Being fat is a choice…is it??

I think we all know where I stand on this issue, pretty sure the answer is a big fat NO.  Being fat is not always a choice.  We do have control of our lifestyle which can absolutely affect weight on a daily basis, however, to suggest that genetics plays only a minor role is seriously a bunch of crap.  Period.  The author of the article, “Confessions of a Chubster – The moral crusade on fatties” states, “Being fat is a choice. Genetics plays a role, sure. So does your upbringing. But you do not get fat unless you’re eating more than you need to nourish your body. That’s basic science.”  http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-18663-confessions_of_a_chu.html

Basic science in his case obviously provided him without the metabolic challenge that many people, including myself, deal with every day.  He says you do not get fat unless you are eating more than you need to.  Again, a bunch of crap.  I hate to repeat myself but we all know someone who can put away food like there is no tomorrow and stay fit and lean while others who even just think about a pint of Ben & Jerry’s gain 5 pounds.  That is just the way it is and, yes, it is science.  To put it simply, those people were not born with the wonderfully nondiscriminatory fat gene!!! 

He mentions upbringing as contributory but does not elaborate whether he was a chubby kid or not.  Back in the years when I was a kid in the 60’s to 70’s, my diet was controlled by what my mother cooked and school lunches.  I was always a fat kid.  Was I overeating??  No.  We did not have an abundance of snacks in house like candy, chips, or other junk food.  If we wanted an evening snack it usually would consist of saltines with peanut butter or fruit.  Ice cream was a real treat, and certainly not daily consumption, and eating out was a rare occasion.  We were not allowed soda with our meals and to really bring home my point, I am from a household where you literally drank juice in a “juice glass” for the portion size.  See where I am going with this??

Kudos to the author for losing 100 pounds in 8 months!  It once again just reiterates my point that everyone is different and what will work for one may not work for another.  I am sure more will agree with me that his success is what is so deftly phrased as “Results not typical.” 

Hey!  Check out my YouTube video – Fat Chicks and Unfriendly Chairs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQR5AC-r9qU

With a bunch of butt shots with measurements (yes I said measurements!) coming up to the slow rocking beat of stripper music, my video Fat Chicks and Unfriendly Chairs definitely has the market cornered on making light of being heavy 🙂  Making Light of Being Heavy is a comical book with opinions and observations from a fat chick’s point of view that puts an unexpected and funny spin on dealing with the fat gene!

Until next time, keep laughing!

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Not Fat Because I Wanna Be…

That is the title of 6-year-old LaNiyah Bailey’s book that was self-published by her mom.  She is a little girl who has been struggling with obesity most of her short life of 6 years and has been bullied and teased relentlessly.  She sure is a brave girl to confront her situation by writing a book telling it like it is while going through such a difficult time! 

Her mom had taken her to doctors who basically said she was fat because of what she was eating even though her mom maintained her on a healthy calorie-restricted diet and a good exercise regimen.  Even a personal trainer couldn’t understand why she kept gaining instead of losing.  She continued to take her to different doctors until one ordered an x-ray and discovered she had a swollen colon. She is now being treated by a gastroenterologist and an endocrinologist for her condition.

LaNiyah has a website where you can purchase her book and learn more about her.  http://www.notfatbecauseiwannabe.com/

Her family wanted to let people know that childhood obesity is not always related to what the child is eating.  The site is informative and actually lists medical conditions that directly cause or contribute to obesity.  LaNiyah talks about her struggles, how the teasing made her feel, and how “you can’t judge a book by its cover.” 

 Wow, what an inspiration.  You go girl!!

 http://www.modbee.com/2011/04/08/1636509/6-year-olds-book-aims-to-teachother.html#

Hey!  Check out my YouTube video – Fat Chicks and Unfriendly Chairs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQR5AC-r9qU

With a bunch of butt shots with measurements (yes I said measurements!) coming up to the slow rocking beat of stripper music, my video Fat Chicks and Unfriendly Chairs definitely has the market cornered on making light of being heavy 🙂  Making Light of Being Heavy is a comical book with opinions and observations from a fat chick’s point of view that puts an unexpected and funny spin on dealing with the fat gene!

Related Articles

• Kindergartner’s book aims to educate other kids about obesity, bullying (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• ‘Not Fat Because I Wanna Be’ (theroot.com)
• 6-Year Old Author Fights Stigma Of Child Obesity (npr.org)
• LaNiyah Bailey, 6-Year-Old, Writes Book About Bullying (huffingtonpost.com)

I’m not fat…I’m big boned!

My mother to this day will tell you that I was not fat growing up.  There are pictures in my book that prove otherwise…Oh the love of a mother.  Fat gene or skinny gene…it’s a roll of the genetic dice that I lost.  I believe that it was my mother’s point of view that inevitably gave me mine. I have a very good friend that has struggled with her weight since childhood too but she has told me before how her mother would make negative comments about her weight rather than being supportive. I think she has bitter feelings about being fat directly related to this. I know that given the opportunity to be left alone with little Johnny who did not pick her for the kickball team in the fifth grade – because she was the “fat kid” – it could get a little messy….and not for her.  My mother never harped at me about my weight or told me I was fat. According to her I was just “big-boned.” To me I was fat. Today I am fat. I am not angry about, mad at anybody because of it, and know that there are reasons for it but also know that even as I lose weight I will never be skinny. And I do not want to be skinny. I was not born to be a skinny chick even if my doctor tells me that at my height of 5’6” and large frame I should weigh something like 130.  Sorry, that is never going to happen – it is a physical improbability!

In Making Light of Being Heavy there are pictures of me at around 170 my senior year in high school. I had dieted like mad to get into a dress that I bought for senior prom and I was “skinny.” I can remember my dad coming up beside me at the dinner table one night pointing out my shoulder bone and hip bone and telling me to stop with the dieting. But according to the weight guidelines I was obese!

People should find a comfortable weight for them and consider that their weight guideline and just smile politely at their doctor who whips out the chart that says otherwise. A person’s main focus should be that they are healthy. I may be fat but I am healthy. People will ask how that is possible… if I am fat I must automatically be unhealthy. I am 44 and even though I am considered in the medical field “obese,” I do not have high blood pressure, diabetes, heart problems, varicose veins, joint problems, etc. Am I just lucky?

Hey!  Check out my YouTube video – Fat Chicks and Unfriendly Chairs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQR5AC-r9qU

With a bunch of butt shots with measurements (yes I said measurements!) coming up to the slow rocking beat of stripper music, my video Fat Chicks and Unfriendly Chairs definitely has the market cornered on making light of being heavy 🙂  Making Light of Being Heavy is a comical book with opinions and observations from a fat chick’s point of view that puts an unexpected and funny spin on dealing with the fat gene!

Until next time, keep laughing!

Related Articles

• Fat, the F Word (thehungryfab.com)
• Finally, a little vindication for the fat chicks…. (makinglight.wordpress.com)