What it is like to be FAT!!!!!!!

What does being overweight mean in our society? Does it mean you have any less brains or thoughts because of your weight? Looking at a few areas of our lives for answers I can come to this conclusion: being fat in our society means less of everything from other individuals, respect, and common courtesy, we are look at as if we are dirty, that we do not take care of ourselves and many other things. Would it surprise them to know many of us do not eat any more than some of our counterparts, and if so how did we get like this? A skinny person trying to gain weight might ask themselves the same thing, how come no matter how much I eat I just cant seem to gain a pound. it all comes down to science and being a medical problem. I want to know why designer clothing company's cannot make clothing in bigger-plus sizes, huh????? What fat people do not like nice clothes or something, what are we poor? It is really bull**** the whole thing. It is so sad that in order to buy bigger clothes someone must shop at lane Bryant or Big & tall shops. So we are different , why should we be segregated to fat person stores, why cant we shop in the same damm stores as everyone else? Would these stores lose money by carrying fat people clothes?? Why is our society training young peoples minds to hate fat people, that's what they are doing from the time we are born, all we see is skinny models, thin, thin, thin and it is everywhere, so we are mentally trained from birth that being fat is disgusting and something caused by laziness, and we are treated like we aare another Race and by that I mean the Human Race...... Is this true 100% of the time? I would have to guess in some cases yes, but what about 90% of the rest, could it be there is just a medical problem that us Obese people have no control over? I would guess the answer is yes too. All of us had to have this WLS, to live on this earth in happiness, you know in the 1920's it was looked good upon that if you were fat you had money or you were successful, since people were starving.. What Happened???? I think the way we could in a little way start to change things, is no matter how thin we get, to treat obese people with respect and courtesy and inform other thin people , since now they will listen to us, becuase we are slowly joining the thin club, how to treat Obese or otherwise overweight people, I will never forget where I came from and who at times throughout my life, who I once was. I only pray that GOD gives me the will power and encouragement to continue this Journey that I decided to take. The choice I made was a big choice, since I knew I could possibly die from this choice, But my Death was equaly to the life I wanted to live and the JOy I was hoping to get and I will never forget how easily I can go back, so i will respect everyday that I remain thin as if it was my last one. Sorry for the long note, I just thought I just put some of my feeling down as some of you that are longer post op might have forgot. Mike

Where's the standing ovation icon? lol... Great post, Mike.... I will never take this gift for granted. I plan to use it to help others as well. Took the words right outta my head ;) Jaci

Well said, Mike! In case you did not notice you still refer to yourself as obese...and Mr. Hottie, you are no longer that. I know it takes time to look at yourself differently but its important that we start to change our inner views. As I get thinner I notice that people treat me differently, both those I know and are meeting. I;ve always gone up and down. I have also encountered strong respect from people who admire me taking the bull by the horns and making this change to my life. Sometimes, I look at obese people with a bit of....distaste. I am not sure I could ever date someone really big. I upset myself that I judge others in a way I would not want to be judged and work on not doing this. All the points you made above are so valid and well said. Back to work Tiffany

Great words of wisdom, Mike. Amen to that. Karla

Can I get an "AMEN" for what you just wrote. You've totally hit the nail on the head!!! I am doing my thesis on the subject of self-esteem and self-evaluation of bariatric patients...so I hope Mike that when it's time to gather participants you'll think about it. Anywho, as I've read the articles our society has turned everyone against those who are overweight and obese. In fact, if you were to watch primetime television you will hear many jokes against being "fat," and most are targeted towards women...although men have been targeted as well lately. I used to work as a school bus driver and kids will torment those that are overweight before they pick on someone with a physical disability, because it's been programmed it's okay to pick on someone who is overweight but okay for someone with a disability...jokes about anyones body is cruel whether you are disabled or overweight...it shouldnt be done period!!! I know for me the hardest thing to deal with was going to college and having to face those damn small desks, knowing my fat butt couldnt get into it...so I would just swallow my pride and flip the desk around and get a chair to make my own desk just so I could be comfortable...talk about getting stares and jeers...however, with my fast tongue I was able to zing in quite a few remarks to where people left me alone afterawhile...but still I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb. Even now that I've lost 120lbs I still put the desks like I used to because I'm so trained to do so. What really irritates me is that people are now so nice to me, they actually speak to me and look into my eyes. Guys open doors more, smile more just because now I look better...but where was the common courtesy when I was 120lbs heavier??? I want us to go back to the days of Michelangelo and the famous artists that painted women that were robust, overweight...they considered them to be beautiful...I wonder what those artists would say nowadays with the pencil thin women running around putting their fingers down their throats to stay in that size 2 dress... Anywho, this was a good subject to bring up and I too will not take for granted the weight I have lost and treasure each day that I have more energy as if it were my last. Thanks Mike for posting... Kelli