That's Fit

It's fascinating to contemplate that some of our prejudices might be biologically based--I suspect there may be some inborn component to racism and homophobia and all kinds of other fears as well. We humans seem to have a bias against anything "different" and see it as "frightening."

However, we have brains that are capable of higher thought. So hopefully, just as we learn we can't punch out the boss when he's a jerk or grab someone else's burger when we are hungry, we learn to ignore split-second "instinctive" judgments that are based on irrational fears and have nothing to do with reality.

And do you think those "experts" who argued that we should stay away from fat people because "obesity is socially contagious" may just be silly victims of their own caveman brains?

http://crankyfitness.blogspot.com/2007/07/obesity-is-socially-contagious.html

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I have very few overweight friends. If you surround yourself with over weight people it becomes increasingly difficult to stay in shape yourself. The reason very fat people (people who are slightly overweight, or "pudgy" dont bother me at all) bother me is because it is a direct reflection of their self discipline and morals. If this person does not care about his/her own health, I cant expect them to care about mine. A person who cannot even care for them self cannot possibly gain my respect. The fact that ANY slack is given to these people who blatantly make themselves fat is what really disgusts me.

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Um, well, that's a bit harsh. I don't think that overweight people should be reviled, and what does someone's weight have to do with morality.

I think there are lots of overweight people who fall victim to our culture of instant gratification and just don't realize that losing weight takes time. Jumping from one fad diet to the next is as natural as switching from one brand of toothpaste to the next. If we aren't immediately satisfied with the results, we switch to something else.

The knowledge of how to lose weight is out there. Ask anyone to come up with a fantasy weight loss plan that works every time and anyone can do it. "Well if I eat half of what I currently eat and run 100 miles a week, I'll lose weight." Obviously, few, if any people can do that, but asking the question is a good way of starting the conversation about practical ways to incorporate healthy habits into your life.

http://thefitclub.blogspot.com

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To the so-called person who wrote THIS:


" I have very few overweight friends. If you surround yourself with over weight people it becomes increasingly difficult to stay in shape yourself. The reason very fat people (people who are slightly overweight, or "pudgy" dont bother me at all) bother me is because it is a direct reflection of their self discipline and morals. If this person does not care about his/her own health, I cant expect them to care about mine. A person who cannot even care for them self cannot possibly gain my respect. The fact that ANY slack is given to these people who blatantly make themselves fat is what really disgusts me."


I say this: YOU ARE A FRICKIN' IDIOT!!!!!! I suppose you think the moon is made of cheese and gay people choose their sexual preference. GROW THE F--K UP!! Large people don't choose to be fat anymore than a zebra chooses to have stripes. Stop being such a blatant, moronic bigot!!

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I have a couple family members that are a little over weight. They don't "rub off on me nor have i caught it" i can't understand WHY all these write ups are being done to isolate and cause discrimination against ones who are heavier then some. Instead of doing them HARM, why don't you do studies on the impact skinny, boney people might have on heavy ones if they try to HELP them shed those pounds instead of running away from them in FEAR. Shame on all of you trying to cause more than already had been to discriminate against them.

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"A person who cannot even care for them self cannot possibly gain my respect."

I suppose that quadriplegics are really immoral jackasses in your book.

A good number of overweight people actually suffer from untreated depression and have other issues beyond their weight which make life in general much more difficult for them. Perhaps if people like yourself were more supportive and less judgemental, it might help. Even if it didn't help with that, I am pretty sure the world would be a better place.

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I find it interesting that people that do not fight the weight game are so easy to critisize. Trust me, your Karma is coming. How about warts??

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I was never overweight until I endured an accident that made me unable to exercise regularly; then the pounds started to accumulate. I'm now trying to take them off, but I've seen that people treat me differently with my extra weight, and it's not pleasant. Yes, there's no question that there's discrimination, and it's not always that a person "let himself go" that's the reason. I know that I'll feel a lot better once I'm back to my former weight, and I'll work to keep it off as well, but I have to sympathize with those people who are prisoners in their own bodies; it's no fun. I have to add that I'm 55; that makes it even harder to do it, but that's not stopping me.

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I,m simply amazed that some people can be so ignorant . Do you think fat people get up in the morning and say to themselves , " yes , today I want people to look at me like I was a dog , I want them to treat me with no respect , even if I have done nothing to deserve it , I want to be judged by my clothes because there are few good looking clothes out there for fat people " Oh Sure ! All of these and more .
You put in 53 years of being treated like you have the plague and see if you can come up with a different veiw . I have done it all , Gastroplasty , gastric by pass, Got addicted to amphetimines and barbituates, from a doctor and still I fight this damn weight .
No dicipline ? You can,t say that , because you have never been there . Out of 13 brothers and sisters only one doesn,t have a weight problem . Both my parents did . So when you think about fat people , think about how hard their lifes really are due to ingorant people who don,t kow what they are talking about . Do me a favor --Walk a mile in my shoes.

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I, too, am amazed at the ignorance. I am 350 pounds, and it is not because I'm lazy or lack morals. I couldn't tell you how many years its been since I had a "ho-ho"! I eat fruits and veggies, rarely eat red meat, salads regularly, rarely drink soda pop, drink water like crazy, eat little sugar and eat whole grains when I DO eat grains. I have 2 little kids that keep me busy running and very active. I have low to average blood pressure, my cholesterol is super-low, no diabetes, great HDL... in other words, healthy. You CAN be obese AND healthy! I would certainly love to be more active than I am, and as soon as someone can figure out WHY the heck I'm so fat, maybe I can be. For now, I limit my soccer, chase games, walking and jogging, keep eating healthy and hope for the best. Maybe you folks should try living in a fat person's body for a while before passing judgement.

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Here is another thing to consider.
Maybe "skinny" people react badly to "fat" people because they are obviously out-competing them for resources.
Larger people are obviously getting more calories. The disease fear might be logical when related to morbidly obese people (in cases where moving, walking or breathing are not easy), but it seems a tad biased against the "padded" people. I wonder if the study tested the reaction of "fat" people's immune response to those who are "skinny" or underweight. I think being severely underweight would be a definite marker for wasting diseases, cancer and general malnutrition.

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I'm a fat girl with a pretty face and see people look down on me all the time. It's pretty pathetic. I hear people say all the time, "You're SO pretty if only you would lose some weight, you'd be SEXY!" I don't stuff my face. My skinny little sister stuffs her face with McDonald's while I eat salads and grilled chicken. I also exercise regularly and drink plenty of water. But I'm still overweight. I have hypothyroidism and just discovered this recently. I'm now taking Armorthyroid and a diuretic to help control my problems. People need to stop being so judgmental. =)

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When food was scarcer, fatter people, especially fatter women, were admired. It showed you had wealth. It was also a sign (maybe inaccurate) of health--at least you weren't starving. Also a fatter woman would have reserves for a pregnancy and nursing, in case of famine. We are genetically programmed to respond to signs of health, especially in the search for a mate to bear our children or to bring home food for the family. Today, fatter people may have reached that state through lack of exercise or eating junk food--neither of which was likely 1000 years ago. Famine is uncommon, so women don't need to store as much fat, and they don't have as many children. So the healthier people, in general, have access to higher quality food, gyms, and education; they are not fat. Times have changed, but we're still looking for healthy mates and friends.

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This article is just crap. A hundred years ago, women were ashamed if they were thin. They wanted to look plump and healthy and attract men with a round figure. Evolution, my foot. This whole backlash is just ridiculous. "Fat is contagious", "skinny people are predisposed to hate fat people"...it's just a way to instill fear. Fat people are learning to love themselves and it drives the diet industry nuts.

Do some research and find out who's funding these so-called "studies."

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Obesity is an illness, but it is not communicable. It IS hereditary, ie if your mother AND father are overweight, 9 times out of 10, the child will be too. If only one parent is, the chances are smaller. Yes, better choices in foods, eating habits, and lifestyle changes can help. But these things take time and money. A luxury few of us have nowadays. Todays is larger than it has ever been, yet it is also more critical than it has ever been. A large person may or may not get a job simply because of the way he/she looks and the weight prejudices of the employer. And guess what...If the employer wants to discriminate against an overweight person, it is okay. There is no one who will step in and say that it's wrong for fear of being associated with a person, who is capable and dependable, but just also happens to be fat.

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Why don't someone talk about the attitude obese people have towards people who are not obese? Everyone complains about discimination against fat people but I have been on this earth nearly four decades that obese women in particular, and obese women in groups, are especially obnoxious towards everyone who does not mirror their body side. If someone makes a personal decision to be overweight, average sized, skinny - its a personal choice. People need to learn how to mnind their own business.

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I agree with #2. Morbidly Obese people are given sooooo much slack. It sickens me that they get handicap spaces when you have people with one leg not get them. what? is walking a few extra yards gonna kill you? and they sweat like hell too! oh Im sorry, do you want special treatment like the rest of this overly sensistive country? nooo way.

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Oink, Oink, what's your excuse, another big mac or a double helping at the Tex-Mex?

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Wow there are alot of very sad people on here- Hasnt anyone ever thought -- what makes YOU judge and jury for the general public. IF you do not want to associoate with "fat people" PERHAPS they wouldnt want to associate with YOU??? just a thought.... OR are you perfect- the comments you have stated on here show that you are not--- You DO appear to be very shallow and sad- I pity YOU

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