I'll jump on the wagon here & say "I agree." Also, there is a big difference between body image & self image - and while I still love mySELF at 173 pounds, my BODY is none the better for it, and I absolutely feel it every single day. When I'm at goal weight, I feel sooooo much better. I sleep better, wake better, get thru the day better - everything just feels better. When I'm fat, I feel tired, don't sleep well, awaken feeling tired & groggy, and the day just drags on.

While I can appreciate a person's "self love" even when overweight, I cannot applaude the damage they're doing to their body by allowing it to continue. And I can't help but wonder if fat people who claim such are just fooling themselves.

I've also wondered whether the Fat Acceptance movement isn't really just a lot of people who have given up and want the world to tell them that's ok. I just don't believe that if a magic pill were available to make them thin overnight, that most wouldn't take it and rejoice in their new healthier bodies.

I loved myself at 292 but I certainly didn't try to fool myself into thinking that that weight was acceptable. You might be able to get away with it when you're young but the physical problems all become magnified the older you get.

Robin
I think you could be right. I never hated myself but I sure wasn't happy with my weight. There are some people that are very comfortable with their own skin. Loseing weight means nothing to them and even a magic pill wouldn't be anything they would want.

Boy ain't THAT the truth!!!!

I looked at the Fat Acceptance Movement link and NAAFA.org, and I have to say that I actually agree with a large portion of what NAAFA communicates. As I've stated time and time again, I see nothing wrong with people being fat as long as they are in good health and taking care of their bodies. Some people are naturally bigger. Really. I also use the term "fat" loosely - to some people, "fat" is 300+, to others, it is just a little bit overweight, and to others (this last group sickens me), it's anyone over a size 3. To me, "fat" = anyone considered morbidly obese by the BMI scale.

Robin41, I do not think that that is what the Fat Acceptance movement is. Their website explains their point of view, and another member provided a link.

One of the points they make is that people should not have to lose weight before they are treated like human beings, and I have to agree with that. It's not so simple to lose weight, is it?

I would like to remind everyone that we have updated rules on the forums--and if you haven't reviewed what they are, please see the thread at the top of the forum page.

Jay

veggie
We are to " accept " everyones life style. Doesn't matter if it is right or wrong, it if is healthy or not, if it is safe or not.

There are people that are very happy being " big ". They like how they look, the doc says they are healthy and they see no reason to change to make other people happy. As long as a person is healthy, I don't see anything wrong with that.

woops

I'm afraid that we are going to have to respectfully disagree. I did check out their website before I posted. It has a lovely article on things to consider before starting a diet. They actually state that sensible eating plans are no more successful than fad diets. I don't buy that. The article also states that people who just feel better at lower weights feel that way because it is a result of internal oppression against fatness. I don't believe that either.

This article is listed as a basic position paper of the organization so I'm going to have to assume they really mean what the article says.

Frankly, I personally felt the entire tone of the website was to discourage people from trying to change. I don't believe that is healthy for anybody.

I'm afraid that I just disagree. That's still ok isn't it?

Yes, the time has come to close this thread. Thanks to all who gave their insights. Certainly being comfortable in one's body is an ongoing question for many folks.

Robin41, yes, it is still OK to disagree. But you knew that.

Jay