Southwest Bumps Skinny to Accommodate Fatty

[Eikon]

I'll "weigh in" on the obesity debate..

A lot of people are fat because of a simply mistake their parents made when they were babies. Some parents use food/bottle as the sole method to stop a baby from crying. That baby may have been crying for a number of reasons, but rather than finding the true cause of the distress, the parent takes the simple route and offers food to make the baby stop crying.

So what does this do???

It programs the baby to think that food will make them feel better. Food becomes part of happiness. Food calms them down. Eating reduces stress. Not because it actually does, but because they are programmed that way from the day they were born. Food becomes a highlight of the day.. an activity, fun. Eating enhances other activities... Whatever you're doing becomes more enjoyable when you add the additional stimulation of taste.

An overweight person knows that being fat is harming their self-esteem and making them feel bad. But, it's a catch 22. It's hard to exercise when you're fat. It's hard to take that first step. They get depressed about the situation, and what are they programmed to turn to in order to feel better... food.. yep the opposite of what they should.

Calling a fat person lazy is often a true statement, but not always. I dare anyone to spend a day in my shoes and then call me lazy.

[biggie]

You had it too easy. I was over 300 at the end of HS. I have successfully maintained.

Do you drive your two cars at the same time?

I've thought about trying to drive all 3 at once, but can't figure out the logistics.


Guess I should have mentioned I don't consider myself 'obese', I'm at or right above 300lbs, but can probably outrun most of you. My favorite term, "athletic fat".

[93coupe]

It programs the baby to think that food will make them feel better. Food becomes part of happiness. Food calms them down. Eating reduces stress. Not because it actually does, but because they are programmed that way from the day they were born. Food becomes a highlight of the day.. an activity, fun. Eating enhances other activities... Whatever you're doing becomes more enjoyable when you add the additional stimulation of taste.

Once you're a teen (or younger) you can recognize that food is, actually, not the proper way to relieve stress. That's like saying, well yeah little billy killed all his neighbors but that's how his parents said it was ok for stress relief.

It's hard to exercise when you're fat. It's hard to take that first step. They get depressed about the situation

How is it any harder to exercise when you're fat? How is it hard to take the first step. Fat or thin, everyone has to take initiative and get themselves going. It doesn't matter how fat you are, drive is all mental. I guarantee the fit heads on the board get just as depressed about plateaus and failures in their workout as the fatties do.

[93coupe]

Biggie- How tall are you?

[biggie]

Biggie- How tall are you?

6'4"

[Eikon]

Once you're a teen (or younger) you can recognize that food is, actually, not the proper way to relieve stress. That's like saying, well yeah little billy killed all his neighbors but that's how his parents said it was ok for stress relief.

Yes, and every alcoholic knows that they booze is bad for them. But that doesn't mean they can stop drinking does it?
Eating too much food is every bit as addictive as cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs, or p0rn, or whatever other addiction you can think of. It becomes programmed in your brain.
Can an alcoholic overcome their programming to booze? Sure, but it's not easy. Can a fat person overcome their programming to eat to much, sure.. but it's even more difficult to do. An alcoholic can stay away from booze entirely because they know if they have that first drink, they'll keep drinking, so they avoid the first drink. Harder to do with food because you can't avoid the first bite.

Clearly, this topic could be argued for years and nobody would win... I'm not saying it's OK to be overweight. It's clearly bad for your health, bad for your lifespan, bad for you self-esteem, etc... But people who are skinny and fit shouldn't be quite so quick to condemn a person who's overweight as being lazy and worthless, etc...

My point is that you shouldn't judge someone so harshly unless you know exactly what their life is like.

[PyR0NiAk]

My point is that you shouldn't judge someone so harshly unless you know exactly what their life is like.

Refer to my previous statement..

[Eikon]

I agree with your prior statement. I was taking issue with 93coupe being judgmental.

[ADDirishboy]

Yes, and every alcoholic knows that they booze is bad for them. But that doesn't mean they can stop drinking does it?
Eating too much food is every bit as addictive as cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs, or p0rn, or whatever other addiction you can think of. It becomes programmed in your brain.
Can an alcoholic overcome their programming to booze? Sure, but it's not easy. Can a fat person overcome their programming to eat to much, sure.. but it's even more difficult to do. An alcoholic can stay away from booze entirely because they know if they have that first drink, they'll keep drinking, so they avoid the first drink. Harder to do with food because you can't avoid the first bite.

Clearly, this topic could be argued for years and nobody would win... I'm not saying it's OK to be overweight. It's clearly bad for your health, bad for your lifespan, bad for you self-esteem, etc... But people who are skinny and fit shouldn't be quite so quick to condemn a person who's overweight as being lazy and worthless, etc...

My point is that you shouldn't judge someone so harshly unless you know exactly what their life is like.

I will completely agree that people can be addicted to eating, but that is no reason to defend them.

I was addicted to cigarettes. I smoked almost a pack a day. I started to hate myself for it, and stopped. Was it easy? Hell no. I hated every second of it. But I slowly started to first cut back on the amount I smoked. First down to half a pack, then down to a few a day, then down to maybe one or two a day. All the way till now, when I don't really smoke anymore. Yes, I still get cravings once in a while. But I go grab a cold glass of water, chew on a straw, and I'm good.

Fat people eat a lot not because they have to. Are they addicted to eating? Some of them, yes. But they can kick that habit, or at least start eating healthier. The problem is that most fat people are to lazy to even start on the path to eating healthy and working out.

Quit blaming things on genetics or how they were raised. Eating like a whale isn't the same as having f*** cancer. They CAN change. They just have to try.

[93coupe]

My point is that you shouldn't judge someone so harshly unless you know exactly what their life is like.

So I shouldn't judge someone for being a weak person and using food as a crutch? I don't think so. Fat folks need to deal with their issues and not turn to something to "cope". Who cares what their life is like. Make changes. Boo hoo.

[Eikon]

A lot of people are able to quit smoking, but a lot of people are not. Likewise, a lot of people are able to stop overeating and get healthy, but a lot of people are not. I don't see much difference between the two addictions. Congrats to you for stopping smoking.

you say most fat people are too lazy to start on the path to eating healthy and working out... same goes for cigarette smokers or pot smokers, alcoholics, etc...

You don't think genetics have any part in it? Really?

When did anyone compare overeating to cancer?

[93coupe]

I am not saying that cigarette smokers that continue to smoke are any less weak than the fatties, but this thread is about the fatties and not the smokers.

People that "can't" quit something are choosing to not quit. If you want to change some part of your life badly enough, you WILL change it.

[PyR0NiAk]

When did anyone compare overeating to cancer?

I believe he's referring to how a lot of fat people try to claim that it's a disease...

[Eikon]

My point is that you shouldn't judge someone so harshly unless you know exactly what their life is like.

So I shouldn't judge someone for being a weak person and using food as a crutch? I don't think so. Fat folks need to deal with their issues and not turn to something to "cope". Who cares what their life is like. Make changes. Boo hoo.

In my human resources class on Monday we studied Affirmative Action for 3 hours. We talked about how some people come from different circumstances and are predisposed to different outcomes. Some argue that America is the land of opportunity and everyone has an equal chance to be successful. Others argue that conditions and circumstances make it harder for some people to get out of poverty. Perhaps opponents of affirmative action might employ your perspective on life.. "Who cares what their life is like. Make changes. Boo hoo."

[Eikon]

When did anyone compare overeating to cancer?

I believe he's referring to how a lot of fat people try to claim that it's a disease...

I will agree that using the term disease is silly. I also don't think alcoholism is a disease, though many people claim it is. Same with anorexia, etc...

I'd call them genetic predispositions, addictions, etc... But I do think there is a little more to it than simply making a choice. That choice is much more difficult for some than it is for others.

[ADDirishboy]

I believe he's referring to how a lot of fat people try to claim that it's a disease...

Exactly.

And yes, there are smokers who are not able to quit. They are equally as lazy as fat people who are unwilling to quit eating McDonald's 3 times a day.

I'm not saying anyone will be able to quit cold turkey. But cut down on portioning, start mixing in some fruit and veggies, eventually you will get there.

[Eikon]

BTW.. Just to clarify for anyone reading this, and for ADD, 93coupe, etc... Nothing here is personal.. I'm not insulted, nor do I intend to make insults back. In fact some of what I'm saying is more for the sake of playing devil's advocate than anything. Just trying to make for an interesting discussion.

[RobPaulson]

A lot of people are able to quit smoking, but a lot of people are not. Likewise, a lot of people are able to stop overeating and get healthy, but a lot of people are not.

anyone can do anything with regards to these addictions. you say people 'are not' able to overcome them? WRONG. They just don't want it bad enough. Addictions are about will power, even physically addicting substances can be mentally overcome by committing to getting through the physical pain. Giving up to an addiction and saying some people 'cant' shake them is probably one of the weakest things i've ever heard. i am sincerely sorry for you if you believe this.

You don't think genetics have any part in it? Really?

sure they do, but what defines a person is what they do in the face of adversity. as stated, everyone has their problems, its up to you to deal with them. someone who is genetically destined to have a low metabolism or thyroid issues needs to invest that much more effort into keeping those things in check for their own good. i personally invest an insane amount of time into my diet and exercise plan, you know why? because half assing it DOESNT work for me. But i dont sit there and cry about it, i step up, and put in the effort to achieve the goals i set forth.

TLDR: get over it fatty. step up and do something about it. you are responsible for you.

[93coupe]

Eikon, this is totally personal. You fat.

I'm kidding. I don't take anything on here personal. I used to be a fat, alcoholic smoker with a drug addiction.

[RobPaulson]

I'm kidding. I don't take anything on here personal. I used to be a fat, alcoholic smoker with a drug addiction.

+1 here, which is why i have no sympathy on this and feel it IS in fact my place to criticize.

[PEZi]

i hate fat people

that is all

We slept in the same room, I feel so...... so, used!

fat and "tubby" are not always synonymous.... i luz yooo

[ADDirishboy]

BTW.. Just to clarify for anyone reading this, and for ADD, 93coupe, etc... Nothing here is personal.. I'm not insulted, nor do I intend to make insults back. In fact some of what I'm saying is more for the sake of playing devil's advocate than anything. Just trying to make for an interesting discussion.

Agreed. I actually like this thread cause it's nice to debate like this without anybody flipping the hell out and screaming.

[ADDirishboy]

fat and "tubby" are not always synonymous.... i luz yooo

[Eikon]

anyone can do anything with regards to these addictions. you say people 'are not' able to overcome them? WRONG. They just don't want it bad enough. Addictions are about will power, even physically addicting substances can be mentally overcome by committing to getting through the physical pain. Giving up to an addiction and saying some people 'cant' shake them is probably one of the weakest things i've ever heard. i am sincerely sorry for you if you believe this.

Perhaps you misread my usage of the term "able". Sure, it is physically possible for anyone to lose weight and get healthy, and it is physically possible for anyone addicted to cigarettes or booze to break the addiction. It's also physically possible for a major league baseball player to bat 400 or hit 100 home runs.

My usage of the term "able" is in reference to the fact that many people are not successful in accomplishing that goal. They just aren't able to do it. In the same way, many smokers or drinkers are not able to kick the addiction.. Not because it's not physically possible, but because they haven't been able to muster the will power to accomplish the goal.

sure they do, but what defines a person is what they do in the face of adversity. as stated, everyone has their problems, its up to you to deal with them. someone who is genetically destined to have a low metabolism or thyroid issues needs to invest that much more effort into keeping those things in check for their own good. i personally invest an insane amount of time into my diet and exercise plan, you know why? because half assing it DOESNT work for me. But i dont sit there and cry about it, i step up, and put in the effort to achieve the goals i set forth.

TLDR: get over it fatty. step up and do something about it. you are responsible for you.

I agree that every person faces adversity. Some people are predisposed to being overweight, some to addictions like smoking, p0rn, drugs, alcoholism, etc.. What I don't agree with is the fact that being overweight is worthy of ridicule more than being a smoker is worthy of ridicule. Sure, it is the most visible of these adversities... But I don't feel it's any worse than the others.

Again, my point in entering this conversation is simply to state that people shouldn't be so judgmental of others. It's wrong to assume that fat people are just like you and that the only reason they are fat is because they chose to be that way. It's wrong to devalue and degrade another person based on their appearance or their habits.

[93coupe]

+1 here, which is why i have no sympathy on this and feel it IS in fact my place to criticize.

Exactly my feelings. I have been through this and made serious changed. Getting healthy is not as hard as every lazy person tries to convince themselves it is.

[93coupe]

It's wrong to devalue and degrade another person based on their appearance or their habits.

I don't think it's wrong. It's a choice. Why would you get upset about someone hating on your choice to be fat? Don't like it? Make the choice to be fit.

[biggie]

"Fluffy" should be used more.

[Eikon]

It's wrong to devalue and degrade another person based on their appearance or their habits.

I don't think it's wrong. It's a choice. Why would you get upset about someone hating on your choice to be fat? Don't like it? Make the choice to be fit.

I give up with you..

I gotta go study.. I've got HR class tonight and about 40 pages of text I need to read first, plus I need to be studying for my accounting mid-term exam which is tomorrow.

screw it, maybe I'll just find a golden corral and drown all my sorrows in the never-ending deserts.

[RobPaulson]

dont even get me started on the animosity i feel towards people fully capable of making themselves relatively healthy, that dont, and then fall back on their healthcare to foot the medical bills... (this doesnt have ANYTHING to do with politics, i'm talking bout any healthcare system with people sucking assets up for avoidable conditions)

s*** DRIVES ME NUTS!!!!!

[93coupe]

As nuts as an out of shape, unemployment collecting guy with habits?

IB4Bmorecoupe