Why is it people discriminate against heavier people? Don't they forget that they are people as well with emotions and feelings too. Some act like they are not even standing there when they make crude jokes in front of them.
They always get laughed at and are the butt of peoples cruel jokes. It is hard enough for these people to get out each day sometimes and just make themselves go to work knowing once again they will be the office talk.
Not everyone is a size 5 or 7. Nor does everyone wish to be. I know someone who gained alot of weight because of her medication. that is not a laughing matter. At least not to the mature people of the world. Each time you laugh at someone with a weight problem that is NOT helping them. Just hurting them.
Next time you feel tempted to laugh or make them your evening's joke, please stop and remember they are human too, just like you.
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Comments: 52
A secure and well-rounded person will treat EVERYONE the same.
Indeed, with respect, comes education, as we will always learn new things from those we treat as a brother or sister, because we are all the same.
George Vreeland Hill
Between my weight and my leg I get comments and rude looks occasionally. Best advice I ever got was from my dad...never let them know they hurt you. I just give them a level look and or a "loser!" smirk and that usually hushes them right up.
Or if you wanna really get bold the sign of the bird works too...but I really don't advocate it unless you are in a really bad mood and don't mind being confrontational....
httpp://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=28147497681078
http:www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976896941
I have to say that I have lost some weight and I have worked on some self-esteem issues as well. And now that I have, I feel sorry for the people who make these remarks. It saddens me to know that people can be so callous and cruel. I no longer view myself through the eyes of others. I view myself through the eyes of my Father in Heaven, who sees me as beautiful whether I'm a size 2 or a size 22.
But for whoever reads this....if you are one of the ones who ridicules those who are overweight...please think about what you do. Its senseless. It does no good for anyone. It probably only makes the person go home and eat themselves into a stupor because their self esteem takes a nose dive. Place yourself in their shoes. How would you like to be ridiculed? How would you like your imperfections laughed at? (and believe it or not, everyone has imperfections). Just something to think about.
One thing that kills me is how a size 14 (women's) is considered "Plus Size"... plus size give me a freakin' break!
I've had a few dear friends that were a size 12/14 who were at a great, healthy weight. To get below that size they would have to become unhealthy and underweight. Yet they are judge as being too big because they are a size 14.
Growing up "the fat kid" is so rough. If you don't have the right kind of personality, you'll probably wind up leaving school with very damaged self-esteem, security issues, and a paranoia (paranoia in the sense that anytime you hear someone laughing or whispering, you can't help but feel like they are laughing or whispering about you---- and 70% of the time.. you're probably right!).
I dropped out of school in 10th grade. I couldn't handle it any more. I felt like I was "less than human" most of the time. I felt disgusting. I couldn't understand why no one ever gave me a chance! No one tried to get to know me. There must be something seriously wrong with me!
Until I found the internet and chat. This is when I discovered that when people couldn't see me before getting to know me, I was quite the like-able person! There wasn't anything at all wrong with me! People loved me!
At 21 years old, I fell into the trap of lying about myself online. I didn't want to chance ruining people knowing ME for ME and not for my weight! It took me a little while (I was worse than having no self-esteem.. my self-esteem was mutilated), but I finally realized that I am who I am. If people want to lose out on having my friendship for something as stupid as my weight, then they really aren't someone I want to have as a friend anyway.
I stopped lying, made some amazing friendships that have lasted over 10 years, and have built my self-esteem to a respectable level.
People just don't understand what they are losing out on by judging overweight people before getting to know them. Most people who have suffered from weight problems all their lives are the absolute most caring, big hearted, considerate, thoughtful, loving people you'll meet... loyal to the end!
My DD was called FAT on the school bus rthe first day of kindergarten! And she is chunky, but also very tall for her age! GRRR
As i read this, I thought yeah, but this is a symptom for everyone. Because what I would NEVER say to someone else, I say to myself daily. Stressing over the weight and why I can't get it off. Looking at EVERYthing and I mean everything, I put in my mouth, till it's what I think about most. Oh and the names I call myself over it. Because if I weren't eating I wouldn't be gaining, right? It's vicious what we do, even to ourselves.
The fates were on my side. I did lose some weight, then went through a 3 year divorce, that was challenging on several different levels (including fear for my life and fear for my daughter, then five). The weight started to come back. Then, I stumbled across this remarkable person, gorgeous, young, charismatic. The kind of guy who has a retinue of girls following him around the mall. He thought I was beautiful.
Still does. We've been married for five years and have a gorgeous baby boy. I'm bigger than I've ever been, but I know he loves me. He still makes me feel beautiful. I work at a job where my integrity and talent are enough to make me a star.
I'll never let someone make me fell "small" about my size again. The people who are really small are the ones that can't see you, just your outward appearance.
One person in a grocery line was listening to a conversation I was having and tapped me on the shoulder. She said and I quote, "You're intelligent. I always thought fat people were stupid and lazy!"
Another person where I worked before going out on state disability in the 80's congratulated me on losing 50 pounds. She said, "It's wonderful you lost weight.. When I first met you, I thought, Oh my God!'
I look much younger and generally when people find out how old I am they are nicer. I have no clue.
Fortunately I have a husband who loved me thin and loves me fat. I would rather be thin than fat but it certainly sorts out your true friends.
I think people are afraid of fat people and are mad that they deny themselves things like hot fudge sundaes to look good and they think fat people don't. Guess what, I don't pig out on them, haven't had one in many years. I hate when they show on tv people that ate a dozen or two eggs, pounds of bacon and loafs of bread for breakfast. That's not me, never was.
I am happy being me, right where I am right now. My focus is on not gaining weight.
Dieting always puts more pounds on me. There are times I don't want to leave my house, but I go anyway. Why should I hide?
What gets me is how people think that I have no idea that I am fat and feel they need to inform me. One line I have heard too is, Gee you have such a pretty face. Oh, if I was ugly than it's okay?
My best friend is too skinny and gets looks and comments too. You know what, if it wasn't that you are thin, or fat, or young or old, or brown or white, wear glasses, limp or have braces..it would be something else...
Isabella H., Jun 22, 2007, 11:48pm EDT
This comment will be released once Gather takes care of the issue of the one who left the comment above.
I am positive of it.
Lables are one ogf my biggest hates.
safe journies
However, George in I remained in a friendly battle for top GPA right up until the next to last semster when he had to leave school for family reasons. So, understandbly he was pretty bright. He was also considerate, helpful, always courteous, drove a Harley and was the funniest and most liked man I have ever met. Both males and females flocked around him. I ran into him about five years ago and he took me up the intracoastal waterway on his boat. Not a big boat, it would comfortably sleep two. But it was a boat and he was enjoying life. And he was still quite large. As long as I have known George, the one thing he wasn't, was lazy.
Big people are fine. Lazy people I detest. And I think there-in lies part of the problem. A lot of folks often link being overweight with being lazy and that false conclusion probably leads to some of the discrimination and bias they endure. I say, until someone proves they're lazy (or mean, or hateful); being just big shouldn't warrant adverse attention or criticism.
In my personal battle; I once weighed 238 lbs. Now I flunctuate around 185 which, according to my height (5'7") still places me in the overweight category.
And George, if you're reading this - your memory still makes me smile. Get in touch. Unless, of course, you have since changed your name to Shirley.
:+)