Well it seems there has been some action on this forum because I have a load of reported threads in my mailbox, but the posts aren't here, so I am assuming the posts have been deleted by either a moderator or by the posters.
Anyway, I would like to add something on here about the European fat haters. I am not sure what was said, but based on Skinny4baby's reply, I want to clear up some things so nobody feels like Europeans are all bad. I don't know how it is in the town that VM lived in, but I know MANY Europeans and also am married to one. I have never seen or experienced fat haters by any of them. They also have overweight people in their population! Just remember when we get upset at groups of people, it isn't fair to lump a load of people into one group. We have a lot of overweight chicks here with us that are from Europe, and I think there would be some hurt feelings if they thought the US chicks looked at their population that way.
Skinny, I know you are upset and fired up about this, so that is why I want to clear this up. I don't want you to think there is a whole continent of people that all feel the same. You asked what reasons they have for not being overweight. I do know one remarkable difference in Europeans to Americans that is related to weight, and that is the portion size of food. Most Europeans that I have met are amazed at the large portion sizes that we eat in America. Possibly if there are comments made about fat Americans, it might be as a reaction to what some of them may see as gluttony that is here with fast food and buffet style eating. Again, I don't know what was said, I'm just trying to defend the ones that I know don't fall in this category. Restaurants are generally a different atmosphere in Europe. Buffets are much more common in the US. Also, in Europe, you don't get free refills on drinks (or if so, I think it isn't common), and the focus on customer service in European restaurants isn't as strong. In my opinion, I think a lot of people I know get hooked on restaurants because we have a server at our beck and call so they can make a good tip. While we are in the restaurant, we are pampered, have an everlasting cup of pepsi, and all the restaurants are competing with each other, so the portion sizes just grow! I was thinking about this - tomorrow, Amy, Suzanne and I will get together. Where are we doing it? A restaurant. The reason being - we are meeting halfway between our towns, and there isn't anywhere else to go really ... in Europe they have loads of cafes, coffee shops, taverns, parks, but in a lot of smaller cities in America, we don't have that choice. Suzanne posted earlier on another thread that in our local phone book we have something like 5 gym listings, but like 8-9 pages of restaurants!
The other big difference I can think of is our lack of activity compared to the average European. Riding bikes and walking far distances, often carrying groceries or other packages, does burn some calories. It is common for Americans to walk the length to their car, and then the car to the store. In Europe, it isn't uncommon to not even own a car. Many cities in Europe are very condensed. In my town, we drive 5 minutes to get groceries. In my husband's old town, he walked to one in less time. When Suzanne lived in England, she walked most of the time. Taxi's were rarely used by her, and that was basically once a week for larger trips to the grocery. Gas is also 2-3 times more expensive there, so walking and biking is much more common. Basically they have more activity and less food.
Oh - an afterthought here. The car driving in America just leads us past a McD's on every corner, and while I am not sure how the prices are now, a few years ago fast food was quite a bit more expensive in Europe.
One other reason is a controversial one - and that is the amount of medication that Americans take. We have pills for everything. I know expats that live in Europe and they stock up on pain relievers and antibiotics, if they can get them, when they come to the US. I can't speak for all of Europe, but The Netherlands and some of the Scandinavian countries are very pro-alternative healthcare. Anti-depressants, SSRI's, steroids, tranquilizers, etc can wreak havoc on the metabolism. In some parts of Europe, natural and herbal care is more accepted, and some believe over all much healthier. Like I said, controversial subject, and I am in no way educated enough about it to give my own opinion on it.
I hope you have a better feeling about Europeans in general. I am not sure what was said before, but it did look like you were fired up about it and I don't want you to think there is an entire continent that looks down on you! My husband and my friends see me for what is inside. I am sure they have their share of unkind people just like we do in America , but they also have understanding ones as well.
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) I'm giving up alcohol for the whole of September just to see if it makes any difference to my weight loss - I'll let you all know at the end.
Kinna like because I am from Idaho I must be a potatoe farmer!! I support the troops to but I did not send them out. I did not bomb the twin towers, I did not do any terorist acts. As I am sure you did not also. What about those muslims that followed you? Are they automaticly accused of an haneouse acts? Keep your chin up and stand as a TALL AMERICAN! 
cerise - I too have been around "artists" of one form or another and have always found them to be appreciative of fine figures of beings... I am a fine figure!!!
