my weight, but I'm working on it.

Which means, step aside and let me work on it.  I've lost 25 pounds, and though it's not fast, it is going and not coming back.  That's a good thing.

Have you ever been criticized for your weight?  Of course you have - even if you're thin - because then people think you don't eat enough.  And they tell you.

I have a friend whose family has told her she looks older now that she's lost all her weight.  You can't win.  Hell, I would much rather look a little older and be thin and healthy.  That's fine with me.  But see, you can't do anything to please everyone, so make sure you lose weight anyway.  They're simply jealous.

I think that people that aren't perfect should not tell you how to "be" anything.  That would be everyone.