[Closed] Fatism

Seems to be one of the few demographics left that it's ok to take the piss out of.

My OH is a larger lady - not as big as some by a long way, curvy rather than huge and way smaller than the woman in that that picture - and gets people openly abusing her in the street on a regular basis. You can't be racist or sexist, but it's ok to be sizist it seems.

The woman in the pic, yeah, she's a big lass; but she's [i]doing something about it.[/i] She's on a bike rather than sat on the sofa eating cake. Shouldn't we be applauding that rather than pointing at her?

is it wrong to encourage a healthy body through mocking/abuse?

It's wrong to think that's what you're doing; you're just destroying what little self-esteem they had left. The question is better posed as "is it wrong to make people feel like shit through mocking/abuse?"

I don't publicly ostracise, but I am privately repulsed... and it influences my behaviour etc... im sure that reflects badly on me but it is so far from my experience and my ambition that I cant help it

ps I do appreciate it when people do something about it but I cannot understand how at 30 stone they realise they need to change not at 15 stone where it would have been easier and simpler for everyone involved

Unless they cut you up in a car when you riding and give you some verbal, when the standard STW response is "Button it .....!"

Im 4 stone over racing weight, so consider myself to be a bit of a biffer....

Just a bit mind... 😳

I'd rather be fat, than like some other people on here.
I can lose weight.
They, it would appear, will always be ***ts.
Yeah, I'm a bigger lad, (110kgs) and if it "Privately repulses you" then I'm sorry, but hey, you're not the kind of person I'd like to be around.

And no, I don't just sit on my arse eating crap all day, otherwise I wouldn't have the brass neck to moan.

Is it wrong to ostracise (if that's the right word) fat people?

No. The right word is [i]Exercise[/i]

Being weightist isn't cool.

Ernest J Gagnon:

http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/06/news/a-bicycle-and-a-few-friends-lead-a-big-man-into-an-even-bigger-world_226368

Personally, I reckon that if people can go out and enjoy riding a bike, then whatever sex, size shape or colour they are all that you can say is good for them!

As the overwieght populace increase the skinny will become the "outgroup", it's all swings and roundabouts...

Camo16 is right though.

Is it wrong to ostracise (if that's the right word) fat people?

Yes, of course it is in the same way that it's wrong to be judgemental of anyone. It's neither big nor clever.

Does it make you feel good asking that question?

Indeed. Is it wrong to ostracise people who are judgemental bastards?

Pleasantly surprised by the lack of trolling so far in this thread.

Fat people just have a lack of self discipline. Leave the huge [s]pro[/s]portion of the country alone.

Is it so wrong to have a dig a fat people?

Of course. There are lots of different reasons that a person might be overweight, its not just greed/laziness etc.

Yes, of course it is in the same way that it's wrong to be judgemental of anyone. It's neither big nor clever.

Does it make you feel good asking that question?

Surely everyone judges everyone on a daily basis don't they? If they didn't why would people bother fixing their hair, ironing clothes, shaving, etc.

Looks like you've even judged me with your leading question.

Here's some reading for you, written by a man too:

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/sep/08/underactive-thyroid-was-slowly-killing-me

If you had any idea how rubbish the NHS can be for this disease you wouldn't be so judgemental.

See if you can spot my comment, my name is different but includes the word 'bike'.

Amazed that Cougars OH gets abused in the street or any body does, what is wrong with some people.

I'd rather be fat, than like some other people on here.
I can lose weight.
They, it would appear, will always be ***ts.
Yeah, I'm a bigger lad, (110kgs) and if it "Privately repulses you" then I'm sorry, but hey, you're not the kind of person I'd like to be around.

And no, I don't just sit on my arse eating crap all day, otherwise I wouldn't have the brass neck to moan.

absolutely spot on.

Surely everyone judges everyone on a daily basis don't they?

There's a difference between judging someone and being judgemental though. It's like stereotyping then recognising you are stereotyping and being aware that you may be wrong. Being judgemental I would say is acting on your judgement without being aware of the full facts. I.e. assuming all overweight people are overweight because they're lazy and then treating them all with the same disdain because of that assumption.

judging by the attitudes on the 'post a pic of a girl' thread yesterday Id say stw is a bastion of sexism, fatism and plenty of other isms
but as its only lads having fun, its alright

Oh and I've also experienced patronising at a trail centre with reference to my slowness. It was incredibly hurtful and will never return. 😐

Here's some reading for you, written by a man too:

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/sep/08/underactive-thyroid-was-slowly-killing-me

If you had any idea how rubbish the NHS can be for this disease you wouldn't be so judgemental.

See if you can spot my comment, my name is different but includes the word 'bike'.

Lets be fair - the levels of obeseity in this country that can be attributed to a genuine medical problem must be very low in comparison to those who are obese through bad diet and no exercise.

In reality many people like to eat foods that are laden with sugar and fat and don't like to do much exercise.

I don't mock fat people, but I won't deny I find them repellent.
I am no oil painting - but I watch my weight. A few years ago I gained 2 stone and loathed myself for it. Back to my normal weight, which is the same I've been since I was 20 (now 38).

My mate was obese - grotesquely obese. For years he was quite literally the largest individual I have ever personally known. One day he decided to take himself in hand and he is now a normal weight - taken up skydiving and loving life. No fad diets, surgery, liposuction - just simply an improved lifestyle.

As for the thyroid excuse -please. Using the figures from the article (1.5 in 1000)for every 800 fat people out there 3 have thyroid issues. What excuse are the rest using?

Your weight is one of few things in life that (aside from rare diseases) is entirely within your control.

I don't publicly ostracise, but I am privately repulsed... and it influences my behaviour etc... im sure that reflects badly on me but it is so far from my experience and my ambition that I cant help it

Same here.

Amazed that Cougars OH gets abused in the street or any body does, what is wrong with some people.

Strangely enough, being really skinny and a runner, I've had fatter people abuse me for 'chicken legs' etc whilst out running around Cambridge, so it cuts both ways....

Your weight is one of few things in life that (aside from rare diseases) is entirely within your control.

partially true, but the poorest in society are the most likely to be obese, and that is more so for women

and it influences my behaviour

There are lots of things I like and don't like about people (physically, emotionally and mentally). The trick is not to let this influence your behaviour, and if you catch yourself doing it pull yourself up on it. It's difficult and I'm not always successful, but being aware of your own bias and failings is pretty important IMO.

partially true, but the poorest in society are the most likely to be obese, and that is more so for women

My brother got talking to an owner of an indian takeaway once - turned out he'd had his business located in a posh area for a few years until it eventually went belly up due to lack of custom. The people in the well off area would only have a takeaway every couple of weeks as a treat.

He relocated to run down estate where the local peeps order takeaway nearly every other day. No shortage of customers there!

Go figure.

Lets be fair - the levels of obeseity in this country that can be attributed to a genuine medical problem must be very low in comparison to those who are obese through bad diet and no exercise.

I would disagree. Thyroid disorders are on the increase and, as I've found out, it's not always easy to get diagnosed. Having said that, mine is not the usual kind so not treatable with the standard meds.

partially true, but the poorest in society are the most likely to be obese, and that is more so for women

Agreed. Decent quality food is expensive.

So.. do you laugh at cleaners or shop assistants for having crap jobs? Do you laugh at homeless people for having ****ed up their lives?

As for the thyroid excuse -please. Using the figures from the article (1.5 in 1000)for every 800 fat people out there 3 have thyroid issues. What excuse are the rest using?

I'm sure there's plenty of people out there with mental conditions that affect their weight.

"In reality many people like to eat foods that are laden with sugar and fat and don't like to do much exercise"

But isn't this just how animals behave? Our ability to secure a reliable source of food laden with energy has only happened post WW2, not a lot of time in the evolution of man. It always interests me that 'wild' animals will only use energy to catch food, protect their interests or to mate. Animals rarely go for a 100 mile run for the fun of it. Man has to be conditioned for exercise from an early age, otherwise we just revert to base animal instinct.

Its wrong to ostracise anyone based on how they look.

However i find the acceptance - even pride - that some have of being obese under terms like loving ones body whatever shape it is and also the excuses people use to justify being fat quite abhorant rather than them actually being fat.

But then that says something about my own hang ups as a fat guy - i am about 2 stone overweight and i hate how that makes me look and feel. There are no excuses it is is a symptom of weakness and failure on my part to get my diet under control. Nothing to be happy or accepting of there, whereas if i lose the weight then that would be something i would be proud of.

I'm sure there's plenty of people out there with mental conditions that affect their weight.

There was a program on last week, [url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03906f5 ]Welcome To The World Of Weight Loss[/url], that basically nailed this issue as one of the main reasons for weight gain. Some of it, and I am a shrivelled up husk of a human being, was pretty heartbreaking.

Everyone has the right to feel good about there body. Everyone else can **** off.

So.. do you laugh at cleaners or shop assistants for having crap jobs? Do you laugh at homeless people for having **** up their lives?

Sadly, I suspect that many on here do.

I'm sure there's plenty of people out there with mental conditions that affect their weight.

But we all 'know' that anyone with mental health issues only have to cheers up and get themselves together, right? It's not a real illness, etc. Just like everyone 'knows' that fat people are on benefits and have a massive telly.

Decent quality food is expensive.

Healthy food, on the other hand, is extremely affordable. Pasta, rice, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, frozen veg, cheap cuts of meat all cheap as chips. Maybe cheaper.

I have a huge amount of respect for someone who joined my road club - not only is she female (which puts her in a minority), but she is also overweight (which in a roadie club is fairly unusual). I have so much admiration for her courage and determination to come out every week and ride. It must take real guts and bravery.

So huge respect to anyone out there who is overweight but has found the courage to get up and get active. Keep going, and remember that most of us are admiring you not mocking.

Healthy food, on the other hand, is extremely affordable. [b]Pasta, rice, potatoes[/b], tomatoes, onions, frozen veg, cheap cuts of meat all cheap as chips. Maybe cheaper.

There's some debate over whether pasta, rice and potatoes are healthy food...

There's some debate over whether pasta, rice and potatoes are healthy food...

Ah crap. Now you've gone and done it 🙁

😀

Moderation in everything?

Including moderation! 😀

I've been called Fatist before because of my personal aversion to becoming overweight which I demonstrate through diet and exercise.

Thankfully Jimmy Carr has provided me with the perfect retort-

"I think you'll find that you're the fattest"

[i]cheap cuts of meat all cheap as chips. Maybe cheaper[/i]

although cheap meat tends to either be very fatty (and therefore unhealthy) or require a long period of time in an oven/pot to make them palatable.

Cooking costs need to be taken into account too.

still that leaves;

[i]tomatoes, onions, frozen veg[/i]

on the list.

Vegetables, fruit, rice, pasta, pulses are cheap to buy - and provide a healthy, delicious, nutricious, balanced diet. Have a look at an image of MidlandTrailquestGraham - he's living proof that you don't have to eat meat or fish to be fit and well.

Problem is, people have to actually DO something rather than just opening a packet and shoving it in the microwave.

I was telling some chubby jokes at work and a lady colleague approached me and accused me of being 'fatist'. I looked her up and down and replied "No love, I think you'll find YOU'RE fatest!"

I'm allowed to tell that joke because I border on the obese scale BMI wise.

My partner works in a hospital, and what always flabbergasts me is the number of staff that are either morbidly obese, or that smoke.

Edit: Grrr, baby you beat me to it!

I guess it's your chubby fingers slowing down your typing Tucker 😉

Have a look at an image of MidlandTrailquestGraham - he's living proof that you don't have to eat meat or fish to be fit and well.

I have the same image. I keep it burned on my retinas.

[url= http://i.imgur.com/XGHLWuY.pn g" target="_blank">http://i.imgur.com/XGHLWuY.pn g"/> [/img][/url]

Ooof, that's a real man that you could watch all day.

Decent quality food is expensive.

Aye, all that fruit and veg costs fortunes, more expensive than a takeaway pizza or curry? I can cook a decent healthy meal for myself and 2 others for less than a 5er. My mam is well overweight and i try to encourage her to eat more healthy, even suggesting teas she can do that i do, i love my mum dearly but it seems some people will always want a treat, whether they deserve it or not. It's not a treat when you have it every other day.
I'm not impressed by the lack of self control but then i suppose its like a vice, some people have 4 pints a night, some a bottle of wine, some smoke themselves silly, it's not the best thing for us but we carry on doing it.
Being fattest is bad, if your the fattest who's left to judge?

It's just plain nasty to post up pictures of people and make jokes about them. Whether they are fat or thin, just poking "fun" at them isn't actually very nice is it.

And this behaviour is not likely to encourage a change in lifestyle for the "victim".

@Cinnamon_Girl - you really think that the overwhelming majority of obese people have a medical problem that causes it and that it's not just overindulgence?

I realise that in America obesity in now officially a disease and it'll probably follow suit over here. But really? My opinion is that people just need to blame others for their problems these days and this attitude has now spread to their health too.

...is it wrong to encourage a healthy body through mocking/abuse?

That's not the reason people abuse the overweight though is it, it's plain bullying to help puff up their own ego, [I]"Encouraging weigh loss through verbal abuse"[/I] just sounds like a weak justification for being a nasty git...

It's an aspect of modern British culture I really rather dislike, for the most part we've knocked racism on the head, sexism and homophobia is far less acceptable, but overweight people still seem fair game. Flippant comments about it being "their choice" to eat too much tend to betray a serious lack of empathy or understanding IMO...

People who over eat tend to have some personal issues behind that behaviour "Comfort eating" is a very real thing, bullying these people will not generally help.

I do think women in the UK are far more weight aware and emotionally vulnerable to negative comment about their appearance, primarily due to the junk media imagery that's thrown their way, my missus is an avid consumer of these sodding mags full of Pap shots of thin/fat celebs and crappy TV shows where over/under eaters are cajoled and bullied in a controlled environment to illustrate some point or another...

Funnily enough, out of the people I know, I tend to find the worst comments (typically made about women with weight issues) come from men who are a bit over the optimal BMI, easy targets I suppose, especially with those that don't mind a bit of misogyny. but I find it quite telling how some blokes talk about and even to women...

Simply calling it a disease doens't mean it's someone else's fault.

Some diseases require a pill to overcome, some require hard work and commitment.

There's some debate over whether pasta, rice and potatoes are healthy food..

Here here let them eat cake I say

I guess it's your chubby fingers slowing down your typing Tucker

😆

for the most part we've knocked racism on the head, sexism and homophobia is far less acceptable, but overweight people still seem fair game.

You for real?

A persons race, sex, and sexual leanings aren't chosen, they are inbuilt. Being overweight IS a choice.

Hear hear let them eat cake I say

FTFY

Being overweight IS a choice

In theory, yes, but it's not QUITE that simple in many cases.

We make the other great social pariahs stand outside in the cold yet we're supposed to be all sensitive in this instance?

People who over eat tend to have some personal issues behind...

Replace 'over eat' with:

'abuse children'

'murder people'

'rape'

Should we be all PC towards them to?

baby - Member
We make the other great social pariahs stand outside in the cold yet we're supposed to be all sensitive in this instance?

someone being over weight doesnt make my clothes smell or increase the likelihood of others developing cancer

😯

Some real silliness going on here, I have to say...

Amazed that Cougars OH gets abused in the street or any body does, what is wrong with some people.

I'm not that surprised at all. Being Ginger I used to get a lot of abuse in the street. Have had cans, bottles, even a shoe thrown at me. I chucked it in the bin so the chavvy little fu€ks had to go fish it out. Was beaten up (not brutally, but by a few people at a time with punches and kicks) a few times. Haven't had any trouble since moving out of Sheffield for Bristol though.

That was a couple of years that was a real eye opener. I found I could avoid a lot of the trouble provided I didn't go out around town at the weekend. This wasn't a huge inconvenience because there isn#t a lot that interests me in the centre of Sheffield but my mates did put a night on at at venue called The Red house which requires walking for a little along the high street, past all the horrible bars so I could guarantee getting a little bit of abuse at least. It's my mates 30th in a couple of weeks and he is having it at The Red House. Not sure I really want to go back up to Sheffield for it.

I don't know if It's a cultural or educational thing. I doubt It's going to change quickly though. During the day it was abuse, occasional kicks or things being thrown from groups of kids, boys and girls from 10 - 20. During the evenings it was pissed up adults from 18-35.

I have some great friends in Sheffield but the rest of the city can fu€k right off. I've had less trouble in Newcastle!

A persons race, sex, and sexual leanings aren't chosen, they are inbuilt. Being overweight IS a choice.

Or it just depends on the quality of your gut bacteria.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-23970219

And mental health issues, as above.

Being judgemental is not good, full stop.

People with a very high body mass index should have to pay for all their own healthcare if you ask me, provided of course there is no medical reason for it.

You won't believe how much extra money they cost the NHS. At least smokers & drinkers get heavily taxed.

They should also have to pay extra to travel too. If I'm not allowed to take extra weight in my suitcase on a plane without having to pay for it, why should they be allowed to on their gut?!

Replace 'over eat' with:
'abuse children'
'murder people'
'rape'
Should we be all PC towards them to?

Congratulations, I think this might be the worst argument ever put forward on STW.

People with a very high body mass index should have to pay for all their own healthcare if you ask me, provided of course there is no medical reason for it.

You won't believe how much extra money they costs the NHS. At least smokers & drinkers get heavily taxed.

Yeah let's charge people who hurt themselves mountain biking too.

We make the other great social pariahs stand outside in the cold yet we're supposed to be all sensitive in this instance?

I'm yet to see pictures of people smoking being posted up for everyone to mock. Also, most smokers I know are on those e-cigarettes now and you can generally smoke them wherever you like.

On what planet does one need to reside to compare being overweight with sexual offences in order to moan about PC

Yeah let's charge people who hurt themselves mountain biking too.

We don't require very expensive custom beds, machines, rooms, lifting equipment etc so I fail to see your point there.

@ Sue - good post and well done that girl. 🙂 Dare I ask how she's treated by other club members?

@Cinnamon_Girl - you really think that the overwhelming majority of obese people have a medical problem that causes it and that it's not just overindulgence?

It's not as straight-forward as that. Into the equation comes the food industry and their continuing onslaught to make us become food addicts by way of increasing amounts of sugar and goodness knows what else. Also farmers have been financially encouraged to use GM to increase yields.

Add into the mix toxicity due to the lack of regulations that used to exist with pesticides.

I don't think it's as simple as eating less, for many people their bodies are not working as they should due to the increase in auto-immune conditions.

Sorry if this doesn't make sense, it's my brain fog.

I really shouldn't have opened this thread.

Being weightist isn't cool.

Waddling and sweating towards self-induced Type 2 diabetes isn't cool either.

Changes in the gut microbiome from low-dose antibiotics caused mice to gain weight. Similar alterations in humans taking antibiotics, especially children, might be adding to the obesity epidemic
......
a disproportionate number of 11,000 kids in the United Kingdom who were overweight by the time they were 3 years old had taken antibiotics within their first 6 months of life.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=antibiotics-linked-weight-gain-mice

So when you're mocking the overweight you might be mocking someone who is lazy, has no self-control etc, but you might be mocking someone with mental health problems, a thyroid issue, or someone who was ill as a child and had too many antibiotics. Probably best to err on the safe side and not be an arsehole eh?

For the hard of thinking, looking at the reasons why things might happen isn't the same as taking away personal responsibility.

agree with what you say CG but fail to see how this

Also farmers have been financially encouraged to use GM to increase yields.

Wow, just wow 🙄

Some of the comments on this are unreal.

GM is going to be the only way we can supply enough enough food for the world. We are going to need to grow with hydroponics too.

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/jun/20/crop-yeilds-world-population

@CG - she's treated the same as everyone else, with respect and banter 🙂 Yes, she is a bit slower on the hills, but so what? She's got fantastic bike handling skills as she comes from a mtb background, so is an excellent descender. To be honest, to me we're all the same, out riding bikes, trying our best to improve / get fitter, but above all just getting out and enjoying ourselves 🙂

They should also have to pay extra to travel too. If I'm not allowed to take extra weight in my suitcase on a plane without having to pay for it, why should they be allowed to on their gut?!

Eat your suitcase?

[b]-has any relevance whatsoever[/b]

kimbers - grains are changing beyond all recognition. How many people do you know that are unable to tolerate wheat? How come when I was a child bread was part of my staple diet and never suffered any ill-effects? Now I've gone gluten-free due to side effects.

Why is that then?

Fattism is really more of a problem for the person who holds fattist views. Such a judgemental attitude is a reflection of their own insecurity directed agains other people that they deem 'unworthy'.

When fattism becomes state policy, that's when you should become concerned. Meanwhile, my local concil wants to know what people think is a healthy weight. Why?

http://m.chichester.co.uk/news/your-community/opinion-poll-on-weighty-west-sussex-issue-1-5461888