"What?!"
That's the reaction I'm hoping to get from that audacious title. In my defense, I don't believe this, but we all have fallen prey to agree with a body conscious stereotype at one point in time.
Before you get all huffy and puffy and storm your way out of reading my blog, let me list a few of the numerous bodily stereotypes that we are subjected to everyday. I've heard "good Lord she's skinny, tell her to eat something", "she's only overweight because she's lazy", "look at her eating fruit and salad, I bet she thinks she's fat", "if he would stop playing video games he wouldn't have that big butt anymore". These comments are a part of stereotypes that are accepted in our media, entertainment, and personal lives; but these are also probably the most hurtful out of all stereotypes because it does not matter what gender, age, racial background or household income, anyone can be a victim to its sting.
So when someone at your lunch table starts making comments like "beached whale" or "stick figure", why do you not say anything?
Research has found that genetics has a lot more to do with someone's body than what previous generations knew. Women and men who have high metabolisms often eat more than the average person and still are unable to gain any weight, but they are still accused of being anorexic. Consider this, some obese children stay obese because their families have not taught them how to control their weight and a healthy eating habit was not established at a young age. Other conditions can affect a person's weight, for example, diabetes, cancer, and PCOS.
I feel my point is made.
By the way, I prefer Burger King.
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I'm surprised to see PCOS listed. Most don't list that when discussing weight and it really should be listed more. Out of all the girls I know with PCOS, only one doesn't have weight issues and more often than not those (that I know) that are overweight work out religiously, eat healthy, and take care of themselves.
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Fallon
"It is never too late to give up your prejudices." Henry David Thoreau
"In case of dissension, never dare to judge till you've heard the other side." Euripides
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My sister and I both have it. That's why I felt compelled to write this. I am one of the lucky ones, I don't have as severe a problem with PCOS as she does; but, if I don't get treatment soon, I could end up tipping the scales. The fact that we both have this explains why she and I both have struggled with our weight (I used to have an anorexic mindset before we knew we had PCOS because I was obsessed with not gaining the weight she and my mother both had).
"Be the change you wish to see in the world..." - Ghandi
My sister and I were both diagnosed with it in our teens. She's the one I mentioned that doesn't have weight issues. Trying to deal with weight issues from PCOS is a pain for most women. Have they tried your sister on Metformin?? It''s not for weight loss, but it actually helps quite a few with PCOS deal control their weight... something about the link between PCOS and diabetes.
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Fallon
"It is never too late to give up your prejudices." Henry David Thoreau
"In case of dissension, never dare to judge till you've heard the other side." Euripides
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She's on Yaz or Yazmine, one of those is what I am going to be put on soon, too. Whichever she is on, it has helped with all of the symptoms and she is losing weight.
"Be the change you wish to see in the world..." - Ghandi
Hahaha, my genes allow me to enjoy one meal everyday, if not two, from McDonalds. I'm blessed and a tiny five foot, two inches, and I'm yet to hit one-hundred pounds. (I'm 92 pounds). And I seriously go out to McDonalds everyday.
You know, my friend was blessed with this too, but she here's the comment often "you look like a fifth grader". I wrote this for her, too. It's not just about being overweight, it's about being criticized for the genes or family life you were given.
"Be the change you wish to see in the world..." - Ghandi
yeah, my little sister is adopted from india, and shes ten. shes my size. same shoes, same shirts, everything,.
Yes genes have something to do with it. But so does our overprossesed food society. You also have to look at history, even in the 40's and 50's you didn't have as many overweight people as now. It's not all about genes.
agreed,
I'm very aware of this, I'm genetically disposed to be overweight and I've fought hard not to be that way. But it's an uphill battle, and it was only more discouraging when I heard people all around me making fun of other people's weight. I wasn't even overweight when I was made fun of for my weight! Regardless of whether it's genes or choices, someone targeted for the number on a scale isn't right. And there is truth in that it's not about the actual number on the scale, it's the appearance of the person that others make fun.
And by the way, in the '50's and '40's, full bodied woman were celebrated, just like in the '60's. Marilyn Monroe was viewed as the perfect iconic woman in the '50's (and even today) and she was a size 10. That's considered overweight to many young women these days.
"Be the change you wish to see in the world..." - Ghandi
But even now a size ten isn't considered overweight. Most girls I know or about a size 10 and they're athletic. Marilyn Monroe is a perfect iconic example still, at least to most guys and girls I know. I'm not bashing that, I think being size 2 or 0 is pretty disgusting and creepy. I was talking about those people who sue McDonalds and their genes when they're hugely overweight. Fat people don't love fastfood, but most...not all but most of them, don't get enough exercise and don't eat right. I used to be overweight and I hated candy and most fast food, and I still hate it.
I don't like people making fun of other people because of their weight either, but everyone, even overweight people that I know, make fun of people who are bigger than them, everyone does I think. It's wrong, but you'll never change it, people will be assholes, it almost a law of nature sadly.
"Be the change you wish to see in the world..." - Ghandi
I can't just sit and wait for someone to change the world. I don't think it's right, it's not right. If I'm the only change in the world that I want to see, I have succeeded. If it's two people, I've doubled the success. This is not just for people that are overweight and underweight, it's for everyone that's made fun of for their appearance. Tackling the problem of overweight and underweight is easier than tackling it all because that would be to general and it would sound like the same old story of "find beauty in everyone". All I wanted to point out is that we don't know everyone's situation, we don't know if they are 260 lbs and only eat a cup of grapes everyday or if they are 95lbs and load their plate down with majorly greasy food.
I may never change it, but I dream big, and if all I was, was just the person that planted the seed of thought or watered it, I'm just fine with that.
I'm overweight , but since I've been counting calories and watching what I eat, I avoid fast food. Just thinking about the calories that are packed into all the junk makes me not want to eat it. Sometimes, probably once a month, I'll eat something from McD's, but usually I stick to home cooked chicken or other foods that don't have as many calories. My family is predisposed to being overweight, too. I'm the only one that seems to be doing much about it though.
yes, i did go WHAT THE F"""", haha, and i tell you, i never ever judge based on stereotypes, and I am the same, I get the comment i don't even look 18, and I am actually 20, so i eat a bit more McD and BK than my sister. See she is genetically built to get fat if she eats the fatty foods i do, whereas i can eat as much as i want because not only am i not built like that I walk all over campus everyday trying to get to my classes. I actually just resort to the fries and fish sandwiches because i am a Muslim and i should not eat any other meat from outside. Also, my family has people who would get really fat if they ate these unhealthy foods but they are careful too, they count their calories, eat less meat and more veggies and fish.
PS. i love Gandhi and I feel like I am proud to be part of his land (i am from Pak which used to be part of India and Gandhi is like hero to most of the Indian Subcontinent)
Above All - Do no harm
Well, I'm glad I got the resonse I wanted. I'm a huge fan of Jesus... I gave my life to Him and He's my hero. He's kind of a big deal, and, I've got to say, I love Him. Ghandi's quote that I have was a gift to me on my graduation day, that's why I have it as my signature quote... I like this one about Jesus more though.
John 21:25 "Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written."
"Be the change you wish to see in the world..." - Ghandi
And I am ELATED to see that you mentioned it.
Oddly, I actually got into a debate with a guy at my old job. A girl asked me what PCOS was when she overheard me on the phone, and I told her the technical name, which was met with a puzzled look. I then described the symptoms, to which the unwanted jerk who was listening interjected, "So, basically, that's just an excuse for you to get fat."
...Needless to say, that did not end well. For him, not me. I can hold my own. :P
But in all seriousness, it's like people don't understand that you can be overweight, and actually have a reason for it. This doesn't excuse the fact that I DO use food as a coping mechanism sometimes, but it does explain how I managed to gain a considerable amount of weight in a very short amount of time, and have since found it very hard to lose it, despite my sincere efforts.
I try to not make assumptions based on appearances. I have an ex that is 6'2 and weighs 125lbs. He would eat whole pizzas in one sitting, and couldn't gain weight to save his life. I know people have made hurtful comments to him, and it angers me. Just like I'm sure people assume I'm overweight because I'm lazy and a pig, which is entirely untrue.
PS. I prefer Burger King, too. But that's because I'm a vegetarian, and their veggie burgers are freaking delicious.