MovieChat Forums > To Be Fat Like Me (2007) Discussion > Since when is it 'ok' to be fat?

Since when is it 'ok' to be fat?

posted 17 years ago by cubearcub
57 replies | jump to latest

All right I am not posting this to diss on people who are overweight. I have a belly on me as a result from not being as active as I used to be and lots of beer. hehe Either way I KNOW I'm chunky and NEED to do something about it. That being said:

When did people get all whiny and sensitive about being fat and making it seem like it's ok to be fat becase "that's the way I am"? Trust me, being made fun of sucks and it's not right. But then again eating fatty foods and playing video games and not being athletic AT ALL isn't right either. I think this happened in the 80s when all the millenial parents started spoiling and overprotecting their children. So much that they always do what they can for their kid to satisfy the kid. Feeding them candy, pizza, and other junk food is not the answer. Having them eat healthy and get involved with sports or some kind of physical activity will do.

Nothing bothers me more when I'm out at a buffet and I see two overweight parents with a child probably 12 that's huge. I mean really? First off, like the parents should be at the buffet and they certainly shouldn't be setting this example for their children.

As far as social scenes go. Yeah I've seen fat people get picked on and it really bothers me. However, I think the parents need to work with the kids on losing weight. Not really pressuring them, but working with them. Not to mention perhaps the school could get involved. I can't believe that Illinois is the ONLY state left where P.E. is still required. I mean, it's freakin' P.E. should be fun. The kids also have to take some initiative as well. Not sit back and cry about it and just "float" through high school and hate their classmates and never attend reunions because they were "the fat kid" To me that's just too much self pity.

On the other spectrum, I have seen fat kids who know they're fat and not necessarily embrace it, but know it but still keep a positive attitude about things. That's pretty cool too. Now that their attitude is in the right place, they just need to get into a work out plan or some type of diet. Whatever works for them. Either way something has to be done.

Another thing I will never understand is clubs and organizations for fat people. Not to lose weight or support each other to help out. They are there because they're fat and A) feel that those are the only people that will like them and B) are dillusional because since now they have fat friends/lovers that it's ok to be morbidly obese because somebody loves me. Don't even get me started on gainers...

But all in all I'm saying people have to wake up and see that are children aren't getting any skinnier. It's true that there are more obese children out there and it has to start in the home to prevent this. Being fat isn't a horrible thing, but it is something that can be controlled. And if it can't due to glands, or whatever then find other options. It's just sad when people sit back and feel that it's ok to live an unhealthy life because "that's the way they are"

[–] christian_777 17 years ago

I thought that was EXTREMELY well said. they are not pathetic, expecially when they are trying to do something. but it doesnt make it any easier to do something when people are down on you all the time. im thin i weigh like 110-115 somewhere in there. im athletic, but im also an activist because i girl i used to go to school with was hurt very badly and mistreated. she withdrew from school. the people that was mistreating her was in my clique. i have not been the same since. i sit back and let this happen. i'll be danged if im gonna sit around and let that happen again. even though you should be trying to do something and this girl was, what they did was just horrible. she did not lose the weight after this and completly quit trying now. she wont get out of the house and to this day people around school still refer to her as that pig. people are people. they are God's children and dont deserve to be treated like dirt. yes we need to help them in someway, no we dont need to pity them. they are not pathetic, they are not in need of us making them feel less than us because they are overweight. ever since this incident, i have made it a point to be in a position to make my voice heard for this cause at school, at church, at pageants.

[–] dagould1984 17 years ago

It's not that it's okay to be fat....you can not find fat people appealing...just don't be a dick about it. I am not saying that you act like a dick to fat people I am just saying.
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Meddle not in the affairs of Dragons for you are crunchy and good with ketchup.

[–] TheLostWorldRocks 17 years ago

Why is it a big deal to be fat? If someone chooses to be that way that's their choice and has nothing to do with you. If you don't find big people attractive fine other people do. But it's just plain rude to insult them. How would you like it if someone picked on your outter appearence.

Why does everyone have to be thin?? Answer is they don't!!

[–] TheOutsidersGurliisGold 17 years ago

she's not picking on them she's saying in Tv whenever they're fat and they feel bad about themselves they always say 'it's okay i accept u 4 who u r.' well it's not okay 2 b fat. it can lead 2 heart cancer and it's very unhealthy and it just tells a lot of being that being fat means u eat a lot of junk and u r not very active. Get it now?

"You know the world can see us, in a way that's different from who we are"
Troy and Gabriella

[–] TheLostWorldRocks 17 years ago

well it's not okay 2 b fat. it can lead 2 heart cancer and it's very unhealthy and it just tells a lot of being that being fat means u eat a lot of junk and u r not very active. Get it now?

Yeah, it is okay to be fat! It's someone elses choice not yours. It's people like you that make me sick. I don't believe that every big person is big because they eat junk or unactive. My friend in high school was big and she didn't eat junk alot she was just naturally big.

Besides there are plenty of thin girls who eat junk and don't exersize and they still say slim. Just because someones bigger doesn't mean that they are unhealthy just as with a thin person, just because they are slim doesn't mean they are healthy.

[–] shoegal1083 17 years ago

Actually, regardless of whether a larger person eats junk food or not still doesn't help. Carrying extra pounds is not healthy, regardless of how they appeared. It's just a fact...plain and simple.

Extra pounds equal unnecessary weight put on your joints, a heart that has to work harder to pump blood, lungs that have to work harder to keep you from running out of breath, etc. Health is more than just what you eat.

You can call me Kate...

[–] Angiers 16 years ago

I want to see your evidence backs up that proposterate statement.

There have been studies done on health in regards to weight; and there is starting to be a small concensus amoung scientists that being overweight(but not obese) for some people is actually healthier for them. Some studies even suggest that patient that were naturally overweight, followed an exercise plan, and ate a balanced healthy diet that supported their life style acctually lived LONGER, healthier lives then the skinnier counter parts in the study. It has been published in medical and health journals, and was even featured on NPR.

I'm so sick of people with a little actual knowledge on nutrition, science, and fitness parroting their psuedo-science beliefs as if it were gosple because that is what they've heard all their lives from an industry that looking to sell one more pill, one more useless piece of contrived exercise equipment, fat flush; diet food, diet shakes, motovational books tapes videos and support group/gym membership.

Stop being ignorant.

[–] rebratka 15 years ago

It's that sheep mentality.
Some people say it's bad, so instead of researching, the others just nod and agree.

I know plenty of overweight people who are healthy.

Not to mention the fact that "fat" used to be quite attractive years ago.

[–] TheOutsidersGurliisGold 17 years ago

Okay i'm sorry. Seriously i didn't mean it like that i mean i have a lot friends that are pretty big and some of them do eat a lof junk. I mean they're very athletic and all that but i'm just saying that sometimes it can be that they eat a lot of junk or unactive. So I luv Keanu Reeves, I'm sorry if i offended u. And i know that not all big people eat a lot of junk, but they're still unhealthy. And i'm sorry if i offended anyone one who read my earlier message.

"You know the world can see us, in a way that's different from who we are"
Troy and Gabriella

[–] cubearcub 17 years ago

I have nothing against big people, I was just stating that people need to look out for their health better. Keeping a positive attitude is great, but it will skyrocket if you're healthier.

[–] tstrausberg2003 16 years ago

Besides there are plenty of thin girls who eat junk and don't exersize and they still say slim. Just because someones bigger doesn't mean that they are unhealthy just as with a thin person, just because they are slim doesn't mean they are healthy.--- Well Said, I agree

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"When a relationship doesn't work out, I call that a relation$HIT"~Dane Cook

[–] starberry_16 16 years ago

There are a few things wrong with that response, you assume that overweight people eat a lot of junk and aren't active. Well you're wrong. I am overweight, I don't eat a lot of junk and I am active. I contribute the fact that I am overweight to the fact that as I have gotten older my metabolism has slowed down quite a bit and the fact that I have a child. Yes, being overweight can lead to heart disease, not cancer, might want to do some research and learn to spell a little better as well. Making false assumptions about people is one of the themes in the movie, you shouldn't sterotype overweight people like that, its's wrong!!!

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] dmfaust 14 years ago

she's not picking on them she's saying in Tv whenever they're fat and they feel bad about themselves they always say 'it's okay i accept u 4 who u r.' well it's not okay 2 b fat. it can lead 2 heart cancer and it's very unhealthy and it just tells a lot of being that being fat means u eat a lot of junk and u r not very active. Get it now?

Being black can lead to heart disease and diabetes as well. Is it not OK to be black?

[–] tstrausberg2003 16 years ago

Why does everyone have to be thin?? Answer is they don't!!- I Agree 100%

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"When a relationship doesn't work out, I call that a relation$HIT"~Dane Cook

[–] asia_06-1 17 years ago

im not big at all(95lbs)but when i got pregnant i did gain alot of weight,alot of my friends my size did too and you might not know this but osmetimes after having children its hard to lose that weight
i was lucky to just loose it,but then agian theres prolly someting wrong w my health
some ppl really just cant loose the weight n the only way they can is by having surgery n some ppl cant afford it
SOme ppl dont"chose"to be fat(i honestly hate the word fat) sometimes its dirven by hormones,medicine,stress,etc
but i do know this,i watch what i eat,i mean i dont count calories but i know 10 slices of pizza n a slice of cake is prolly bad for me.

[–] zielkm 17 years ago

The problem is less a matter of a stigma to weight than the fact that other dangerous vices are accepted or celebrated. Nobody bats an eyelash at binge-drinking among college students, for instance, and yet fat people get trashed. I'm not for the belief that being heavy is a good thing by any stretch, but why smokers and the like receive none of the same is downright baffling.

[–] cubearcub 17 years ago

Because on the outside you can see that an overweight person in unhealthy. For a fit person or non overweight person who smokes and drinks, you can't see it. Not saying they're any better, but at least that can be controlled easier than weight.

[–] Angiers 16 years ago

Fat not not equal unheathly just as skinny does not equal healthy. This is the problem. People confusing they asthetics with health issues.Don't try to cover your prejudice behind the guise of concern for their health. It's insulting.

[–] drhart32 16 years ago

Hmm. This was an interesting post overall. Angiers, I agree. I've heard of the same study where the slightly overweight-but-healthy people lived longer than the very thin people. Healthy, in any size, is the best way to be. But I can relate to the concerns of aesthetics. It's far too easy to simply look at a person and judge them. Many overweight people don't work out. Many do. But when you look at a thin person, you don't automatically assume they're lazy, do you? You don't think of them as some slob who won't get off the couch or away from the computer. But many people assume those things about those who are overweight/obese. We can't possibly know what those heavy people are going through. Maybe they're in the process of losing weight (a long, arduous journey). But we still see excess weight.

Speaking of studies, I believe there's also been studies to show that overweight people (along with short people, and people with other "unattractive" qualities), are more likely to be passed over for promotions/raises/etc at work. They've shown that tall, fit, healthy-appearing people tend to make more money and appear more successful than those who don't fit that picture. That's a tough pill to swallow for anyone. Lord knows I'm not tall or fit. But why would employers do those kinds of things, unless we had something ingrained in us that makes a feel a certain way about certain people? There's speculation that prejudices like this occur because employers (I'm being general with that term) assume that people who do not look fit are more likely to have health problems, take off more sick days, and generally cost the company more money in medical bills/sick leave/etc. So perhaps there is a basis for that prejudice. But what about those who are overweight but healthy? That idea places those people in the wrong group. But since we base things on looks alone, and not a timed run through the company obstacle course, it's easy to make false assumptions on occassion.

Gone are the days when a few extra pounds meant you could afford to eat well and were therefore successful. In today's society, a few extra pounds means you can't afford a gym membership, personal trainer, or healthy food. Amazing how things change. It's a tough situation overall. I have my own prejudices. I'm overweight and in the medical field. I see obese people regularly, and they simultaneously disgust me, anger me, and cause me to empathize/sympathize with them. It's a complex barrel of emotions that accompany my encounters with the overweight/obese population. I feel for them, I know their situation is difficult, but I also get angry thinking that they're not doing anything about it. That's a false assumption. I don't know how many people are actively trying to lose weight. I think, overall, most people just need to be more understanding of their own feelings toward heavy people (as well as any other type of person who is considered different). It's one thing they talk about a lot in medical school. Know your own prejudices, be aware of them, and work at them daily. Most people, I feel, are just too lazy to think outside their world. Put yourself in others' shoes. Don't jump to conclusions, and give people a chance, no matter what they look like. It may not be "okay to be fat," but it's certainly not okay to be a prejudiced a-hole.

[–] Terra1984 11 years ago

those who are overweight but healthy? ~ How can anyone be over weight and healthy, I dont think those two words go together, I dont think you can be over weight and still be healthy

[–] rebratka 15 years ago

I've also known plenty of unhealthy skinny people.

[–] kay_cee_d 15 years ago

I don't think it is an issue of whether or not is okay or not okay to lbe overweight. I think it is an issue that people feel like they have the right to comment or judge people who are overweight. It really really doesn't matter what you think of an overweight person, you shouldn't have any say in their life. Even if you think they're unhealthy it really is NOT up to you to decide how they should look or how unhealthy you think they are. Unless you are a family member or friend who knows the person personally and really you are worried about their health, the whole thing is NOT about YOU. Nobody wants to hear your opinion about them. I don't even understand why people think so highly of themselves that they can comment on another person's weight.

PS: "You" isn't direct at anyone in particular, just the general "You".

Only the shell, the perishable passes away. The spirit is without end. Eternal. Deathless.

[–] dmfaust 14 years ago

I'm not really sure where you get the smoker part from since it is definitely in vogue at the moment to completely berate(and tax for that matter) people who smoke.

The big thing here is that people are idiots. Allow me to elaborate on that statement. People are freaking stupid, ignorant, and really don't know what they are talking about in the overwhelming majority of cases. By which I mean they don't have the ability to seperate cause, effect, the disease and symptoms, and it is beyond them to comprehend that there could possibly be more than one reason for anything. In this particular case, "Fat" does NOT equal "unhealthy"(in the sense of life expectancy, disease, etc.). Improper eating habits("junk food", heavy fat content diets) leads to gaining weight as well as putting yourself at risk for common associated diseases(let's go with clogged arteries and the like for the sake of ease). I'll diagram dis biznatch up in her'!

(FALSE) Poor Eating > Fat > Heart Attack
(TRUE) Poor Eating > Fat +(PLUS) Heart Attack

(TRUE) Poor Eating = Fat
(TRUE) Poor Eeating = Heart Attack
(FALSE) Fat = Heart Attack

If this were a Pokemon battle my Diagramachu just won.

So yeah. Being "fat" is not a problem. Improper eating habits(or similar basic issues) is the problem. There are many ways people can become "fat" that are completely seperate from the common concept of spending Sunday nights watching wrestling pay-per-views and eating a bucket of KFC.

And this is of course all overly simplified. There are obviously many factors that go into exactly what improper eating habits are, and vary on a case by case basis. Sadly some people can pack away 4,000 calories a day with little exercise and look like they just spent the afternoon with a finger down their throat, while other people who stay in shape will put on extra pounds with a normal 1500-2000 calorie range diet.

[–] luvtheatr3 17 years ago

I agree,
but it is also not OK to be anorexic.

Voldemort is the only person who the saying "like taking candy from a baby" does not apply to.

[–] cubearcub 17 years ago

Anorexia is a whole other ballgame.

[–] luvtheatr3 17 years ago

I'm just saying,
some people may thinks "I CANT be fat!!" and starve themselves!
In the past, I have often found myself planning ways to get skinnier, and then I have to catch myself and realize it's not the most important thing.

Voldemort is the only person who the saying "like taking candy from a baby" does not apply to.

[–] cubearcub 17 years ago

Amen to that!

[–] gaiaforests 17 years ago

Hey, I AM fat, probably about 140 lbs over what I need to be, and I whole heartedly agree with the author of this post. Its ok to feel good about yourself, but its NOT ok to sit there and be super unhealthy and basically let yourself die. I sure as hell have a lot of things I plan on doing, and I'll be damned if I let some fat cells get in my way.

But in the way of what we eat; I eat a lot of whole grains and veggies and fruit and stuff. Problem is, I eat way too much starch. The closest thing I have to junk food is a jar of natural salsa and some baked Scoops. No joke.I surround myself with healthy food and don't put anything that could be tempting in front of me. But enough with the ranting.

[–] Mini_Ry 17 years ago

ok im not fat but i used to be. i was 180 pounds. i was teased constantly by people at school and even by my family. now im verry thin. im anorexic and i know its not healthy but im ok with it. i dont like being anorexic but i feel better being skinny then being fat. i think that we should treat people equaly no matter what size they are. i have friends who are big and alot of my family is obese and sure its not healthy but i still think that even if you are big it dosent give anyone the right to pick on and make fun of you.

[–] pink_vitamin_water 17 years ago

P.E has NEVER been fun. Trust me, I was very thin in school, and it was always something to dread.

-T (Tobias)

[–] rubely 17 years ago

I see all of your replies to cubearcubs' post and some of you say how you are fat (like 180 lbs, or 140 lbs overweight, etc) None of you have a clue as to what it is like to be truly obese. I am 6' tall and weigh 500 lbs. I sit upon my (reinforced) high throne, and will impart knowledge to those who think they are the bottom of the barrel. Because of my weight, I, of course was diagnosed with diabetes 10 years ago (I have been morbidly obese for 30+ years). In January this year, I had to have surgery on my foot to remove a diabetic ulcer. It didn't fix the problem, so I had to have a second surgery, in which they amputated my pinky toe. I am still being treated for this, I still have to have a nurse come to my apartment every other day to change the dressing, because I cant reach my foot to change it myself. I don't spend my time wishing people would accept me for who I am, and not what they see. It cant be helped for them to see me as anything but what I am. I don't even look in the mirror, because I don't want to see me. I spend most of my time just hoping that tomorrow is the day I don't wake up. I have been nothing but a burden to my family for at least the last 8 years. And I am a drain on the economy. My medical bills are paid for through Medicaid. And I am living on Social Security. It is hard to get up and exercise, when you are as heavy as I am. And food is way too readily available, to not eat. Alot of people seem to miss the point that Ramona made about Alcoholics not needing alcohol to survive. Its the same with crack addicts, or meth-heads, or heroin addicts. They may have to obtain their vices illegally but food is easy to get in the USA. Also, drug addicts and alcoholics have rehabilitation resources. You can't get rehab if you're fat. Believe me, I have tried. the only places you can be treated at cost too much, and Medicaid and my HMO won't cover it. I can't even get the gastric bypass surgery because I am too fat, if you can believe that. So, it isn't OK to be fat, never really has been, by the same token, it isn't treated as a disease, even though it should be.

[–] cubearcub 17 years ago

Good post rubely. You are the acception to the rule. I hope things get better for you. *HUG*

[–] Angiers 16 years ago

Being unhealthy fat is not ok. Being active, eating right and being over weight IS OK. The problem is people have trouble distinguishing between the two because when they look at a fat person all they see is fat. They don't see the person.

[–] Terra1984 11 years ago

when they look at a fat person all they see is fat. They don't see the person. ~ I agree and its very sad

[–] aaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrg1 15 years ago

No, it's not. Same disease, just manifests itself differently. Read up on eating disorders (and yes, compulsive overeating IS an eating disorder) and you'll understand.

[–] ScarletKnights 17 years ago

It's always been ok...

[–] speedemon 16 years ago

I thought I'd just say that there are a lot of fat people that are healthy... I watched a program Frontline called "Fat" and there was a man they interviewed that was overweight, but won a lot of marathons. He just can't lose the weight, even though he's very very healthy. He swims, bikes, and run for hours a day for exercise.

I wanted the pink mist.

[–] nikki112 16 years ago

in all honsty i'm one of those people who is super active but seem fat. whan I was in school I played soccore, run track, was on the dance team, cheerleader and did gymnatics. now I go to the gym five days aweek and still take dance. at the same time eventhought I'm very active and health I still hate myself for being fat. there are time I cry because i so sick of the fact that every one makes fun of me and I think that I'm some chip eating lazy couch potato

[–] cubearcub 16 years ago

Mikki, thanks for sharing that with us. You are one who can't seem to lose it. But look, you're trying, your exercising and doing the right things! Good for you. If we could only get more people motivated to exercise. Gym memberships would go down! Woo hoo!

Honey, don't EVER,EVER hate yourself for being overweight. Look in the mirror and you will see a beautiful person. We're all beautiful inside. The fat is just on the outside. You are even more beautiful for realizing the problem, even if there is a problem, which to me doesn't seem to be. Just think positive, keep your head up and keep up with the workin' out!

[–] nikki112 16 years ago

thanx man I was just having a bad day

[–] annieiscrazy 16 years ago

Well I find it pretty hard to feel sorry for a person who is fat & does nothing but complain about it, but they refuse to change their eating habits or unhealthy lifestyle. My ex had a 8 year old daughter who was very overweight but she would eat as much as a grown man would at every meal. It didnt help when her parents would let her eat whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted because they were afraid of upsetting her if they said no. Reality check: they werent doing her any favors by letting the situation continue, but she also knew that by eating like she did, thats the reason she was fat. They also had plenty of food that was good for you available to eat at any given time, but she always chose the junk food instead. Other kids constantly made fun of her & she was miserable, but she still refused to change her eating habits. I was not surprised when I saw her not too long ago and she was still extremely overweight. I like her, but find it hard to feel sorry for her.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] hellohello79 16 years ago

You are so wrong. Under no condition is it okay or healthy to be overweight. Anyone with a weight problem should be trying to get healthy as a top priority. Their lives do depend on it. Even if you have a medical condition that effects your weight, it is no excuse to give up or succumb. I myself have one of these conditions, but know that it means that I have to work extra hard to stay healthy. I want to live as long as I can to be with my family.

I think that a lot of American's find it acceptable to be overweight because there are so many overweight people here. I think it is very sad.

[–] cubearcub 16 years ago

Andrea, you are the one who is ignorant! Are you kidding me? Have you looked around and seen all the fat people in this country? Trust me honey, it isn't all illnesses, it's mostly laziness and bad eating habits. You must be one of those lazy fatties, who tries to stick up and defend lazy people. You probably don't like athletics or sports of any kind because it would require you to do, oh um some actual physical activity. You are the one who is a moron to not open up and see the problem with society. We are spinless and look for excuses for everything. It's because of people like you that this country is going to hell in a handbasket.

Narrow minded? I think not, I think I painted the big picture, it is you that is narrow minded because you immediately go for the excuse to explain why a small amount people are overweight instead of the reason that the majority of people are overweight.

[–] Singingariel 16 years ago

okay as a "fat" person, i wanna say i actually agree its not good to be fat, and i try to loose weight i wasn't fat until i was like 13 i was average size girl who was a cheerleader and i got sick of the person i was and never cheered again, and then i started gaining weight, and i am glad i quit because i would NEVER want to be like most of those girls i grew up with cheering they were cruel and now they drink, and party, and who knows what else they do now and thats not me, i am 17 now and i try to loose weight but i have had a low immune system since i was like 8 and i get sick ALL the time, i catch EVERYTHING that goes around, and being sick all the time its hard to get out there and work out, but after seeing this movie i really Want to loose weight, not that i didn't before but i know its better to get healthy before i got to "fat" to the point of no return! because lets face it i'm scared of being alone my whole life never getting married and having kids. this movie has really gotten to me, and now like i mentioned i get sick all the time, i have to go the the doctors, b.c i am really sick and have been for three weeks, can't eat or drink anything without getting sick ...(sorry for blabbing that was irrelevant! lol)
thanks for reading if you even read it i'll keep you all posted on weight loss hopefully! wish me good luck =]

www.myspace.com/airsybeanz

[–] cubearcub 16 years ago

You're 17. I don't think you really should be worrying about being alone.

[–] 16 years ago

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