"A Fat Rant" - Page 2

9th Engineer · 06-15-2007, 05:28 PM

I rarely care about other people's weight, but I've been the target of attention in situations like in my first post because of my own motivation for losing weight. I'm at a reasonable weight right now, 167 for a 6'1'' guy. No abs, but I can tuck in a shirt without sucking in my gut. However, as I move forward in my education and career I can see that I'd definitely reap benefits from losing the extra 10lbs or so. It would allow me to move to a leaner cut of suit and slim my facial profile (I have a slightly wider head then normal). Apparently this is not acceptable for some people who take it upon themselves to let me know that I am helping to perpetuate a stereotype, and that I should be ashamed of the harm I am supposedly causing.
The studies have been done, an increase in physical attractiveness has professional repercussions, and I'm not pretending that getting a leaner torso would make me a better person, just more competitive in the workplace. Why do some people find this offensive still? I have no clue.
That's really the only reason why I tend to keep an antenna out for people saying that weight loss is bad.

Sundae · 06-15-2007, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9th Engineer

Apparently this is not acceptable for some people who take it upon themselves to let me know that I am helping to perpetuate a stereotype, and that I should be ashamed of the harm I am supposedly causing.

That's really the only reason why I tend to keep an antenna out for people saying that weight loss is bad.

For goodness sake - if you feel losing a little weight and buffing up are minor adjustments for you and fall within your comfort zone then of course you shouldn't feel you are compromising your integrity doing so. Next time a woman (and I assume it is women who do so) brings this up, suggest she attends her next interview without make-up or hair products. And then have a conversation about level playing fields and appearance-pressure.

It's trickier once you get into the realms of how people damage their own health. I know - I am morbidly obese and can't see any way out of my current cycle of self destruct apart from killing myself. No-one could engender any more disgust in my physical self than I already have. But then I'm depressed, so I'm not a fair comparison...

xoxoxoBruce · 06-15-2007, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9th Engineer

snip~Apparently this is not acceptable for some people who take it upon themselves to let me know that I am helping to perpetuate a stereotype, and that I should be ashamed of the harm I am supposedly causing.

Fuck them... if they, and everyone else, minded their own business, there wouldn't be a stereotype problem.

rachaelsbird1 · 07-06-2007, 11:42 PM

I quite enjoyed watching the fat rant. I thought she had some very good points, but the biggest point is being at a healthy weight is well, healthy, and if you are healthy (as in no heart problems or high cholesterol or high blood pressure, etc) but are still overweight, then it's not a big deal. The only person who it should be a big deal to is yourself, and that's only if you're not comfortable with the way you look. If you like the way you look and you are overweight, then that's awesome and damn everyone who tries to tell you that you need to lose weight. But if you are generally healthy but you do not like the way you look, then by all means, lose weight! If other overweight people are trying to make other overweight women feel better about themselves and give them higher self esteem, then that's great, but I don't think it's the smartest thing to do because it might send the wrong message to people that it's okay to be overweight. It's not okay to be overweight unless you're happy with it and you're healthy. If an overweight woman is not healthy and her bad health is being caused by her being overweight, that woman should not be told that it's okay to stay overweight. She shouldn't be bashed by any means, but if she has diabetes and her heart races walking up the steps to her apartment and once she gets into her apartment she takes her meds for her high blood pressure, and she's only 25, she should probably seriously consider losing weight and get it out of her head that it's is okay being overweight. I'm basically saying that if being overweight is causing health issues that could be cured by losing weight, then you should lose weight. Or if you're obviously sickened by your naked body in the mirror, then you should lose weight. Ultimately, it should be a choice that YOU make for YOURself, and should definitely under NO circumstances be dictated to you by society. It's okay to be overweight if it's okay with YOU. I kinda went all over the place on this one, and I hope it makes sense to people!!! Cheers!

:O)

By the way, I am overweight myself and struggle with it quite a bit, and I lost 60 pounds last year, went from 225 to 165, and that's all on a 5'1" frame. I want to lose 50 more pounds, and I want to do it for me, because I want to be thin and in good health. My mother is overweight and she developed diabetes because of it and takes heart and high blood pressure medication. I don't want to do that. I want to be thin so I can avoid those types of health issues, and I want to look good in what is my opinion of looking good. It is in my genes to be overweight (EVERYONE on my mother's side is) so I will probably struggle with it my whole life, and not to mention that I have had three children and gained quite a bit with each!! Pregnancy is a bitch for that!

Aliantha · 06-15-2007, 05:31 PM

Because you're submitting to the stereotype you're perpetuating the cycle.

What about being recognized in your particular profession for your skill?

Isn't that what it's all about?

Edit: I just don't buy the line about getting further ahead because you look better. In the real world, that's not how it is.

9th Engineer · 06-15-2007, 05:44 PM

Believe me, I'm not worried about not being noticed for my skill. I'm entering my third year of college and I'm working in a functional neuroanatomy lab under a newly transfered Stanford prof who's one of the top in his field. I beat out 300 other students for this job and I'm damn proud of it.
I don't hold grandiose notions of what I'm trying to accomplish, just one part of continually refining myself. I'm also trying to get through a reading list that includes books that are simply good to have as part of an education. A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich is my current project. Just part of improving myself. It's the idea that I'm a bigot for considering healthy weight loss an improvement that gets me riled.

9th Engineer · 06-15-2007, 05:50 PM

I've actually talked about that before in context. I once took the counter-stance in a debate that men would be lucky to have a men's cosmetics industry, because right now we still have to walk past Polo and Ralph Lauren ads but would need to almost be born perfect to attain anything close.

bluecuracao · 06-15-2007, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9th Engineer

I rarely care about other people's weight, but I've been the target of attention in situations like in my first post because of my own motivation for losing weight. I'm at a reasonable weight right now, 167 for a 6'1'' guy. No abs, but I can tuck in a shirt without sucking in my gut. However, as I move forward in my education and career I can see that I'd definitely reap benefits from losing the extra 10lbs or so. It would allow me to move to a leaner cut of suit and slim my facial profile (I have a slightly wider head then normal). Apparently this is not acceptable for some people who take it upon themselves to let me know that I am helping to perpetuate a stereotype, and that I should be ashamed of the harm I am supposedly causing.

Like Bruce said, fuck those people who are overly concerned about physical stereotypes. You need to look out for yourself, so you can feel the best that you can while you're pursuing your career. Just remember to keep it rill.*

*Don't put everything on the looks and skills.

Cicero · 06-15-2007, 05:47 PM

My boss is very over- weight. She is very attractive still. (well I think so) When we go out to lunch together people get a disgusted look on their face when they see her. No one hides the looks or the staring. There's nothing worse than watching an ugly, old, bald, witless man give her crusty looks. Makes me want to to go kick some a_ _. What? Is society going to shame on her until she loses weight? People like that suck. And they're ugly.....

piercehawkeye45 · 06-15-2007, 09:13 PM

Its cliché but I bet a lot of the negative views on being overweight is caused with problems within theirself. I have found that the people that are the most critical of others are either obsessed with their body or very insecure about them. If you are content and relaxed with yourself then you are usually very less critical of others.

It also comes from trying to purposely fit in or break stereotypes. If you try to fit in with a stereotype then you are making a statement that you care too much about your given stereotype you want in on and if you are purposely (stress purposely again) trying to break a stereotype you are making a statement that you care too much about the stereotype given to you. Neither is good in my opinion.

When you start caring about how you look, then you will naturally start to care about how others look.

TheMercenary · 06-15-2007, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45

Its cliché but I bet a lot of the negative views on being overweight is caused with problems within theirself. I have found that the people that are the most critical of others are either obsessed with their body or very insecure about them. If you are content and relaxed with yourself then you are usually very less critical of others.

It also comes from trying to purposely fit in or break stereotypes. If you try to fit in with a stereotype then you are making a statement that you care too much about your given stereotype you want in on and if you are purposely (stress purposely again) trying to break a stereotype you are making a statement that you care too much about the stereotype given to you. Neither is good in my opinion.

When you start caring about how you look, then you will naturally start to care about how others look.

I don't know if I completely agree. I have many overweight and morbidly obese people who are perfectly content, on the outside. Inside? well no really knows if they are truely happy. Some people just have the ability to extrude a happiness about them that you know is the real deal, other merely put on a good front.

9th Engineer · 06-15-2007, 11:28 PM

I know quite a few people who do analyze other people's weight as an extension of their own obsession with themselves. But it's almost always the case that these types of people don't have much to focus on other then their's and other people's physical appearance. They obsess on their attractive physique to divert attention from their flaws, and they bully others about it to keep others looking at themselves and at them. If I don't feel the urge to make people pay undue attention to me, then I don't think I'm pressuring others to pay undue attention to themselves.
I won't deny that I pay attention to how people look, but I don't think it's in the way Ali is insinuating. I've been heavy myself, and I don't make snap judgments about others in terms of weight.

Anyway....

What do you think about her comments about boycotting stores that don't carry styles above sizes 12 or 13?

piercehawkeye45 · 06-16-2007, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

I don't know if I completely agree. I have many overweight and morbidly obese people who are perfectly content, on the outside. Inside? well no really knows if they are truely happy. Some people just have the ability to extrude a happiness about them that you know is the real deal, other merely put on a good front.

I think we misunderstood each other. I was saying that people who care too much about their appearance will criticize others. If someone is comfortable with their appearance, they will become more accepting and happier with themselves..

Aliantha · 06-15-2007, 09:22 PM

So 9th, because you care how you look, then you naturally care how others look?

Aliantha · 06-15-2007, 11:34 PM

I'm not insinuating anything. I'm just asking a simple question.

06-15-2007, 05:28 PM	#1
9th Engineer Bioengineer and aspiring lawer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 872	I rarely care about other people's weight, but I've been the target of attention in situations like in my first post because of my own motivation for losing weight. I'm at a reasonable weight right now, 167 for a 6'1'' guy. No abs, but I can tuck in a shirt without sucking in my gut. However, as I move forward in my education and career I can see that I'd definitely reap benefits from losing the extra 10lbs or so. It would allow me to move to a leaner cut of suit and slim my facial profile (I have a slightly wider head then normal). Apparently this is not acceptable for some people who take it upon themselves to let me know that I am helping to perpetuate a stereotype, and that I should be ashamed of the harm I am supposedly causing. The studies have been done, an increase in physical attractiveness has professional repercussions, and I'm not pretending that getting a leaner torso would make me a better person, just more competitive in the workplace. Why do some people find this offensive still? I have no clue. That's really the only reason why I tend to keep an antenna out for people saying that weight loss is bad. __________________ The most valuable renewable resource is stupidity.

07-06-2007, 11:42 PM	#4
rachaelsbird1 rachaelsbird1 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Roanoke, Virginia Posts: 4	the fat rant I quite enjoyed watching the fat rant. I thought she had some very good points, but the biggest point is being at a healthy weight is well, healthy, and if you are healthy (as in no heart problems or high cholesterol or high blood pressure, etc) but are still overweight, then it's not a big deal. The only person who it should be a big deal to is yourself, and that's only if you're not comfortable with the way you look. If you like the way you look and you are overweight, then that's awesome and damn everyone who tries to tell you that you need to lose weight. But if you are generally healthy but you do not like the way you look, then by all means, lose weight! If other overweight people are trying to make other overweight women feel better about themselves and give them higher self esteem, then that's great, but I don't think it's the smartest thing to do because it might send the wrong message to people that it's okay to be overweight. It's not okay to be overweight unless you're happy with it and you're healthy. If an overweight woman is not healthy and her bad health is being caused by her being overweight, that woman should not be told that it's okay to stay overweight. She shouldn't be bashed by any means, but if she has diabetes and her heart races walking up the steps to her apartment and once she gets into her apartment she takes her meds for her high blood pressure, and she's only 25, she should probably seriously consider losing weight and get it out of her head that it's is okay being overweight. I'm basically saying that if being overweight is causing health issues that could be cured by losing weight, then you should lose weight. Or if you're obviously sickened by your naked body in the mirror, then you should lose weight. Ultimately, it should be a choice that YOU make for YOURself, and should definitely under NO circumstances be dictated to you by society. It's okay to be overweight if it's okay with YOU. I kinda went all over the place on this one, and I hope it makes sense to people!!! Cheers! :O) By the way, I am overweight myself and struggle with it quite a bit, and I lost 60 pounds last year, went from 225 to 165, and that's all on a 5'1" frame. I want to lose 50 more pounds, and I want to do it for me, because I want to be thin and in good health. My mother is overweight and she developed diabetes because of it and takes heart and high blood pressure medication. I don't want to do that. I want to be thin so I can avoid those types of health issues, and I want to look good in what is my opinion of looking good. It is in my genes to be overweight (EVERYONE on my mother's side is) so I will probably struggle with it my whole life, and not to mention that I have had three children and gained quite a bit with each!! Pregnancy is a bitch for that!

06-15-2007, 05:31 PM	#5
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	Because you're submitting to the stereotype you're perpetuating the cycle. What about being recognized in your particular profession for your skill? Isn't that what it's all about? Edit: I just don't buy the line about getting further ahead because you look better. In the real world, that's not how it is. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

06-15-2007, 05:44 PM	#6
9th Engineer Bioengineer and aspiring lawer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 872	Believe me, I'm not worried about not being noticed for my skill. I'm entering my third year of college and I'm working in a functional neuroanatomy lab under a newly transfered Stanford prof who's one of the top in his field. I beat out 300 other students for this job and I'm damn proud of it. I don't hold grandiose notions of what I'm trying to accomplish, just one part of continually refining myself. I'm also trying to get through a reading list that includes books that are simply good to have as part of an education. A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich is my current project. Just part of improving myself. It's the idea that I'm a bigot for considering healthy weight loss an improvement that gets me riled. __________________ The most valuable renewable resource is stupidity.

06-15-2007, 05:50 PM	#7
9th Engineer Bioengineer and aspiring lawer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 872	I've actually talked about that before in context. I once took the counter-stance in a debate that men would be lucky to have a men's cosmetics industry, because right now we still have to walk past Polo and Ralph Lauren ads but would need to almost be born perfect to attain anything close. __________________ The most valuable renewable resource is stupidity.

06-15-2007, 05:47 PM	#9
Cicero Looking forward to open mic night. Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New Mexico Posts: 5,148	My boss is very over- weight. She is very attractive still. (well I think so) When we go out to lunch together people get a disgusted look on their face when they see her. No one hides the looks or the staring. There's nothing worse than watching an ugly, old, bald, witless man give her crusty looks. Makes me want to to go kick some a_ _. What? Is society going to shame on her until she loses weight? People like that suck. And they're ugly.....

06-15-2007, 09:13 PM	#10
piercehawkeye45 Franklin Pierce Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,695	Its cliché but I bet a lot of the negative views on being overweight is caused with problems within theirself. I have found that the people that are the most critical of others are either obsessed with their body or very insecure about them. If you are content and relaxed with yourself then you are usually very less critical of others. It also comes from trying to purposely fit in or break stereotypes. If you try to fit in with a stereotype then you are making a statement that you care too much about your given stereotype you want in on and if you are purposely (stress purposely again) trying to break a stereotype you are making a statement that you care too much about the stereotype given to you. Neither is good in my opinion. When you start caring about how you look, then you will naturally start to care about how others look.

06-15-2007, 11:28 PM	#12
9th Engineer Bioengineer and aspiring lawer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 872	I know quite a few people who do analyze other people's weight as an extension of their own obsession with themselves. But it's almost always the case that these types of people don't have much to focus on other then their's and other people's physical appearance. They obsess on their attractive physique to divert attention from their flaws, and they bully others about it to keep others looking at themselves and at them. If I don't feel the urge to make people pay undue attention to me, then I don't think I'm pressuring others to pay undue attention to themselves. I won't deny that I pay attention to how people look, but I don't think it's in the way Ali is insinuating. I've been heavy myself, and I don't make snap judgments about others in terms of weight. Anyway.... What do you think about her comments about boycotting stores that don't carry styles above sizes 12 or 13? __________________ The most valuable renewable resource is stupidity.

06-15-2007, 09:22 PM	#14
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	So 9th, because you care how you look, then you naturally care how others look? __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

06-15-2007, 11:34 PM	#15
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	I'm not insinuating anything. I'm just asking a simple question. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)