Extreme Weight Loss

Have you seen this show?  It's addicting.

Things I hate about it: it FEROCIOUSLY fat shames the participants.

Things I love about it: unlike other weight loss shows (like Biggest Loser) there are no contestants.  I always thought that was so fucked up...however many people who REALLY need to lose weight are pitted againste each other and some go home before they learn anything.  WTF.  On this show, participants (not contestants) are on the journey for a full year, instead of abusing their bodies for a few weeks (if that) and being turned loose before good habits are developed.

Fat Shaming

 

 

There is an ugly, ugly phenomenon called "fat shaming."
Have you ever seen the dog and cat shaming websites?

Somehow, it's funnier when it's a dog.



It's kind of like that, except mean and hateful and involving humans.  It can be blatant or sneaky.  It comes from complete strangers, friends, doctors and close family members.  Speaking from personal experience, it cuts you to your very core and few things are more humiliating.

Here are a few examples of fat shaming that I've experienced.  They may not seem vile, but when they're directed at you, you're made to feel as though your weight is the only thing about you that matters.

1) The "very concerned" talk about health.  This is presented as "love" and "well-meaning."  What it is, is thinly veiled judgement.  As fat people, I guarantee we all know we're fat.  You absolutely, positively, 100% do not need to remind us.  And guess what else!  We, and we alone, are the only ones (as individuals) know what our health issues are.  But wait, there's more!  Some of us, in spite of being fat, have no major health issues whatsoever.  It is possible to be fat and healthy.  For you to look at us and assume we're unhealthy is straight up stereotyping and bigotry.  Now, with that said, I do have sleep hypopnea and borderline hypertension.  These are issues I'm working on through exercise and dietary changes.  But my cholesterol and blood sugar are fantastic. Not all fatties are type two diabetics.


2) Worrying about our relationships.  If a fat person is alone, much like a thin person alone, they are probably CHOOSING that life for themselves.  Fat does not equal lonely.  Fat people get married, too (I am living proof of this). Sometimes, fat people even have sex.  HOLY SHIT!  Quit worrying that we'll be alone forever.  Some of us, in spite of being fat (which apparently equals disabled and/or socially retarded?) manage to find another fat person or a skinny person who isn't afraid of being snapped in half like a twig in bed and settle down with them.  Most of us are just as easy to love as you.

3) Appearance, hygiene, and laziness.  Fat people are not lazy as a general population.  Yes, some of us are, but no more so than thin people. 
Some of us have eating disorders, addictions, slow metabolisms, were taught shitty eating and exercise habits growing up (it takes a long time to fix years of bad examples), have hormonal issues, etc. 
I'm not trying to make excuses, because some of us are indeed quite lazy.  Just like any subset of the population, a cross section of fatties is pretty diverse. 
But this is my number one pet peeve related to fat shaming: Assuming we are all lazy and unkempt and smelly. 
Look at a fatty: assume they're fat because they're lazy.  Then, assume that they're also smelly because they're lazy.  Then, assume they're wearing sweatpants because they're lazy.  It's so easy! 
Maybe they're fat because they feel attractive at their present weight.  Maybe they have struggled with their weight for years and are secretly miserable.  You, looking at them, have no idea.  If they do smell, maybe it's because they just worked out (chances are, however, they smell pretty good). Maybe they're wearing sweatpants because stylish plus sized clothing is ridiculously expensive and hard to find in a lot of areas.

Fat people do have some potential hygiene issues that thin people don't have. For example, very large breasted women and those with skin folds are prone to yeast infections.  GUESS WHAT.  Most of us know these things are possible and take great care to avoid them.  A lot of us have a trusted, brutally honest individual we will go to if there are any questions that we smell or look sloppy (just like you have a friend or spouse that you trust to tell you these things).  I have three: my husband, my sister, and my BFF.  They tell me when my clothes look unfortunate and have been asked to let me know if I stink. The reports on my aroma and appearance are unanimously positive.  Even though I'm fat, I somehow manage to look attractive sometimes.  Shocking, I know.

And according to them, I smell fucking great. Like rainbows, unicorn tears, sunshine, and nag champa.

Also, I'm fat.  Also, I walk my dog every day.  Also, I'm training to run a 5K.  Also, I work 40 hours or more each week.  Also, I will soon be a full time student in addition to all this other stuff.  Lazy?  Fuck you.

In closing, I would like to say this.  The next time you fat shame someone, know this: YOU ARE NOT SNEAKY. WE ARE ON TO YOU. WE ARE SILENTLY HATING YOU AND CURSING YOUR VERY NAME. ALL YOU ARE SUCCEEDING IN DOING IS SECURING YOUR SPECIAL PLACE IN HELL AND ALIENATING US.

If those are your goals, well done.  If not, quit it.

OM NOM NOM



Really?



Based on the above statement, I have no option but to boldly say Kate Moss is on crack.

I've always hated that statement. However, I've never been thin, so I have no idea if skinny feels better than poutine tastes.  Maybe it does.  All I know is, poutine is friggin delicious.



FOODGASM

With that said, a life of "treating myself" (which is in quotes because it's not truly a "treat" if it's a daily or even weekly indulgence) on things like delicious, amazing poutine has caused me to be, um...let's call it "less than healthy."

Why is poutine more appealing than celery?  Why does a bacon cheeseburger sound amazing right now, even though I've been a pescetarian for almost a year?  Why does tartar sauce make most fish taste better?  How did our taste buds and/or preferences get so messed up?



"Heeeeeeeeeelp me!"


My husband and I were recently talking, and he had what I consider to be a brilliant thought. Our dog, Taco, eats what he's given. Occasionally, that's a small piece of bacon.  Usually not, because he's a little shit. But on a daily basis, he eats Iams.  He happily snarfs it down, blissfully unaware of the deliciousness being cooked mere feet from his dog bowls.



Lucky bastard.

What if humans had food that came in bags, was nutritionally balanced, came in a few formulas for varying needs (ie low fat, grain free, etc), and we could just pour a bowl and eat it?

I know what you're thinking..."Angie, such foods DO exist, and they're called organic fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains."  Settle down, hippie, I'm aware of that.

That doesn't count. We still have to choose organic produce, whole grains, and lean proteins among the sea of crap.  We still have to prepare them properly. 

I want to be fed like cattle.  The items I eat and amount of them is specifically chosen for me and no other options are presented. 

Too bad this brilliant idea would not work.  Humans, unfortunately, are too smart and too sneaky for that nonsense.  We're like junk food ninjas.

Pictured above: me

Sugar, fat, and salt taste good.  Plain and simple.  Bacon tastes better than celery.  Pizza is generally more appealing than a salad.  Anyone who says differently is either lying or has a serious sensory problem and should see their doctor immediately if it lasts longer than four hours.

My bad...that's a DIFFERENT problem.

*Sigh*
I guess humans have two strikes against them from the start.  We're smart and sneaky, and we're programmed to like things that are bad for us.  There is no factory reset to turn off the "fat sugar and salt are delicious" setting and turn on the "I want vegetables all the time" setting.  Guess I'm just going to have to think carefully about what I eat, weigh my decisions, and make good choices.

Also, FOOD IS AMAZING!  It's delicious and powerful fuel. We socialize with it.  It's the basis for numerous holiday celebrations and family/group gatherings. The memories we make and share surrounding food are an integral part of the human experience.

So Kate Moss, shut your face.  I'm changing your quote.

Take THAT.