I have a mini-rant,

I have a problem with the new weight loss reality show. The preface of the show has to do with how depression and low self-esteem is the reason that "fat people" are overweight!!!! What upsets me is that this is not the first time I have heard this!!! I am overweight and none of those "labels" belong to me! I am not depressed! When I am feeling down I actually DON'T eat!!! I have great self-esteem and I love myself because of who I am, not for what society tells me I need to look like!!! I am doing this for my health and for my babies-to-be, not my self image. I want to be a healthy mom, not a sick one in a dangerous pregnancy! I feel that you can be a a beautiful big woman! It is how you carry yourself. I hate it when they try to diagnose big people like we have an infectious disease!!! We are people too. No more labels!!!!

As someone who is an emotional eater, I'm happy for you that you aren't in the same situation, but many people do eat when they are depressed and it makes them feel worse. I don't think that these reality shows should put everyone who is overweight into one category, though, because of course we aren't all the same. I'm doing this because I know that my behaviors are taking a toll on my health and I want to be healthy, but in no way am I doing it for anyone else.

Not everyone who is fat has emotional issues contributing, but a whole lot of us have tried, in so many small ways, to anesthetize ourselves with food or eat ourselves to death. It's just a legal drug.

The best thing you can do is break the stereotype yourself, in the way you behave and act toward others. Show yourself to be self confident, controlled, and lovely, that's the best testimony against the stereotype you can provide.

This Is Exactly What I Am Saying! We Cannot All Be Lumped Into A Category And Be Scientific Specimens To Be Studied Like There Is Something Seriously Wrong With Us. Each Person Has A Reason Why They Weigh What They Do And It Is Unique To The Individual. I Have Friends Who Are Emotional Eaters And We Support Each Other Because Both Ends Of The Spectrum Are Bad. To Eat And Not To Eat. I Watched The Show In Horror Because The Girl Who Was The Topic Seemed Worst Off Than She Was Before The Show Started. I Hate To Be Labeled And Be Subjected To Being Placed Into A Category. Shows Like This Are Doing That Exact Thing. The Host Of The Show Said ,"obesity Is An Epidemic That Can Infect The Entire Nation. Especially With Advertisments Calling For Overweight People To Be Confident And Proud! There Is Nothing To Be Proud Of If You Are Overweight!" After That, I Just Turned The Channel. In My Opinion, It Takes Love For Yourself, To Help Yourself.

It's a television show. It is made to sell advertisements. If it bothers you, don't watch it.

You might as well start getting all worked about how The Bachelor portrays single women, or how Say Yes To The Dress portrays brides.

Find something else to spend your energy on.

I got to be over 300 pounds because *I* was depressed AND LAZY. LOL So I can relate to anyone telling me that's how they got there. It floors *me* that anyone can actually willing eat themselves to over 300 pounds for absolutely no reason except for the love of food. I mean really, how does a person with great self-esteem and true love for themselves eat 1000's of calories daily to maintain morbid obesity?

WOW, if that isn't the most shocking, most offensive thing I've ever read on 3FC.

I didn't think it was possible to offend me to this degree, and I certainly wouldn't have expected it on this site. Kudos.

I don't know what show you're talking about, but I actually think it's good for some focus to be put on the emotional aspects of obesity. I've suffered from depression (post-partum after my twins were born) and anxiety, and they were huge contributors to my weight gain.

There seems to be so much emphasis on just eating correctly and exercising. Big Brother seems to think if we just label fast foods or restrict what our children eat at school (no vending machines, bake sales, etc) then the epidemic of American obesity will just disappear. Yes, it's great to get kids away from computer games and outside being active, but if there are underlying mental health issues, in both children and adults, then all those measures will be for naught. There are emotional eaters, there are people that suffer from depression that soothe themselves with food instead of drugs and alcohol; it is an addiction- for many of us. If you are not in that category, congratulations, but I would venture to guess that a majority of obese people do have underlying mental health issues that have contributed to their weight.

I got up to 190 the same way. No love for myself, not wanting to face the discomfort of my life, stopped exercising and used food as comfort.

I love food, but it's a lot more enjoyable now that I eat it in moderation and am not going to bed stuffed every night.

I refuse to watch weight loss reality programs because they aren't reality. They are just turning obesity into entertainment.

Everyone is unique and it's impossible and inappropriate to make assumptions as to why the next guy gained weight.

This thread has ruffled more than a few feathers, so I'm closing.

Thanks