Fat activists see diet industry draining

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

The following story comes from today's Seattle Post Intelligencer. It's too bad so many people are in denial about the dangers of obesity. But for anyone who may be of the mindset of those in the article let me tell you my own story.

I had a physical checkup earlier this year because of discomfort in the chest area. I weighed 270 lbs. I was diagnosed with having high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea.

I've known others who were taking medication for diabetes and blood pressure and it often did them little good. For that reason I decided to try and lose weight. With a combination of diet and exercise I'm now at 213 lbs. Both my blood pressure and glucose are now normal. I hope to lose about 40 more Ibs which would put me at a normal weight for my height.

It really hasn't been that hard to make the lifestyle changes. I don't bust my ass at a workout I'm just more active. I don't eat less I just eat the right things, whole grains, vegetables and leaner cuts of meat.

My point here is to say the health risks associated with obesity are very real but can be dealt with if one has the motivation. On to the article......

By DAVID CRARY
AP NATIONAL WRITER


NEW YORK -- Unashamed of their size, fed up with fat jokes, and angry at the national obsession with dieting, overweight activists are mounting a feisty protest movement against the medical establishment's campaign against obesity.

"We're living in the middle of a witch hunt and fat people are the witches," said Marilyn Wann of San Francisco, a militant member of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance. "It's gotten markedly worse in the last few years because of the propaganda that fatness, a natural human characteristic, is somehow a form of disease."

The association, known as NAAFA, holds its annual convention starting Wednesday in Newark, N.J., bringing together activists for social events and workshops on self-acceptance, political advocacy and the "fat liberation" movement.

"I hope we can be a viable force of sanity in the midst of hysteria," said NAAFA spokeswoman Mary Ray Worley of Madison, Wis. "I've found allies in all kinds of unexpected places, but overall there's a lot of animosity. Some people act like obesity is the next worst thing after terrorism."

-more-

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/health/aphealth_story.asp?category=1500&slug=Fit%20Fat%20Activism

[candy]

1. Congratulations! You deserve a lot of credit---it's hard!

[SheilaT]

2. What's actually gotten worse

is the number of obese people, especially those who are morbidly obese, which I think is defined as more than 100 pounds over your ideal weight. You rarely used to see people like that. Now, every time I go out I see them. Three work at my local supermarket. And no, I'm not rude enough to ask them their weight, but I have eyes.

All people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, and I try to do that. But obese people are far too often in denial about their genuine health problems. It's a lot like smokers, who somehow never hear all the warnings about cigarettes and the terrible things it does to them.

[allalone]

3. glad it worked out for you

you did what was right for you. that may not be what is right for all. please don't take on the persona of a reformer as many ex-smokers etc. do. Each person must do what is right for them. I am truly happy that you have done so well. Congrats!

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

4. I don't take that persona.

The truth is I was in denial for many years. It wasn't till I was diagnosed with the above mentioned conditions that I had a reason to do something about my weight. I guess it's like being an alcoholic. One first has to acknowledge they have a problem before they can deal with it.

[A_Possum]

5. Congrats

Not to discourage you, but the hard part is yet to come. Keeping it off. The odds are against you, and I'm not saying that to belittle what you've done, but as the dead-on facts. In that way, it is like being an alcoholic. There'll be a party, then a vacation, then a few weeks you don't exercise for this or that reason, and poof...

As I say, not to discourage you, but to alert you to the pitfalls ahead.

If you've found an eating style and exercise that you actively enjoy, that you like and actually want to do, you'll have a much better chance.

LOL, I should sign myself:

"Been there" ;)

[allalone]

6. it's amazing

how quickly and sneakily the weight goes on. I am dealing with this right now myself and wow, it is not easy. and it isn't easy to own up to it either. I am glad for the ones who can accept their weight and be ok with it, but I'd rather be a regular size. ah well. good for you.