Fat Shaming Saves Lives

[Rational Agnostic]

Apparently it's now considered "bullying" to point out someone's morbid obesity and draw attention to the fact that they need to lose weight. I don't understand this. Now, of course I'm not in favor of any type of public humiliation or "shaming" people for being overweight. Yet, there seems to be a double standard about which health choices are fair game to call out, and which are not. For instance, if someone smokes, and someone encourages them to stop smoking, or points out that smoking is a disgusting and unhealthy habit, they are praised as being a good person looking out for a friend and trying to discourage them from making poor health choices. Yet somehow, telling someone that they are fat and need to lose weight is considered to be a terrible thing to do. However, there is no difference between obesity and other risk behaviors like smoking, binge drinking, or even driving without a seatbelt. Obesity, like these behaviors, is a choice. Last time I checked, you don't just get to weighing 300 pounds by accident. You made the choice to compulsively shovel in food and stay sedentary, and you're putting your own health at risk by doing so. Pointing out to an obese person that their weight reveals poor choices and a lack of self-control can motivate them to lose weight, and ultimately save their life. I'd say that's definitely worth the small, temporary price of embarrassment and self-consciousness. Of course, there's a right and a wrong way to do this, and I'm absolutely not in favor of calling people hurtful names because of their obesity. But, a bit of mild, friendly ridiculing can be the catalyst for an obese person to take steps to change their health for the better, just as one would approach a friend with a bad habit of chain-smoking.

 

[idea]

I try to be healthy,
... but I also appreciate Budai's laid-back, carefree attitude as well.

This is a beautiful big belly, is it not? It makes me happy just seeing it.
Decide what you are going to worry about, and what gives you a full life? That is fine for different people to embrace different ways of living.

 

[Revoltingest]

Inducing shame vs productive advise....that's the issue.

 

[Stevicus]

I'm looking at the New Thread list, and I see this thread "Fat Shaming Saves Lives," and right above it, another thread entitled "Eating Your Best Friends." It seems an odd coincidence.

 

[PureX]

Fat Shaming Saves Lives ...

... Not when the "fatty" you're shaming knocks your teeth out and you starve to death.

 

[Cacotopia]

... Not when the "fatty" you're shaming knocks your teeth out and you starve to death.

LOL I'm a fatty, get shamed all the time by my friends. I'm listening too, lost almost a 100 lbs so far. Screw it, if the shame comes from a good place it's fine in my book. If not, call the toothfairy.

 

[ChristineM]

I'm looking at the New Thread list, and I see this thread "Fat Shaming Saves Lives," and right above it, another thread entitled "Eating Your Best Friends." It seems an odd coincidence.

You beat me to it

 

[Twilight Hue]

I try to be healthy,
... but I also appreciate Buddha's laid-back, carefree attitude as well.

This is a beautiful big belly, is it not? It makes me happy just seeing it.
Decide what you are going to worry about, and what gives you a full life? That is fine for different people to embrace different ways of living.

Happy Hotei.

 

[Subduction Zone]

LOL I'm a fatty, get shamed all the time by my friends. I'm listening too, lost almost a 100 lbs so far. Screw it, if the shame comes from a good place it's fine in my book. If not, call the toothfairy.

A bit of shaming can be a good thing. Excessive hate filled rhetoric not so much. What I do not like is that good advice or even moderated teasing is too often called "fat shaming" today. If someone made a joke about rendering the blubber of an obese woman I do not see how that could be helpful at all. But if Aunt Mary could profit from losing 30 to 50 pounds a bit of teasing with love behind it is fine with me.

 

[Cacotopia]

A bit of shaming can be a good thing. Excessive hate filled rhetoric not so much. What I do not like is that good advice or even moderated teasing is too often called "fat shaming" today. If someone made a joke about rendering the blubber of an obese woman I do not see how that could be helpful at all. But if Aunt Mary could profit from losing 30 to 50 pounds a bit of teasing with love behind it is fine with me.

What's worse is if people "step in" for other's.

'Dude I don't know you, take your white knight behavior somewhere else.'

I been fat, I can handle it yo. Oh that sorta stuff grinds my gears.

 

[Cacotopia]

I can't not be big. I'm a 6'8" 378 lbs guy. Even if I get to my goal of 285 I'll still get messed with. It will never end. I have accepted that.

I'll forever have to buy two plane tickets, be forced to be the designated driver, duck through most doors, it's a reality I have accepted along with all the stupid questions people will ask me. How tall are you, did you play basketball? Thank god for your height bla bla, It's expensive up here, most of it's a curse, AND tall people don't get to live long.

 

[Stevicus]

Apparently it's now considered "bullying" to point out someone's morbid obesity and draw attention to the fact that they need to lose weight. I don't understand this. Now, of course I'm not in favor of any type of public humiliation or "shaming" people for being overweight. Yet, there seems to be a double standard about which health choices are fair game to call out, and which are not. For instance, if someone smokes, and someone encourages them to stop smoking, or points out that smoking is a disgusting and unhealthy habit, they are praised as being a good person looking out for a friend and trying to discourage them from making poor health choices. Yet somehow, telling someone that they are fat and need to lose weight is considered to be a terrible thing to do. However, there is no difference between obesity and other risk behaviors like smoking, binge drinking, or even driving without a seatbelt. Obesity, like these behaviors, is a choice. Last time I checked, you don't just get to weighing 300 pounds by accident. You made the choice to compulsively shovel in food and stay sedentary, and you're putting your own health at risk by doing so. Pointing out to an obese person that their weight reveals poor choices and a lack of self-control can motivate them to lose weight, and ultimately save their life. I'd say that's definitely worth the small, temporary price of embarrassment and self-consciousness. Of course, there's a right and a wrong way to do this, and I'm absolutely not in favor of calling people hurtful names because of their obesity. But, a bit of mild, friendly ridiculing can be the catalyst for an obese person to take steps to change their health for the better, just as one would approach a friend with a bad habit of chain-smoking.

I suppose it depends on how one approaches it. Some might just want to help out or give friendly advice, which is fine. But some people might resist any further meddling in their own affairs, whether they eat too much, smoke cigarettes, do drugs, or whatever risky behavior they wish to indulge in.

Some people can be judgmental about it, though. I've had periods of weight gain which troubled me. I was up to over 270 at one point and inching closer to being a 300-pound man. So, most of that summer I bicycled to and from work and lost over 50 pounds. I've also altered some of my eating habits where I don't eat as much pizza or soda as I used to. But I think a lot of it is just maintaining awareness before it gets to the point of no return.

 

[Revoltingest]

I'm looking at the New Thread list, and I see this thread "Fat Shaming Saves Lives," and right above it, another thread entitled "Eating Your Best Friends." It seems an odd coincidence.

If you do eat your friends, pick the lean cuts.

 

[Revoltingest]

I can't not be big. I'm a 6'8" 378 lbs guy. Even if I get to my goal of 285 I'll still get messed with. It will never end. I have accepted that.

I'll forever have to buy two plane tickets, be forced to be the designated driver, duck through most doors, it's a reality I have accepted along with all the stupid questions people will ask me. How tall are you, did you play basketball? Thank god for your height bla bla, It's expensive up here, most of it's a curse, AND tall people don't get to live long.

I now imagine that you look like Brian Shaw or Hafthor Bjornsson....

Here is Brian towering over Ahnold....

 

[Cacotopia]

I now imagine that you look like Brian Shaw or Hafthor Bjornsson....

Here is Brian towering over Ahnold....

that's wrong. but funny!

 

[Orbit]

Fat shaming is a deplorable practice. The fat person doesn't need reminding that they are fat, and likely got that way thru desperate dieting. Others may have PCOS/insulin resistance/metabolic disorder. You don't know.

 

[Phantasman]

Apparently it's now considered "bullying" to point out someone's morbid obesity and draw attention to the fact that they need to lose weight. I don't understand this. Now, of course I'm not in favor of any type of public humiliation or "shaming" people for being overweight. Yet, there seems to be a double standard about which health choices are fair game to call out, and which are not. For instance, if someone smokes, and someone encourages them to stop smoking, or points out that smoking is a disgusting and unhealthy habit, they are praised as being a good person looking out for a friend and trying to discourage them from making poor health choices. Yet somehow, telling someone that they are fat and need to lose weight is considered to be a terrible thing to do. However, there is no difference between obesity and other risk behaviors like smoking, binge drinking, or even driving without a seatbelt. Obesity, like these behaviors, is a choice. Last time I checked, you don't just get to weighing 300 pounds by accident. You made the choice to compulsively shovel in food and stay sedentary, and you're putting your own health at risk by doing so. Pointing out to an obese person that their weight reveals poor choices and a lack of self-control can motivate them to lose weight, and ultimately save their life. I'd say that's definitely worth the small, temporary price of embarrassment and self-consciousness. Of course, there's a right and a wrong way to do this, and I'm absolutely not in favor of calling people hurtful names because of their obesity. But, a bit of mild, friendly ridiculing can be the catalyst for an obese person to take steps to change their health for the better, just as one would approach a friend with a bad habit of chain-smoking.

The flesh is weak and is going to have carnal desires that we are weak to eliminate. That's why the Father has the understanding of our weakness (by his grace), Stopping people driving cars would save lives. Stopping skydiving, mountain climbing, and prescription drugs can save lives as well. People do what feels good, even if the chance of death exists. The body is going to die. Trying to save it is a futile endeavor.

The spirit is what makes us alive. It is eternal, to I place my faith in it's improvement, over something (flesh) who's fate is already clear.

 

[Twilight Hue]

I now imagine that you look like Brian Shaw or Hafthor Bjornsson....

Here is Brian towering over Ahnold....

I wonder how he would pair up with Andre the Giant?

 

[PureX]

LOL I'm a fatty, get shamed all the time by my friends. I'm listening too, lost almost a 100 lbs so far. Screw it, if the shame comes from a good place it's fine in my book. If not, call the toothfairy.

You need some new friends.

I have recently lost 75 lbs. and I have about the same more to go. I was very well aware of my situation and needed no "shaming" to inspire me to dress it. And I really don't think you did, either.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Fat shaming is a deplorable practice. The fat person doesn't need reminding that they are fat, and likely got that way thru desperate dieting. Others may have PCOS/insulin resistance/metabolic disorder. You don't know.

I think there's efforts to make fat people a protected class.