People Magazine can SUCK IT!

 I agree that the attitude displayed in the article is a real stinker.  Anyone who makes a solid attempt at a healthier life and body is to be applauded, whatever method they choose.  I think this is just a classic example of the magazine pandering to the lowest of human nature.  

It seems to me that we humans are doomed to classify people into groups and then to judge them, so we can have someone to pick on.  We have been hating each other for centuries based on race or tribe or religion or culture or which country we happen to be born in.  

Now it is not OK to hate for any of those reasons, but still just fine to look down upon those who are overweight, and to despise the obese.  This article is just one more way to push the knife in and give a little twist to those of us who are obviously different from the norm.  

Clearly humans have a long way to go!

I think you might be over reacting a bit.

Grammatically speaking (and being in communications/media relations: I am a writer), I can say that It was a series sentence, NOT a sentence of causation. That makes a difference. You read it as causation so here's how you seemed to interpret it:

BECAUSE the women did not have surery
AND they did not do any gimmicks
They saw real results

If you look at the headline as simply being a series of statments, it reads:

The women did not have surgery
They did not do any gimmicks (like stupid fad diets)
and they saw real results


A bit different, don't you agree?

Without having read the article, I can say with a good bit of confidence that not everything is about bashing WLS. People has done nice covers on people who have had WLS, even RNY. But as for the women featured, they did something very difficult: lost half their body weight through conventional diet and exercise. I'm happy for them.

I smiled when I saw that cover. Those ladies have something I do not possess. Part of my WLS journey was accepting that I could not do it on my own (something THEY did). By accepting that, I admitted I lacked SOMETHING (call it what you want, will power, strength, adequate metabolism!) and I needed the help of RNY.

I applaud those that ARE able to do it on their own. I WISH something non surgical would have worked for me (WW, diet, ANYTHING). I considered it a personal victory that I was able to admit I needed help, find it and follow thru. I am VERY happy with my decision...it was the best decision for ME.

I think they deserve that cover.

Just to throw my two cents worth out there, I am sensitive to articles because I still feel shame that I wasn't able to lose the weight and keep it off without having surgery.  That is my own personal problem that I am working on but I still find myself sensitive to those that "do it on their own" and brag about it.  However, I am a big enough person to realize that they really are doing a lot of hard work but in a different way than someone that has had WLS.  I would never want to steel someone elses thunder because they were able to do it on their own.  I try to look at it this way.  I needed a jump start to help me over that big hump of diabetes, hypertension and depression.  This was my way of doing that, gastric bypass.  It worked for me and I need to respect others for bragging about what worked for them, just as I want respect for what worked for me. 

 You are not alone, I guess, deep down, I feel that way too a little.  I am ashamed to not have been able to do it myself.  Then I see these shows on TV the other day, "1,000 pound dad" or the half ton woman and those people have the RNY and I think "i am not even in their league"  Should I have done this?  But then I think WHY should anyone have to wait until they are so big you have to tear down half the house to get you out?  I guess I just saw the red flags early enough.

Loved the title of your post! People magazine does these covers every once in a while. what they don't show is these women back at their original weight 18 months later, and getting wls 2 years after that. Hang in there - when people think you cheated you know the truth - you treated a medical condition with a procedure that treats it. Just like heart surgery if you had a bad valve or
having an insulin pump installed for diabetes. We took our health and well being into our own hands, had surgery and will be happier and healthier for the long term. Not for the two week run the magazine is on the newstands.
Jen ten years post op rny

I am soooooooo Glad someone defined Gimmicks...Thanks Nik!

Lets them say what they want, who cares? This is working for me when the other ways didn't in the long term. I was part of the 95% of the population who dieted, and regained for too long. I'm a step closer to having my brain condition go in remission which lessens my chances of going blind, I can walk further without getting short of breath, my knees are happier, I can get down on the floor, clean my house faster, cross my legs, sit closer to my gas pedals, stand longer, not bring the house down with my snoring or have my ox levels drop to 51% in REM if I fall asleep without my CPAP, I have more energy, wear nicer clothes, and buy off the rack. I eat better, and more regularly than I have for most of my adult life. I'm just as full, but better nourished than when I ate more. There are so many more reasons WLS has enhanced my life. I don't give a damn what anyone says or thinks about my decision. This is my life, and I'm not obligated to justify my decision to anyone. To me weight loss is not a competitive activity. So I say, let the magazine write what they want. Let the uninformed read it and form whatever opinions they wish, but it isn't going to change who I am, what I do, my progress or my bliss.

One more question...I used to see Batboy on the Globe when I was in line at the market, anyone know how he's doing these days?
Kat