In search of the incredible shinking Tuck: Thoughts about being overweight--Part I

Well, among my blog cirles, it seems a fashionable sport to bash on, or have a little sport with those that are overweight. And while it understandable to hear this from people who were my size and lost the weight, it is almost unbearable to hear it from people who have never really struggled with weight.

Let's start by clearing up a few myths that thin people have about overweight people:

1.) Overweight people are lazy. The fact is that most overweight people I know are the opposite of lazy. Imbalanced maybe. But not lazy. Many people that I know with a few extra pounds are that way because they give themselves to work, to others, and to a million different responsibilities. They do this so often they go for easy quick meals and are too exhausted to exercise.

2.) You have total control over your body type. The fact is genetics plays a strong role in body size and type. I have a good friend who eats a lot, never exercises (other than making love to his wife maybe), and he is very very thin. I on the other hand put in 30-40 minutes on the elliptical 3-4 times a week, very carefully keep track of what I eat, and it is taking me forever to lose weight the way that I want to. Yeah, I have my weaknesses for Slurpees and Oatmeal Raisin cookies...but I can count on one hand the fast food meals I have had since Thanksgiving. I have one soda pop on Wednesdays and one on Sundays. I can count on one hand the number of candy bars I have had since thanksgiving. For months I was on a strict 1800 calorie a day diet. I eat wheat bread and wheat tortillas exclusively. I prepare my food with skim milk. Yet when I have that oatmeal cookie with my non-fat sugar free vanilla latte from Starbucks, I get lectured by nosy church lady.
I want to say "F**k you, you self-righteous B**ch, you aren't all that yourself." But I don't. I just laugh and smile and offer her a piece of the cookie. Ok got a little off subject. Sorry.

3.) Socio-economic history plays a large part in obesity. As does race. (See Carcinonomous's Webster) The poorer you are, the more likely you are to be overweight. If you are a minority in America, you are more likely to be overweight.Cheap food is not necessarily healthy food. Every try to buy fat-free cheese. Costs more. Ever try to buy reduced fat peanut butter. Costs more. Ever try to buy lean ground beef. Costs more. Ever try to buy leaner cuts of chicken costs more. Yet, overweight people are, as the news pointed out this week, paid $2 less an hour than more moderately sized persons. Obesity is a social justice issue in many ways, and once you are overweight you are caught in a cycle that is hard to get out of economically.

4.) Depression and being overweight are interrelated. This also becomes a vicious cycle.

COMING NEXT: MY WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY