Oh, the Hypocrisy!

Lest anyone think that this post is political in any way, I am a registered Democrat and voted for Obama. However, I also am a somewhat fan of Governor Christie, despite vehemently disagreeing with some of his political positions. How is that for a mixed bag? lol

With the news of the Governor's lap band surgery breaking this morning, I first thought.... "Oh no! A Lap Band?" and then thought "Good for him...." and then as I read story after story... it made me frustrated to know that people make such a big deal about his weight (at least enough to report on it and confront him about it constantly), yet you hear very little about the struggles that Obama has with smoking (at least I do). When he was first voted into the Presidential office, he admitted his habit and said he struggled and was trying to quit; however, I don't think that has happened.

It's just another example of how there is so much stigma placed on the obese. I can't speak to whether the struggle of smoking is harder to break than the struggle of obesity... but it has to be close, right? Maybe some smokers that have quit both smoking and had weight loss surgery could chime in here?

I talked with my therapist about the stigma of obesity and how it's one of those things that is a struggle unlike any other such as smoking, alcoholism, gambling problems, hoarding, spending too much money, etc. because there is no way to hide it. She also made a good point (that I had never considered) in that when you decide to quit smoking, drinking, etc. - then it's done until you start again. Until the point in which you start again, its presence is gone. HOWEVER, when you decide to change your weight by adopting a healthy lifestyle.... there is still the constant visual reminder of the struggle that you had in the first place. The fact that you've changed your ways but still have the physical evidence of your weakness makes the mental aspect of the journey that much harder.

Either way, I'm glad that Governor Christie is working on his health and pray that he doesn't experience the countless complications with the Lap Band that I have read about with so many members on these boards!

You are spot on.  What you wrote reminds me of a the quote "What you eat in private shows in public".  Your addiction is constantly on display.  Just think about it, some people view Gov. Christie as not being Presidential material because of his weight. Over the summer MSBC actually had people debating the issue of and overweight Commander and Chief.  The question was, Should a politician be overweight? People were equating his size as a sign of weakness.  And you have to ask how often does this happen at work.  Do your colleges and employer view you in the same light?  When you interview for a job or a candidate for a promotion are you passed over because of your weight?  Do people even take you serious?   

You too bring up great points. Although I have never felt as though my weight has played a role in getting a job or anything... I, of course, constantly think about whether or not it will some day. I like the "what you eat in private shows in public" quote - you are spot on.

It's a shame, but I don't ever really see the obesity stigma going away... maybe I'm being pessimistic... but what is really going to change?

The last time I checked, politicians were people (at least most of them lol), and they all have weaknesses. Whether it is cheating on their wives, visiting hookers, smoking, gambling, obesity, etc. if they are doing a good job then I don't give a flying fuck! Excuse the language, I do not usually throw the F bomb out there on these boards, but the funny, colorful posters have inspired me :) (I'm looking at you Slimpickens!!)

If we disqualified every politically qualified/experience person from running from office because they had a weakness that was mentioned above or not, then there's going to be nobody left to run this country!!

Yes, it is a shame!!!! Obesity stigma will never go away!!! This is a Big world but your expected to be small to live in it. We all are people with weaknesses does society care NO!!!! THEY!!! DON'T!!!!

I have not had the surgery yet, but I have quit smoking. For me, I smoked for over 20 years. I quit cold turkey after many attempts of trying. What the main difference for me is that you do not need cigarettes to live whereas you do need food. I can logically walk past a pack of smokes and know that I will never NEED them. I cannot walk past bacon and think the same thing.

From what I've always understood, that's one of the big differences between getting a handle on both of those lifestyle changes! BUT, I can't speak to what it's like to quit drinking, smoking, so I don't pretend to lol!

Congrats on quitting!!

I doubt very seriously that he had LB considering his size and what everyone knows about that procedure I would bet dollars to donuts he had GB or sleeve. Whether we like it or not the way we look speaks volumes about us. I can speak for myself in saying that I was undisiplined and had no medical reason for being morbidly obsese.

Sadly, that stigma WON'T go away. There's also a major stigma with smokers as well. I had to quit for the surgery, and did for a good 6 months. One little mishap during Christmas, and I was right back to it. I honestly believe smoking is harder to quit than changing eating habits.

They are both EXTREMELY hard, don't get me wrong, but in my case, the smoking is the harder of the two. Just like you have to change your habits of eating (while watching tv, or just because it tastes good), smokers have to change their routines up. We normally go outside to smoke after meals, after accomplishing something big (cleaning the house and keeping it that way for more than 3 minutes lol), or before or after we get out of our vehicles.

All of these addictions, and their battles, come from changing the mindset. You have to be willing and ready to do it. I haven't been able to quit, yet, but I am down to a few a day vs a pack a day. Where you can see the physical of the weight, you can also see and smell it with smokers. When I quit, I couldn't stand to be around the hubby because of his breath and how his clothes smelled. I could smell a smoker from a mile away, it seemed. I never judged because I was right there with them at one point.

I also wish him luck and hope he doesn't have any complications. My 8th grade teacher had the band done right around when I had the sleeve. She seems to be doing well. (Her insurance made her get the band as a study deal.) And for the record, I don't care for Obama. I tend to lean towards who shares the same views as me, whether they're republians, democrats, or independents. :) Everyone is entitled to their opinions and views, though. You won't see me bashing on "DemocRATS" or "RepubliCANTS". lol I bash on them ALL! bwahaha

Sorry, I hijacked that post.

That's interesting. I have a co-worker that smokes and she worked here for almost a year before I noticed. She doesn't smell, I never noticed her go outside... she's very stealthy. I had just assumed it was an easier thing to hide. I have a feeling that she has to be extremely careful in order to make that happen!

Congrats on cutting back! I imagine that it's insanely difficult.... I cut back on eating and cut out the caffeine/soda and so I can't imagine throwing something else on top of it. I'm sure it's hard and I commend you!

LOL I'll forgive the hijacking.... differing views/opinions on many different things, including politics, is what makes the world go 'round.... so as long as people are respectful, I say bring it on! :)

Last I heard, Obama HAD quit smoking (at least according to the doctor report they released last year).

The band is such a disaster (in MY opinion), I'm surprised they are still doing them. I wish him lucky with it and hope he's one of the wildly successful ones.