I am a women in my late 30's, I am obese and simply tired of the attitude of people around me. I fully agree that one should be in good shape and active, but when did it become a requirement for living with respect and dignity in the society. I am frustrated with the attitude of most skinny people against we overweight people. The discrimination against obese people (weightism) is very unfortunate and people should be respected based on who we are and not how we look. We do not want your sympathy, just treat like any other human being.

Since when did being overweight become such a huge problem, whatever I am, is my business and has nothing to do with anyone. People in this world think that people are obese because they simply love to eat and have an uncontrollable hunger problem. There may be several personal reasons behind someone's obesity including stress, medical condition, post-pregnancy fat, genetic or even hereditary. They are already dealing with this problem themselves and they do not want anyone else to aggravate it.

I really feel that somewhere or the other, media and fashion industry is responsible for making us look bad. Media, movies and even soap operas promote people who are skinny and many times people who are mean are often obese. I really do not feel bad about myself personally being obese, but it is the general attitude of the people against the overweight people. I know myself, I am much better than most of regular people who are mean and selfish. I often participate in non-profit social activities and charity. I work harder than most people at my workplace, follow rules, nice to others and even taking care of parents in their old age.

People who are fat have a tough time even in career. Overweight people are often rejected in the interview as we do not give a great "first impression" and even have to often work in low paying jobs. Overweight people are hesitant to visit doctor as even they indirectly seem to have weightism against them. Overweight people are often the target of bullying than the ones who are skinny.

Looks are not everything, Just accept the way we are !!

What disgusts me is that weightists really are filthy trash. They have really disgusting obsession to all kind of filth. Yuck.

I have to say as an obese person (i am obese), that there are discomforts that it does bring. Also I know that being smaller size I have more energy. Its sad that smaller people feel the need to comment on a bigger persons size. Firstly when I choose to loose weight I deal with the issues that caused me to gain weight, then I loose the weight.

Linda,

I know what it's like to be on that side of the fence. I grew up heavy, and lived most of my younger years that way. It wasn't until these last couple of years that I was able to hon in on a proper diet and a good workout strategy. Now I work at how to maintain my weight instead of loss or gain.

I totally hear what you are saying, and the concerns you have about discriminating against people because they are overweight. I'm sorry to have to say this, but I'm alright with discrimination based on weight. I say that for a few reasons.

To address something you brought up in your post, when it came to the interview. It is no secret that people who are in shape will get the position over someone who is overweight even if their qualifications are the same. The reason that happens is because employers are looking for someone they can sell especially if they interface directly with clients. Another reason they judge the book by its cover is because if you can't take care of yourself, then how can you take care of business? Typically, being overweight is often associated with being lazy. Employers don't like to hire lazy people.

I will agree that the media plays a pretty bad roll in all of this. I don't buy a product because it has a lean cut individual on the package, I buy it because it is a good product. Some of the fashion industry is trending towards plus size models as that is what most of America is.

Here is the last reason why I think it is okay to discriminate because of weight is because it is a choice. In rare instances is it a genetic or biological problem, but for the most part it is a choice to be heavy. There are millions of places go get programs, diets, workouts, and even dialogue with other people who have succeeded in losing weight. It is not that hard to get online and choose one of them to start with. Choosing to do nothing is the only bad choice out there. I know it can be done, I have purposely lost weight, I have purposely gained weight, now I am work on how to maintain my weight. What frustrates me most about people that don't take care of themselves physically is that you are doing terrible damage to yourself, and you are sucking money out of the pockets of people that do take the time to take care of themselves. My insurance premiums before the healthcare bill were minimal, or I wouldn't even be on healthcare, but now they are ridiculous. It is also a self esteem boost to be in better shape surrounded by people who are in better shape. I worked at a company for a year, and 90% of the people I saw on a day to day basis were overweight and looked miserable. How do you think that makes a person feel? You looking like you feel miserable is going to make me feel miserable, and nobody wants to feel miserable.

All things being equal the one thing that I do feel bad for is that you don't get taken seriously as a person. I'm sure you have a lot of great qualities about you that people would like but get taken for granted because you are overweight. I will always push people to get into better shape because they don't know what they are missing.

It all really comes down to this, at the end of the day, to our last day, the only thing we have is our health. I love the fact that I can be on the go all the time doing whatever it is I want to do, and not be stuck on my couch having to take a nap because I'm overweight and out of shape and can't enjoy all that life has to offer. If losing weight is something you want to do I will do everything in my power to help you do that. It is not that difficult, anyone and everyone can do it. If you want help please don't be afraid to shoot me an email I will gladly help you.