The Fat Debate!

A few years ago my husband and I were in the car having a conversation about something that I don't even remember, but it must have had to do with weight because I told him we should start a Fat Group against discrimination. I was joking of course, but found out a few months later their actually was a group. It is called NAAFA or National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance. Huh?, can't believe I was born in 1970, been fat since 1982 and didn't know that a group like this was started in 1969.

Last week on Dr. Phil, they had a show called, The Fat Debate. You know I had to tune in. It was people from both sides of the fence. Some were overweight and others were trainers and a lady from some a group called anti-fat organization. The debate was pretty heated. You had the overweight people arguing that the others had no right to tell them what to do with their bodies. And the other side saying that they weren't discriminating because to be discriminated against it had to be something you couldn't control like race. To be honest, the whole show made my head spin.

I remember a long time ago seeing a talk show with "fat haters". I remember it really had a big impact on me. Every time I would be out and got a glance from someone that I thought seemed funny, I would immediately think, "oh my gosh, their a fat hater". How do I know I didn't just have a booger hanging out of my nose? It just made me paranoid, everyone was a fat hater. I have heard stories of people being interupted by total strangers asking, "do you really need to eat that?" WHAT??!!!! That has never happened to me and I am glad. I would either start to cry or give em a wise crack back like, "do you really think you should wear your hair up in a bun like that considering it shows off that your eyes are too far apart?!!" I mean seriously, what kind of response who someone bold enough to say that to you expect? What about people saying, "are you really going to eat that?" HEY, if the fork is in my hand and my elbow is bent raising it to my mouth, I am probably going to eat it!!!

What I did notice a few years back is that some people look into the shopping carts of overweight people. I rememer the first time it happened to me. A lady walked by and as we passed she gave a quick "look over" the contents of my cart. I was like, "oh no you didn't". But it happens. I am sure there are people who have false ideas that I sit around all day and eat and never work out. So be it, I know the truth. Look, we all have something to work on in our lives. Whether it be weight or something else. Unfortunately, when you are overweight, you can't hide your issue too well. The world sees it everyday. I am sure I am judged every day for something by someone. That is the BEST part of getting older. I don't really care all that much anymore.

I guess this is my stance...just because your skinny today doesn't mean you always will be. And just because your overweight today doesn't mean you have to stay that way forever. Life is short, do the best you can with what you have. We are all on this journey together. There are people starving in this world, dying of disease every day and living hopeless lives. There are things way more important than being offended by someone looking in my shopping cart. By the way, in case you were wondering, yes, that is a box of Little Debbie snack cakes in my cart, laying right next to my Slim Fast shakes.