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"Demonising Fat People" - Appalled by peoples attitudes.
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No, I am not saying fat, obese, overweight people should be demonised, and I do understand that it can be a hardship and a challenge, but what kind of a message are you giving by equating obesity with braveness and courage? How can you in all seriousness encourage something that is not merely bad according to superficial standards, but more importantly and significant is bad in relation to ones health? Cause that is, what is being done when saying that being fat requires courage.
I agree completely.
but being fat is not being brave
exactly
I'm saying that it takes bravery to put up with the pathetic insults people can get, I'm basically saying a similar thing just from a different angle.
And no Cheeseontoast I don't know what you've experienced - why would I? But then do you know anything about me? No. So how is it right that you can give your point of view, but my point of view is of course wrong? Because thats how it's coming across right now.
good post
Sorry but you are the one who said
So .. ?
Don't make assumptions innit.
And that was a general comment, rather than about this thread in particular, as proved by "or any of the other things we all discuss on here"
And aren't you making assumptions by thinking I'm talking about you when I mention those things.
I give up. I'm willing to discuss topics and take on others opinions but not when people aren't willing to take on mine and just tell me I'm wrong. That's not debating. Personally I'm starting to think that some of the attitudes of people on here are no better than the 10 year old bullies in a playground - and no, I'm not naming names there.
Everyones different. Everyones self esteem is different. So yes, life in general day to day for some people takes bravery and courage, for whatever bloody reason. If you can't accept that then fine.
Word.
I don't admire anything about being fat, especially those that complain about how hard they have it. What I admire is people putting in effort to do something about it.
I agree with the bit in bold, but what the fuck does that have to do with being brave to go out because your fat? Its not a fucking birth defect, its a LIFESTYLE CHOICE in most cases.
There's nothing inherently brave about being black or gay or following a persecuted religion or belief. It's being something when being that is persecuted that makes it brave. After all - being gay was just described as a lifestyle choice and perversion for many years - and of course also a crime.
It was the laws and attitudes that perscuted homosexuality that made it brave to stand up and be 'out' - not being gay itself.
So not saying being fat is in itself someway brave - but if something is disproportonaly persecuted then it certainly takes some effort to stand up and do something about being overweight. Especially when most places that could help lose weight seem pretty terrifying when you are overweight.
They seem pretty terrifying when you're NOT overweight as well. I hate going to the gym by myself >.<.
God yeah - there does seem to be something inherently wrong with them doesn't there? Especially for somewhere that should be about health rather than beauty.
I'm just going to bow out of the whole brave situation
Of course you don't - but surely they should be absolutely the most welcoming places for absolutely the most obese people? I mean if people being obese is the big problem it is in this country then surely everything should be being done to encourage people to go places where they can get the best advice about physical exercise and nutrition?
I mean ideally, for the few years it'd take to make a difference, wouldn't the ideal thing be that all gyms were absoutely stuffed full of extremely obese people getting the help they need to lose weight?
Or is it that people who currently use gyms would actually prefer it if obese people found somewhere out of sight to lose most of their weight before coming to the gym?
Why would people want that? I think it would be nice to see obese people in the gym, who would actually stay and see them progress, and as you said, it would make other obese people feel more comfortable.. so I find that a little provocative comment actually.
Sorry but I can only comment from personal dealings, and every single severely fat or obese person I know, is that way because they are lazy. And not just lazy, they even moan about being sad because of their weight.
They even talk about wanting to lose it, for YEARS. And I mean years, I have friends who keep talking to me about it and asking advice etc, which I go to a lot of time to prepare properly, and it gets pissed up the wall.
They also in some cases I know join the gym, do a few weeks, maybe even a month, and then that it's for another couple of years.
Not because it's not welcoming, because they can't be arsed.
Gyms not being welcoming is just another bullshit reason.
When I go to a lot of gyms, it still feels uncomfortable, if I go to hardcore iron gyms I feel small, weak and inadequate. But if that is all that is there, then I go, and I bust my balls and train and earn peoples respect and it works.
Strongman is the best known event in the UK for being opening to people whether fat or not, they dont give a shit how strong you are either, just put the effort in. Also there are lots of fat powerlifters.
If people took YOUR advice and filled the gyms, then there'd be nothing to worry about would there?
There's nothing stopping two obese people going together or in groups of more.
If worse comes to worse, buy a spinbike or cross trainer for £250 (what I paid for mine) and train in the house, 40 minutes before breakfast 5 times a week and the weight will fall off as long as a decent diet is followed - less than a years gym membership as well! And you can sit there in front of the TV - what could be easier?
But walking up the street every day for 100 years being so obese you are self concious is not brave, its daft.
But as soon as my injuries are healed, hopefully a week, I'll be hitting it hard, and reckon within 10 weeks I will look so different people would not even believe it.
I will post pics when I do this.
Cheese on Toast I have a PM for you
I don't think that's what they're trying to say.
Yes it's bad that gyms are intimidating for overweight people, but as CheeseOnToast said, it's not neccesary to lose weight. I've developed a bit of a belly recently and I can't afford the Gym so I'm doing exercise at home.
I understand how hard it can be to lose weight, espescially if you love food as much as I do, and I understand that in certain circumstances people have problems which make it harder for them to lose weight than other people.
But the point is, being overweight isn't healthy and it isn't desirable. I'm sorry, but that's the truth. If you are seriously obese, then you should be at least trying to do something about it. I'm not demonising fat people at all, I've put on too much weight myself recently, I'm just saying that for their own health, they should be trying to change.
I disagree.
There's nothing brave about it at all. Everybody faces criticism at some point in their life for whatever reason. I don't see how there is anything brave about it at all... Another person's opinion of you is only as important as you make it.
It's quite patronising really isn't it that you have summarised everything said into 1 line of complete bullshit, don't you think?
Anyway, for the record, I used a gym about 15 times last year I would guess at the most, the only reason I did use it was when I was trying to recover from injury so I wanted to use the machines there.
I do weights in the outhouse, which now has a missing window and no heating obviously as it's outside, so it's pretty cold and horrible out there, and cardio I do outside or on the x-trainer in the house.
I will be doing the same this year, although I will be going to a boxing gym, but only to use the heavy bags and for the fighting classes (muay thai/BJJ etc)
I have friends of all builds, shapes and sizes and often the bigger friends I know are fitter than the slimmer ones but underlaying health problems are always going to be an issue just like it is for those who have eating disorders such as anorexia which I have fought in the past myself.
People who live with illness and disabilities on a daily basis are brave in my opinion as they have no choice and I do accept the fact that that some overweight people have medical reasons that make it hard or impossible for them to lose weight but those who are overweight due to the lack of willpower and self control have to accept that some people will be prejudiced against them just the same as some people are prejudiced at peoples skin colour, sexuality and nationality to name a few.
People are cruel Fact!
We are all in charge of ourselves. To look after ourselves,achieve the best in life that we can comes down to the individual and as shallow as it is this comes down to appearances more than anything alot of the time, first impressions count for many things such as relationships, acceptance and careers, its a sad fact but true, you have to have a outstanding personality to help people see past that first impression early on.
One of the best come backs I have heard from an overweight friend when someone commented on her size was ' yes I'm fat but I can diet, you're stuck with that face forever'
I found an exercise bike for £45, is that worth it? I have room here for an exercise bike but not an actual bike, AND I could read on an exercise bike so that's cool. I already have a set of weights etc.
In all honesty, if you can afford it, for around £100 on ebay you'd be better off buying a second hand high grade spin bike