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Aug. 25th, 2011 05:17 pm
Petty frustration
Sometimes, it kind of irritates me when fellow big folks lose weight.
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for them if they can do this without hurting themselves, but unfortunately, it tends to make others assume that if one of us can do this, surely we all can. Which, of course, means that those of us who aren't doing it clearly just don't care and therefore are fair game for nastiness. Bleh.
Thing is, we're not all the same. What works for one person may not work for another. And it may even make things worse for some (hello, victim of low-fat dieting.) Humans are an incredibly diverse species, and the particular assortment of genes and environmental factors that make each of our bodies what they are is unique.
But because there's so much misinformation out there (even from doctors--most GPs know jack about endocrinology and brain chemistry), everyone thinks that whatever worked for their Aunt Susie is clearly the magic pill that will work for everyone. And therefore, if you're not on that magic pill, you're obviously making a poor choice, and can therefore be judged.
I don't grudge fat folks who get un-fat, really. As long as they don't start bragging or getting self-righteous about it, and understand how weight-loss talk can be triggering for folks with eating disorders, fair enough. Frankly, if they came up with a magic pill that did work with my body's particular weirdness, I'd take it. It's not exactly fun being this size even beyond the social bullshit it earns me.
But if you or someone you know did get un-fat, please don't assume that whatever method was involved is going to work for me or anyone else. One size does not fit all, y'know?
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for them if they can do this without hurting themselves, but unfortunately, it tends to make others assume that if one of us can do this, surely we all can. Which, of course, means that those of us who aren't doing it clearly just don't care and therefore are fair game for nastiness. Bleh.
Thing is, we're not all the same. What works for one person may not work for another. And it may even make things worse for some (hello, victim of low-fat dieting.) Humans are an incredibly diverse species, and the particular assortment of genes and environmental factors that make each of our bodies what they are is unique.
But because there's so much misinformation out there (even from doctors--most GPs know jack about endocrinology and brain chemistry), everyone thinks that whatever worked for their Aunt Susie is clearly the magic pill that will work for everyone. And therefore, if you're not on that magic pill, you're obviously making a poor choice, and can therefore be judged.
I don't grudge fat folks who get un-fat, really. As long as they don't start bragging or getting self-righteous about it, and understand how weight-loss talk can be triggering for folks with eating disorders, fair enough. Frankly, if they came up with a magic pill that did work with my body's particular weirdness, I'd take it. It's not exactly fun being this size even beyond the social bullshit it earns me.
But if you or someone you know did get un-fat, please don't assume that whatever method was involved is going to work for me or anyone else. One size does not fit all, y'know?
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