"Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon." – Doug Larson.
I am overweight and have decided to do something about it. I want to eat the stuff that wets my whistle. I like chips and crackers, and BACON. I have joined Weight Watchers and am trying to establish a new lifestyle. I am eating more vegetables, less carbohydrates, and drinking water. I am still attempting to embrace this new eating regimen.
Being heavy has become a way of life for many years. I am used to looking for clothes in the plus size section, people looking at me with a moderate amount of disgust, and comments people make about my size and health. I know some people comment because they care, but that is not how it feels to me. Instead, it often sounds like judgment and feels like being shamed.
I must admit that, in many ways, I am comfortable being heavy. But unfortunately, it has become who I am. I know I am much more than my weight, but often that is how others see me.
I dress well and am pretty good at putting attractive outfits together. As a result, I usually look nice, and other than being heavy, I look okay. However, this is not a good way to live life.
I have some medical issues; I am a Type I diabetic, have high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and my joints hurt. All these things would be under better control or eliminated if I lived healthier.
The following are 11 offensive phrases you didn’t know were fat shaming.
1. “Ewwww. I feel fat.”
2. “You’re really pretty for a plus-sized girl.”
3. “Stop saying your fat; you’re beautiful.”
4. “Do you really want to eat that much?”
5. “Are you having some health issues?”
6. “Did you lose some weight; you look so much better?”
7. “I don’t think this (insert any type of clothing) was made for your body size.”
8. “Are you sure you can handle (insert any exercise/sport activity)?
9. “How did you get so fat?
10. “You’re a good person, but your weight is a big turn-off.
11. “Do I look fat?”
So, what has made me decide to do something about it?
I am tired of hurting and the looks that I get. I want my diabetes to be under better control and all the other medical stuff to get better. I want to look nice in my clothes, get approving looks from others and feel better about myself.
Changing my eating habits takes work. I admit I want the change to happen overnight, but it doesn’t work that way. Food is an addiction, and I need to treat this issue with the same steps an addict does. I surrender to my Higher Power (God) and take one day at a time. I have a lot more work to do, and I am doing it.
According to AARP, there are eight simple steps to losing weight. To be honest, I have not used all these steps, but I have tried a few of them. AARP’s steps are in bold, and I added the other information.
1. Add 500 steps to your day.
2. Leave a few bites on your plate.
3. Eat intuitively – Be mindful. - Don’t eat in front of the TV; pay attention to what you are eating, how it tastes, and pay attention to portion size.
4. Ditch sugary soda
5. Keep a food journal – I track my food in Weight Watchers, which makes a difference in what I eat.
6. Do basic body/weight exercises. The article suggests squats and pushups. For physical reasons, I can’t do those. Instead, I do a variation, wall pushups, and stand and sit in a chair.
7. Eat one less serving of processed food daily.
8. Eat within a 12-hour period – Intermittent fasting.
Again, it is time for me to address my weight and health issues. My hope for those of you who are reading this and are heavy, you learn to love yourself enough to get healthier. If you are not heavy, please work on not shaming those who do not look how you think they should.
Have a great week!
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