Obese have right to two airline seats

[MrsCat 6]

I've always been "large"... I have a huge noggin' (7 1/2 hat size), big hands, big feet, and thighs almost as big around as Mags' torso (and they're not fat). First I had my hernia surgery several years ago that did result in me getting fat from involuntary inactivity while healing from a ventral hernia repair. Then, later, I went on medication for high blood pressure which also increased my weight; partly from the meds themselves, but also because the meds made it so that I would be out of breath if I walked more than 2 blocks. I got rid of the meds, but I'd already gained about 40 pounds by then.

During our K1 days, my weight fluctuated greatly. I'd be "thin", then I'd be fat. Variance was as much as 2 jeans sizes. When Mags arrived here, I was in the middle. Last January I went on a weight loss plan so that I could lose 50 pounds so that she'd let me ride RAGBRAI. I lost 25-30 pounds, but started working at the bike shop again which involved 3 hours of driving and 9 hours of working each day. The cheeseburger comment applied to me then. After 12 hours of work/driving, I didn't want to screw with cooking when I got home, so I'd stop for a burger on the way. My weight edged back up to where it was in January.

In July, I quit smoking. My weight creeped up more. I quit the Commit lozenges for 2 weeks. I gained about 15 pounds in those 2 weeks. I'm back on the Commit for now.

These aren't excuses; they're reasons. Yeah, I tried last year and I ultimately failed, after initially succeeding. Is it completely my fault that I'm fat? No. It isn't completely NOT my fault either. But to have you @#$%#$# in here judging me and all other overweight people, telling me to "put down the cheeseburger!", saying that I did it to myself - tough, screw you - well....it pisses me off. As such, I'm getting the hell out of this thread before Mean Platy makes an appearance.

Platy ftw.

I couldn't have come up with a better description of someone who doesn't choose to be overweight. I think we all know how much Platy loves to bike. He lives it. He does it. I'm smaller than the Platster, but I deserve to be a fatty with how much I eat and how little I exercise. I'm just built differently. I don't deserve any praise, but people don't judge my eating habits because I'm relatively thin.

[William33 110]

Cassie, I apologize if anything I said hurt you. I really do try to be sympathetic towards those who're obese. I fully realize it's not merely an issue of "stop eating, moron!" If it were, obesity wouldn't be the considerable problem it is today.

I have a condition known as "hypothyroidism." That means my thyroid works below what is considered "normal operational status." In other words, if I don't take medication, I quickly become sluggish and my metabolism drops like a stone. I went through years of not knowing why I was supposedly "lazy and fat."

Even with my thyroid medication, I still packed on the pounds. One day, while eating some pizza, I stopped and looked at it. I decided to eat only a couple of slices and from then on, I began losing weight. I won't say it wasn't difficult -- I love to eat -- but with diet and exercise, I did lose weight. I was as heavy as 240 lbs at one point and I'm now around 170 lbs.

I think most people, with the proper assistance and encouragement, can lose weight. Our society tends to frown upon anyone carrying a few extra pounds and celebrates being thin (sometimes unhealthily so). My point earlier wasn't to insult anyone who's heavy. But I can't help but feel that if someone has reached well over 300 lbs (and shows no sign of stopping) that much of that is indeed due to lifestyle habits. Maybe they have a medical condition, but so do I. If I can lose weight (and I despise dieting and exercising), then I think just about anyone can as well.

DeadPoolX (and everyone else who apologized) -- first I want to say thanks. Secondly, I want to let you all know that I wasn't personally hurt by various remarks, just irked. If my overweightedness was purely from eating (which it wasn't, but poor diet did contribute), I could understand the "put down the cheeseburger" attitude. But it's not. And it's not for you. And it's not for a lot of people.

I have to agree wholeheartedly with Platy's comments:

So who stands at the boarding gate and determines if someone's weight problem is hereditary, due to a medical condition, or due to "fattie shoving food in it's face"? That's the whole point of telling people to STFU with the "Put down the cheeseburger!" comments. They don't know WHY the person is overweight.

Who is gonna be the ultimate authority? Who's gonna be the judge? I'd love to apply for that job!

The thing is, about April of this year, I decided that in spite of my medical conditions, I said "no more". I was tired of being the one stared at on the plane. And I have lost weight -- very slowly, mind you, but it's going for good, over 25 pounds' worth. But the problem is, I am still overweight. I feel like hanging a sign around my neck saying "if you think sitting by me now isn't going to be pleasant, aren't you glad you weren't around me when I was almost 300 pounds?!"

Everyone can lose weight, but to stick with it is hard, big time. I'm a member of SparkPeople, an online community that encourages healthy eating and habits, weight loss, and getting strong, both physically and mentally. I spend time reading peoples' blogs on there and it would break your heart. So many people try and try and try and try, and there is such pressure to look good and be stick thin in the face of an abundance of temptations and stumbling blocks and after a while of being beaten down constantly, many just say screw it, you're right, I can't do it, I have no willpower.

Anyways, I am done with this thread. I just get too riled up -- not personally, but on behalf of my 300 pound friends who are working their butts off for results, and still get the "put down the cheeseburger" attitude.

I've always been "large"... I have a huge noggin' (7 1/2 hat size), big hands, big feet, and thighs almost as big around as Mags' torso (and they're not fat). First I had my hernia surgery several years ago that did result in me getting fat from involuntary inactivity while healing from a ventral hernia repair. Then, later, I went on medication for high blood pressure which also increased my weight; partly from the meds themselves, but also because the meds made it so that I would be out of breath if I walked more than 2 blocks. I got rid of the meds, but I'd already gained about 40 pounds by then.

During our K1 days, my weight fluctuated greatly. I'd be "thin", then I'd be fat. Variance was as much as 2 jeans sizes. When Mags arrived here, I was in the middle. Last January I went on a weight loss plan so that I could lose 50 pounds so that she'd let me ride RAGBRAI. I lost 25-30 pounds, but started working at the bike shop again which involved 3 hours of driving and 9 hours of working each day. The cheeseburger comment applied to me then. After 12 hours of work/driving, I didn't want to screw with cooking when I got home, so I'd stop for a burger on the way. My weight edged back up to where it was in January.

In July, I quit smoking. My weight creeped up more. I quit the Commit lozenges for 2 weeks. I gained about 15 pounds in those 2 weeks. I'm back on the Commit for now.

These aren't excuses; they're reasons. Yeah, I tried last year and I ultimately failed, after initially succeeding. Is it completely my fault that I'm fat? No. It isn't completely NOT my fault either. But to have you @#$%#$# in here judging me and all other overweight people, telling me to "put down the cheeseburger!", saying that I did it to myself - tough, screw you - well....it pisses me off. As such, I'm getting the hell out of this thread before Mean Platy makes an appearance.

Relax Bro... I understand weight gain, seriously. I am currently 6 ft @ 200 lbs (eventually, I will shrink in height, so they say). When I was in Indonesia, eating the same and drinking the same, I weighed 170. There are reasons for this; which I believe are hormone additives. Thus, I will spend the extra $$$ to buy "organic" when possible.

I am not knocking weight gain, only "percieved benefits" from it. That is all.

[DeadPoolX 9]

Honestly I think everyone needs to stop making excuses. Maybe I'm being a b*tch but seriously. It's really not THAT hard to lose weight. As long as you commit to it and have a goal you can do it.

For some people it is. Maybe not all people, but it can be extremely difficult to lose weight, even if you're dieting and exercising. Assuming someone can lose weight "easily," they need the proper encouragement and positive reinforcement to do it. It's not easy to lose weight when people around you are calling you "fat" or "lazy" or other names. Maybe if others actually attempted to help those who need to lose weight, instead of criticizing them, obesity might not be such a widespread problem in North America.

[Niels Bohr 72]

You know what's weird. There's no Obesity in Cambodia. 99.9% of the population is thin.

Hmm....In Thailand and Vietnam, there are not many people who are fat.

I do find it strange that the US and Canada has lots of fat people. Those in the poverty nations are not. Isn't there a correlation somewhere?

These journals sometimes published studies that want to indicate obesity is linked to genetics. This is still very controversial. I do find it weird that a select group or rather culture is obese and others are not.

[DeadPoolX 9]

You know what's weird. There's no Obesity in Cambodia. 99.9% of the population is thin.

Hmm....In Thailand and Vietnam, there are not many people who are fat.

I do find it strange that the US and Canada has lots of fat people. Those in the poverty nations are not. Isn't there a correlation somewhere?

These journals sometimes published studies that want to indicate obesity is linked to genetics. This is still very controversial. I do find it weird that a select group or rather culture is obese and others are not.

I think it has more to do with the way we work, play and eat. So-called "Third World" countries engage in more active endeavors and the food lacks the processed chemicals and byproducts that much of ours does. Life is generally more difficult overall, but in Canada and the U.S., we've attempted to make life as easy as possible, virtually eliminating the need to exert ourselves.

Look at most of our jobs. With the exception of construction work, we sit on our butts all day. We drive everywhere. When we want to entertain ourselves, we primarily watch TV, go to the movies, go on the Internet or even play video games. None of that requires true physical activity, which may account for obesity. In the past, Canada and the U.S. were far more agrarian and relied on agriculture or more laborious jobs. Food was also more difficult, since most of it required cooking. Today, we can simply go to the grocery store and pick up something that's pre-made or visit a fast food chain. Entertainment involved physical activity as well, since television, the Internet and video games weren't invented yet.

I have a feeling that's the predominant reason and not genetics. Our genes may play a part, but we're simply not that physically active anymore or at least, most of us aren't.

Edited November 25, 2008 by DeadPoolX

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

i had no idea this thread was gonna be so interesting to people.

[britty 1]

This still reduces the amount of seats the airline has to sell to passengers. The only way for the airline to maintain revenues is to raise prices. Whilst being severely obese is probably a disability, that disability could be greatly improved or eradicated for many simply by following a weight loss and exercise programme. People with walkers may not have that option open to them.

Oh, if only it was that easy.

Well for some it is. I did say in my post that "many" people classed as obese would benefit from a weight loss and exercise programme. I cannot remember how many times I have seen a Nutri-System tv ad that shows an obese person having lost an enormous amount of weight. Some people simply do overeat, or have a lifestyle that doesn't lend itself to healthy eating and exercise. If I don't eat well or exercise for a week then I will put on weight so I choose to eat a low fat diet with potion control, and exercise regularly. For some it would be as easy as saying "no" to certain foods, exercising some willpower in food choices, and doing gentle exericse.

[SpiritAlight 1]

Hello!

Hello?

tap tap

Is this thing on?!

I am being ignored.

That's okay.

I am comfortable enough in my own skin to "let go".

Listen up people.

Find joy and watch the weight vanish.

"You'll see it when you believe it."

[chri'stina 190]

Do people say the same thing to smokers ,"oh come on , it's not hard to quit, just do it no big deal" ???

As for my weight, it has nothing to do with depression, a mental disorder, or emotional chaos...I just ate a little more than I should at meals.

Like Cassie, I am also losing weight and I congratulate her for 25 lbs down!! Woohoo!!!! If you ever need encouragement, Cassie, I'm here! I have lost about 23lbs since being 6 weeks post partum after my pregnancy(last March). I weigh less now than when I got married. It is VERY hard to lose weight in my opinion, especially if you are taking care of a new child and don't have as much time as you want to even exercise. So I am just happy I am losing, even if it's sloooow. I am not going to tell other people to stop whining b/c it's not that hard. I have found it to be hard.

[tom&tata 2]

You know what's weird. There's no Obesity in Cambodia. 99.9% of the population is thin.

Hmm....In Thailand and Vietnam, there are not many people who are fat.

I do find it strange that the US and Canada has lots of fat people. Those in the poverty nations are not. Isn't there a correlation somewhere?

These journals sometimes published studies that want to indicate obesity is linked to genetics. This is still very controversial. I do find it weird that a select group or rather culture is obese and others are not.

I think it has more to do with the way we work, play and eat. So-called "Third World" countries engage in more active endeavors and the food lacks the processed chemicals and byproducts that much of ours does. Life is generally more difficult overall, but in Canada and the U.S., we've attempted to make life as easy as possible, virtually eliminating the need to exert ourselves.

Look at most of our jobs. With the exception of construction work, we sit on our butts all day. We drive everywhere. When we want to entertain ourselves, we primarily watch TV, go to the movies, go on the Internet or even play video games. None of that requires true physical activity, which may account for obesity. In the past, Canada and the U.S. were far more agrarian and relied on agriculture or more laborious jobs. Food was also more difficult, since most of it required cooking. Today, we can simply go to the grocery store and pick up something that's pre-made or visit a fast food chain. Entertainment involved physical activity as well, since television, the Internet and video games weren't invented yet.

I have a feeling that's the predominant reason and not genetics. Our genes may play a part, but we're simply not that physically active anymore or at least, most of us aren't.

Back in Indonesia I actually had less physical activity. Granted, I worked way longer hours but it was more the type that "sit on my butts" everyday. Here, I do house chores. Personally, the reason is I believe in the diet - either the type of food or the ingredients of the food itself. I know I used to eat more veggies & less processed food. And I have gained weight.

Edited November 25, 2008 by tom&tata

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

This still reduces the amount of seats the airline has to sell to passengers. The only way for the airline to maintain revenues is to raise prices. Whilst being severely obese is probably a disability, that disability could be greatly improved or eradicated for many simply by following a weight loss and exercise programme. People with walkers may not have that option open to them.

Oh, if only it was that easy.

Well for some it is. I did say in my post that "many" people classed as obese would benefit from a weight loss and exercise programme. I cannot remember how many times I have seen a Nutri-System tv ad that shows an obese person having lost an enormous amount of weight. Some people simply do overeat, or have a lifestyle that doesn't lend itself to healthy eating and exercise. If I don't eat well or exercise for a week then I will put on weight so I choose to eat a low fat diet with potion control, and exercise regularly. For some it would be as easy as saying "no" to certain foods, exercising some willpower in food choices, and doing gentle exericse.

Well there are some pretty well defined trends in obesity across different countries - this set of stats puts the US and UK in the top 3 most obese nations. I do have to wonder why that is - and why say... France (which is only 25 miles from England) has less than half the obesity rate that Britain does. Bad genetics? Food additives? or simply that the average Britons has a worse lifestyle than the average Frenchman?

Of course I certainly don't think we should go around making assumptions about individual's lifestyles, medical history and activity level etc (and people shouldn't read this comment in that light - as it isn't intended that way). I don't doubt that there are people with naturally slow metabolisms, medical or psychological issues that make them overweight or make it difficult to shed it. Naturally its a touchy subject - especially if you have battled with weight problems over a period of years. As I'm finding - even losing 15lbs is proving to be quite a challenge - even after diet changes and exercise.

That said - I do think that the medical aspects of obesity are somewhat exaggerated in the media (specifically in TV advertisements for weight loss programmes, diet books etc) to present an idea that being overweight doesn't have anything to do with a person's lifestyle - and that it isn't something that they have control over to effect changes in their lives. It makes perfect sense of course - if you're selling a diet programme (and there are some really wacky ones out there - I saw a commercial for a "cookie diet" the other day), making out that people can make all these changes without altering their behaviour and that none of it is in their control creates a false impression not only of the underlying cause of the problem but also of the solution.

[chri'stina 190]

The ingredients in food here I am sure have a big impact. When I visited India 5 years ago, I lost 5 lbs while there for 2 weeks from just eating their food. I even was drinking soda in India, something I was rarely doing in the US, and I still lost weight. The food was just healthier. To them it's just normal life eating, they don't think they are being so healthy-- just normal.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The ingredients in food here I am sure have a big impact. When I visited India 5 years ago, I lost 5 lbs while there for 2 weeks from just eating their food. I even was drinking soda in India, something I was rarely doing in the US, and I still lost weight. The food was just healthier. To them it's just normal life eating, they don't think they are being so healthy-- just normal.

There's a lot of hidden sugar and salt in canned foods - even things like beans that are supposed to be healthy can be swimming in HFCS loaded syrups.

[chri'stina 190]

The ingredients in food here I am sure have a big impact. When I visited India 5 years ago, I lost 5 lbs while there for 2 weeks from just eating their food. I even was drinking soda in India, something I was rarely doing in the US, and I still lost weight. The food was just healthier. To them it's just normal life eating, they don't think they are being so healthy-- just normal.

There's a lot of hidden sugar and salt in canned foods - even things like beans that are supposed to be healthy can be swimming in HFCS loaded syrups.

Yeah I rinse my beans when they come out of a can, but you can't rinse every thing that comes in a can.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The ingredients in food here I am sure have a big impact. When I visited India 5 years ago, I lost 5 lbs while there for 2 weeks from just eating their food. I even was drinking soda in India, something I was rarely doing in the US, and I still lost weight. The food was just healthier. To them it's just normal life eating, they don't think they are being so healthy-- just normal.

There's a lot of hidden sugar and salt in canned foods - even things like beans that are supposed to be healthy can be swimming in HFCS loaded syrups.

Yeah I rinse my beans when they come out of a can, but you can't rinse every thing that comes in a can.

This is true - I usually check for additives.

Actually the biggest change for me (dietarily at least) has been cutting back on rice, white bread and potatoes. I substitute them for things like lentils.