Defining obesity…. If you
are over-weight at all you probably don’t really want to know this…. But it
really doesn’t take that much….. honestly.
I was so shocked, the first time I used a BMI
link: >BMI/bmicalc.htm (that’s Body Mass Index)
on the Internet. Shocked and dismayed,
because I really thought that obese equated to those who are more than
obviously in an extreme condition….. like 300lbs or more… and that simply is
not the true definition –according to Western medicine’s definition of the word
‘obese’.
It is the perception of
others, and we cannot know, without talking to a person, what their perception
of “fat” is… I had a co-worker who swore
a specific person was “over 300lbs!” and he readily admitted that he had not
seen (and KNOWN it) a person who weighed over 300 pounds. I had. (I had seen someone who weighed
330lbs.) The specific person in question could, conceivably, have weighed 250
pounds and not much more.
People who have talked
to me about, well me,..have said this to me: “you are not fat at all.” They don’t know. You cannot look at the
majority of people and make that assessment.
I appear “not fat” to people partially because I am tall. They have not ever seen me “thin”. Only you [and your “significant other(s?)”] know
what you look like,….perhaps your doctor.
My doctor did not tell
me that I am “obese”,… I told her! I cannot even show you with a photo of me,
because I have learned how to pose, how to stand up a bit straighter and
suck in my gut. That’s right, I have a
too big gut,… if I let it go, it’s embarrassing to me how I look. I am not
gaining weight,…you know, if you read my blog regularly, that I am working on
my diet.
I am well aware that I need
to get more exercise….in some part that extra exercise has been (more or less)
thrust upon me at work. My office was switched and now, rather than a quarter
mile, my office is more than one half mile from the parking lot, and up stairs!
(I work at one of the largest auto manufacture plants in the U.S.) It’s more of a hike, and I do wear a backpack
–to carry my lunch, healthy snacks, and incidentals. Because God forbid I would
have to walk to my car for something, --in all honesty –if I have to walk out
to my car for anything –I am going home for the day! A half mile walk is the
end of me for hours!! I can do my job, that’s not a problem,… I can drive away,…
but don’t ever ask me to turn around and make that ½ + mile hike
immediately. I would also mention that I
have to go down stairs to get to the “facilities”(bathroom), the nearest
facilities are up yet another staircase…. 14 steps… up 14 steps to get to my
second floor office, AND down another 2 steps….. indeed. (see how lazy I am!)
Anyway,… in the same
way that we should not be telling people they are “fat”,--we should also not be
telling people that they don’t need to lose any weight. With a mere extra 30 pounds I also have more
health “issues”,..nothing that serious, but I get out of breath easily,.. I “feel”
the extra weight…it can be a chore to move at all at times…. It makes me wonder about, and feel more
sympathy for, those who carry more extra weight than I do!
I am NOT judging
anyone. But please, please, please, I
beg you: if you are carrying so much extra weight that it wears you out…PLEASE
look at what you might change about your life…. Try to aim yourself toward
healthier habits! Please. (I know, all
too well, what it’s like to eat because it makes you feel better about anything
or everything, because it makes you happy, because it’s what you want and that’s
ok, because, because…..) One of my
wishes for everyone is that you be or get to a weight that makes life easier
for you, because life in general is hard enough…..
If you know me, and
there is anything I can do to help you…. Mostly all I can do is listen…. But please,
if I can help you I will. No judgement.
I will end here,… still
working on my own weight management,…still trying to mostly eat healthier…..
and still failing to lose weight myself…..
Thank you for reading
this.
Be sympathetic, be
kind.
Kindness matters.
__________________________________________________________________________
for more information:
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, having an “eating disorder was associated with higher levels of suicidal thinking compared to those without an eating disorder.”6 In such cases, a crisis or addiction helpline could be a life saver. There are many hotlines available to direct you to the most appropriate treatment options for your particular mental health or addiction problems.
- Free Addiction Hotline:855-315-4766A national, free, 24-hour hotline providing resources for compulsive overeating and food addiction.
- Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous:781-932-6300This number reaches the national headquarters of the organization that provides information about local chapters and meetings.
- Food Addicts Anonymous:772-878-9657This 12-step-based fellowship provides information about support groups and meetings for food addiction.
- Overeaters Anonymous:505-891-2664This 12-step-based fellowship provides information about meetings for compulsive overeating, under-eating, food addiction, anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, or over-exercising.
- National Eating Disorders Association:800-931-2237This is a toll-free, confidential helpline for people affected by eating disorders and their families. Volunteers are available Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST and Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
- Something Fishy:866-418-1207This is a national hotline that offers information about all kinds of disordered eating.
- National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD):800-622-2255This national hotline directs callers to programs throughout the United States to assist with substance use and other addiction issues.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline:800-622-4357This is a confidential national phone service providing help to people facing substance use or addiction issues and their families.
- Teen Health & Wellness Hotline:800-784-2433This site lists national hotlines for teens about various mental health and addiction issues. It also provides information about shelters and counseling services.
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline:800-273-8255This is a free 24-hour national hotline that provides support for those in distress and crisis.
If you or someone you love is struggling with a food addiction disorder or another mental health issue, call one of these hotlines today. Help is available.
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