Not-so-random Poll: Is it ok to be fat?

By this reasoning, then it's OK for me to be diagnosed with major depression as long as I'm trying hard enough to get better.  Whether or not I get better isn't important, just if I'm trying hard enough.  But who gets to decide if it's enough?

I think I said that if a person is seeking treatment then they're doing the best the can... the way that I see it that is not the same as "okay". Example....a kid at school tries and does the best he can on a test that he prepared for -- yet still fails. He did the best he could but it definitely is not "okay" by his teacher's, the schools, maybe even his parents or his own standards.

"Enough" is an entirely personal decision, albeit one that could potentially affect lots of people, not just the decision maker.

I guess it is a fine line. Food for thought, for sure.

Here's the problem with that logic. For people who suffer from depression or other psychological disorders, they may lack the energy or the ability to get help. I went through a major depresssion 10 years ago and I was too depressed to even get help for myself. It took other people helping me to get me onto medication and therapy. I was doing the best I could and I still am to this day. Your argument assumes that people who are fat or unhealthy aren't doing the best they can. How do you know that? Simply by looking at their body size and reaching that conclusion? Kelly's point is very valid, that who decides if someone is doing the best they can to improve their heath? And what is the standard used? If I am fat but I exercise twice a week for an hour, am I doing the best I can compared to someone who is fat and who works out 4 times a week for half an hour? Does it matter if I do cardio or weight training? What if it's strictly yoga and doesn't burn a lot of calories, does that count?

If "enough" is indeed a personal decision as you said, then you must be agreeing that it's OK for a person to individualy decide they are OK to be fat. Which is exactly my point and Kelly's point and the point of most people on here. It's an individual, not collective or societal, choice.

No, you are twisting my words. I didn't say anywhere that people who aren't healthy or happy aren't doing enough. Those words were no where in my post. I specifically said if they are doing their best to do what they can to improve their life and their situation then that's all we can expect and that's okay. I'll add whether they are trying to do iton their own, with the assistance of a physician, mental health profression, family, clergy member, the list of potential support people goes on and on depending on the situation.

So, yes "enough" is a personal decision. I aree that if you want to be fat and happy, fat and unhappy, fat and healthy or fat and unhealthy it is on you. I'm not sure why anybody would want to live in a state of being unhealthy and/or unhappy, hence my previous statements about doing what we can to improve our situations but I guess to each their own, right?

I, personally, was NOT okay with being fat but I definitely do not have an issue with anybody who is overweight or with anyone who is OK with being overweight and/or unhealthy. But I do pause and wonder (to myself - I'd never question somebody) why people stay in an unhealthy, unhappy state. Is there anything more that can be done for them? Do they have a proper support system to encourage them to live the best life they can? Is there anything that I can do to help? Is there anything more collectively as a society that we can do to help this person/this group of people?

Hope this clears up my thoughts.

Like most here, I believe it's perfectly ok to be fat - if that's what you are comfortable with.

However ...  I don't believe that fat is a special interest group per se - people suffer abuse from ignorant people for all sorts of reasons:  colour, sexual orientation, learning difficulties etc - none of which can be changed WHATEVER you do.   Being fat is NOT in the same category - even if it is hard for most of us to change, it is possible!

I think the woman in question is gorgeous, but frankly I am surprised she is in front of camera - there are certainly no overweight people on the TV channels I see here in Denver!   

Bullying is bullying and kudos to her for addressing it, but I doubt it'll make squat difference - ignorant people who are old enough to know better are not going to change because she addressed it!   They are going to breed children with the same ignorant views ...

I struggle with this - all the time. I personally do not lump being overweight (or fat), in the same category as race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. Those are all things that a person is, and has no control over.

That's not the same with weight. Weight is (unless there is a serious underlying medical issue), something that is very much within our control. It was in my control before surgery. I just chose surgery to help control it.

People have a right to love who they are regardless of their size. But as raising a daughter, I do want to teach her to make healthy choices and do healthy things. We don't focus on a number, but she does want to read nutritional information (even though I fought that for a bit), she works out because she knows it helps her stay healthy (karate, swim, etc), and we make healthy eating choices.

I don't want her to feel bad about who she is, or that she's not ok if she's overweight, but I do want to teach her empowerment and taking control of her life about being the best she can be.

I was fine with being fat. More than fine! It was who I was. It didn't affect me socially or physically. Until I broke the arches in my feet jumping off of a big truck. Then and only then, was I not okay with being fat. I hated that it hurt to walk or that I'd have to take breaks in the middle of the mall. But appearance wise, I never looked at myself in the mirror and thought," I look awful". On the contrary, I always thought I looked sexy! (Of course, I also had my DH tell me that all the time). I knew I was fat, but it didn't bother me one bit. And no one ever really said anything. (Accept for my mom, but she critizes everything, so I never listened to her). So, yes, I think if you're healthy and fat and it doesnt bother you, it's okay to be fat. Why should you change who you are to please others? I had this surgery and I'm glad I did cause I can move. And now that I've lost more than half my size I see how big I actually was, but when I look at pics, I still see a beautiful woman. I think no matter what size I am, I will always be happy with me. As long as I can do what I want to do and move around, that's all that matters to me.

For me the answer is no...it's not okay to be fat because of the health issues that it caused for me...but it's not my call for others....

I would hope that my example and the results (no longer diabetic, no high blood pressure, less pain on joints) would encourage others but they have the freedom to pursue their own choices. Regardless, even with the difference of 90 pounds...I'm still the same person just with additional experiences that teach me not to judge...just accept others as they are for whom they are.
 

I absolutely think it's just as okay to be fat as it is to be thin, tall, short, or whatever you happen to be. Some people are just fat. It isn't anyone's place to determine what another person should be or what is acceptable or okay, period. I'm a very big advocate (and have been for many years) of the Health At Every Size movement.

Weight is very personal and very individual, and just like everything else, if you're not happy, change something - change your perception, change your attitude, or change your body/lifestyle.

I chose surgery because of my health, but up until the moment that I experienced high blood pressure and arthritis in my knee, I was extremely healthy, very active, and as it happened, very fat. I've been involved with the Fat Acceptance movement since I was 18, and I will always, always, always be an advocate, no matter what size I am.

What needs to change is society's perception and the value that is placed on thinness. Thin = acceptable, valuable, and attractive, and fat = unacceptable, worthless, and ugly. Until that changes, fat people will always be bullied, but luckily there is a very strong undercurrent of people who are constantly fighting thin privilege and bullying, and hopefully, eventually, change will come.

Melanie

 JMO...no, it's not OK to fat.  It's gross and unhealthy.  I was gross and unhealthy but getting much better.  Obesity is a drain on healthcare, other "entitlement" programs, social security, and disability.  The list goes on and on.....

I was fat because I made bad food choices and didn't exercise.  I wish everyone would own up to it and stop making excuses.

Jill