[Permanent Pajamas]

I wasn't sure where to put this.

I blasted off this morning and again this afternoon. I read an insulting comment at another web site made by someone in Europe about "fat Americans and British". I responded to this rather vehemently and was spanked for it.

I'm really tired of being judged by people who know nothing about me. Yes, I'm fat. I take Risperdal. I ballooned because it gives me a horrendous appetite.

I'm here to say that I don't care what you look like or what illness you have or what you weigh. You are my brother or sister and you're okay just the way you are.

PP

[carrie_ann]

well said PP

[Inedible]

At one point I read that China was going to beat America in obesity by 2020.

Did you tell those Europeans that being too poor to buy food isn't a virtue?

[Hellion]

No kidding there's a lot of that crap going around...I find it pretty stupid myself. I think there is way too much focus on outside appearances in society I mean don't people have better things to do than go around talking crap about various groups of people like they know them all.

[thickntired]

I believe almost all anti-psychotics cause weight gain, but I'd rather be fat & sane!

[venusss]

Originally Posted by Inedible

At one point I read that China was going to beat America in obesity by 2020.

Did you tell those Europeans that being too poor to buy food isn't a virtue?

actually, poor people are more fat, because they feed on cheap junk. Times when fat meant rich are of past.

Yes, I find it insulting.

I am European. I will not apologize for not being fat either.

[yellowted]

I eat healthily because i am allergic to wheat, dairy, egg white, soya, tomato and celery, so can not have most desserts or chocolate, i drink mainly plain water or sugar free dilute juice, do not eat pizza or ready meals. i love veg and some fresh fruits, grow my own potatoes, zucchini, lettuce, spinach, herbs, apples, damsons, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries etc, and if i do get take out chips(thick fries) I only ever buy a kiddy portion and always leave over half of them! yet i am still fat. I am unable to exercise as i can't sit up unsupported or walk at all, so eat tiny portions (around 900 calories a day) though i do swim at least 20 lengths of a full size pool each week and pull myself around my unadapted home and up the stairs by sitting backward on the stair and pulling on the handrails every night, yet still am huge.

a few weeks ago a rather large lady had a go at me, i said excuse me please so i could pass by to the next till, and was hit with i don't know why they let you bring that thing (my mobility scooter) into the shop, if you got your fat axxx (bum) of there and did some exercise you wouldn't be so fat you lazy bxxxh!
I simply replied ..if i could i would you despicible person.

I wouldn't have minded but she was certainly did not have an athletic figure herself!!!

[TheDragon]

Hate to say it, but America and the United Kingdom does have a problem with obesity and weight, and the people who are overweight because of medications are the minority. I highly doubt anyone is thinking, "Hehe those fat Yanks/Brits with all those medications they take making them so fat" when people say those things.

I'm not saying it's right, but that is the current perception of the world at the moment. Perhaps you shouldn't take it to heart.

[TheDragon]

Originally Posted by Hellion

No kidding there's a lot of that crap going around...I find it pretty stupid myself. I think there is way too much focus on outside appearances in society I mean don't people have better things to do than go around talking crap about various groups of people like they know them all.

Considering that makeup, fine clothes, and thrones have been around since the beginning of civilization, I guess appearance is pretty darn important to humans.

Besides, there's always something that's looked down on. It used to be smoking, and to a large degree still is with our health obsessed society, but it's slowly moving on to being fat.

Society expects you to be a model citizen, whatever that may be at the time.

Conform.

[Travelinglady]

I am officially "obese." And yes, it did start when I gained weight from medications. However, I also do eat when I am upset. But I try not to get too carried away. Right now I can't exercise due to a knee that's recovering from surgery. Otherwise I would be out walking.

When I read about the folks here at PC with eating disorders, it really makes me sad. Our society (United States and countries like us) has really gotten kooky about people being a few pounds overweight, and dear souls even think they are "unworthy" if they weigh a bit more than what someone has decreed is proper. These young ladies starve themselves into unhealthiness and see themselves as overweight when they are just skin and bones. One actress even said she wished she could look more like the starving people in Africa. Good grief!

Yes, we do have a lot of overweight people in certain countries. Have you folks noticed how eating healthy is more expensive, as Venus Halley says? Companies take the salt out of canned foods, for example, and charge more for them.

When we see overweight people, we really don't know what their story is. I say folks ought to tend to their own issues. It's just like I don't appreciate it when people refer to me in negative terms because I am short. So what?

By the way, I have requested an eating program to help me and I am waiting for that. So, it's not like I'm not aware that I need to lose some weight!

[Hellion]

Originally Posted by TheDragon

Considering that makeup, fine clothes, and thrones have been around since the beginning of civilization, I guess appearance is pretty darn important to humans.

Besides, there's always something that's looked down on. It used to be smoking, and to a large degree still is with our health obsessed society, but it's slowly moving on to being fat.

Society expects you to be a model citizen, whatever that may be at the time.

Conform.

Yeah and I think it is possible for a society to focus too much on that sort of thing. Also what 'health' obsessed society maybe shallow outside appearance, financial status obsessed society but if this society was health obsessed I'd think it would be a wee bit healthier.

Well society can keep it's expectations, but that doesn't mean anyone is obligated to live up to them...why should I or anyone else conform to something they disagree with even if they do have the option?

[Inedible]

Originally Posted by VenusHalley

actually, poor people are more fat, because they feed on cheap junk. Times when fat meant rich are of past.

Yes, I find it insulting.

I am European. I will not apologize for not being fat either.

I said "those Europeans" meaning the ones who were picking a fight. Which is odd because the last time I checked, the United Kingdom counted as part of Europe rather than being tossed in with USA.

My body mass index peaked out at just over 30, making me part of the obesity problem. Most people looking at me would have said that I could lose some weight. One person had said that I looked "a bit pudgy" at this point. I was overweight, yes, but obese was a bit harsh even though it was medically speaking correct. I lost weight and then people were telling me to stop it because I was getting to be too thin. I told them I was back on eating junk food - pizza, fries, soda, and potato chips - and the weight was still coming off. Now my weight has stabilized at a healthy level.

http://www.myhealthnewsdaily.com/206...in-weight.html

Children exposed to a particular strain of the common cold virus — called adenovirus 36 — are more likely to be obese than those not exposed, according to findings in the journal Pediatrics in September. In a study of 124 children, nearly 80 percent of those exposed were obese. They weighed an average of 50 pounds (23 kilograms) more than kids not exposed.

People who don't get enough sleep increase their risk of being obese, according to a 2007 study in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood. A number of hormonal changes — such glucose intolerance, a precursor to diabetes — occur when the body doesn't get enough rest, the study said. Sleep restriction can spur hunger, and the tiredness that follows can decrease physical activity, leading to further weight gain, according to a 2009 study in the journal Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition.

Keeping a light on at night could add a few inches to your waistline, according to a study published in October in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Mice exposed to dim light at night gained 50 percent more weight over an eight-week period than mice that spent their nights in total darkness, even though all the mice had the same amount of food and physical activity. The results could apply to people who eat meals late at night, the researchers said.

So keep in mind that weight gain does not have to be about character or willpower.

[-jimi-]

I'm one of those Europeans. I look at USA with horror, and I don't mean people on medication, I mean that in some places most everyone is overweight and obese. That is scary. Also what is in USA usually slowly leaks into here, and yea I have seen more overweight people just the last five years!

This IS a problem! There are loads of people who don't take meds who are obese and it is NOT getting any better, despite all pop diets who people use as religion. I am frightened where we will end up! As it is now, cola is cheaper than milk, cake is cheaper than bread.

I don't want things to be like this!

Is that bad of me thinking like this???

[venusss]

Originally Posted by TheDragon

Hate to say it, but America and the United Kingdom does have a problem with obesity and weight, and the people who are overweight because of medications are the minority. I highly doubt anyone is thinking, "Hehe those fat Yanks/Brits with all those medications they take making them so fat" when people say those things.

I'm not saying it's right, but that is the current perception of the world at the moment. Perhaps you shouldn't take it to heart.

The thing is... it's the cliches about nations.
Americans = fat and stupid jingoists.
Germans = obnoxious nazi tourists into porn (often fat too).
Czechs = potato rum drinking hicks who surrender if you try to invade them.
French = defeatist frog eaters
Chinese = eat dogs

It's just the way the world thinks. Best to laugh at it.

[venusss]

Originally Posted by jimi...

I'm one of those Europeans. I look at USA with horror, and I don't mean people on medication, I mean that in some places most everyone is overweight and obese. That is scary. Also what is in USA usually slowly leaks into here, and yea I have seen more overweight people just the last five years!

This IS a problem! There are loads of people who don't take meds who are obese and it is NOT getting any better, despite all pop diets who people use as religion. I am frightened where we will end up! As it is now, cola is cheaper than milk, cake is cheaper than bread.

I don't want things to be like this!

Is that bad of me thinking like this???

Yeah.

Genetics may make you chubby. It's bad eating makes you morbidly overweight. (don't blame your meds either. If it's that bad that you become obese, it's probably not the best medicine for you "fat and happy" be damned, Those health risks that come with obesity will not make you happy in long term. Neither stable).

Let's face it, majority people is fat, because they have atrocious eating habits.

[Permanent Pajamas]

If you want to be offensive to anyone I'd appreciate it if you didn't do it in my thread.

Thank you.

[Maven]

I'm morbidly obese. I originally started getting fat at about age 10 (coincidentally, I also was on my first psych meds at that age, but I don't know how much that played into it), and got to about 170 lbs. by age 20. Then I dropped all the excess weight and bounced around 100-110 lbs. At age 24, I started gaining again. I do believe the medications I'm on contribute to that, but I'm also positive it has to do mostly with my sugar addiction and eating habits. My parents started me on the sugar path, but I am the only one who can stop it. I have recently been eating a lot of blueberries (I know, fruit has sugar, but I'm looking at healthier eating), but I still have a long way to go to get into healthier eating.

Diets, lifestyles, whatever you want to call them, are confusing as hell. Book after book, program after program. It's overwhelming. I just read in a book (about panic attacks) that you should consume the liquid in canned vegetables, because that's where most of the vitamins are (to be fair, this book was published in 1995 or 96), but Dr. Oz (I'm NOT a fan!) says there are carcinogens in the liquid, so you want to get rid of it.

Dr. Oz. And the Doctors. All these supplements. Who can figure it all out? Dr. Oz also believes in Reiki (energy healing) and I'm not convinced. Eat this, eat that. Take this supplement, but not that one. It's so overwhelming, that I just say, "Screw it!" and give up. I know something that would work for me, but the problem is, I'm not just fixing meals for myself. I'm not going to go into long details, but I hate cooking, and wish I could take care of my own eating and not have to cook for someone else. My boyfriend wants meals with several items (like meat, some veggies, some pasts, or whatever), and I hate having to cook multiple items and then wash multiple pans and dishes. I don't care what anyone thinks of my attitude, the fact is, I hate cooking and would rather just make simple meals (like heated-up frozen veggies, maybe some soup, a sandwich, or whatever I feel that's easy to make). That's what I would stick to.

And exercise. I need LOTS of that. I can't even get up if I fall down.

People who have never been fat don't get it. Not all of us got fat on our own; sometimes we were started down that path when we were very young. That's not to say we had bad parents, but we had parents who made some significant mistakes. Your body craves things, and it's hard to change. We NEED to, but making fun and criticizing us isn't helping.

[-jimi-]

I would never single out or tease anyone for being obese. I hope no one thought that. I know it can have many causes, meds, medical, psychological or lifestyle. But even when it is "just" lifestyle I wouldn't want to cause anyone pain, that would make me a sadist. But I'm still freaked out by the whole culture that makes everyone heavier, not just one person here and there.

Diets are confusing because there are so many pop diets out there. What is different from before is we knew that diet with pineapples or whatever, was just nonsense. Now the diets claim to have solid science behind them, and they do not! I know someone on high fat low carb diet, and they have not slimmed down at all but their blood sugar is perfect now. Every time they feed me their food I get sick to my stomach... So I'd say just stop listening to people preaching diets. They don't know anything you don't, if you just have basic knowledge of nutrition.

Blueberries are great. They are one of the top healthiest berries. That is what I mean. You can probably almost feel how healthy they are and then some dumb person comes talking about sugar content and you get confused. Trust your instinct a little. Also, you need nutrients, some people think diet=starvation. But we need our vitamins and stuff. And cooking is not my favorite pastime either......

[Maven]

Thanks, Jimi. Just to be clear, I don't mean I don't care for or appreciate my boyfriend. I do cook for him (since he works outside the house and I don't; otherwise, I'd expect it to be a half-half thing), maybe not as much as I should, but I'm just being honest when I say I hate cooking. And cleaning.

I also look forward to strawberries when they're in season. However, strawberries are not berries (fun fact); they're a member of the rose family. Still, they are very good for you and yummy when dipped in Godiva chocolate!

Another thing that makes losing weight hard, IMO, is that, if you've been overweight for a long time, and particularly if you're not young anymore, the skin loses elasticity and won't retract back to "normal" if you do lose the excess weight. It depresses me, and that demotivates me. Then we're talking plastic surgery, money and scars. And plastic surgery comes with risks and certainly doesn't make you look as perfect as they want you to think it does.

[hamster-bamster]

Maven,

With the availability of frozen veggies, and especially those that steam in the bag, you should not need to ever buy canned veggies, so I do not see how the liquid in canned veggies is an issue one way ooor the other.

[jadzea]

I am obese. When I was 8 years old I was put on "speed" to help me lose. I have been on every diet imaginable and many I made up myself. I have spent hours educating myself on eating, obesity, diet, etc. The fact of the matter is, diets don't work. There are many genetic and hormonal factors that we do not fully understand that govern our appetites and our tendency to gain weight. True, many people do not eat a healthy diet but they also do not eat enough calories on a consistent basis to weight as much as they do. The last time I tried to follow a balanced diet to lose weight I found I could not eat all the food involved. It was just too much.

My lifelong dieting has caused me to have a severe eating disorder which I have been treating for many years. I see food as my enemy. I cannot enjoy eating in public. I cannot enjoy most foods because I see them as "bad" for me. It is not right to have such an emotional reaction to a necessary bodily function.

I used to feel like I had to apologize for my appearance. Now I tell myself that people don't have to look at me if they do not like what they see. I also remind myself that I was made in the image and likeness of God. This is what God looked like when I was born.

I am a good person. I am sympathetic, itelligent, kind and helpful. I have integrity and my word is good. I try to uplift people and help them see their own worth. If I am fat, so what. I have enough really good characteristics that my body size is not an issue. It is not my problem, it is yours.

Venus, I have to say you have offended me with your attitude. Please do not respond to my message.

[noneedtoknow]

But sometimes "your" problems does become mine. When obese people come to the ER for treatment, and I have to put myself at risk of injury to myself to get an obese pt out of bed, especially when they do it at home, but because they are in the hospital they expect you to do it that's not kosher (and not healthy for the person-if they can do it for themselves, that is good for their helath and self-esteem) Now if your condition affects your ability to be mobile, and you need help, ok-but just cause we can do it and you don't want to...um uh uh. I don't want to affect my possible physical future because you don't want to do what you are capable of doing at that time. When Procedures are harder to do because of all of the weight. Because of the financial burden that affects insurance because people who are obese have multiple comorbidities, thus utilizing the health care system more often and helping drive up costs. Because people are more obese we are needing more specialized equipment because normal size ones won't work i.e. bariatric beds, MRI/CT machines, lifts, etc. Now I am not in any way saying that obese people are not wonderful, caring ,thoughtful and intelligent people-because I have met a whole lot of them who are, but the reality is-obesity does affect others and not all of it is positive. We all don't live in vaccumns.

I wonder what is the purpose of these sights when, if someone gives a different or unpopular opinion they get asked to not respond anymore. So does that mean you don't have a right to say what you think/feel? Sometime I have seen people respond to others in not nice ways.And if people are purposefully hurting people, that's sad. I don't think that happens alot, from what I have seen over the years. And alot of times when it is mentioned the offender realizes perhaps they were wrong, or said it in away that wasn't the best and apologizes, That's cool to see and I am encouraged by that. But when it seems like people get backlash because their opinion isn't followed by the majority, well, I think we all loose out. Obesity/weight is a sensitive subject. And obviously there are alot of feelings around it, so people can be very sensitive. I know I was large-obese for most of my life. I know how it feels to be laughed at/teased/tortured at school-passed off by the guys as an adult and sometimes downright prejudiced against because of my weight. But if all we justify and sometimes not get honest about some of this...I don't think we do ourselves any favors.
So, I write this tentatively, because I am afraid someone will take offence. And yet, I felt like something more needed to be added to the conversation. I don't know what it is like to be overweght because of medication. I am greatful my AP's havent added weight. So I am sad when I read about so many people that that is their struggle. And I am sad if they are laughed at or mad fun of or prejudiced because of it. Or hypothyroidism, eating disorders or any other condition that contributes to their weight problem. All we can do is truly look and do whatever is our part, if we can, and let the rest go. I wish I had a magic wand-if I could have, I would have lost the weight along time ago. Or if I had the magic pill, word or whatever to finally make that one diet or whatever work. Don't got it. We have to be honest, do our part (if there is something we can do) and let the rest go. Peace

[Permanent Pajamas]

I think the point is that PC is supposed to be supportive and non-judgmental.

Everyone understands that you have an opinion about the overweight, but it is probably better aired in a forum for nurses or medical personnel.

This is a psych forum. Many people are already struggling with issues stemming from abusive behavior. Those who are overweight are not stupid. Being big does not affect your IQ. We know what challenges our weight poses for everyone. We don't need to be constantly reminded.

[catsrhelm]

It's even worse when the insult comes from your husband. I remember one day all I did was take care of Jorge the best I could and what did I get? "You eat too much!" from my husband. I mean for Pete's sake, the side effect of the Abilify is weight gain. Plus he's done nothing to lose the stomach that he himself complains about. Talk about taking s**t from a hypocrite.

[Permanent Pajamas]

I was thinking about my diet after my above post.

I'm 5'5" and I weigh 250. I'm obese.

My diet -

Half & half in my coffee (espresso, equivalent of about two large mugs every day). The rest of the day black tea with a teaspoon of sugar per 8oz.

I don't usually eat breakfast.

Lunch, a sandwich. Sometimes soup or ramen (this is actually not that healthy).

Supper is the square meal. Last night Mom and I split a porterhouse. With it we had little HoneyGold potatoes (salad-size potatoes) and brussels sprouts. More often we have fresh fish.

I can't exercise much because of my back injury. I was thrown onto concrete by a client and messed up the whole tailbone area. Broken bone, etc., floating around in there.

My risperidone challenges me daily. It gives me a terrible appetite and I crave things. It goes in cycles.

I fight this madness the same way I killed my liking for fast food. I remind myself of the regret I feel when I've eaten something bad for me. I tell myself before I eat something bad that I'm going to regret it and this discourages me.

There is minor satisfaction in beating the craving but it is nowhere near as satisfying as junk food or fast food.

This is my day. I've shared it in an attempt to explain to certain members here, who discount the efforts of the overweight to fight this battle, that all is not as it seems.

Many of us are fighting this war all day, every day.

As I write this Mom is making vegetable soup for breakfast.